Rehearsals begin today for Geffen Playhouse’s west coast premiere of the MCC Theater production of Table 17, written by Douglas Lyons (Chicken & Biscuits, Parade) and directed by Zhailon Levingston (Cats: The Jellicle Ball; Tina: The Tina Turner Musical). Table 17 is produced in association with Mark Cortale.
The cast includes Gail Bean (Snowfall, P-Valley) as Jada; Biko Eisen-Martin (soft, East New York) as Dallas; and Michael Rishawn (Ain’t No Mo’,FBI: Most Wanted)as River, Eric & Others
If your ex called, would you answer? Jada and Dallas were once engaged—now, they’re meeting for dinner to untangle the past. Between cheeky waiters, old wounds, and the undeniable spark that still lingers between them, their “casual” reunion may ignite a bomb neither of them can defuse. Fresh off its hit Off-Broadway debut and from the creative minds of Douglas Lyons and Zhailon Levingston this witty new play serves up romance, regrets, and the unexpected possibility of second chances.
A limited number of table seats are available for each performance at ‘Bianca’s Restaurant,’ located on the Gil Cates Theater stage, offering audience members a unique and immersive theatrical experience.
Douglas Lyons is a two-time Emmy–nominated multi-hyphenate artist. As a writer, he earned a GLAAD Media Award nomination for his Broadway playwriting debut, Chicken & Biscuits, which was the second-most produced play in America in 2022-2023. His most recent play, Table 17, which premiered Off-Broadway at MCC Theater, was deemed a New York Times Critic’s Pick and won two 2024 AUDELCO Awards for Best Playwright and Outstanding Ensemble, two Lucille Lortel Awards, and an Outer Critics Circle Award. www.douglaslyons.net IG: @chocolatehipster
Gail Bean is an NAACP Image Award–winning actress best known for her roles in television and film. She gained widespread recognition for her performance as “Wanda Bell” in the hit FX series Snowfall. Bean has also appeared in notable favorites P-Valley, Harlem, and Insecure, to name a few. She recently returned to stage and will have her LA theater debut at Geffen Playhouse with Tony Award–winning director Zhailon Levingston for Douglas Lyons’ Table 17 this winter. Gail Bean is the current generation of young Hollywood. She’s not just dynamic onscreen, Bean is equally amazing off camera—with her non-profit, Dream Above the Influence, Bean uplifts the community through youth mentorship, resources and exposure to greater opportunities.
Biko Eisen-Martin has appeared Off-Broadway: MCC Theater world premieres of Table 17 (AUDELCO Award winner) and soft (Lucille Lortel and AUDELCO nominations); The Public Theater, LAByrinth Theater Company, Rattlestick Theater, Ensemble Studio Theatre, 59E59, and more. Regional: TV/Film: East New York (CBS), Buck (Sundance), Modern Love (Amazon Prime Video), Power Book II: Ghost (Starz), Blue Bloods (CBS), Dietland (AMC). B.A./M.A.T. Brown University; M.F.A. National Theatre Conservatory. IG: @saybiko
Zhailon Levingston is a Louisiana-raised storyteller and director. He is a board member for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which received an honorary Tony Award in 2021. Zhailon is also the Artistic Director of Inheritance Theatre Project. Select credits include: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Broadway), Hadestown (Korea), The Wiz Jr. (The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati), Chicken & Biscuits (Broadway), Patience (Second Stage Theatre), Little Miss Perfect (Goodspeed Musicals), Cats: The Jellicle Ball (Perelman Performing Arts Center).
Michael Rishawn is an award-winning, classically trained actor whose work spans Broadway, television, film, voiceover, and performance capture. He is the recipient of a Lucille Lortel Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and Drama Desk recognition, celebrated for bringing emotional truth and commanding presence to every role. Stage highlights include originating roles in Table 17 (MCC Theater), Handjob (Echo Theater Company), and Broadway’s Ain’t No Mo’, produced by Lee Daniels. On screen, he has appeared in FBI: Most Wanted, BUNK’D, And Just Like That…, Raising Dion, Survival of the Thickest, and Crutch, alongside indie gems like The Send Off. IG: @michaelrishawn
The MCC Theater Production of
TABLE 17
Written by Douglas Lyons
Directed by Zhailon Levingston
Produced in Association with Mark Cortale
Previews: November 5, 2025 – November 12, 2025
Opening Night: November 13, 2025
Closing Night: December 7, 2025
CAST
Gail Bean as Jada
Biko Eisen-Martin as Dallas
Michael Rishawn as River, Eric & Others
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Monday, Tuesday No performance*
Wednesday, Thursday 7:30 p.m.**
Friday 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 3:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.
*There will be a performance on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
**There will be no performance on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
LOCATION
Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets currently priced at $36.00 – $139.00. Available by phone at 310.208.2028 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org. Fees may apply.
All Geffen Playhouse productions are intended for an adult audience; children under 10 years of age will not be admitted.
Rush tickets for each day’s performance are made available to the general public one hour before showtime at the box office. $40.00 General/$20.00 Student.
COLLEGE AUDIENCES
Through a variety of events and other opportunities, Geffen Playhouse welcomes college students to experience the live storytelling presented on our stages. We are proud of our association with UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, and open our doors to all college students throughout Los Angeles. More information is available at www.geffenplayhouse.org/college.
If you are interested in group sales and/or becoming a theatre partner, contact Karen Gutierrez, Director of Advertising & Audience Development at groupsales@geffenplayhouse.org.