Pre-show reception starting at 7:00p.m. in the Playhouse Library includes complimentary wine and snacks.

Reception will be followed by the production of THE LITTLE FOXES by Lillian Hellman.

2-for-1 TICKETS call (626) 356-7529 and mention code GLBT. LITTLE FOXES closes June 28 so you'd better hurry!

(L-R) Julia Duffy, Marc Singer, Kelly McGillis and Steve Vinovich. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Critics say,

"The Pasadena Playhouse is to be lauded for its riveting revival of one of the iconic works of the American stage!" "Lillian Hellman's exquisitely crafted "The Little Foxes" gives historical perspective to the jaundiced machinations of such contemporary financial villains as Bernard Madoff and Michael Milken."

- Julio Martinez, Variety

"The play's social skewering remains satisfyingly fresh."

- Charles McNulty, The Los Angeles Times

"Bottom Line: If you're up for venom and fun, "Little Foxes" in Pasadena is for you!"

- Laurence Vittes, The Hollywood Reporter

"GO!"

- Steven Leigh Morris, LA Weekly

An Amazing Internship Experience: Stars Bowl to Support Pasadena Playhouse

Last night was the grand opening of Pasadena 300, an upscale bowling alley located at 3454 Foothill Blvd. The company pledged to donate $5,000 dollars to Pasadena Playhouse if the guests in attendance collectively bowled 300 strikes.

I went to volunteer for the event with a few co-workers from the Playhouse and had a blast getting to meet all the impressive corporate sponsors and celebrities who were in attendance.

ABC7 News also showed up to get the inside scoop.

These shots were taken with my phone, but we'll have the professional stills on here shortly, so check back soon!

~Greg The Intern

Saturday @ 6pm in The Carrie Hamilton Theatre:

To RSVP, please email: mktgintern@pasadenaplayhouse.org

Come see Deborah Martinson, a Lillian Hellman historian, June 15th at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood!

Lillian Hellman’s plays sizzle in edgy familial dysfunction, and swelter in Southern heat. In The Little Foxes, the carnivorous, sly, comic-evil Hubbards came from her Alabama family. When Hellman was asked if she purposely put family history into the play, Hellman replied: “oh yes. Part of my family threatened to sue when they saw the play.”

But she indicts us all. Hellman wrote: “I had meant the audience to recognize some part of themselves in the money-dominated Hubbards; I had not meant people to think of them as villains to whom they had no connection.” The Dámaso Rodriguez production lets the audience know that we are implicated. Hellman’s theme is clear in the action and the precise dialogue: “a dark devilish piece about a Dixie Hedda Gabler, grabbing its audiences by the scruffs of their necks and giving them a look at the predatory human animal” (NYT, 1939). Hellman made no apologies for Foxes’ melodramatic character. As Billy Wilder said, “oh melodrama—that’s what you call it when you care what happens next.” And watching a Hellman play, the audience cares.

I’ve seen six or seven productions of Foxes, counting the excellent Wyler film. The play’s script is nearly full proof. Hellman wrote at least ten drafts, and Dashiell Hammett excised any fluff with what Hellman called his editorial “paring knife.” She loved The Little Foxes the best of all her plays; it signified her success as a powerful story teller and the most “relentless” of women playwrights.

Early critics complained that Hellman was an “inquisitor” with characters and themes “too relentless for real life.” I say, The Little Foxes’ characters live in the headlines of the twenty-first century.

-Deborah Martinson, PhD. Author of Lillian Hellman: A Life with Foxes and Scoundrels.

DON'T MISS OUT! Deborah will be at the talk-back discussion following the screening of the 1941 film, The Little Foxes at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

Monday, June 15th @ 7:30p.m.

Tickets $10 - Playhouse patrons receive an extra $2.00 off!

Call (323) 461-2020 x 112 to redeem discount. Ask about special group rates. www.americancinematheque.com

Meet Synthia SAINT JAMES on Sunday, June 14 - Free event and tour!

Please join us for a special FREE event on Sunday, June 14 at 2:00pm.

In celebration of Pasadena Playhouse upcoming production of CROWNS, which opens on July 12, the Community Outreach Program invites the community to enjoy two candid and lively CONVERSATION WITH...events with acclaimed artist/author Synthia SAINT JAMES.

The CONVERSATION WITH... series offers an intimate glimpse into the women's creative process of the musical CROWNS. The events will be held upstairs in Pasadena Playhouse's Carrie Hamilton Theatre (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena).

Playwright Regina Taylor commissioned SAINT JAMES to create a painting for merchandising for her incredible play CROWNS. Join SAINT JAMES as she illuminates on her love affair with art. Immediately following the presentation, the artist will give a private tour of her exhibition in the Friendship Center.

The Synthia SAINT JAMES Solo Exhibition "In Celebration of CROWNS" opens Saturday, June 6 - August 16, 2009 showcasing high-end and affordable artwork. Partial proceeds of the artwork will go to support Pasadena Playhouse.

RSVP to gparker@pasadenaplayhouse.org.

See you there!

Photos: Suzanne Douglas and the cast of Crowns, The Cast of Crowns. Photos by Craig Schwartz.

From PlayBill.com: A Greedy Brood in Pasadena Little Foxes

From Playbill.com:

"McGillis, Duffy, Lee, Pierson Are Greedy Brood in Pasadena Little Foxes By Kenneth Jones 29 May 2009

Kelly McGillis is scheming Regina Giddens, and Julia Duffy is sister-in-law Birdie Hubbard in Pasadena Playhouse's new production of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes opening May 29 after previews from May 22 in California.

McGillis is known for the film Top Gun and Broadway's Hedda Gabler, as well as classical roles around the country. Duffy starred in TV's Newhart. Dámaso Rodriguez, Pasadena Playhouse associate artistic director, directs the 1939 play about a Southern family's greedy ways.

The cast also includes Yvette Cason (original Broadway company of Dreamgirls) as Addie; Tony Award winner Cleavant Derricks (original Broadway company of Dreamgirls – Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical) as Cal; Shawn Lee (Furious Theatre Company's US Drag) as Leo Hubbard; Geoff Pierson as Horace Giddens (Broadway's Trick of the Trade opposite George C. Scott); Tom Schmid (Pasadena Playhouse's I Do! I Do! and Broadway's Annie Get Your Gun) as William Marshall; Marc Singer (The Taming of the Shrew – LADCC Award) as Oscar Hubbard; Rachel Sondag as Alexandra Giddens (Serendipity Theatre Company's girl, 20); and Steve Vinovich (original Broadway company of Lost in Yonkers) as Benjamin Hubbard."

To read the full article at Playbill.com, click here.

The Little Foxes' Kelly McGillis. Photo by Craig Schwartz

See the photos from CROWNS! Tickets are on sale now!

Single tickets are available now for the Playhouse's hit prodcution of Crowns! The prodcution that was named "Critic's Choice" by The Los Angeles Times and labled "Don't miss it!" by Our Weekly comes to Pasadena on July 10.

Here is a little peek at the roof-raisin' gospel musical as seen through the lens of our wonderful prodcution photographer Craig Schwartz:



Photos from top to bottom: Paula Kelly; Angela Wildflower-Polk and Paula Kelly; The cast of Crowns; Suzzanne Douglas, Paula Kelly, and Clinton Derricks-Carroll; Suzzanne Douglas; Paula Kelly, Sharon Catherine Blanks and Ann Weldon in Crowns. All photo by Craig Schwartz.

Playhouse Supports Local Students

A good friend of the Playhouse, Larry Wilson of the Pasadena Star-News, recently attended our student matinee and "recalled going to such a Playouse matinee long about 1965 with my class from Noyes Elementary." But he's not the only one who's noticing the good work happening at 39 S. El Molino Avenue. Of the student matinee program, actor Mimi Kennedy writes, "It is huge proof that the arts and art experiences in the community are not an indulgence, but a crucial part of a contemporary American high school education."

For the full article, click here.

Variety says "The Pasadena Playhouse is to be lauded for its riveting revival of one of the iconic works of the American stage!"

From our beloved critics:

"The Pasadena Playhouse is to be lauded for its riveting revival of one of the iconic works of the American stage!"
"Lillian Hellman's exquisitely crafted The Little Foxes gives historical perspective to the jaundiced machinations of such contemporary financial villains as Bernard Madoff and Michael Milken."
- Julio Martinez, Variety

"A timely tale of greed!"
"The play's social skewering remains satisfyingly fresh."
- Charles McNulty, The Los Angeles Times


“Bottom Line: If you're up for venom and fun, "Little Foxes" in Pasadena is for you!”
“Lillian Hellman's warhorse about greed, murder and passion in the Old South proves resilient yet again to the ravages of time.”
- Laurence Vittes, The Hollywood Reporter


“Critics’ Pick!"
- Les Spindle, Back Stage West

"GO!"
- Steven Leigh Morris, LA Weekly


Above Kelly McGillis. (L-R) Julia Duffy, Marc Singer, Kelly McGillis and Steve Vinovich. Photo by Craig Schwartz.