FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

For more information, contact:

Jenni Benzaquen

Press Director

Geffen Playhouse

(310) 208-6500, ext. 126

jenni@geffenplayhouse.com

GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS

“FAMILY MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM:

A WACKY WANDER IN THE WOODS,”

A FUN AND HIP ADAPTATION OF SHAKESPEARE’S BELOVED CLASSIC

* * *

THREE PERFORMANCES ONLY:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 & MARCH 1 & 8, 2003

LOS ANGELES, CA – January 10, 2003 – In its continuing commitment to educational outreach, Geffen Playhouse presents The Saturday Scene, a family theater series with upcoming performances on Saturday, February 22 and March 1 and 8 from 11AM-NOON. The performances feature acclaimed theater company Parson’s Nose Productions in Family Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Wacky Wander in the Woods, their fun and hip adaptation of Shakespeare’s beloved classic. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children. Following the performance, kids and their families are invited to meet the actors for refreshments in the Geffen Playhouse courtyard. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call (310) 208-6500, ext 198.

Also in March, Parson’s Nose Productions will participate in Geffen Playhouse’s school tour program, bringing their Family Midsummer Night’s Dream to twelve Los Angeles area public schools free of charge (the tour is also available to private schools for a fee). This popular program fills up quickly! Interested teachers and schools, please call (310) 208-6500, ext. 198 to make reservations.

The Saturday Scene series was introduced by Geffen Playhouse to bring a myriad of high quality theatrical productions and workshops to the community and celebrate theater with young people and their families. Past Saturday Scene guests have included the theater troupe We Tell Stories, Parson’s Nose Productions in their Family Twelfth Night and theater professionals teaching workshops in improvisation, puppet making and masks. The Geffen school tour is in its fifth year of providing free theater for Los Angeles area students.

Los Angeles Times has praised Parson’s Nose Productions as a “highly entertaining and professional company.” A not-for-profit professional performing arts organization devoted to inspiring and educating theater audiences, Parson’s Nose Production produces fun and accessible one-hour adaptations of classic works for the entire family through its Family Classics Series. Family Midsummer Night’s Dream is adapted by Parson’s Artistic Director Lance Davis and directed by Ivar Brogger and Lance Davis.

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

The Geffen’s season continues with the world premiere of Neil Simon’s Rose and Walsh (January 28-March 9, 2003), the story of two famous writers and the consequences of their enduring love. Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney will direct the West Coast premiere of acclaimed playwright Rebecca Gilman’s Boy Gets Girl (April 1-May 11, 2003), a chilling look at a woman whose life is irrevocably changed by one blind date. The season closes with the West Coast premiere of Richard Nelson’s Franny’s Way (June 10-July 20, 2003). Set in Greenwich Village during the summer of 1957, Franny’s Way examines the bittersweet collision of youth and adulthood.

The Geffen Playhouse is located at 10886 Le Conte Avenue in Westwood. Visit the Geffen website at www.geffenplayhouse.com. For ticket information, please call the Geffen Playhouse box office at (310) 208-5454.

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