Six Interesting People We Met at the “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin” Opening

Ain’t nothin’ like a Geffen paaaarty, paaaarty. And if you’ve ever been to an opening celebration here at the Geffen Playhouse, you know that we know how to party.

Last night’s festivities, sponsored by Los Angeles magazine, was no exception. Before the opening night performance of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, guests munched on yummy Napa Valley Grill nibbles, sipped wines from Malibu Family Wines or warmed up with Keurig coffees — and then slipped outside to the courtyard, where the jazz trio Angel Town Combo serenaded them with more than a few Berlin tunes to get them in the mood.

We did a bit of mingling ourselves. Meet six theater lovers.

Paula Mae and Steve
Age: You can ask, but we’re not telling!
Occupation: Film producers
Pre-show Beverage: Black Russian (Paula Mae), Red wine (Steve)
Favorite Show I’ve Seen at the Geffen: We see everything!
Favorite Seat in the House: 2nd or 3rd row (Paula Mae), 1st row (Steve)
How Often Do You See Theater: Whenever we’re in town.
Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate-covered marshmallows (Paula Mae), Threesomes (Steve) [Ed. note: He’s joking … we think.]

Jessica
Age: 28
Pre-show Beverage: Red wine
Last Show I Saw at the Geffen: Choir Boy
Favorite Seat in the House: Close and in the middle
How Often Do You See Theater: Every opening. [Ed. note: Paula Mae, Steve and Jessica are donors. Find out how to join them by clicking here.]

Donovan
Age: 25
Occupation: Actor
Pre-show Beverage: White wine
Last Show I Saw at the Geffen: Reasons to Be Pretty [Ed. note: Donovan is modest — he recently appeared onstage in the Geffen’s production of Choir Boy.]
Favorite Seat in the House: I like to be far away. If you can convey with your whole body, you can hit the back of the theater. Can you reach me?
How Often Do You See Theater: As often as I can.
Guilty Pleasure: Reality television — particularly Are You the One? on MTV.

Mark
Age: 25
Occupation: Actor/Entrepreneur, E-Liquid Manufacturing
Pre-show Beverage: Water
Last Show I Saw: King Lear in Stratford, Ontario.
Favorite Seat in the House: Close. I like the intimacy.
How Often Do You See Theater: Once a month
Guilty Pleasure: I can’t expose that!

Julie
Occupation: Actor
Pre-show Beverage: Red wine
Last Show I Saw at the Geffen: Louis and Keely Live at the Sahara
Favorite Seat in the House: Down left
How Often Do You See Theater: Once a week
Guilty Pleasure: Trader Joe’s Canned Smoked Trout

Amy
Pre-show Beverage: A glass of milk. Or coffee, to keep me awake.
Last Show I Saw at the Geffen: Choir Boy
Favorite Seat in the House: Upstairs, because you get the best overview.
How Often Do You See Theater: Every night.
Guilty Pleasure: None! I’m obsessed with theater. My mom used to take when she was alive — it just gets in you!

Opening Nights at the Geffen Playhouse are a benefit of being a $5,000 donor, board member, Geffen artist or press. For information on how to join the fun, please click here. Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin runs through December 21. Click here to purchase tickets.