Geffen invites 'Friends'

Tale-telling, gender changes part of theater's season

By ROBERT HOFLER

The Geffen Theater’s fifth season opens in September with Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Dinner with Friends,” followed by quick-change artist Ennio Marchetto’s eponymous show, which is set for November.

In his first season at the Geffen, artistic director Randall Arney helms the L.A. debut of “The Weir.” Conor McPherson’s tale-telling play is skedded for January.

Anderson’s “Normal”

In April, the Geffen presents the world premiere of Jane Anderson’s “Looking for Normal,” about a man who, happily married for 25 years, decides it is time for a gender-bending change in life.

Anderson is author of a number of plays, including “The Baby Dance,” “Defying Gravity,” “Lynette at 3 A.M.” and “Hotel Oubliette.” She also wrote the screenplays for “How to Make an American Quilt” and “It Could Happen to You.”

“Looking for Normal” was developed as part of the Mark Taper Forum’s New Works Festival.

Gil Cates, the Geffen’s producing director, will announce a fifth and final play of the season at a later date.