GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE AND DETERMINED TO SUCCEED PRESENTED "PLAYING FOR GOOD" CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENT

LOS ANGELES, May 18th, 2015 — Saturday’s sold out -seventh annual Playing for Good poker event hosted by Hank Azaria, co-founder of Determined to Succeed, benefited two LA-based nonprofits: The Geffen Playhouse and Azaria’s Determined to Succeed. More than 150 players including Hank Azaria, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Tilly, James L. Brooks, Willie Garson, Jon Landau, Grant Heslov and Kevin Pollak participated in the deep stack no-limit hold’em tournament sponsored by ARIA Resort & Casino.

Oscar nominated actress and avid poker player Jennifer Tilly was the big winner, the first female to take away the top prize in the event’s history. Other winners included: actors Kevin Pollak and Teri Hatcher, Phil Laak, David Edwards, Eddie Cruz, Max Mashour, Fred Wolf, Brian Smith and Andrew Hill Newman.

Held at a private home in Santa Monica, guests were treated to mini-makeovers, massages and manicures by Bliss Spa. Culinary delights flowed throughout the day with fare ranging from grilled selections, courtesy of Well Done Catering, to freshly rolled sushi from Sugarfish and decadent desserts courtesy of Black Market Gelato. Bulgari provided one “lucky lady” with a chance to visit their Beverly Hills salon and select from a veritable treasure trove of custom designed fine jewelry and watches to be worn at an event of the participant’s choosing. The winner of the main event walked away with a one of a kind bracelet specially designed for the event - courtesy of Readers Fine Jewelers.

ARIA Resort & Casino provided the live auction lot…a chance to host up to 10 players in their exclusive Poker Room, including roundtrip transportation to Las Vegas in a private, ultra-fast Learjet 35.

A silent auction featured a host of sought-after vacation destinations including lodging at resorts and private residences in Aspen; Costa Rica; Punta Mita, Mexico; Torrey Pines; Los Cabos and Solange Calistoga and ARIA Resort & Casino, Las Vegas as well as an 18 kt gold and diamond border pendant from 23rd Street Jewelers.

ABOUT DETERMINED TO SUCCEED

Determined to Succeed is a unique program dedicated to providing an exceptional group of low socio-economic students with comprehensive year-round support. The students are guided from the critical middle school years through high school and the college acceptance process. The program tutors and mentors these students by empowering them with more confidence, stronger self-esteem, and a better education. For more information, please visit dtsla.org.

ABOUT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE

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 not-for-profit organization 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 the late Gilbert Cates, and is currently helmed by Artistic Director Randall Arney, Geffen Playhouse Board Vice-Chair Gil Cates Jr. and Board Co-Chairs Martha Henderson and Pamela Robinson Hollander. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen 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.

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Media Contact: Katy Sweet

Katy Sweet & Associates Public Relations

(310) 479-2333, katy@katysweetpr.com