Geffen Playhouse hosts the online world premiere of The Present, a live, virtual and interactive theatrical experience written and performed by master illusionist, storyteller and Geffen alum Helder Guimarães. Directed by Academy Award nominee Frank Marshall (Jurassic World, Indiana Jones, Goonies, Back to the Future), The Present marks the first full-length production to emerge from Geffen Playhouse’s new Geffen Stayhouse initiative.
The Present is inspired by Helder Guimarães’ own life experience with quarantine during childhood. Using his signature mind-bending illusions, Guimarães leads us through a funny, moving and ultimately illuminating story of lessons he learned when he least expected it.
The Present will take place virtually via a secure online platform with a maximum of 25 participants per show. Each participant will be mailed a sealed mystery package in advance, the contents of which will only be revealed during the course of each performance, as Guimarães’ story unfolds. In a unique twist, it will provide both a virtual and physical experience for the audience, as magic will also take place in their own hands, in their own home environment.
The show marks the second collaborative effort between Guimarães and Frank Marshall, who first worked together on Invisible Tango, which made its world premiere May 7, 2019, as part of the Geffen Playhouse 2018/2019 season.
Geffen Stayhouse launched March 25, and provides free, short-form original content from Geffen Playhouse alums and others on a weekly basis. The series includes performances by Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays (Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder), Tony Award nominee Rory O’Malley (Hamilton, The Book of Mormon), Obie Award winner Lauren Patten (Jagged Little Pill, Fun Home), Emmy Award nominee Kathryn Hahn (Transparent, Bad Moms), Drama Desk Award winner Benjamin Scheuer (The Lion), Dixie Longate (Dixie’s Tupperware Party) and others.
Previews: Thursday, May 7 – Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Opening Night: Thursday, May 14, 2020
Closing Night: Sunday, July 5, 2020
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Monday No performance
Tuesday – Friday 8:00 p.m. PT
Saturday 3:00 and 8:00 p.m. PT
Sunday 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. PT
Running time: 45 minutes with no intermission.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are currently priced at $85.00 per household. Available by phone at 310.208.2028 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org. Fees may apply. Given the unique nature and logistics of this production, tickets must be purchased at least 10-14 days in advance of any given performance date. https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/
