Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron's Love, Loss and What I Wore, an intimate collection of stories covering some of life's most poignant moments and their corresponding wardrobe, is coming to the Geffen Playhouse's Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater. The evening of vignettes, which is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman as well as personal reminiscences from the Ephrons and their friends, features a rotating cast of five actresses who share tales that every woman can relate to. Love, Loss and What I Wore begins in previews on May 11 with an official press opening on May 13, 2010 and is set to close on July 4, 2010 with a switch in cast at the four-week point.
The Geffen Playhouse's first cast (May 11 - June 6) includes Caroline Aaron, widely recognized for stints on Broadway as well as as Woody Allen's sister in Crimes and Misdemeanors, Emmy Award winning actress Carol Kane best known for her role on Taxi and her recent Broadway stint in Wicked, Natasha Lyonne, most recognized from her films American Pie and the Slums of Beverly Hills, Tracee Ellis Ross, Groundlings grad and television regular, and film actress/producer Rita Wilson who recently finished the role of Roxie in Broadway's Chicago. All five women appeared in the lauded New York production of Love, Loss and What I Wore.
"We're thrilled to be opening Love Loss and What I Wore at the Geffen Playhouse," said creators Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron. "We grew up in Los Angeles, and all our early clothing memories happened there, like the matching outfits our mother bought us - black velvet dresses with lace collars, bathrobes to wear over our swim suits, ruffled skirts with midriff tops, and the pink prom dress we both wore, four years apart, to our Beverly Hills High School proms."
Love, Loss and What I Wore is simultaneously running off-Broadway where it is produced by Daryl Roth. Originally directed by Karen Carpenter, the show opened in October 2009 and is still playing to sold-out houses. Cast members have included Samantha Bee, Kristin Chenoweth, Tyne Daly, Janeane Garofalo, Michele Lee, Natasha Lyonne, Jane Lynch, Rosie O'Donnell and Rhea Perlman. Jenny Sullivan has signed on to direct the production for the Geffen Playhouse. Staged with a focus on storytelling, the actresses sit side-by-side with script in-hand, deftly guiding The Audience through an evening of humor, nostalgia and, of course, fashion.
Ticket prices for preview performances are $59 and range from $69 to $74 for the regular run. Tickets are on sale now at the Geffen Playhouse box office or by calling (310) 208-5454.
The 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 (Gil) 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.
