The Geffen Playhouse News

Ken Novice, the current managing director of the Pasadena Playhouse, will take on the role of Geffen Playhouse managing director effective June 1. Susan Barton, who assumed the interim role last June while the Geffen Playhouse conducted a search to fill the position, will work with Novice to ensure a smooth transition until Novice official takes on the title.

Similar to their namesake act that swept the strip in Vegas decades ago, Louis & Keely: Live at the Sahara is quickly becoming the hottest ticket in town. As such, the play, which was originally set to close on the last week of April, will now be extended for an additional four weeks. After lauded reviews from local media and a near sweep at the 2009 Garland Awards (production, playwriting, direction/musical direction, best actor/actress in a musical), Louis and Keely Live at the Sahara has added 24 performances after nearly selling out its previously announced run. The musical, which follows the life and love of Las Vegas? infamous onstage couple Louis Prima and Keely Smith, will run at the Audrey Skriball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse through May 24.

Producers Stephen Eich and Don Foster announced casting today for the world premiere of Mark Roberts? Rantoul and Die, A Romantic Comedy Wrapped in Razor Wire at The Lillian Theater (1076 Lillian Way) in Hollywood. The new play stars Paul Dillon (originated the title role in Tracy Letts? Killer Joe) as Gary, Cynthia Ettinger (Actors? Gang?s I am not a racist, but . . .) as Debbie, Rich Hutchman (Buzzworks Theatre Company?s Invasion of the Minnesota Normals) as Rallis and Lisa Rothschiller (Chicago?s Defiant Theatre Company?s Action Movie: The Play) as Callie. Two-time Tony award-nominee Erin Quigley (costume designs for The Grapes of Wrath and The Songs of Jacob Zulu) is set to direct. Preview performances begin May 14, 2009.

South Coast Repertory's 12th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF) will shine the spotlight on seven new plays written by America's finest writers. Since its creation in 1998, PPF has grown into one of the most important festivals of new scripts in the United States. This year's Festival will take place during the May 1 through May 3 weekend and will feature five staged readings and two fully-produced World Premieres on South Coast Repertory's Segerstrom and Julianne Argryos Stages. Tickets to PPF may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

In a repeated case of life imitating art (imitating life), the hit musical Louis & Keely: Live at the Sahara announces a second extension due to audience demand. The play, which was first extended through the last week of May, will now be extended for an additional five weeks. With lauded reviews from the local media and a near sweep of the highest honor at every major Los Angeles theater awards ceremony - Best Musical at the Ovation Awards, Best Production at the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, Best Production at the Garland Awards and Musical of the Year at the LA Weekly Theater Awards - Louis & Keely: Live at the Sahara is playing in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse until June 28, 2009.

Acclaimed television, stage and movie actor Neil Patrick Harris ('How I Met Your Mother,' Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and Assassins) has been named the host of the 7th Annual 'TV Land Awards,' it was announced today by Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. 'The TV Land Awards' will be taped on Sunday, April 19th at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City and air in TV Land PRIME on Sunday, April 26th at 9pm ET/PT.

Kandis Chappell and Melanie Lora take on the celebrated roles of Professor Ruth Steiner and Lisa Morrison in Donald Margulies? Collected Stories at South Coast Repertory. Margulies? Pulitzer Prize-nominated play about two women writers at opposite stages of their careers is one of SCR?s best-known commissions and has achieved worldwide success. Directed by Artistic Director Martin Benson, Collected Stories will run from May 15 through June 14, 2009 on the Segerstrom Stage. Low-priced previews are available from May 15 through May 21. Opening night is May 22. Press night is Saturday, May 23 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets to Collected Stories may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

The Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the world premiere production of Thornton Wilder's novel Heaven's My Destination, adapted by award-winning playwright Lee Blessing. The play is the centerpiece of the fourth annual FusionFest, a multidisciplinary performing arts festival.

The Geffen Playhouse welcomes back celebrated stage and screen actor John Mahoney (Frasier) for his second role in a Conor McPherson play at the Geffen Playhouse. After starring in the 2001 production of The Weir, Mahoney returns to play the role of Richard Harkin in The Seafarer, McPherson's 2008 Tony nominee for Best Play, which opens April 22 on the Geffen's main stage. Helmed by Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney, the ensemble cast also features seasoned actors Andrew Connolly, Tom Irwin, Paul Vincent O'Connor and Matt Roth.

Ken Novice, the current managing director of the Pasadena Playhouse, will take on the role of Geffen Playhouse managing director effective June 1. Susan Barton, who assumed the interim role last June while the Geffen Playhouse conducted a search to fill the position, will work with Novice to ensure a smooth transition until Novice official takes on the title.

Producers Stephen Eich and Don Foster announced casting today for the world premiere of Mark Roberts? Rantoul and Die, A Romantic Comedy Wrapped in Razor Wire at The Lillian Theater (1076 Lillian Way) in Hollywood. The new play stars Paul Dillon (originated the title role in Tracy Letts? Killer Joe) as Gary, Cynthia Ettinger (Actors? Gang?s I am not a racist, but . . .) as Debbie, Rich Hutchman (Buzzworks Theatre Company?s Invasion of the Minnesota Normals) as Rallis and Lisa Rothschiller (Chicago?s Defiant Theatre Company?s Action Movie: The Play) as Callie. Two-time Tony award-nominee Erin Quigley (costume designs for The Grapes of Wrath and The Songs of Jacob Zulu) is set to direct. Preview performances begin May 14, 2009.

The world-renowned Imagination Workshop was founded 40 years ago by Margaret Ladd, the award-winning actress and Founding Artistic Director, and her husband Lyle Kessler, the critically-acclaimed playwright, and Co-Founder of the organization. Today, the Imagination Workshop, a unique theatre company comprised of professional theatre artists collaborating with patients recovering from mood disorders and other mental illnesses, is one of the longest running Arts and Social Institutions in the country.

Following a sold out run at the Edinburgh Festival and a series of international shows culminating in a recent sell-out success at the infamous Magic Castle in LA, Guy Hollingworth performs his acclaimed one man show, The Expert at the Card Table at the Menier Chocolate Factory for three exclusive performances on Thursday 02, Friday 03 and Saturday 04 April at 8pm. The Expert at the Card Table is directed by legendary TV actor Neil Patrick Harris, known to millions for his role as Doogie Howser.

The Geffen Playhouse adds Bill Cain?s new play Equivocation to its 2009/2010 lineup as well as confirms director John Rando to helm Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas. The Geffen Playhouse?s 2009 / 2010 season boasts award-winning actors (including Annette Bening, Laurence Fishburne and Matthew Modine), acclaimed directors (Randall Arney, Gil Cates, Leonard Foglia and John Rando) and contemporary new works, including two world premieres, a North American premiere and a West Coast premiere.

Similar to their namesake act that swept the strip in Vegas decades ago, Louis & Keely: Live at the Sahara is quickly becoming the hottest ticket in town. As such, the play, which was originally set to close on the last week of April, will now be extended for an additional four weeks. After lauded reviews from local media and a near sweep at the 2009 Garland Awards (production, playwriting, direction/musical direction, best actor/actress in a musical), Louis and Keely Live at the Sahara has added 24 performances after nearly selling out its previously announced run. The musical, which follows the life and love of Las Vegas? infamous onstage couple Louis Prima and Keely Smith, will run at the Audrey Skriball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse through May 24.

The Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the world premiere production of Thornton Wilder's novel Heaven's My Destination, adapted by award-winning playwright Lee Blessing. The play is the centerpiece of the fourth annual FusionFest, a multidisciplinary performing arts festival.

Similar to their namesake act that swept the strip in Vegas decades ago, Louis & Keely: Live at the Sahara is quickly becoming the hottest ticket in town. As such, the play, which was originally set to close on the last week of April, will now be extended for an additional four weeks.

Following a sold out run at the Edinburgh Festival and a series of international shows culminating in a recent sell-out success at the infamous Magic Castle in LA, Guy Hollingworth performs his acclaimed one man show, The Expert at the Card Table at the Menier Chocolate Factory for three exclusive performances on Thursday 02, Friday 03 and Saturday 04 April at 8pm. The Expert at the Card Table is directed by legendary TV actor Neil Patrick Harris, known to millions for his role as Doogie Howser.

The Geffen Playhouse's 2009 / 2010 season boasts award-winning actors (including Annette Bening, Laurence Fishburne and Matthew Modine), acclaimed directors (including Geffen Playhouse's own Gil Cates and Randall Arney), and contemporary new works, including two world premieres, a North American premiere and a West Coast premiere.

The world-renowned Imagination Workshop was founded 40 years ago by Margaret Ladd, the award-winning actress and Founding Artistic Director, and her husband Lyle Kessler, the critically-acclaimed playwright, and Co-Founder of the organization. Today, the Imagination Workshop, a unique theatre company comprised of professional theatre artists collaborating with patients recovering from mood disorders and other mental illnesses, is one of the longest running Arts and Social Institutions in the country.