Shows & Tickets
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE ADDS REASONS TO BE PRETTY BY NEIL LABUTE TO 2013/2014 SEASON ALSO, A GEFFEN HOMECOMING FOR MONA GOLABEK IN THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE
LOS ANGELES (February 5, 2014) – The Geffen Playhouse announces Reasons to be Pretty by Neil LaBute as the final play in the 2013/2014 season. LaBute’s comic drama begins previews July 29 (opening night is August 6). This offering replaces the recently postponed production of The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter. Additionally, the Geffen Playhouse welcomes back Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane in a Spotlight Entertainment Series event, February 25 – March 9. Tickets for both shows are on sale now. “Neil LaBute, being an exacting wordsmith, knows how dangerous a thoughtless, misplaced remark can be,” said Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney. “His continued examination of the tenuous nature of relationships is incredibly authentic, funny and spot on. It’s always a pleasure to welcome Neil back to the Geffen.” In Reasons to be Pretty LaBute drops us into a minefield of miscommunication. When a seemingly innocuous remark becomes explosive, it forever alters the lives and loves of all.The New York Times said “Mr. LaBute is writing some of the freshest and most illuminating American dialogue to be heard anywhere these days.” Tony nominated for the 2009 Best Play, Reasons to be Pretty is part of a series that began with The Shape of Things and Fat Pig (seen at the Geffen in 2006). Mr. LaBute’s play will be presented on the Geffen’s main stage, the Gil Cates Theater. Subscribers will automatically have their tickets to The Birthday Party transferred to Reasons to be Pretty. However, if they so choose, subscribers may alternatively select Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane as their replacement performance for The Birthday Party by calling Audience Services at 310.208.2028. Following a 21-week, smash hit world premiere at the Geffen and a US tour, Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane returns as part of the theater’s Spotlight Entertainment Series. Originally performed in the intimate Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, the show will be presented in the 522-seat Gil Cates Theater. “Part of the power of Mona’s artistry is that this is a story that only she can tell,” said Arney. “With the pathos of her story coupled with her extraordinary expertise as a pianist, it is no surprise that she has taken the country by storm. Having had the pleasure of premiering this play, we welcome her home with open arms.”
Adapted and directed by L.A. audience favorite Hershey Felder and featuring the award-winning concert pianist Mona Golabek, this music-filled evening recounts the personal story of Ms. Golabek’s mother in Nazi-occupied Europe. The Pianist of Willesden Lane tells the story of Lisa Jura, a young Jewish pianist who is dreaming about her concert debut at the storied Musikverein concert hall. But with the issuing of new ordinances under Nazi regime, everything for Lisa changes, except for her love of music and the pursuit of her dream. Featuring some of the world's most beloved piano music played live, The Pianist of Willesden Lane is the performer’s true family story, chronicling hope, survival and how through our darkest times, music has the power to help us survive. After the world premiere at the Geffen Playhouse, the show received critical acclaim and earned enthusiastic fans in the San Francisco Bay Area (Berkeley Repertory Theater), Las Vegas, Boston (Paramount Theatre), Chicago (Royal George Theatre) and the Laguna Playhouse.
The Geffen Playhouse presentsReasons to be Pretty By Neil LaBute Preview Performances: Tuesday, July 29 – Tuesday, August 5Opening Night: Wednesday, August 6Closing Night: Sunday, August 31 LOCATION The Geffen Playhouse in the Gil Cates Theater 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Monday No performances Tuesday – Friday 8:00pm Saturday 3:00pm; 8:00pm Sunday 2:00pm; 7:00pm TICKET INFORMATION Tickets are on sale now for Reasons to be Pretty. Prices are $37-77 and are available at the Geffen Playhouse box office, via phone at 310.208.5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org.
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A GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE SPOTLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SERIES EVENT: THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE AND HERSHEY FELDER PRESENT THE ONE MORE ENTERTAINMENT AND TREVOR HAY PRODUCTION OFMONA GOLABEK IN THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE Adapted and directed by Hershey Felder Based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek and Lee CohenOpening Night: Tuesday, February 25Closing Night: Sunday, March 9 LOCATION The Geffen Playhouse in the Gil Cates Theater 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Monday No performances Tuesday – Friday 8:00pm *no performance on Thursday, February 27 Saturday 3:00pm; 8:00pm Sunday 2:00pm TICKET INFORMATION Tickets are on sale now for Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane. Prices are $37-77 and are available at the Geffen Playhouse box office, via phone at 310.208.5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org. ABOUT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE The 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 Geffen Playhouse continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Named in honor of entertainment mogul and philanthropist David Geffen, who made the initial donation to the theater, the company was founded by Gilbert Cates, and is currently helmed by Artistic Director Randall Arney, Managing Director Ken Novice, General Manager Behnaz Ataee, Chief Development Officer Regina Miller and Co-Chairs of the Board Martha Henderson and Pamela Robinson Hollander. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen Playhouse welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 each year, and maintains an extensive education and outreach program, designed to engage young people and the community at large in the arts. For more information, please visit www.geffenplayhouse.org.
