The Geffen Playhouse News

The Geffen Playhouse is postponing the previously announced production of Nightmare Alley, set to occupy the final slot in the theater's 08/09 season, and replacing it with Beau Willimon's acclaimed new political play Farragut North.

Stephen Eich and Don Foster will present 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. Erin Quigley, who is known for her Tony Award-nominated costume designs for The Grapes of Wrath and The Songs of Jacob Zulu, is set to direct this new play. Preview performances begin May 14, 2009, with the official press opening on Saturday, May 16.

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.

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.

Twenty-three arts journalists have been chosen from 16 states to participate as fellows in the fifth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater at USC Annenberg. Through the generous support of the NEA, the Institute will be conducted by USC Annenberg?s School of Journalism in Los Angeles from April 14 ?24, 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.

Upright Cabaret sat down with the stars of the world premiere play TIME STANDS STILL.

It was with great dismay that I read a recent notice in the Los Angeles Times of layoffs amongst the theatre critic and arts coverage world at publications including the LA Weekly, Daily Variety and the L.A. Daily News...

The Falcon Theatre presents the west coast premiere comedy Everybody Say 'Cheese!', the final production in its 2008-2009 'Bringin' the FUNNY' All-Comedy subscription season. Written by comedy icon and founder of the Falcon Theatre Garry Marshall, Everybody Say 'Cheese!' is directed by Steve Zuckerman and stars Joe Regalbuto (Murphy Brown) and DeeDee Rescher (King of Queens). Rounding out the cast are: Cyrus Alexander, John Capodice, Heather Corwin, Joel Johnstone and Roberta Valderrama.

The Andak Stage Company announces the sixth world premiere of their first three seasons.

The Denver Center Theatre Company continues its climb to the top tier of American new play festivals with the expected arrival this weekend in Denver of nearly 300 theatre professionals and press representatives. Theatre professionals scheduled to attend the fourth annual Colorado New Play Summit February 12 -14 include artistic directors, literary managers, agents, members of the press, actors, dramaturgs and directors.

The lure of a world premiere play by Pulitzer winner Donald Margulies (Dinner with Friends) directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan (Proof) is enticing enough to convince actors Anna Gunn (HBO's Deadwood, AMC's Breaking Bad), Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, Miss Match), David Harbour (Quantum of Solace, Revolutionary Road, State of Play) and Robin Thomas (Damages, Murphy Brown) to temporarily forgo the screens for a stint at the Geffen Playhouse. The second produced work in the Geffen's ongoing commission program, Time Stands Still opens February 11, 2009 on the theater's main stage.

Mad Men and SPEED-THE-PLOW star Elizabeth Moss and Saturday Night Live cast member Fred Armisen have recently gotten engaged. Mad Men star Moss accepted Armisen's proposal last week. She told USAWeekend.com this past weekend that, 'I don't want to share the details of how it happened, but I will say it was perfect.' The two talented stars have been very low key regarding the romance, but Armisen has been seen at 'SPEED' quite frequently and as a matter of fact shared the 'BWW TV' screen with Moss for our 'Night Before Christmas' video! We wish the happy couple all the very best.

The lure of a world premiere play by Pulitzer winner Donald Margulies (Dinner with Friends) directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan (Proof) is enticing enough to convince actors Anna Gunn (HBO's Deadwood, AMC's Breaking Bad), Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, Miss Match), David Harbour (Quantum of Solace, Revolutionary Road, State of Play) and Robin Thomas (Damages, Murphy Brown) to temporarily forgo the screens for a stint at the Geffen Playhouse. The second produced work in the Geffen's ongoing commission program, Time Stands Still opens February 11, 2009 on the theater's main stage.

Quinn Van Antwerp will replace Derek Krantz in the role of Bob Gaudio in the Canadian production of Jersey Boys. Press night shifts from January 13 to January 20.

Quinn Van Antwerp will replace Derek Krantz in the role of Bob Gaudio in the Canadian production of Jersey Boys. Press night shifts from January 13 to January 20.

Soon there'll be another 'Jersey Boy' in town! The Toxic Avenger, a new musical by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) & David Bryan (Bon Jovi), with direction by John Rand0 (Urinetown), will begin performances on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street), it was announced today by the show's producers Jean Cheever and Tom Polum. Opening Night is set for Monday, April 6th.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents ROUGH CROSSING by TOM STOPPARD, from an original play by FERENC MOLNÁR, directed by MARK RUCKER at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven) beginning November 28 through December 20. Opening Night is Thursday, December 4.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents ROUGH CROSSING by TOM STOPPARD, from an original play by FERENC MOLN?R, directed by MARK RUCKER at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven) beginning November 28 through December 20. Opening Night is Thursday, December 4.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents ROUGH CROSSING by TOM STOPPARD, from an original play by FERENC MOLNÁR, directed by MARK RUCKER at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven) beginning November 28 through December 20. Opening Night is Thursday, December 4.