Next year's eagerly awaited "Backstage at the Geffen" will honor Mellody Hobson and George Lucas with the Distinction in Service Award and Sir Elton John and David Furnish with the Distinction in Theater Award at the 13th annual fundraiser on March 22, 2015.

The irreverent evening of laughter, music and stories featuring personal "backstage" memories and songs by a cavalcade of stars precedes the award ceremony in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse and will be produced by Vice Chair of the Board, Gil Cates, Jr. David Geffen is Honorary Chair. The event also launches the 20th anniversary of the founding of the not-for-profit theater.

Funds raised are earmarked for a host of Geffen Playhouse endeavors including new play development, playwright commissions, second productions and artistic risks, as well as the theater's award-winning education and outreach programs which help bring the excitement of live theater to more than 15,000 disadvantaged youth, seniors, veterans and community members annually.

"Backstage at the Geffen" title sponsor City National Bank returns for its sixth year. 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 second productions, 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 was founded by Gilbert Cates, and is currently helmed by Artistic Director Randall Arney, Managing Director Ken Novice, Chief Development Officer Regina Miller and Board Chairs Martha Henderson and Pamela Robinson. 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 www.geffenplayhouse.com.

Host Committee memberships begin at $2,500 per person. For more information, please visit www.geffenplayhouse.com/backstage or call +1 (310) 208-6500 ext. 112.

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