Geffen Playhouse revises revamp

The Geffen Playhouse’s planned second stage has moved downstairs.

The Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theatre, a 120-seat house that will be added as part of a renovation of the Westwood venue, will be on the same level as the existing, larger auditorium -- and immediately adjacent to it on the east.

An earlier plan placed the Skirball-Kenis on the second floor of a new building that is part of a $17-million construction project. But the plan was changed to lower costs and improve accessibility for disabled audience members, Geffen producing director Gilbert Cates said.

Cates and architect Ron Frink said steps are being taken to ensure that sound doesn’t leak between the theaters, which will be used simultaneously sometimes. The Skirball-Kenis will feature permanent seats in the back and movable seats up front, allowing the performing space to be configured in a variety of ways.

So far, $13 million has been raised for the project, which will require that Geffen programming move to the Brentwood Theatre from May through the 2004-05 season.

-- Don Shirley