Geffen ‘Stayhouse’ Premieres Unique Interactive Program

The Geffen Playhouse has a groundbreaking interactive program planned. Through its “Stayhouse” virtual theater, the Geffen will present a live world premiere, The Present, performed by master illusionist Helder Guimarães, inspired by his childhood experience with quarantine. Guimarães presents a funny, moving and ultimately illuminating story of lessons he learned when he least expected it. Academy Award nominee Frank Marshall directs.

A truly interactive experience, The Present will take place on 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. In a unique twist, The Present 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.

Previews begin May 7th and opening night is May 14. Performances are at 8:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm Saturdays, and 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $60-75 per household and must be purchased at least seven days in advance, either  online or by phone at (310) 208-2028. The show runs 45 minutes with no intermission.

Other Online Theater Options

Local Skylight Theatre offers live readings of new short plays followed by chats with the artists behind them. At 3:00 p.m. on April 23rd, check out a timely Who’s Zoomin’ Who?

The Groundlings have performances from their 45^th anniversary celebration last October through Vimeo On Demand; you can read a Buzz review here.

New York’s own PBS channel, WNET, is offering free access through May 27 to its Great Performances archives.

London’s National Theatre at Home offers free full-length plays every Thursday.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s YouTube channel, The Shows Must Go On, has new plays every Friday.