The event raised more than $1 million for the theater’s artistic endeavors.
Entertainment industry legends Mel Brooks and Quincy Jones were honored at the Geffen Playhouse's 15th annual Backstage at the Geffen fundraiser on March 19 in Los Angeles.
Barbra Streisand presented Distinction in Service Award to Quincy Jones, while Rob Reiner presented the Distinction in Theater Award to Mel Brooks. Aisha Tyler served as the evening’s host.
The event raised more than $1 million for the theater’s artistic endeavors, including new play development, playwright commissions, second productions, and adventurous artistic programming, as well as its award-winning education and community engagement programs, which bring the excitement of live theater to more than 15,000 disadvantaged youth, seniors, and veterans annually.
This year’s event featured appearances by Bridesmaids director Paul Feig, and comedians Sarah Silverman and Dave Chappelle. David Geffen, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, Cindy and Alan Horn, Mellody Hobson and George Lucas, Lyn and Norman Lear, Stephanie Swedlove and Jeff Skoll, and Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick served as the event’s honorary cochairs.
Geffen Playhouse executive director Gil Cates Jr. and Geffen Playhouse board member Kevin Bright produced the event. Geffen Playhouse artistic director Randall Arney directed.