YEARS TO THE DAY

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Beverly Hills Playhouse presents the timely drama about friendship in YEARS TO THE DAY by playwright and director Allen Barton, starring Jeff LeBeau and Peter Zizzo, and running November 1-30.

About YEARS TO THE DAY  

In a time set parallel to our current world, two old friends, Dan and Jeff, meet for coffee. It’s been six years to the day since their last in-person meeting. What unfolds is an 80-minute single conversation between them, where the topics of friendship, family, marriage, health, kids and politics intertwine to make them question the nature of friendship, and whether the bond they made in the first week of college can withstand the increasing stress of different opinions across all those topics. Have the intervening years made them more tolerant of these different views? Or have they become calcified under a form of “maturity” that would say, “There are some opinions that simply cannot be tolerated anymore”?

First presented in 2013 during the height of the Obama years, YEARS TO THE DAY has now been performed in a dozen cities across three continents. Allen Barton’s script was written to be “ever green,” not tied to any actual politician or specific years of stress that those issues can bring to the fore. It is a timeless and still timely treatise on the nature of friendship and how it can survive a world that seems to change more quickly with the passing years.

Note from the Playwright/Director:

Sometime in 2011-2012, I sat down for a rare get-together with my old friend Jeff LeBeau, and began by letting him know it had been four years to the day since we had last sat down for a get-together. As the conversation unfolded, journeying across friendship, family, marriage, health, kids and politics, at some point I noted that what was happening over this breakfast could make an interesting premise for a play: two friends get together after years and wonder whether they’re still friends. Had the events of the intervening years made each person more tolerant of different views, or had tectonic drift led them too far from each other to ever build a bridge back to the younger version of the friendship?  I started writing the play shortly thereafter, mostly as an experiment – could I make a single conversation between two people interesting enough to be a legit piece of theatre?

After many incremental readings, YEARS TO THE DAY premiered in 2013 on this stage, with none other than Jeff LeBeau playing a now fictionalized “Jeff” opposite Michael Yavnieli’s “Dan,” both directed by Joel Polis. It ended up being my most successful play in terms of performances – in the years since, it has been performed in a dozen cities across three continents and two languages (a Greek translation was performed in Athens). Most recently, another old friend, Dihlon McManne, asked if I’d want to direct him and the estimable David Whalen in a production in Pittsburgh. The only hitch was that both actors could easily read as mid-50s, but not so much as early 40s, which was the range for the original play. So I did an adaptation of the original script, rewiring the ages for mid-50s, but touching almost nothing else about the script or the topics covered. Lo and Behold, a mid-50s-age-range YEARS TO THE DAY ran in Pittsburgh this past February, and it killed. Audiences ate it up as they always have, and there was something about the age bump that appealed to me in terms of this story. After all, I had aged the same years as its original characters, and so I was watching a play that didn’t so much remind me of my early 40s as it did mirror my current life, in a more worn frame.

This became the inspiration to revisit the play on its original stage here at BHP, and with the peerless Jeff Lebeau returning to play Jeff in the new frame forged by the passing of thirteen years. Joining him is Peter Zizzo as Dan — Peter obliterated the role of Murray two years ago in my play OUTRAGE, and last year again as Torvald in our production of A DOLL’S HOUSE: PART TWO. It’s a pleasure to work with him again and have him on stage for the entire play opposite Jeff and “Jeff.”

Many thanks to Mia Christou for signing on to produce. These last few years of productions would not be possible without her dedicated work both on and offstage. Enjoy!

The Cast

Starring Jeff LeBeau as JEFF and Peter Zizzo as DAN.

JEFF LE BEAU – JEFF

Was most recently seen in  Surprise directed by Nathan Mohebbi for The Public Assembly’s – September project. His other stage work includes Middletown directed by Ann Bronston, American LaRonde directed by Bruce Nozick, and The Few directed by Brad Greenquist all at (Pacific Resident Theatre), Dance of Death directed by Ron Sossi (Odyssey Theatre), The Gary Plays directed by Guy Zimmerman (Skylight and Open Fist), Allen Barton’s  Years To

The Day directed by Joel Polis- Best Actor Nomination, (Skylight Theatre Co. LA, and 59e59 NYC, Paris, & Edinburgh Festival), The SeaFarer directed by Pamela Moller Kareman (SchoolHouse NY), the solo show Burning in China directed by Caleb Deschanel (Poway Arts, John Drew NY, NYC Fringe), Hurlyburly directed by David Rabe (Geffen Playhouse). Film work includes Treason (Amazon Prime), many TV guests, and voicing  roles for Spirit (DreamWorks) receiving an Emmy Award for his Narration of UM’s The Great Storm. Jeff is an Alumnus of Cal Arts, a member of The Rogue Machine, The Road, and Pacific Resident Theatre Companies, and Detroit Street Films

PETER ZIZZO – JOHN

Peter returns to the Beverly Hills Playhouse stage after performances in A Doll’s House, Part 2, and Outrage (LA Stage Raw Award for Best Comedy Performance).

An Emmy and Grammy award winning songwriter and producer (Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, Jennifer Lopez), his enduring passion for acting recently lured him back to it full time.

Film and TV credits include: Steven Soderbergh’s The Girlfriend Experience, Billions (Showtime), Obliterated, (Netflix), Duster, (HBO Max), Pulse (Netflix), General Hospital, Murder at the Merriweather (Lifetime), and a starring role in 2025 horror film Strange Harvest (Hulu / Saban). Biggest love to boys Ari and Thomas, gratitude to my reps Richard, Justine, and Lilly; and much love and thanks to Allen, Mia, and all the magic BHPeeps!

The Team

Writer: Allen Barton
Director: Allen Barton
Producer: Mia Christou

Set Design: Mia Christou and Collin Bernsen
Lighting Design: Derrick McDaniel
Stage Manager: David Bello
Graphic Design: Visible Ink
Special thanks: Bailey Williams, Esther Treadway
|Publicity & Marketing:  Sandra Kuker PR (Sandra Kuker-Franco)

Team BIOS

ALLEN BARTON – Director / Playwright

Allen Barton is a Los Angeles-based playwright/author, director, teacher and classical pianist. As playwright: OUTRAGE (2023), CIRCLING (2020), DISCONNECTION (2015), YEARS TO THE DAY (2013), and ENGAGEMENT (2010). YEARS TO THE DAY was named one of Los Angeles’ 10 Best New Plays by LA Weekly, and has since been performed in ten cities across three continents. As director: ABOUT FAITH, ENGAGEMENT, THE REAL THING, RABBIT HOLE, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, BURN THIS, THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, OLEANNA, SPEED-THE-PLOW, GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES, BRILLIANT TRACES, DUET FOR ONE, CIRCLING, THE HOW AND THE WHY.  As Supervising director for Crimson Square: SEX WITH STRANGERS, THE PURPLE LOUNGE, LOST LAKE, BELLEVILLE, AN INFINITE ACHE. Allen earned many years’ worth of L.A. stage, television and film credits as an actor, and he is also active as a classical pianist – he was a prizewinner in the 2002 Los Angeles Liszt Society Competition, has recorded five compact discs (available on Apple Music and other streaming services), and performs solo recitals regularly on both coasts. In 2010 he was made a Steinway Artist.  A native of the Boston area, a graduate of Harvard University and longtime student of the late Milton Katselas, Allen is currently owner and principal teacher at the renowned Beverly Hills Playhouse acting school. His 2017 book THE OASIS OF INSANITY (available at Amazon) is a memoir of his apprenticeship with Katselas, as well as a guidebook to the study and pursuit of acting in the 21st century. Allen lives in Los Angeles with his wife, three children, and a black Labrador Retriever

MIA CHRISTOU (Producer and Set Designer)

Mia has been a BHP member for over 14 years, and joined the teaching staff back in 2019.

She has been involved in many of the productions at the Playhouse, previously serving as producer on A DOLL’S HOUSE and A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2, OUTRAGE, CIRCLING,  BAKERSFIELD MIST and DUET FOR ONE.  She designed all of the sets for those shows, as well as performed as Nora in A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2, for which she received the Stage Raw Theatre Award 2025 for Outstanding Leading Performance, as Alice in CIRCLING (A Workshop Production), as Stephanie Abrahams in DUET FOR ONE. She directed A DOLL’S HOUSE (2024) and AN INFINITE ACHE in 2023 to high acclaim. She co-wrote and directed THE POPE OF JOCELYN HOLLOW which won best one-woman play and enjoyed three separate runs at different venues including the Beverly Hills Playhouse.

Half-Greek/Half-English born in the UK, she has lived and worked on three continents. Previous training was with Irma Sandrey, Geoffrey Horne and Robert Castle at the Lee Strasberg Film & Theatre Institute in New York. Early training included Speech Study with Cicely Berry of the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has a BA Hons in Drama and English from the University of Surrey.  Mia would like to thank the Beverly Hills Playhouse community and especially Allen Barton for his kind, dynamic leadership and for maintaining a thriving oasis for artists. She lives in Los Angeles with her Production Designer husband, Giles Masters and their pug Percy.

COLLIN BERNSEN  (Set Design)

Collin Bernsen is a carpenter, artist, writer and product designer and developer. He’s been in and around The Beverly Hills Playhouse since 1992 and is currently studying writing and directing with Allen Barton. He considers Milton Katselas to have been one of the most influential people in his life. Favorite playwrights include Edward Albee, David Mamet and Sam Shepherd. He’s thrilled to be collaborating with Mia Christou on set design once again.

DERRICK McDANIEL (Lighting Design)

Derrick has been working in the live theater arena for over 25 years, both in Los Angeles and New York. From ROMEO AND JULIET to GUYS AND DOLLS, Derrick has designed lighting for many plays, musicals, and corporate and private events.  A few of his lighting credits include MERCY SEAT (2012 LA Weekly Awards Winner) at the Inside the Ford Theater, SPRING AWAKENING at the Malibu Playhouse, THE ADDAMS FAMILY at the Madrid Theater; and AN OCTOROON at the Fountain Theatre – and many others.  Derrick’s latest nomination was for a 2020 Ovation Theater Award for Lighting Design for NOWHERE ON THE BORDER at the Road Theater on Magnolia.    He would like to thank the staff and officers of Crimson Square and the Beverly Hills Playhouse for providing the opportunity to create.  Luckily, the theater spirits have allowed us to create live theater, again.

COLLIN BERNSEN – (Set Design)

Collin Bernsen is a carpenter, artist and product designer and developer. He’s recently adopted playwriting as yet another means to seek approval and recognition from others. He’s been in and around The Beverly Hills Playhouse since 1992.

DAVID BELLO – (Stage Manager)

David Bello hails from the Land of Enchantment where he worked 10 years on-and-behind the stage with the University of New Mexico and Albuquerque Little Theatre. He has been training at the Beverly Hills Playhouse for 3 years and was Stage Manager for their dual presentation of A DOLL’S HOUSE and A DOLL’S HOUSE, Part 2 in 2024. When he is not acting or working offstage, he is building classic electric Volvos for his YouTube channel.

SANDRA KUKER PR – Publicity (Sandra Kuker-Franco)

An Award-winning Publicist with over four decades of experience Sandra has created a client list of diversity and successful campaigns. Film highlight: A World Away (Mark Blanchard). Stage: I’m Not A Comedian,  I’m Lenny Bruce (Ronnie Marmo, Director, Joe Mantegna), Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground (Tony Winner John Rubinstein), Adventures In The Great Beyond, Death Of A Salesman (Frances Fisher & Joe Cortese), Elephant Man, My Child, Mothers Of War (an all-star cast), Voice Lessons (Laurie Metcalf, French Stewart & Maile Flanagan), Write Act Repertory 15+ Production Campaigns, Panic! Productions: Footloose The Musical, plus 8 others. Crimson Square TC/BHP: Outrage + 8 other shows. Utilizing the strength of relationships, social media and traditional PR. www.SandraKukerPR.com

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