Can-Can Patron Reviews

We love Can-Can.

What did you think?

Please use the "comments" feature to post your reviews!

[Note: While we'd love to know who you are, feel free to post anonymously if you prefer. Just select "Anonymous" under the "Choose an identity" section on the comments page.]

Pasadena Magazine Hosts Can-Can Opening Night Party!

The bubbly will flow! Can-Can is one of the largest productions in Playhouse history: the classic songs of Cole Porter, the award-winning Broadway choreography of Patti Colombo and the hilarious direction of Playhouse favorite (and nine-time Emmy Award-winner), Mr. David Lee!

A grand show requires just as grand an opening night party and Pasadena Magazine has generously offered to host the event! VIPs will be will be transported to Belle Epoque Paris and treated to music and dancing plus food and wine from Madeleine's Restaurant!

Pasadena Magazine is an upscale lifestyle magazine that presents the city with colorful stories combined with spectacular photography. The editorial content will cover the people, history, art & culture, design & architecture, entertainment, fashion and news that define this beautiful, historical town.

The world premiere re-envisioning of Can-Can opens on July 6, 2007!

Click here for more information on the new Pasadena Magazine - launching this summer!

New Feature: Reader Reviews

We at the Playhouse are really very interested in what our patrons think of our shows.

That being the case we're starting a new feature called, creatively enough, Patron Reviews.

Catchy huh?

Starting with Can-Can, we'll be posting a link to a blog page were you can both read reviews and post your own.

And though, to be sure, we love raves, most importantly we want to get your honest opinions!

Pasadena Playhouse Alumni and Associates Brunch: 2007

From Pete Parkin:

Kudos to Jerry Bono and his steadfast Brunch committee for putting on a great party! And what a great turn out! The last count rumor I heard was in the neighborhood of 180. The room was a tad cozy for all those people, but we never expected that many people. And I don’t think any of you who were there had any major complaints. As usual Valerie and Bridget were valuable assets, along with most of the Board members who were able to lend a hand.

We had no “official” MC so Jerry chose to divide the introductions among board members. As a result the membership got a chance to see most of us and put faces to names. It also made the program go very smoothly.

But in the end it was Sheldon’s day. Celebrating his tenth anniversary at the helm of the Playhouse. Neva’s annual poem began the proceedings and was aimed directly at him. It was, as usual, clever and I think Sheldon really appreciated the sentiment.

Even the food was good.

Congratulations to Gail Shoup on his man of the year award. It was my honor to present him with his award. He was my mentor at the Playhouse, and I was very nervous about introducing him.

Laurie Smith Johnson was the woman of the year. Ann LaRose made that presentation. Laurie’s whole family was present and it was very touching when she introduced her parents as her biggest fans and supporters.

Gene DeWild was presented the Gilmore Brown Award by past pres. John McElveney. A most deserving recipient. He was the glue the last years of the College of Theatre Arts. And I have always had great admiration for him.

Finally Valerie presented the Keeper of the Flame to Don Frabotta who gave a very humorous “acceptance” speech. Something along the lines of “ now I’m an official flamer”, or words to that effect.

Then we really surprised Sheldon with a special presentation that was not listed on the program. A beautiful glass “award” with the Playhouse fountain etched inside. And a $5000 check for his outreach program. He was very moved by this and the standing O he received from all present.

Sorry if you missed it but put next year on your calendar. It will be our 55th Anniversary and the Playhouse's 80th.

Pete

Welcome the newest member of the Playhouse family

From Sara Lyding:

It is a delight to let you all know that Brad and his wife, Christina, had their little boy this morning!

Grayson Dean Price was born at 5:34am today, June 8th, and he is 19.5” long and weighed in at 7 pounds exactly.

Mom and baby are doing great.

Tony Awards Connections

Despite being spread out in cities and towns across the US, the theatre community is none-the-less a fairly tight knit group.

So while six degrees of separation might be needed to connect to Kevin Bacon, for those of us in the theatre community, rarely does it take more than a degree or two to connect to a Tony winner.

So it is with tonight's broadcast, with Atlanta, GA.'s Alliance Theatre's receipt of the Tony award for Regional Theatre.

Those of you that gave a close reading to our program for last year's production of SISTER ACT: the Musical may recall that the Playhouse co-produced that terrific production with Alliance Theatre.

Such co-productions are increasingly an important part of Regional theatre and allow institutions like the Playhouse the opportunity to both finance larger projects, as well as build on connections with artists and theatre companies across the nation.

And on a personal note I'm personally pleased to send a hearty congratulations to my former boss, Old Globe Theatre Artistic Director Jack O'Brien on his third Tony, this time as Best Director of a Play for Tom Stoppard's massive trilogy, The Coast of Utopia.

Congratulations to all tonight's Tony winners and nominees!

[2007 Tony Awards winners listed here]