Glen Berger's "Underneath the Lintel" Added to 2017/2018 Season

GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE ADDS GLEN BERGER’S “UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL” TO ITS 2017/2018 SEASON

FULL SEASON’S DATES AND DIRECTORS ALSO ANNOUNCED

LOS ANGELES (May 16, 2017) – The Geffen Playhouse today announced the addition of Glen Berger’s critically acclaimed play Underneath the Lintel, completing its 2017/2018 season lineup.

Underneath the Lintel is the story of a reclusive librarian who discovers a 113-year overdue book in the night slot and is compelled to pursue the borrower. His search for answers leads to a worldwide, whirlwind journey, where he discovers instead the great mysteries of humanity. Called “powerfully human and ultimately sublime,” Glen Berger’s Underneath the Lintel reminds us that the joy is in the journey itself. The Geffen’s production marks the first major staging of the play in Los Angeles since its debut in 2001 by The Actors’ Gang.

Also announced today are the directors and run dates for the full 2017/2018 season in the Gil Cates and Audrey Skirball Kenis theaters.

GIL CATES THEATER

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY UNIT AT MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER OF NEW YORK CITY
WEST COAST PREMIERE
Written by Halley Feiffer
Directed by Trip Cullman

Dates: September 5 – October 8, 2017
Opening Night: September 13, 2017

Sitting bedside at Memorial Sloan Kettering has never been so entertaining. While their ailing mothers share a hospital room, Karla and Don discover truth in the old cliché that opposites attract…and repel…and attract.


CHASING MEM'RIES: A DIFFERENT KIND OF MUSICAL
WORLD PREMIERE
Written & Directed by Joshua Ravetch
Lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman
Music by Bill Cantos & Mari Falcone, Dave Grusin, Marvin Hamlisch, Michel Legrand and Johnny Mandel
Featuring Tyne Daly and Robert Forster

Dates: November 7 – December 10, 2017
Opening Night: November 15, 2017

In this world premiere with songs written by legendary lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Tyne Daly stars as a woman not quite ready to let go of the life she’s loved and the love of her life.

IRONBOUND
WEST COAST PREMIERE
Written by Martyna Majok
Directed by Tyne Rafaeli

Dates: January 30 – March 4, 2018
Opening Night: February 7, 2018

Humorous and heartrending, Ironbound spans 22 years to tell the story of Darja, a Polish immigrant getting by on a cleaning job, aggressive pragmatism and sheer will. In this wry drama, award-winning playwright Martyna Majok points out that sometimes survival is the only measure of success.

SIGNIFICANT OTHER
WEST COAST PREMIERE
Written by Joshua Harmon
Directed by Stephen Brackett

Dates: April 3 – May 6, 2018
Opening Night: April 11, 2018

Significant Other, a smash hit comedy from Bad Jews writer Joshua Harmon, is the story of twenty-something Jordan, the life of the wedding party until it dawns on him that he is “always a groomsman, never the groom.”

SKELETON CREW
LOS ANGELES PREMIERE
Written by Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Patricia McGregor

Dates: June 5 – July 8, 2018
Opening Night: June 13, 2018

It’s 2008 and the employees of a Detroit auto factory are facing an uncertain future. This stirring play, called “deeply moral and deeply American” by The New York Times, follows a family of co-workers navigating economic instability, troubling rumors and the ways in which loyalty and love shape every decision we make.

AUDREY SKIRBALL KENIS THEATER

UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL: AN IMPRESSIVE PRESENTATION OF LOVELY EVIDENCES
Written by Glen Berger
Directed by Steven Robman

Dates: October 10 – November 19, 2017
Opening Night: October 18, 2017

When a reclusive librarian discovers a 113-year overdue book in the night slot, curiosity compels him to pursue the borrower. His search for answers leads to a worldwide, whirlwind journey, where he discovers instead the great mysteries of humanity. Called “powerfully human and ultimately sublime,” Glen Berger’s Underneath the Lintel reminds us that the joy is in the journey itself.

SELL/BUY/DATE
WEST COAST PREMIERE
Written by Sarah Jones
Directed by Carolyn Cantor

Dates: February 27 – April 8, 2018
Opening Night: March 7, 2018

In her new solo show, Tony Award-winning writer/performer and true chameleon comedian Sarah Jones brings to life an entire cast of characters, all of whom have something to say about gender, sex work and the time in which we are living.

THE WAY WE GET BY
WEST COAST PREMIERE
Written by Neil LaBute
Directed by Randall Arney

Dates: May 8 – June 17, 2018
Opening Night: May 16, 2018
Complete with the humor, confusion and excitement that follows great sex, Neil LaBute’s surprisingly sweet comedy brings us Beth and Doug, an unlikely pair who struggle to find common ground in a truly uncommon conundrum.

The Geffen Playhouse 2017/2018 season is currently available by subscription only. For more information and to purchase a subscription, please call 310.882.6533. Single tickets for all 2017/2018 season productions will be available this summer at www.geffenplayhouse.org.

OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS
Audi of America
City National Bank
Hint
KIND Snacks

SIGNATURE SERIES
In addition to the opening nights, the 2017/2018 season will feature the Geffen’s Signature Series events Talk Back Tuesdays, Girls Night Out, Lounge Fridays and Wine Down Sundays. Thanks to the support of Geffen Playhouse partners and sponsors, all elements of Signature Series evenings are complimentary as part of the ticket price.

· TALK BACK TUESDAYS
Talk Back Tuesdays give theater lovers a chance for a deeper conversation to discuss plot, character themes or any other questions directly with the artists with a post-show Q&A from the stage.

· GIRLS NIGHT OUT
It’s a globally accepted piece of pop-culture that girls just wanna have fun and this Signature Series was designed with that in mind, although any and all are welcome to join. These unique events only happen once during each Gil Cates Theater production, and every Girls Night Out features partnerships with different lifestyle experts, brands or products that keep patrons on the cusp of what’s hot in LA. Each night features different partners ranging from private shopping events to showcasing the latest beauty trends, but every Girls Night Out promises a festive evening of theater followed by a unique party complete with complimentary signature drinks, delectable buffets and the popular GNO photo booth.

· LOUNGE FRIDAYS
Happy hour Lounge Fridays turn the Geffen Playhouse into a haven to help fast-paced Angelenos ease into their weekend and unwind. Complimentary sparkling joins other enticing beverages starting at 7:00 p.m. with eclectic jams from DJ Mike on the courtyard patio. Sponsored by LAArtsOnline.com.

· WINE DOWN SUNDAYS
Wine Down Sundays provides the perfect pairing – pre-performance wine sampling followed by a 7:00 p.m. curtain time to close out the week. These evenings feature different vintages for each production, so patrons who come regularly will discover a new wine brand before their theatrical experience.

COLLEGE AUDIENCES
Through a variety of events and other opportunities, the Geffen Playhouse welcomes college students to experience the live storytelling presented on our stages. We are proud of our association with UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, and open our doors to all college students throughout Los Angeles. More information is available at www.geffenplayhouse.org/college.


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ABOUT GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
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 not-for-profit organization 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, Executive Director Gil Cates, Jr., and Co-Chairs of the Board Martha Henderson and Pamela Robinson. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 each year, and maintains extensive education and community engagement programs, designed to involve underserved young people and the community at large in the arts. www.geffenplayhouse.org


MEDIA CONTACT
Ashley Bodul, Geffen Playhouse

310.208.6500 Ext. 159