GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS

AWARD WINNING CHILDREN’S GROUP

GWENDOLYN & THE GOOD TIME GANG

March 27, 2004, 11 a.m.

Event Presented by Geffen Playhouse Family Theater Series

THE SATURDAY SCENE

LOS ANGELES, CA – March 16, 2004 – Geffen Playhouse proudly announces another special event from its family theater series THE SATURDAY SCENE. On Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 11 a.m., Geffen Playhouse will present nationally acclaimed children’s musical group Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang for one exclusive performance. Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “wonderfully upbeat,” Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang released their best-selling album in May 2003 and continue to rise in popularity in Los Angeles and beyond. Admission for Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang is $6 for adults and $2 for children. Following the performance, children and their families are invited to the Geffen courtyard to meet the performers and enjoy refreshments and treats. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (310) 208-5454.

“It is such a treat for us to be able to provide this type of high-caliber children’s theater through our Saturday Scene series,” said Gilbert Cates, Geffen Playhouse Producing Director. “We’re really looking forward to Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang. This fantastic group of performers has a huge Los Angeles fan base and promises to be enormously entertaining for kids and their parents.”

Over the course of a year, Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang have received numerous awards and accolades, including the Amoeba Records Top Ten Pick for Children’s/Family Music and an “A” rating in Entertainment Weekly. Recently named a Top Ten Album of 2003 by notable music critic Erik Himmelsbach, Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang currently have the top-selling album in the LA-area on Amazon.com. Praised by the media and adored by children and their families, Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang was also lauded by the L.A. Weekly as “one of those rare kiddie albums that's endearing to tots…but appealing to adults.” As a solo artist, Gwendolyn has been recognized with a Best New Artist award from the LA Music Awards.

Steve Martin’s The Underpants

The Geffen’s 2003-2004 season continues with The Underpants, Steve Martin’s contemporary adaptation of a Carl Sternheim play. Set at the turn of the last century, The Underpants is the hilarious story of a young, beautiful bride who becomes famous after her knickers fall down during a parade for the king. Revealed through the direction of Tony Award winner John Rando (Urinetown), The Underpants stars Amy Aquino, Jack Betts, Dan Castellaneta, Anthony Crivello, Patrick Kerr, Meredith Patterson and Steve Vinovich. Performances of The Underpants run through Sunday, April 25, with an official press opening on Wednesday, March 17, 2004.

Geffen Playhouse Moves to the Brentwood Theatre

In May 2004, Geffen Playhouse will relocate to the Brentwood Theatre for an estimated 15 months, during which time the historic Geffen Playhouse will undergo a major renovation and expansion. Located less than two miles west of the Geffen Playhouse on the campus of the Veteran’s Administration, the Brentwood Theatre will host the final play of the Geffen’s 2003/2004 season as well as the entire run of the Geffen’s 2004/2005 season. The Brentwood Theatre is near the Wadsworth Theatre in Brentwood, near many popular restaurants and shops on San Vicente Boulevard, and will offer Geffen Playhouse patrons spacious parking.

The renovation of Geffen Playhouse will include improved and increased seating capacity of the current auditorium, improved acoustics, an expanded theater lobby, greater handicap accessibility, upgraded artist dressing rooms and backstage areas, larger restrooms and an additional 120-seat theater. The new Geffen Playhouse complex and renovations will be completed for the Geffen’s 2005/2006 season.

Cookin’ at the Cookery: The Music and Times of Alberta Hunter

Kicking off a 15-month stay at the Brentwood Theatre, the Geffen Playhouse will proudly present Cookin’ at the Cookery: The Music and Times of Alberta Hunter. Written and directed by Marion J. Caffey, this award-winning musical, set in Greenwich Village’s The Cookery in 1977, is based on the life of blues and jazz legend Alberta Hunter. Cookin’ at the Cookery was recently lauded by the Chicago Sun-Times as “downright inspirational…pure, unadulterated fun.” The Geffen Playhouse production of Cookin’ at the Cookery premieres at Brentwood Theatre June 15 through July 25, with an official press opening on Wednesday, June 23, 2004.

Geffen Playhouse is headed by Producing Director Gilbert Cates, Artistic Director Randall Arney and Managing Director Stephen Eich.

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