Contact: Sabrina Skacan

(310) 208-6500 x126 (DO NOT PUBLISH)

Sabrinas@geffenplayhouse.com

RICKY JAY & HIS 52 ASSISTANTS MAKES ITS FIRST SOUTHLAND

APPEARANCE IN A DECADE

David Mamet Directs the Unique Performances in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater

November 21 through December 16, 2006

Opening Night: November 22, 2006

LOS ANGELES, November 3, 2006 — Producing Director Gilbert Cates announces today a limited run of performances of Ricky Jay & his 52 Assistants in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse from November 21 through December 16, 2006. The Geffen’s secluded second stage creates the most intimate setting ever for his performances - only 96 audience members are permitted per show. While worldwide audiences have heralded Ricky Jay & his 52 Assistants, he has not performed in the Southland in a decade after sellout shows in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Charleston, Melbourne and London.

Uniquely talented as an author, actor, historian and film consultant, Jay has long been considered one of the world’s great sleight of hand artists. Directed by David Mamet the award winning Ricky Jay & his 52 Assistants offers a fascinating blend of card artistry and verbal chicanery. The New York Times wrote: “He’s is a master’s master. Is this theater? You bet it is. You aren’t asked to suspend disbelief – you have no choice.” Ricky Jay & his 52 Assistants set the record as the fastest sellout in off-Broadway history.

In consideration of the intimate space, latecomers will not be seated and no one under 17 admitted.

“Experiencing Ricky Jay’s show is a very rare treat for Los Angeles audiences, and we’re very lucky to have him join us during the Holiday season,” says Producing Director Gil Cates. “Just as theater uses the imagination, magic uses illusion to trick the eye. But especially in the very small setting of the Audrey, the old adage of “seeing is believing” will leave fans wanting more.”

RICKY JAY

While Ricky Jay has long been considered one of the world’s great sleight of hand artists, his career is further distinguished by the remarkable variety of his accomplishments as an author, actor, historian and consultant. His one man shows Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants and Ricky Jay: On the Stem, both directed by David Mamet, were award-winning critical and commercial theatrical events. As an actor, Jay has been seen in Mamet’s films: House of Games, Homicide, Things Change, Spanish Prisoner, State and Main, and Heist. He has appeared in many other films including Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Last Days, the James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies, and most recently The Prestige. He will be seen in the forthcoming The Great Buck Howard. He also starred in the heralded episode of “The X-Files,” “The Great Maleeni,” played the cheater Eddie Sawyer in the HBO production of “Deadwood,” and can currently be seen in the NBC series, “Kidnapped.” His consulting company, Deceptive Practices, has supplied “Arcane Knowledge on a Need to Know Basis” for more than a score of films including Forrest Gump, The Illusionist, The Prestige and Oceans 13. He is the author of “Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women,” “Cards as Weapons,” “Jay’s Journal of Anomalies, The Magic Magic Book, ” “Dice: Deception, Fate Rotten Luck,” and “Extraordinary Exhibitions.” Sony BMG will release his CD, Ricky Jay Plays Poker, an album of classic and esoteric gambling tunes in March 2007.

ABOUT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE

Awarded the Preservation Award by the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Award of Excellence from the Society of American Registered Architects, and the Architectural Award of Excellence by the Los Angeles Business Council for its acclaimed 2005, $19 million renovation, the Geffen Playhouse begins its 11^th season in 2006/2007, enjoying its stature as a leading West Coast theater company and the crown jewel of Los Angeles theater. Noted for its

intimacy and celebrated for its eclectic mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and musicals, the Geffen continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Named in honor of entertainment mogul and philanthropist David Geffen, who donated one of the largest gifts ever made to an already-constructed theater, the company is headed by Producing Director and President of the Board Gilbert (Gil) Cates, Artistic Director Randall Arney and Managing Director Stephen Eich, and has produced eight world premieres, four Tony, four Pulitzer, and seven Obie-award winning shows in its storied 11 seasons. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen welcomes more than 130,000 patrons each year, and maintains an extensive education and outreach program, designed to engage young people and the community at large in the arts. For more information, please visit geffenplayhouse.com.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

Geffen Playhouse

10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles (Westwood), CA 90024

(across from the UCLA Campus)

RICKY JAY & HIS 52 ASSISTANTS

Directed by David Mamet

Show runs November 21—December 16, 2006; No performance on November 23 (Thanksgiving)

Preview: November 21

Opening Night: November 22, 2006

In consideration of the intimate nature of this performance, latecomers will not be seated and no one under 17 admitted.

Tickets ($75 to $85) are on sale now at the Geffen Playhouse box office, online at GeffenPlayhouse.com, via credit card phone order at 310.208.5454, at all Ticketmaster outlets (Robinsons May, Tower Records, and Ritmo Latino locations), or by calling Ticketmaster at 213.365.3500. Performances are Tuesdays through Thursdays at 8:00 p.m.; Fridays at 8:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. For general information or to request a brochure, call 310.208.5454, or visit GeffenPlayhouse.com.

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11.3.06