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  • You Never

    know who will show up...

  • Perform

    Or Tell a Story...

  • Or steal
    the show!

  • You Never

    know who will show up...

  • Perform

    Or Tell a Story...

  • Or steal
    the show!

    Backstage at the Geffen

    Saturday, May 20, 2023

    Join us backstage for one of Los Angeles theater lovers’ favorite nights of the year as we honor artistic visionaries and enjoy behind-the-curtain tales and performances from surprise guests. You never know who will show up to tell a story, perform, or steal the show!

    We created this annual celebration to serve as a vital fundraiser for the theater’s education, community engagement, and artistic initiatives. As our largest fundraiser, Backstage at the Geffen raises significant funds to support the Geffen’s ongoing commitment to bring the power and inspiration of the arts to youth and adults in communities throughout Los Angeles.

    The evening is designed to bring people together with a festive, once-in-a-lifetime experience, centered around sharing stories and connecting with one another through the arts. No members of the press are allowed, and no record of the stories told remain online, making this an incredible night that you don’t want to miss!

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    Sarah Weinberg
    Director of Development
    310.208.6500 x140

    TITLE SPONSOR

    PRESENTING SPONSORS

    2023 Honorees

    Debbie Allen

    DISTINCTION IN THEATER AWARD

    Debbie Allen, a B.F.A. graduate of Howard University in Theater and Classical Greek Studies, holds five honorary Doctorate degrees, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was named a Kennedy Center honoree, and is an award-winning director/choreographer who has choreographed the Academy Awards a record ten times. She has directed and choreographed for legendary artists such as Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Gwen Verdon, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dolly Parton, Savion Glover, and most recently Tyler Perry’s A Jazzman’s Blues.

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    Greg Berlanti

    DISTINCTION IN SERVICE AWARD

    WGA, DGA, Golden Globe, and Emmy nominated writer, director, and producer, Greg Berlanti, is the force behind some of the most creative and acclaimed works in film and television. He began his career in television as a staff writer on the hit show Dawson’s Creek and became an executive producer and showrunner of the series after only one year on staff. Since then, Berlanti has served as creator, writer, and producer behind several of the most inventive and biggest hits on television, including Everwood, Brothers & Sisters, Political Animals, Arrow, Blindspot, The Flash, Supergirl, You, Riverdale, Titans, Doom Patrol, All American, and The Flight Attendant. For the past few years, Berlanti Productions has had as many as 15 shows on the air at one time—a record breaking number of shows to air at one time for a TV producer and creator.

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    Host

    Tone Bell

    Geffen Playhouse welcomes back comedian, actor, writer and producer Tone Bell as its 2023 Backstage at the Geffen host. Tone recently co-starred opposite Golden Globe winner Andra Day in Lee Daniels' The United States vs. Billie Holiday, now streaming on Hulu. An accomplished stand-up comic who tours nationwide, Tone’s first one-hour comedy special Tone Bell: Can’t Cancel This can currently be seen on Showtime, Hulu and Amazon Prime. Tone’s comedy album, One Night in Austin, was released in 2021.

    EVENT COMMITTEE

    Merle Dandridge, Adi Greenberg, Loretta Everett Kaufman, Linda Bernstein Rubin, Marc Weinstock


    HONORARY HOST COMMITTEE

    Calista Flockhart & Harrison Ford, Cindy & Alan Horn, Quincy Jones, Gloria Calderón Kellett & David Kellett, Sherry Lansing, Lyn & Norman Lear, Fay & Frank* Mancuso, Rita Moreno, Bruce* & Madeline Ramer, Jazmyn Simon & Dulé Hill, Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks

    *Founding Trustees

    Thank You To Our Backstage at the Geffen 2023 Donors

    Platinum Supporters

    • Berlanti Family Foundation
    • Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer
    • Loretta Everett Kaufman & Victor Kaufman
    • Linda Bernstein Rubin & Tony Rubin
    • Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation

    Gold Supporters

    • Cindy & Alan Horn
    • Paramount Pictures

    Silver Supporters

    • Marcy Carsey
    • Holly Rice & Vince Gilligan

    Bronze Supporters

    • Ariel Investments
    • Edgerton Foundation
    • Dr. & Mrs. Paul Eisenberg
    • Greenberg Glusker
    • Patricia Glaser & Sam Mudie
    • Marcy Gross
    • Sidley Austin LLP
    • Daniel Tongbai & Henry Clancy

    Supporters

    • The Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams Family Foundation
    • Kevin & Claudia Bright
    • Dan Cliver
    • Ellyce R. Cooper & Barry Cohen
    • Anne Dougherty & David Dobrikin
    • Lisa Field, Field Family Foundation
    • Mark & Susan Fleischer
    • Larry Gagosian
    • Sue & Steve Glusker
    • Maryann & Irwin Gold
    • Noble & Jacquelynn Hansen
    • Willette & Manny Klausner
    • Carla Malden & Norman Beil
    • Bruce & Madeline Ramer
    • Richard & Barbara Sherman
    • Richard Sondheimer & Jane Rissman
    • Miranda & Brett Tollman
    • Joanne & Ken Weinman

    Advocates

    • Eva Aaronson
    • Linda & Jerry Bruckheimer
    • Gil Cates, Jr.
    • Comcast NBCUniversal
    • Joanna & Jeff Davis
    • Susanna Felleman
    • Brenda Garcia
    • Lynn James Heacox
    • Eric & Samantha Heer
    • Kristin Hoover
    • Linda & David Kagel
    • Daniel & Marla Klein
    • Tricia Lee & Joerg Huettner
    • Olympus Theatricals
    • Linda May
    • John McClure
    • Leslie Mitchner
    • Ron Myrick
    • Shana & Don Passman
    • Lou & Berta Pitt
    • Jo Schiff
    • Randi & Rand Singer

    In-Kind Supporters

    • Kayla Allen / Pure Barre
    • Cyrus Batchan / Camphor
    • Ashton Easter / Playground LA
    • Fairmont Empress / Stephanie Jones
    • Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
    • The Friedman Group
    • The Hammer Museum at UCLA
    • Manuela & James Goren
    • Tom Kenny
    • The Lodge at Torrey Pines – Evans Hotels
    • Gavin D. Pak / East West Players
    • Paramount Pictures
    • Pasadena Playhouse
    • Petrossian Restaurant & Boutique
    • Linda Bernstein Rubin & Tony Rubin
    • Jodi & Howard Tenenbaum

    Hospitality Sponsors

    • Alligator Pear Catering
    • Derrick Lemont Johnson – Interiors & Event Design
    • House of Suntory
    • STK | The One Group
    • Vida en Bloom
    • W Los Angeles – West Beverly Hills

    * Donors as of May 18, 2023.

    Support
    Our Theater

    Support
    Our Theater

    Geffen Playhouse has been a hub of the Los Angeles theater scene since opening its doors in 1995. Noted for its intimacy and celebrated for its world-renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and second productions, the not-for-profit organization continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen maintains extensive education and community engagement programs, designed to involve young people and the community at large in the arts.

    Donate Now

    Support
    Our Theater

    Support
    Our Theater

    Geffen Playhouse has been a hub of the Los Angeles theater scene since opening its doors in 1995. Noted for its intimacy and celebrated for its world-renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and second productions, the not-for-profit organization continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen maintains extensive education and community engagement programs, designed to involve young people and the community at large in the arts.

    Donate Now

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