Rita Wilson's Exclusive "Liner Notes" Concert Series Returns to Geffen Playhouse

RITA WILSON’S EXCLUSIVE “LINER NOTES” CONCERT SERIES RETURNS TO GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE

Songwriters Billy Steinberg, the Warren Brothers and MoreJoin Wilson Onstage for an Intimate Evening of Music and Storytelling

Special Four-Show Limited Engagement January 10 – 13, 2019

LOS ANGELES (December 10, 2018) – Rita Wilson’s Liner Notes, part of the Geffen Playhouse Spotlight Entertainment Series, returns for a special limited engagement January 10 - 13, marking its fourth tour at Geffen’s Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater. Wilson will be joined by songwriters Billy Steinberg (Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Cindy Lauper’s “True Colors”), the Warren Brothers (Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good On My Lips,” Dierk Bentley’s “Feel That Fire”) and additional artist/s to be announced for an intimate evening performing song sets and sharing the personal stories behind their biggest hits. Each show will be staged in the round, with audience members surrounding the artists.

Best known for her work as an actor (It’s Complicated, Sleepless in Seattle, CBS’s The Good Wife, HBO’s Girls), film producer (Mamma Mia!, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1 and 2) and activist, Wilson has accessed a powerful, deeply personal outlet with her songwriting. Her third and latest album “Bigger Picture” was released September 28, 2018, and features songs co-written by accomplished Nashville songwriters including the Warren Brothers (Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith), Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Darrel Brown (LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, Ariana Grande), and more. “Bigger Picture” follows Wilson’s 2012 debut album “AM/FM,” as well as her 2016 self-titled album, which featured prominently in a sold-out two-week residency at the famed Café Carlyle in New York City that same year. She has previously toured with the American Rock band and Roll & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Chicago, and recently made her debut at the iconic Grand Ole Opry in October of this year.

“Songwriting has been the most pure expression of who I am,” said Wilson. “I love everything I do, but it’s the most intimate act you can have creatively. As an actor, you put on a character, and as a producer, you have to let things out of your hands. But as a songwriter, there’s nowhere to hide.”

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Thursday – Saturday 8:00 p.m.
Sunday 7:00 p.m.

RUNNING TIME
Approximately 2 hours. There will be no intermission.

LOCATION
Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024

TICKET INFORMATION
No one under the age of 21 will be admitted to this production. Tickets currently priced at $39 - $149. Available in person at the Geffen Playhouse box office, by phone at 310.208.5454 or online atwww.geffenplayhouse.org. Fees may apply.

VIP cabaret-style seating includes two complimentary drinks served tableside.

Non-VIP rush tickets for each day’s performance are accessible to the general public 30 minutes before showtime at the box office, depending on availability. $35.00 General / $10.00 Student

Joining Wilson to perform onstage will be:

BILLY STEINBERG
Billy Steinberg has been among the most successful songwriters of the past 30 years, co-writing with Tom Kelly five No. 1 singles on Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart: “Like A Virgin” (Madonna), “True Colors” (Cyndi Lauper), “So Emotional” (Whitney Houston), “Eternal Flame” (The Bangles) and “Alone” (Heart). Additionally, he wrote the Top 10 hits “I’ll Stand by You” (Pretenders), “I Touch Myself” (Divinyls), “How Do I Make You” (Linda Ronstadt), and “I Drove All Night” (Roy Orbison, Cyndi Lauper, Celine Dion). Steinberg and Kelly were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011. In the mid-1990s, Steinberg teamed up with Rick Nowels. They won Grammy Awards for producing the song “Falling into You” for Celine Dion. Steinberg currently works with Josh Alexander and they have written and produced the hits “Too Little Too Late” (JoJo) and “Give Your Heart a Break” (Demi Lovato).

THE WARREN BROTHERS
Brad and Brett Warren have had their songs recorded by some of the biggest acts in the business, beginning with a string of cuts for Tim McGraw, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Van Zant. Faith Hill released two of the duo’s co-writes as singles: “The Lucky One” in 2006, and “Red Umbrella” in 2007. Also that year, McGraw performed “If You’re Reading This” at the Academy of Country Music Awards and then released it as a single. The single co-written by Tim, Brett, and Brad became a top 5 hit. The Warren Brother co-wrote several songs by Martina McBride including “Anyway” and “How I Feel” in 2007, and “Wrong Baby Wrong” in 2010. The brothers also co-wrote McBride’s 2011 single “Teenage Daughters.” In early 2009, the Warren Brothers received their first #1 with Dierks Bentley’s hit “Feel That Fire.” Other #1’s include Tim McGraw’s 2010 #1 “Felt Good On My Lips,” Keith Urban’s “Felt Good On My Lips,” Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup,” Tim McGraw’s “Highway Don’t Care,” featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, Jason Aldean’s “When The Lights Come On” and Chris Young’s “Sober Saturday Night” featuring Vince Gill. The brothers scored their eighth #1 song with “Every Time I Hear That Song” by Blake Shelton in early July 2017. The Warren’s have also written rock hits such as Hinder’s “All American Nightmare” and “Save Me,” Joss Stone’s single “Karma” and Nickelback’s “Trying Not To Love You.” Other artists who have recorded their songs include Steven Tyler, Frankie Ballard, Randy Houser, Tyler Farr, Gin Blossoms and A Thousand Horses.

OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR
Morgan Stanley

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 Executive Director Gil Cates, Jr., Artistic Director Matt Shakman and Board Chair Howard Tenenbaum. 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

IMAGES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD:
http://geffenplayhouse.org/gallery_photos.php?gallery_id=175

# # #
Media Contact:
Zenon Dmytryk
Geffen Playhouse

310.966.2405