FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

For more information, contact:

Jenni Benzaquen

Press Director

Geffen Playhouse

(310) 208-6500, ext. 126

jenni@geffenplayhouse.com

GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE HOSTED

SECOND ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA

“BACKSTAGE AT THE GEFFEN”

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RITA WILSON AND DAVID HYDE PIERCE

SERVED AS HONORARY CO-CHAIRS

LOS ANGELES, CA — April 28, 2003 – Rita Wilson and David Hyde Pierce were the honorary co-chairs for Geffen Playhouse’s second annual fundraising gala Backstage at the Geffen on Monday, April 28. The evening provided the audience with a behind-the-scenes look at life in the theater starring a talented cast, top directors and other friends of the Geffen Playhouse.

Featured performers included Rita Wilson, David Hyde Pierce, Sally Field, Annette Bening, John C. Reilly, Dana Delaney, Rhea Perlman, Ed Begley, Jr., Sharon Lawrence, Nancy Travis, James Farentino, Peter Bonerz, Valarie Pettiford, Beau Bridges and students from Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy. The Geffen was pleased to have PEOPLE as the presenting sponsor.

VIP festivities for Backstage at the Geffen began at 6pm with a general cocktail reception for all guests beginning at 6:30pm. Fabulous food prepared by Tanino tempted guests as they sipped on wines from Sterling Vineyards before the one-night only performance at 8pm. Immediately following the show, guests and the Backstage artists celebrated together with dessert and champagne. Over $175,000 was raised with proceeds from the evening benefiting Geffen Playhouse’s Annual Fund as well as the Educational Outreach programs that enable the Geffen to share the joy of the theater with the youth of Los Angeles.

A highlight of the evening was the raffle of a fabulous in-town holiday weekend including the use of a Bentley, a two-night stay at the five star, five diamond Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel and four tickets to Geffen Playhouse’s upcoming production of Franny’s Way. Also included in the package was a dinner for ten in Tanino’s private restaurant dining room, prepared by the owner and chef, and a six-liter Sterling Reserve 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon signed by Sterling Vintner Rob Hunter.

Founding co-chairs for Backstage at the Geffen were Annette Bening and Jason Alexander, last year’s honorary co-chairs. The 2003 event co-chairs were David Pence and Pamela Robinson, members of the Geffen Playhouse’s Board of Directors, and the event committee list included Jim Chabin, Marcia Israel-Curley, Michael Kong, Wendy Kurtzman, Dana Precious, Paula Rudnick, Victoria Mann Simms, Sandy Terner and Lori Zuker.

The award-winning Geffen Playhouse presents the best in both classic and contemporary plays and is currently celebrating its seventh season. Geffen Playhouse is headed by Producing Director Gilbert Cates, Artistic Director Randall Arney and Managing Director Stephen Eich. The Geffen values its role as an important cultural and educational resource and is committed to providing challenging and enriching theater experiences to Los Angeles students and community members. The Geffen’s innovative education and outreach programs include The Saturday Scene, theatrical performances and workshops for kids and their families; Student Matinees, performances of Geffen Playhouse productions; the Geffen Tour that goes to Los Angeles area schools; the CREATE Program, designed to build non-traditional theatrical audiences; and Geffen Playhouse Symposiums, which feature spirited discussions on subjects relating to issues that come to light in Geffen productions.

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