The Los Angeles-based company announced the upcoming five-play mainstage lineup which will also feature Hershey Felder's George Gershwin Alone, the first musical on the new Geffen stage following the 2005 renovation. Bonus productions, not part of the subscription series, to play at Geffen's second stage — the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater — include the west coast debut of Neil LaBute's Fat Pig and the previously reported Carrie Fisher world premiere solo Wishful Drinking.
The 2006-2007 season (subject to change) is as follows:
Direct from Broadway, where it earned five Tony Award nominations, comes the story of a couple dealing with the loss of their son.
The west coast premiere of the play set in 1941 German-occupied Paris follows the title artist who "is secreted to a dusty underground vault beneath a Paris street where he encounters a beautiful young Gestapo art critic-turned interrogator," as a summary describes.
Geffen artistic director Arney stages a revival of the drama that "delves into the world of studio executive Bobby Gould who must choose between producing a formulaic prison-breakout drama with a big star attached and an obscure mystical novel by an 'Eastern sissy writer.'"
Penned by Gérald Sibleyras and translated by Tom Stoppard, this 2006 Olivier Award winner for Comedy makes its American premiere at the Geffen. Set in a the home of a French veteran in 1960, the play "is the story of Henri, Gustave and Philippe, who have lived through two World Wars, and now spend their days waxing poetic on subjects including the masochistic nun who runs the hospital, and their 200-pound stone dog with a staring problem."
Performed by creator Felder, the season comes to a close with the story of the title composer's life interpolated with his music. Writer-actress Carrie Fisher's first solo show Wishful Drinking runs Oct. 6-Dec. 17 under the direction of Joshua Ravetch. In the work "Fisher finally comes clean about Star Relations, 'Star Wars' and other Celestial Bodies" in her own "raucous non-stop theme-park ride through Hollywood" offering her insights and experiences that she has accumulated in her life and career.
Fat Pig is LaBute's tale of a man who is in love with a witty, intellectual and interesting woman despite his trepidations about her weight. But can he deal with his friends and co-workers' reactions? The west coast premiere of the drama runs March 9-May 20, 2007 at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater.
Subscriptions to the 2006-2007 season at the Geffen Playhouse, at 10886 Le Conte Avenue in Westwood, CA are available by calling (310) 209-1328 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com. Single tickets go on sale Aug. 1 through (310) 208-5454 or on the website.
