Bening, Metcalf, Etc. Set for Geffen Season; 'Atlanta' Added

The Geffen Playhouse continues polishing its artistic plans for 2007/2008 with the announcement of the new season's productions by Producing Director Gil Cates. 

"Next year is filled with dynamic writing and thought-provoking storylines by Jane Anderson, Daniel Beaty, Marcus Hummon and Adrian Pasdar, Donald Margulies, Joanna Murray-Smith, and Wendy Wasserstein that are invigorated by actors such as Annette Bening, Christine Lahti and Laurie Metcalf," state press notes. "Two exciting commissioned plays and a multiple of World, American and West Coast premieres highlight the main stage and the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at Geffen Playhouse.  Additionally, the theater begins its fall season by participating in Suzan-Lori Parks' grassroots theater project, 365 Days/365 Plays."

"The power of writing and the distinct collection of authors promise a season of stirring, eclectic and unique opportunities for the Geffen Playhouse.  From Anderson to Wasserstein, the range of topics is both current and exciting.  You may exit our building next season with a double take, thinking twice about your long-held convictions," says Gil Cates, producing director.  "We have authors at the top of their game and actors at their very best with Annette, Christine, and Laurie."

As previously announced, Academy Award winner Christine Lahti plays Laurie Jameson in Wendy Wasserstein's final play, Third.   Maria Mileaf directs the West Coast premiere and first play of the new season on the main stage.  Mileaf previously helmed Yasmina Reza's The Unexpected Man at the Geffen Playhouse in fall, 2001.  However The Best is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman, the World premiere musical devised by Larry Gelbart and David Zippel, is postponed, and in its place is the World premiere of Atlanta.   Singer-songwriter Marcus Hummon and actor-director Adrian Pasdar developed the progressive new musical, which mixes select prose by William Shakespeare with original bluegrass music and country tunes.   

Atlanta is described in press notes: "Toward the end of the Civil War, in the waning days of the Confederacy, a young Yankee, Paul, assumes the persona of a Confederate soldier in order to keep alive behind enemy lines.  In joining the Confederate camp lead by Colonel Medraut, he discovers slaves trained as Shakespearean actors, and subplots held within the lives he's permeated.  Paul, in assuming the role of Rebel Andrew Watson, becomes the recipient of his haunting love letters from a woman named Atlanta.  As his loyalty grows to his new Southern brothers, so does his love for Atlanta."

"The Geffen Playhouse begins 2008 with the American premiere of The Female of the Species, a wildly, wicked new comedy from one of Australia's best known young writers, Joanna Murray-Smith.  Annette Bening takes center stage as Margot Mason, a feminist literary giant at home in her country haven who is having uncharacteristic trouble with her next masterpiece.  The unexpected arrival of a young female fan lights a fuse that is destined to blow Margot's world apart.  The fourth play on the main stage is still unconfirmed but the season concludes with the long-anticipated commissioned play by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies.  The Elephant in the Room focuses on Sarah Goodwin, a seasoned photojournalist seriously wounded while covering a war, as she tries to resume a normal life at home. The Geffen Playhouse previously produced Margulies' Collected Stories (1998-1999 season) and Dinner with Friends (2000-2001 season)."

"Written and directed by Jane Anderson, the World premiere presentation of Quality of Life begins the 2007/2008 season in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at Geffen Playhouse.  Laurie Metcalf, the 2006 Ovation Award winner for her portrayal of Kate Keller in the Geffen's All My Sons, stars. While the Geffen Playhouse has commissioned other plays, this is the first to be produced by the Westwood-based theater company.  In Quality of Life, a couple turned Born-Again after the death of their daughter visits their left-leaning cousins in the Berkeley Hills who've just lost their home to a wildfire.   In their heartbreaking efforts to fend off despair, the couples fight each other for the moral high ground, throwing a light on the cultural rift in America. The Geffen Playhouse previously produced Anderson's Looking for Normal (2000-2001 season) which also featured Metcalf. Tentatively scheduled for production in the Audrey (with dates to be announced) is Daniel Beaty's Emergence-See!   Beaty takes on more than 40 different characters as they respond to a 400-year old slave ship that rises out of the Hudson River in his critically acclaimed one-man show."

365 Days/365 Plays runs the week of September 10th, Third runs September 11th through October 21st, with opening night set for September 19th, Atlanta begins November 20th, opens November 28th and runs through December 30th, The Female of the Species begins February 5th, opens on February 13th and runs through March 16th, 2008, the fourth play of the season to be announced begins April 15th, opens April 23rd and runs through May 25th, The Elephant in the Room begins June 17th, opens June 25th and runs through July 27th, 2008, Quality of Life begins October 2nd, opens October 10th and runs through November 18th, 2007 and Emergence-See! will play dates to be announced.

Visit www.geffenplayhouse.com for more information.

Photo - Annette Bening