Geffen finds temporary quarters at VA site
Geffen Playhouse programming will move to the Brentwood Theatre next May and stay there through the 2004-05 season, while the Geffen undergoes a $17-million renovation.
The Brentwood is a 500-seat theater on the grounds of the Department of Veterans Affairs, fewer than two miles west of the Geffen. It’s operated on a 10-year lease by producers Martin Markinson and Richard Willis.
A $1-million renovation of the Brentwood facility will begin in September, Markinson said. New stadium seating will replace the current flat seating. An enlarged lobby and an improved stage also are planned. After the Geffen leaves, Markinson and Willis hope to book commercial off-Broadway-size productions.
Geffen producing director Gilbert Cates said the Brentwood will meet the Geffen’s needs because it’s relatively close, has a “colossal” parking lot and is roughly the same size as the Geffen, allowing subscribers to receive comparable seats.
The Brentwood -- not to be confused with the larger, more often used Wadsworth Theatre, also on the VA grounds -- was used for a 1997 staging of the musical “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh!” At the time, theatergoers had to navigate a complicated path through the VA grounds to find it.
But Cates and Markinson said a new entrance, a few yards off San Vicente Boulevard, will provide more direct access.
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