He has brought us laughter, chills and spills, but many many Geffen Playhouse goers, like Ginny Mancini and Malibu local Roma Downey, will miss artistic director Randall Arney — who has stepped down after 17 years.
Arney has been at the forefront of numerous productions like “Outside Mullingar” and “The Night Alive” as well as “Reasons to be Pretty.”
The Geffen said Randall will still play a role in the artistic world, but will concentrate on something new.
“Randy Arney’s contributions to the Geffen Playhouse are varied and numerous,” the Geffen’s executive director Gil Cates Jr. said. Cates’ father was the legendary Gil Cates. As for Arney, Cates Jr. added, “We are supremely grateful for his inspired artistic leadership, unwavering commitment to our mission and leaving his indelible mark on our beloved institution. We wish him every success and happiness.”
MORE THEATER TALK
Manhattan Theatre Club’s acclaimed production of “Heisenberg” by Tony Award and two-time Olivier Award winner Simon Stephens has been announced as part of Center Theatre Group’s 50th Anniversary Season. This insightful and entertaining new play comes to the Mark Taper Forum June 28 through Aug. 6, 2017.
Directed by Drama Desk Award winner Mark Brokaw and featuring Denis Arndt and Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Mary-Louise Parker, the creative team for “Heisenberg” includes Mark Wendland (scenic design), Michael Krass (costume design), Austin R. Smith (lighting design) and David Van Tieghem (sound design).
Amid the bustle of a crowded London train station, Georgie (Parker) spots Alex (Arndt), a much older man, and plants a kiss on his neck. This electric encounter thrusts these two strangers into a fascinating and life-changing game as “Heisenberg” brings to blazing, theatrical life the uncertain and often comical sparring match that is human connection. Sounds like it’s time for a curtain call!
ART SMART
The Fredrick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University will present “Absolute Mad Freedom: Studio Art Thesis Exhibition”, from April 13-29. Artists include Sarah Gilchrist, Yena Kim, Mary Kensey Lum, Ashley Ekstrum, Sharon Carl, Sarah Jane Souther, Alexandra Springer, Beatrice Young, KayKay Blaisdell, Jacob Yeroshek, Leanna Schroeder and Susie Scribner Cervantes.
This exhibition considers an overarching desire to examine the norm. As each artist investigates ideas of limitation and liberation, creative responses are all at once meditative yet exuberant, reductive yet abrasive. The creative work displayed will range from installation to drawing, to textiles and sculpture, as artists explore issues that address identity, story and the passing of time.
Located on Pepperdine’s main campus at 24255 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, the museum is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.