Backstage At The Geffen Exclusive Online Auction Featuring Luxury Trips And One-of-a Kind Experiences Opens To The Public On April 23 And Closes May 14

LOS ANGELES, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The silent auction at this year's Backstage at the Geffen, the playhouse's annual star-studded fundraiser offers ultimate experiences ranging from luxury trips to Bora Bora and Maui, to an Ultimate Simpsons Experience with Hank Azaria.  This year's event honors award winning actor/comedian Billy Crystal and Founding Geffen Playhouse Chairman Bruce Ramer.   With national and local luxury brands donating items worth more than $250,000, these exclusive high-end "lots" provide bidders with an opportunity to enjoy luxury and exclusive experiences while making a contribution to the arts.  All proceeds from the Backstage at the Geffen silent auction are 100 percent tax deductible and benefit the Geffen Playhouse and its programming, including presentation of new works and musicals, the theater's playwright commission program and education and outreach initiatives.

The online auction opens to the public on April 23 and will close May 14 at 12:00 pm PST.  Visit www.geffenplayhouse.com/backstage to view a complete list of donated auction items.

A sampling of auction items include:

• 4-nights in French Polynesia's only 2-story Presidential Overwater Villa
• The Ultimate Simpsons Experience – attend a live table read of The Simpsons, receive a signed script and a Hank Azaria personalized voicemail message
• 5-nights stay at Four Seasons Maui at Wailea
• R8 Audi sportscar experience and trip to Napa Valley
• Tickets to The Actors Fund Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party
• LA Clippers Luxury Suite in center court

The Geffen Playhouse has been a hub of the Los Angeles theater scene since 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, it is currently helmed by Artistic Director Randall Arney, Managing Director Ken Novice and Chairman of the Board Frank Mancuso.  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 in the arts. Visit www.GeffenPlayhouse.com.

SOURCE Geffen Playhouse