Shows & Tickets
Proceeds from the Second Annual Poker Tournament Benefit the Geffen Playhouse and Determined to Succeed
LOS ANGELES, May 20, 2010 — This weekend’s star-studded poker tournament Playing for Good at the home of Hank Azaria grossed over $150,000 for the Geffen Playhouse’s education and outreach programs along with the host Azaria’s non-profit Determined to Succeed. The deep stack no-limit hold ‘em tournament sponsored by Los Angeles magazine and Agua Caliente Casino, Resort, Spa whittled down 144 players at 16 tables to a final table of nine by the end of the day. The Grand prize winner, acclaimed director Nick Cassavetes, won a seat at the World Series of Poker and a three night stay at the Tropicana Las Vegas complete with meals, limousine ride from the airport and tickets to Tropicana shows.
Other final table members – who played for nearly 11 hours – were Grant Heslov, Mike Sexton, Joe Klemash, Robert Finkelstein, Chris Williams, John Murphy, Doug Robinson and Richard Galletti. Each of the final table members won a couples massage at the luxurious Beverly Hills Montage Spa and a weekend luxury getaway package at Agua Caliente Casino, Resort, Spa that includes dinner at The Steakhouse at Agua Caliente, two tickets to any event or spa treatments at Sunstone Spa.
Other players included Hollywood notables Jason Alexander, Corey Feldman, Brad Garrett, Ian Gomez, Kevin Pollack and J.K. Simmons. Top brands from all over Los Angeles donated coveted prizes for top players which included:
But guests didn’t need to be dealt a good hand in order to experience a lucky day at Playing for Good. Azaria’s backyard was transformed into a tranquil outdoor spa with facials using fresh skincare products performed by their skilled aestheticians as well as mini-manicures done by SpaRitual. In addition, six massage therapists from the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills roamed the property, providing much needed neck and shoulder rubs to players and guests alike.
Amidst all the pampering, guests were kept well-fed by gourmet food donated by acclaimed local restaurants. sugarFISH had Chef Tom Nozawa serving crab hand rolls and tuna sashimi, the Border Grill food truck pulled up in front of the house will their full menu, Napa Valley Grille and Chef Jaydene’s Delectable Creations provided tasty onsite appetizers and Famous Cupcakes satisfied everyone’s sweet tooth with tray passed mini-cupcakes.
ABOUT THE DETERMINED TO SUCCEEDDetermined to Succeed is a unique program dedicated to providing an exceptional group of low socio-economic students with comprehensive year-round support. The students are guided from the critical middle school years through high school and the college acceptance process. Our program tutors and mentors these students by empowering them with more confidence, stronger self-esteem, and a better education. For more information, please visit dtsla.org.
ABOUT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSEThe Geffen Playhouse has been a hub of the Los Angeles theater scene since opening its doors in 1995. Noted for its intimacy and celebrated for its world-renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and musicals, the Geffen Playhouse continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Named in honor of entertainment mogul and philanthropist David Geffen, who made the initial donation to the theater, the company is helmed by Producing Director and President of the Board Gilbert Cates, Artistic Director Randall Arney, Managing Director Ken Novice and Chairman of the Board Frank Mancuso. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen Playhouse welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 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.
