IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Kim Devore / Entertainment Writer
In just seven years, the Geffen Playhouse has transformed itself from a little local theater into a world-class institution. With the help of locals like Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ginny Mancini and a Hollywood who’s who, the Geffen has become one of Southern California’s cultural gems-an accomplishment not lost on Director Gil Cates.
“We started with no subscribers,” he recalls. “Now we have 15,000.”
To celebrate its remarkable success, the theater kicked off an inaugural gala called “Backstage at the Geffen,” which was billed as “a collection of scenes and surprises,” brought to you by its loyal supporters and high-profile pals.
The evening kicked off with flutes of champagne and a round of risotto cakes on the outside patio. Co-chairs Jason Alexander and Annette Bening mingled with the crowd and were soon joined by an impressive roster of fellow playhouse alums, including Peter Falk, David Hyde Pierce, Neil Simon, Martin Short and Rita Wilson.
One by one, they gathered on-stage to share a sampling of the Geffen’s most memorable moments. Cates thanked them all for providing so much magic over the years and thanked the audience for making it all possible.
“We have produced new plays, classics and musicals,” he said, “plays that make us laugh and plays that make us cry, but above all, I hope plays that have made us think.”
ART SMART
David Foster and his wife Linda Thompson Foster played host once again to the annual fundraiser for Pepperdine’s Center for the Arts. This year, the organization went for a change of venue. Instead of holding the celebration on the tennis court of the Fosters’ front yard, Hiro Yamagata’s modern art studio was the place to be. Yamagata is known for his spectacular use of laser light. In recent years, he’s produced massive installations across the world. If you haven’t checked out his PCH studio, it’s well worth a visit. A few of his eye-popping creations will also be on display at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine beginning in June.
GOING MOD
Thousands of retro fans flocked to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to check out this year’s Los Angeles Modernism Show. The show celebrated the designers who broke away from the tried-and-true and helped define 20th century style. It featured the wares of more than 70 dealers from throughout the United States, France, Italy, England, Argentina and Canada with an opening night preview hosted by the Los Angeles Conservancy. As always, the show was a wonderful blast-to-the-past featuring fabulous finds like beanbag chairs, starburst clocks and kidney-shaped coffee tables.
Once destined for good will, those goods now fetch a fortune and have made some packrats rich. If you didn’t throw it out in the ’70s, you know the value of staying behind the curve.