Stephen Eich, managing director of the Geffen Playhouse since August 2000, tendered his resignation effective in mid-June, after the opening of the theater's final production from its 07/08 season. During Eich's eight year tenure at the Geffen Playhouse, he worked in partnership with Producing Director Gilbert Cates and Artistic Director Randall Arney to oversee the 20 million dollar renovation of the theater as well as guide the management of the theater through numerous award-winning productions including Looking for Normal, All My Sons, George Gershwin Alone and The Quality of Life.
"My eight years at the Geffen Playhouse have been some of the most challenging and rewarding of my career," said Eich. "I have been fortunate to guide a talented staff of professionals through one of the most exciting growth periods in the theater's short history. I wish the playhouse the greatest success throughout its future."
Eich has been an integral part of the national theater community for more than 28 years with experience in both commercial and not-for-profit theater. From 1979 to 1995 he was managing director of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company where he produced over 125 productions including the 1990 Tony Award-winning Best Play, The Grapes of Wrath. After Steppenwolf, Eich became an independent producer working on
Steve Martin's award-winning Picasso at the Lapin Agile and
Paul Simon's musical The Capeman, as well as produced various concerts at Carnegie Hall.
"Steve's contribution to the Geffen Playhouse and theater in Los Angeles has been extraordinary," said Producing Director Gilbert Cates. "He will be missed."
Cates and the Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors, helmed by Chairman Frank Mancuso, will institute a comprehensive search to fill the position.
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 eclectic mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and musicals, the Geffen 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 is headed by Producing Director and President of the Board Gilbert (Gil) Cates, Artistic Director
Randall Arney and Chairman of the Board Frank Mancuso. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen 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 geffenplayhouse.com.
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