Goodman
Mamet
The Geffen Playhouse will return to Westwood for its 10th anniversary season in November, reopening its doors with "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," starring John Goodman and directed by Geffen Playhouse producing director Gil Cates.
The season will open at the Geffen's current home, the Brentwood Theater, with Heather Raffo's "Nine Parts of Desire." Directed by Joanna Settle, the one-woman play concerning women in Iraq runs Sept. 14-Oct. 16, with previews starting Sept. 6. Play is running at Manhattan Ensemble Theater's SoHo space through June 12.
Auds will get their first look at the $17 million renovation, which includes the building of 120-seat Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater, on Nov. 16 when Tennessee Williams' "Cat" opens (previews begin Nov. 4 and the show runs until Dec. 18). Rain delayed construction by about 30 days, forcing the Geffen to start its season at the Brentwood.
"We're giving new life to the (Geffen Playhouse) while maintaining the integrity and character of the original architecture," Cates said. "The main theater has been fully adapted into a functional, flexible and comfortable facility."
The Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater will be christened with the world premiere of Rick Cleveland's "My Buddy Bill." Cleveland, a writer and executive producer on HBO's "Six Feet Under" who just signed a deal to develop hourlong dramas for NBC Universal, examines his friendship with Bill Clinton in the one-man show, to be workshopped at the Berkshire Theater Festival this summer.
Production dates have not yet been determined for "My Buddy Bill" nor the rest of the Geffen season. The Geffen will stage Arthur Miller's "All My Sons," directed by Geffen artistic director Randall Arney, and David Mamet's "Boston Marriage," which the writer will direct as well. A new play will be announced at a later date.
Plans call for three shows to be presented in the Skirball-Kenis in its first year. Venue will also serve as a rehearsal space and as a laboratory for developing new works, Cates said. "We consider it an 'actor's theater' where we can stage intimate readings and eclectic programming for our audiences," he noted.
Wadsworth Theater Management, which operates the Brentwood and Wadsworth theaters on the West L.A. Veterans Administration grounds, will begin filling the Brentwood Theater once the Geffen departs. Rich Willis, a WTM principal, said the company is looking at six or seven shows and, with the Geffen's exit date set, is now in the process of setting dates.
The Brentwood will be booked with plays and small musicals, some from Off Broadway and others that are touring the country. "We're just at the point where we can finalize plans," Willis said.
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