Pasadena Playhouse

A Sort Of Update

2010-08-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

Whew! We last posted...when, exactly? We are on the verge of announcing more shows for the fall. No really, we mean it! In the meantime, the website is going to get a complete overhaul, with a new box office portal opening in September.

PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES SHOWS!

2010-07-19T13:32:00.000-07:00

Pasadena Playhouse is pleased to announce the beginnings of a production schedule for Fall/Winter of 2010-2011.

Amahl and the Night Visitors -- December 16-18, 2010
Presented by Intimate Opera Company
An opera in one act by Gian Carlo Menotti
Menotti's beloved holiday classic "Amahl" is an inspiring story of healing and hops and is a musical event the entire family will enjoy.
Tickets go on sale August 20th. For more information call 626-274-7342

The Nutcracker Ballet -- December 28-31, 2010
Presented by Pasadena Dance Theater
An ensemble cast of over 80 dancers bring Clara's dream to life through Tchaikovsky's timeless score.
Tickets go on sale November 1 and will be available at www.pasadenadance.org or 626-683-3459

Dangerous Beauty -- January 2010, Performance Dates TBA
Directed by Sheryl Kaller
This new musical tells the tumultuous tale of Veronica Franco, a celebrated courtesan/poet of 16th century Venice. Forced to become a courtesan when her family fortune is lost, (preventing her from marrying the man she loves), Veronica ultimately embraces the courtesan life because it affords her extraordinary education and access. It is not long before she is the most influential woman in the cultural and political life of her beloved city. As Veronica's star rises, however, Veniceis ravaged by war, plague, and the Inquisition. When Veronica finds herself on trial for witchcraft, she realizes that only her personal integrity can save her. “DANGEROUS BEAUTY”is adapted from the New Regency screenplay “The Honest Courtesan”written by Jeannine Dominy, released as the film “Dangerous Beauty” and inspired by the scholarly book “The Honest Courtesan” by Margaret Rosenthal. Casting and ticket sales information for “DANGEROUS BEAUTY” will be announced at a later date.

PLAYHOUSE EMERGES FROM BANKRUPTCY!

2010-07-12T16:24:00.000-07:00

NECESSARY ON-GOING FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

BEGIN WITH AN ANONYMOUS

$1 MILLION MATCHING PLEDGE CAMPAIGN

PASADENA, CA (July 8, 2010) – Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, announced that its Plan of Reorganization was approved yesterday by the United States Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles and emerged from Chapter 11 after nearly two months. The Honorable Thomas B. Donovan presided.

"We are deeply grateful for the collective support that has allowed the Playhouse to expeditiously move through this difficult and sometimes painful process,” said Pasadena Playhouse Executive Director, Stephen Eich. “On this journey we found a new meaning to the word collaboration. The indefatigable efforts of our pro bono legal team Munger, Tolles, and Olson LLC, led by Thomas Walper, our pro bono financial advisors Alvarez & Marsal, led by Matt Kvarda, the City of Pasadena, our Board of Directors, and our small staff have all combined to create a plan to resurrect the Playhouse from years of unbearable debts. Although we will be moving slowly in the future to ensure financial responsibility and stability, we will in fact be back."

Mr. Eich further acknowledged the Playhouse's loyal subscribers and donors, many of whom have contributed money to ensure the future of the theatre. He said, "Without these loyal people, we would not be able to get through this difficult phase of the theatre's rebirth. Their generosity - both monetary and in spirit - have underscored the tremendous support and need for our Theatre and have helped us to keep moving forward towards our goal of restoring the Playhouse to the premier theatrical destination for both the City of Pasadena and the State of California.”

Earlier this year, Pasadena Playhouse received a matching pledge of $1 million by anonymous donors who read the news about the Playhouse’s decision to explore financial reorganization. The donors expressed how they were moved by the Playhouse’s desire to make the comprehensive courageous choices that were necessary to help the State Theater of California restructure its administrative operations in an effort to rid itself of long-standing debt. It was the donors’ want and need to help with the emergence of Pasadena Playhouse and their hope that others will step forward immediately to support the Playhouse’s essential on-going fundraising efforts to match or exceed their $1 million gift.

Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director, Sheldon Epps said, “We cannot fully enough express our profound gratitude to the precious anonymous $1 million donors, whose remarkably generous gift – and indeed the challenge to match that gift which comes with their pledge – will allow our beloved theatre to stand strong and proud as we move forward. All of this supernal effort from so many who care deeply about our theatre – which includes the artists who work here and our loyal audience and generous donors – is a great reminder of how valuable and important this theatre is to so many. This care and concern for this theatre and our work will allow the Playhouse to very soon get back to what it does best, which is filling our beautiful and glorious house with the art of the theatre."

Future plans, including a Fall 2010 production, will be announced at a later date.

For links to press coverage, go to www.pasadenaplayhouse.org

2010-04-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

PASADENA PLAYHOUSE

TO HOST EVENTS FOR PASADENA JAZZ INSTITUTE,

LYRIC OPERA AND BLAIR IB SCHOOL

BEGINNING IN MAY 2010

Pasadena Playhouse today announced that the State Theater of California will host events beginning in May 2010 for Pasadena Jazz Institute, Lyric Opera and Blair IB School, as the organization continues its process of financial reorganization.

"As the Playhouse continues to go through its reorganization process, I am very happy that we have been able to find ways to keep the energy of the performing arts alive in our beautiful theatre. These three events will bring the rewards of great music of many kinds to audiences, and offer young people the thrill of performing in this great venue,” said Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. “This also represents a step in our exploration of the possibilities of greater use of our theatre as a performing arts complex that could well serve a number of disciplines in addition to the theatre company. This is a valuable concept that we have contemplated for many years, and very much in our thinking as we explore ways to move forward with greater success in the future."

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

JAZZ AT THE PLAYHOUSE
May 28-30, 2010
Produced by Pasadena Jazz Institute

BOND and other SPY CLASSICS on Friday, May 28 at 8:00 p.m. – Over 21 classic spy themes performed by the 17-member Pasadena Jazz Orchestra including themes from the Pink Panther, Peter Gunn, Austin Powers and Bond....James Bond. Fun for the entire family.

BIRD with STRINGS on Saturday, May 29 at 8:00 p.m. – Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker's seminal recording "Charlie Parker with Strings" is performed Live with members of the Pasadena Symphony and will feature saxophone great Lanny Morgan.

An Evening of GERSHWIN on Sunday, May 30 at 8:00 p.m. – Grammy Award-winner Bill Cunliffe brings in his trio to back four of Los Angeles’ finest vocalists in an evening celebrating the timeless music of George Gershwin including "I Got Rhythm," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Embraceable You," among others.

For tickets to JAZZ AT THE PLAYHOUSE call 626-356-7529 or visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

FREE pre-show jazz will be performed in The Engemann Family Courtyard at 7:00 p.m. each night by students from the Pasadena Jazz Institute.

Pasadena Jazz Insitute (PJI) was established almost ten years ago and has become one of the most active arts organizations in the region. From small ensemble concerts to big band shows featuring the Pasadena Jazz Orchestra, in-school concerts and clinics, jazz camp and more, PJI has made a deep impact on the Pasadena music scene, keeping jazz alive for all generations.

OVATIONS
June 4-6, 2010
Produced by Kelley Oxley with the support of Blair Learns
Choreographed by Kevin Lee
Directed by Benita Scheckel

OVATIONS is a musical revue featuring song, dance and dialogue by the students of Blair IB School. This year’s show will include songs from the Tony Award-winning musicals Chicago and Little Shop of Horrors. It will also highlight numbers like Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” Slumdog Millionaire’s “O Saya” and a Latin dance number choreographed by “Dancing with the Stars” choreographer Christian Perry.

Friday, June 4 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 5 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 6 at 3:00 p.m.

For tickets call Dianne Moore at 626-396-5820 ext. 80026, email dmoore@pusd.us or visit www.blair.pasadenausd.org.

Wagner’s Die Feen
June 11-19, 2010
Produced by Lyric Opera of Los Angeles

Lyric Opera of Los Angeles will perform a US premiere of Wagner's opera Die Feen (The Fairies). Die Feen is an opera in three acts. The German libretto was written by the composer after Carlo Gozzi's La donna serpente. Die Feen was Wagner's first completed opera, but remained unperformed in his lifetime. It has never established itself firmly in the operatic repertory although it receives occasional performances, on stage or in concert, most often in Germany. LOLA will present Die Feen as part of the Ring Festival LA, for which it has partnered with L.A. Opera.

Friday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m
Saturday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m.

For tickets call 877-LOLA-OPERA or visit www.lyricoperala.org.

2010-02-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

Media Coverage from Closing Night of

CAMELOT

February 7, 2010

Los Angeles Times

FOX NEWS

Pasadena Independent

A MESSAGE FROM PASADENA PLAYHOUSE

2010-02-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

Pasadena Playhouse has been inundated with generous messages of support and many have offered to pledge money to help keep this venerable institution operational. We appreciate these efforts enormously. We will keep you posted about what is happening, and if there are any fundraising events or pledge drives created officially by Pasadena Playhouse or one of our generous partners.

Thank you.

Upcoming Hothouse Reading: THE COMMONS

2010-01-25T12:28:00.000-08:00

Hey Hothouse Fans!

The Hothouse reading this week, PASTORAL, is currently sold out. But don't fear! We have another star-studded reading scheduled for performances just two weeks from now! Don't miss...

THE COMMONS
Written by Stephen Metcalfe
Directed by Art Manke

A man battles his neighbor to protect his ocean view.

Starring Beau Bridges and Jordan Bridges
and
Linda Gehringer, Kenneth Marshall, Susan Dalian, and Kevin Rahm

February 9-10, 2010, 8:00 p.m.

in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre.

A complimentary talkback and reception to follow.

About the Play: THE COMMONS is the story of an older couple in crisis. Dakin Adams, a retired school teacher, spends his days writing and sending his thoughts - his blogs - out into the void that is the internet. His wife, Macy, walks the dogs and gardens. It would seem the only thing they have in common anymore is their home and their memories and their love of "the view"- the Pacific Ocean as seen from the back deck of the house. But now their neighbor is selling and the new owner is coming in to tear down and rebuild - build "up" - and the view - and the fragile relationship of two people - is in ever increasing jeopardy.

About the Playwright: Stephen Metcalfe’s stage plays include LOVES & HOURS, VIKINGS, STRANGE SNOW, SORROWS AND SONS, PILGRIMS, HALF A LIFETIME, EMILY, WHITE LINEN, THE INCREDIBLY FAMOUS WILLY RIVERS, WHITE MAN DANCING, A WORLD OF THEIR OWN and THE GIFT TELLER. He has been produced in New York and at regional theaters through the United States as well as in Europe and Japan. Screen credits include HALF A LIFETIME(with Keith Carradine and Gary Busey), COUSINS (with Ted Danson and Isabella Rossellini), JACKNIFE (with Robert De Niro and Ed Harris), ROOMMATES (with Peter Falk and Julianne Moore) and BEAUTIFUL JOE (with Sharon Stone and Billy Connelly). He was a contributing writer on PRETTY WOMAN, ARACHNOPHOBIA, IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU and MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS. Other original screenplays include TIME FLIES, VEIL ON THE WATER, TENNESSEE VALLEY, THE OLD BOY, JONAH, THE INFIELD, SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, GRIM REAPER, SCYLLA, THE TRAGIC AGE, PASSING FANCY and AN INNOCENT ABROAD as well as numerous rewrites. He is an Associate Artist at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego and has been a guest lecturer in dramatic writing at University of California at San Diego, University of San Diego and San Diego State University.

*A complimentary reception will be held immediately after each reading. Hothouse readings are FREE, but reservations are required.

Call the Box Office at (626) 356-7529.

Hothouse: Watch Plays Grow!

Photos From The Last Hothouse Reading - Lee Blessing's Brand New Play, MODERATION

2009-12-14T13:59:00.000-08:00

Clockwise from top left: Daniel Kaemon, Marilyn McIntyre, Oz Scott (Director), LEE BLESSING (Playwright), Nick Cernoch, Jennifer Seifert, Granville Van Dusen as Warren Burger, Lawrence Pressman as Harry Blackmun

From left: Daniel Kaemon, Marilyn McIntyre, Lawrence Pressman as Harry Blackmun, Granville Van Dusen as Warren Burger, Jennifer Seifert, Nick Cernoch

Clockwise from top left: Daniel Kaemon, Marilyn McIntyre, Nick Cernoch, Jennifer Seifert, Granville Van Dusen as Warren Burger, Lawrence Pressman as Harry Blackmun

2009-12-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

Baby It's You! Cast Member Crystal Starr Knighton Announces New CD!

Crystal Starr's debut album contains hits like "Coldhearted", "Cake," and "I deserve to lose you," featuring gospel artist Jesse Stevenson. "I wanted to release an album that describes everything I am as a person and what influences me as a singer" Crystal states. The album is a great combination of rock pop and soul greatly interpreted by her strong vocal capabilities. Some people who have contributed to this album are Jennifer Hudson who wrote the song "what love would do" on her record, and Jolyon Skinner who wrote major hits for r&b artist Joe. Not only is Crystal's vocal range amazing but the production is also something to talk about as well. Produced by multi-platinum record producer Veit Renn, who has made hits for Jennifer Hudson, N Sync and Backstreet boys, he knew exactly what to do with Crystal. "Crystal Starr" the Debut album, definitely a record to have in your Collection!

LISTEN TO CRYSTAL'S MUSIC HERE

2009-12-01T12:53:00.000-08:00

Next Hothouse Reading:

MODERATION

Written by Lee Blessing

Directed by Oz Scott

Justice Harry Blackmun redefines women’s rights with Roe v. Wade.

Starring Lawrence Pressman (American Pie, Doogie Howser M.D.) as Harry Blackmun

and Granville Van Dusen as Warren Burger

Also starring...

Daniel Kaemon

Nick Cernoch

Marilyn McIntyre

Jennifer Seifert

December 8-9, 2009, 8:00 p.m.

Carrie Hamilton Theatre
A complimentary reception to follow.

Based on Linda Greenhouse’s Becoming Justice Blackmun, Moderation examines the life and career of Harry Blackmun, a Nixon nominee to the Supreme Court who over nearly a quarter-century became that body’s most liberal member. Blackmun wrote the majority decision in Roe v. Wade and spent years working to fight off challenges to it. In doing so, he became one of the country’s most influential advocates for women’s rights. Moderation provides a peek into Blackmun’s past, tracking the ups and downs of his more than eighty-year friendship with Chief Justice Warren Burger. Blackmun’s Midwestern upbringing is also examined, providing clues to the values which guided his decisions throughout a long and controversial career on the Federal bench.

LEE BLESSING (Playwright): Lee is the author of A Walk in the Woods, nominated for Tony and Olivier Awards as well as the Pulitzer Prize. His work has twice won the Steinberg/American Theatre Critics’ Association Award, among many other honors. Recent plays include When We Go Upon the Sea, Great Falls, A Body of Water and an adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s Heaven’s My Destination, among others. He heads the graduate playwriting program at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. He is married to fellow playwright and TV writer Melanie Marnich.

OZ SCOTT (Director): Oz has been one of the most sought after directors for theatre, film and television for over two decades. He has worked at nearly every major regional theatre in the country including recent work at The Goodman, Arena Stage, Hartford Stage and Philadelphia Theatre Company. Oz Scott earned a Drama Desk award for his pivotal 1976 Broadway production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Television writing credits include Archie Bunker's Place, Alice and The Jeffersons. He has directed episodes of The Cosby Show, Northern Exposure, LA Law, Hill Street Blues, Fame, CSI:NY, Boston Legal and many others. Feature film credits include Bustin Loose starring Richard Pryor. Scott has participated in the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference for the past dozen years. He is also the recipient of an NAACP Image Award.

Over the past several years, many new plays and musicals first seen in Hothouse at the Playhouse – our new play development program – have gone on to full productions here at the Playhouse and other prestigious theatres around the country! Don’t miss the next readings in this HOT series!

Hothouse readings are FREE, but reservations are recommended.

Call the Box Office at (626) 356-7529
Hothouse: Watch Plays Grow!

2009-11-25T10:23:00.000-08:00

Photos from the latest Hothouse reading!

Loretta Swit and Robert Forster

Playwright Joshua Ravetch, Loretta Swit, Nick Cernoch, Robert Forster

Loretta Swit and Robert Forster

Joshua Ravetch, Loretta Swit, Robert Forster

Hothouse readings are FREE!

Just call the box office at (626) 356-7529

2009-11-12T15:52:00.000-08:00

HotHouse Reading: ONE NOVEMBER YANKEE

Written and Directed by

Joshua Ravetch

An ill-fated flight ignites a series of unlikely consequences.

Starring Academy Award nominee, Robert Forster (Jackie Brown) and two-time Emmy winner, Loretta Swit (TV's M*A*S*H*)

November 17-18, 2009

8:00 p.m.

A complimentary reception to follow.

En route to Florida, in perfect weather, a single-engine airplane  disappears. A brother and sister were flying to their father's second  wedding , but without the ping of an emergency-locator-beacon, an  extensive search of the Eastern Seaboard produces no trace of the  wreckage. That tragic event ignites a series of unlikely consequences  that span five years, nine states, and three families. But all may not  be exactly what it would seem, as this play travels from the White  Mountains of New Hampshire to the White Way of New York City, and it  all begins with a serious martini, a Hirschfeld Cartoon, a dose of  humor, and the ill-fated flight of, "ONE NOVEMBER YANKEE".
ROBERT FORSTER:
In 1997, he received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor as Max Cherry in Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown". It has turned around a career that started 40 years ago and put him suddenly in great demand. Most recently, Robert starred alongside Ed Harris in the indie, “Touching Home,” and finished filming “The Code,” with Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas, and “The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” with Jennifer Garner and Matthew McConaughey. Other recent projects include “Dragon Wars,” the Harrison Ford film, "Firewall," "Lucky Number Slevin," "Wild Seven," Wes Craven's "Cursed," "Grand Theft Parsons," starring Johnny Knoxville, as well as "Confidence," "Like Mike," "Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle," David Mamet's "Lakeboat," directed by Joe Mantegna, and "Diamond Men," with Donnie Wahlberg.
Forster has been busy on the small screen as well -- in addition to his recent stint as Arthur Petrelli on NBC's "Heroes," he starred in the CBS TV film, "The Hunt for the BTK Killer," guest starred as Hank Azaria's father on Showtime's "Huff," Michael Madson's father on ESPN's "Tilt," and Peter Facinelli's father in McG's "Fastlane," and starred alongside Carla Gugino in the ABC series "Karen Sisco." Forster co-starred in the HBO Films production "Undefeated," directed by and starring John Leguizamo, the USA film "Murder in Greenwich," and the CBS TV film, "Like Mother, Like Son: The Strange Story of Sante and Kenny Kimes," with Mary Tyler Moore.

Independent films include "Outside Ozona," "Family Tree," "The Magic of Marciano," co-starring Nastassja Kinski and "It’s the Rage," with Joan Allen, Gary Sinise and Andre Braugher, as well as the MGM sci-fi film "Supernova," co-starring Angela Basset and James Spader, and the updated versions of Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho," directed by Gus Van Sant and a television version of "Rear Window," with Christopher Reeve. Forster went on to star in “Roads to Riches” with Rose McGowan, a modern-day film noir, and the present-day western, "Lone Hero."

Forster blazed on the scene in his debut film, in l966, in "Reflections in a Golden Eye," co-starring with Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor, directed by John Huston. He followed this in l968, with the seminal film, "Medium Cool," by Haskell Wexler. TV series include "Banyon." A native of Rochester, NY, Forster made his professional debut on Broadway in "Mrs. Dally Has A Lover." Other stage credits include "A Streetcar Named Desire," "The Glass Menagerie," and productions of "Twelve Angry Men," "The Sea Horse," and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."
LORETTA SWIT (Maggie/Margo/Mia):
As Major Margaret Houlihan of TV’s M*A*S*H*, Loretta became an American icon. She has received ten Emmy nominations and six Golden Globe nominations, and is a recipient of the People’s Choice Award, The Genie Award, The Silver Satellite Award, The Jean Golden Halo Award, the Pacific Broadcasters Award, and two Emmy Awards. She made her Broadway debut in Same Time, Next Year. After M*A*S*H* wrapped, she replaced Cleo Laine in The Mystery Of Edwin Drood. She has toured with national companies of Any Wednesday, and with two companies of Mame, having played both Agnes Gooch and the title role. She has appeared in over 1,000 performances of Shirley Valentine, a role for which she won the Sarah Siddons Award. Swit appeared in touring companies of the musical spoof, Song of Singapore, while performing select dates of Love Letters. She appeared in The Vagina Monologues in New York, Chicago and the West End in London. Film credits include Chris Cagney in the original Cagney and Lacey, Games Mother Never Taught You, Hell Hath No Fury, The Execution, Dreams of Gold, A Killer Among Friends, Stand Up and Be Counted, Freebie and the Bean, Race with the Devil, Beer, S.O.B., Whoops Apocalypse, The Lords of Tanglewood and Boardheads. TV musical specials include The Muppet Show and the Broadway musical It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman. Every year she can be seen in the annual specials The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Miracle At Moreaux, and A Christmas Calendar, aired worldwide during the holidays. She has just completed a tour of 42nd Street as Dorothy Brock, and most recently ended the season as Sister Aloysius in Doubt. Swit’s wildlife series, Those Incredible Animals, was shown twice weekly on the Discovery Channel for a five–year run, and was aired in over 30 countries. She is 1st Vice President of Actors and Others For Animals, and is actively involved in a number of other animal rights organizations.

Over the past several years, many new plays and musicals first seen in Hothouse at the Playhouse – our new play development program – have gone on to full productions here at the Playhouse and other prestigious theatres around the country! Don’t miss the next readings in this HOT series!

Hothouse readings are FREE, but reservations are required

Call the Box Office at (626) 356-7529

HotHouse: Watch Plays Grow!

Playhouse Friends Invite YOU!

2009-10-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

BUY TICKETS!

Wicked Lit Play Reading Series!

2009-10-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

Halloween night: 7:00pm

Playhouse Courtyard

FREE!

Come to a FREE play reading series on Halloween night in the Playhouse courtyard. Bring the whole family, but beware - these are spooky stories.

The performances will include:

THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER by Edgar Allan Poe
PIGEONS FROM HELL by Robert E. Howard
A GHOST STORY by Mark Twain

Hope to see you there!

Pasadena Playhouse "Conversations With..." Speaker Series Hosts SERGIO MIELNICZENKO

2009-09-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September 19, 2009

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Carrie Hamilton Theatre

Sergio Mielniczenko is the popular writer and producer of the Brazilian Hour Radio Program and host of Global Village Fridays (KPFK, 90.7). In his precise and placid, Portuguese-accented English, Sergio presents the best of samba, bossa nova, música popular Brasileira, Brazilian jazz. He coaxes his listening audience around unexpected corners -- and through regions and rituals and artists who fall off well-trammeled paths of bossa nova or jazz samba. As these things go, he is more than a bit of a ubiquitous dignitary, floating from festivals to tucked-away clubs to living room jam sessions. (BrazilianHour.org)

The Brazilian Hour takes listeners on a musical tour of its namesake land, with music ranging from jazz to samba, Brazilian pop, choro, and much more. Produced as a public service of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, the program began in 1978 to promote Brazilian music and culture in the United States. In 1981 the Brazilian Hour started a national distribution via satellite to all public radio stations in the United States. Currently The Brazilian Hour is produced in Portuguese, Spanish, English and French. Streams live at KXLU Saturdays and Sundays 9-10:00am (SPT) on 90.7 KFSR.

Tickets
FREE with a ticket to The Night is a Child
General Admission - $5.00 at the door
To reserve a seat to CONVERSATIONS WITH… email bnewport@pasadenaplayhouse.org. Tickets to The Night Is A Child can be purchased at the Pasadena Playhouse box office (39 S. El Molino Avenue), by phone 626-356-PLAY, or online www.pasadenaplayhouse.org. Mention code HHCW to receive a 20% discount on select seats to the show.

Labor Day Weekend BBQ at the Playhouse

2009-09-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the BBQ Samba party are here! Keep checking the blog and our Facebook Fan Page for info on future "Real-Live Theatre for Less than a Movie" nights!

4:00 PM Sunday, Sept 6

Wear your flip flops, kick back and enjoy Brazilian BBQ before or after a performance of The Night is a Child.

2:00 PM Matinee performance
4:00 PM BBQ, live music and fun on the patio
7:00 PM Evening performance

Sponsored by Pasadena Star-News. Brazilian music provided by California College of Music. Entertainment provided by Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

Share your hat story and win!

2009-08-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Regina Taylor, author of Crowns, just announced an exciting new contest called, "Eyes On LA: Hat Stories" for Los Angeles residents 18 and older: The 1st place winner will get ($1,000.00), 2nd place ($400.00), and 3rd place will receive ($100.00).

Crowns, a story about African American women and their Sunday hats, must close August 16th, but before it's gone, Taylor would like to hear from you!

Who is your favorite hat queen? What stories did your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, mentor or neighbor pass on to you through stories about their hats?

To tell your story, Taylor is asking for submissions of "cell phone shorts" These are films shot entirely on cell phones lasting between 5 and 10 minutes in length. Your films will be viewed and voted on by your peers and the Cell Short Takes online community.

For submission details, click here. Winners will be notified by email on Friday, August 14th.

Real Live Theatre for Less Than a Movie!

2009-07-27T12:36:00.000-07:00

$10 Tickets to Crowns @ Pasadena Playhouse
Wednesday, July 29 @ 8pm ONLY

Receive $10 Tickets with proof of residency or employment in Pasadena. Available at the Pasadena Playhouse Box Office on 7/29/09.
39 South El Molino Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 356-7529

Playhouse Patrons on Parade

2009-07-23T13:52:00.000-07:00

Who's got the best Crown in town?

On July 19th, over a dozen hopeful contestants ventured out to the Pasadena Playhouse dressed in their very best church-going hats in the hopes of winning some great prizes.

Among the awards were a gift basket and a gift certificate good for a hand-made hat from milliner, Louise Green. (In the Playhouse Friendship Center)

The event, hosted by Pandora Carey of KKLA, happened on the Playhouse courtyard before the 2:00 P.M. matinee and was a great success!

For more information on up-coming events like this one, follow us on Twitter or become a fan of the Playhouse on Facebook.

Pasadena Playhouse Alumni & Associates Annual Brunch Report

2009-07-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

What a day!!

Once again the Brunch Committee hit the ground running to transform the Pasadena Hilton’s California Room into a bright, festive space to receive the Playhouse alumni for a day of fun. Red, orange, and yellow balloons rose from the luncheon tables and heralded the way to the Membership/Sign-in table in the hotel hallway. There were also “Playhouse” Fortune Cookies on the tables, each containing a fun fact about the Playhouse. The remainder of the fortune cookies were taken to the Playhouse for distribution among the Green Room, Library, and the Telephone Room.

Special exhibits of Peggy Ebright’s wonderful artwork and photographs of “Brunches Past” by Will Diaz brought smiles and sparked recollections. Neva Wallace performed a poem about actors to hearty applause.

The 2009 winners of the Sumid Scholarship were announced, among them, three Interns who will work at the Playhouse for the next year now that their education is complete. Just another way the Pasadena Playhouse Alumni & Associates supports the theatre.

Alumni First Vice President, Anne La Rose, presented the Playhouse with a framed collection of the R.E.P. – Repertory Exists in Pasadena – materials from the summer of 1967, consisting of the poster and reviews of two of the three shows performed that summer by Playhouse students and recent graduates. Everyone got a big kick out of the Student Theatre ticket prices back then, $2. general and $1.50 for students. The presentation was made in memory of four company members who have taken their final bow: Claude La Rose, Austin Kelly, Ken Globus, and Coy Arnold. These materials represent the last time Playhouse founder Gilmor Brown’s theatrical ideals were put into action.

Anne also presented the Playhouse with a certificate noting that the name, PASADENA PLAYHOUSE STATE THEATRE of CALIFORNIA, will be on a microchip onboard the NASA Mars Science Lab Rover, scheduled for launch in the Fall of 2011. Now, the Playhouse will truly be out of this world!

What wonderful a group of Award winners we had this year. The ball got rolling with Penn Genthner’s introduction of Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard as Man of the Year. The Mayor told of his trials and tribulations, while sitting on the City Council, in keeping the wrecking ball from the Playhouse in the early 1970’s. Anne La Rose brought Playhouse Board member Peggy Ebright to the podium as Woman of the Year to thunderous applause. Peggy recalled Maudie Prickett, her right-hand, in the struggles to save the Playhouse and noted the names of others who fought the good fight. She also mentioned an unsung hero of those days, Coy Wills, the last Stage Doorman before the close in 1969, who checked on the Playhouse daily and reported his findings to Peggy.

Alumnus Robert J Farley returned from his theatre in metro-Atlanta to pass the Gilmor Brown Award to Sheldon Epps. Sheldon spoke of his love of the Playhouse and mentioned the support of the Playhouse Board, several of whom joined us for the day. He also touched on the heart of the theatre, the actors who trod our boards and noted, in particular, perhaps his favorite actress, his lovely wife, Monette McGrath, who was also with us. RJ Muehlhausen took the microphone to give background about a most deserving Keeper of the Flame honoree, Will Diaz, Class of 1954. Will has always been there for the Playhouse for so many years, in so many ways. Will took the podium to a standing ovation.

There was a phenomenal array of Raffle Prizes, this year totaling more than $4200 in value. Among the offerings were a one-of-a-kind handmade porcelain ginger jar with lid, three exceptional ‘art’ photographs of the Playhouse, and a John Wayne collection of DVDs and books housed in a hand-made ammo box that looked for all-the-world like the real thing! There were two signed first editions of the latest installment in a murder mystery series, Oneida stainless service for 12, a four handset phone system, digital picture frame, and an incredible “Lord of the Rings” chess set, to name a few more items. The money raised will help the Alumni’s continued support of the Playhouse.

After we exhausted ourselves at the Hilton, several alumni went to the Playhouse to relax in the Library and reminisce before the 7PM curtain of “The Little Foxes” with Kelly McGillis and Julia Duffy. Anne La Rose led a tour for those who have been away much too long, while others retreated to their hotel rooms or homes to rest before curtain. The show was excellent and enjoyed by all.

If you didn’t join us, I hope you will make plans now for next year. It’s such fun to share the day with old chums and make new friends. See you next year???

Anne La Rose, Class of 1969
Brunch Chair

CROWNS : Coming July 10

2009-07-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

CROWNS
By Regina Taylor
Directed by Israel Hicks
Adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry
A co-production with Ebony Repertory Theatre
In Association with Regina Taylor

July 10 - August 16, 2009

Winner of four Washington D.C. Helen Hayes awards including Best Regional Musical, Crowns explores the lives of the "hat queens," six women in the South whose stories of love, loss, identity and sisterhood are woven into the hats that crown their heads and the songs that speak their truth. Based on the acclaimed coffee table book, Crowns captures the thrill of self expression with a series of intimate musical portraits.

Approximate Running Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.

Tickets

2009-06-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

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:

2009-06-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

To RSVP, please email: mktgintern@pasadenaplayhouse.org

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

2009-06-11T14:15:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-05T10:32:00.000-07:00

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!"

2009-06-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

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.

from the Ventura County Star: Playing Birdie in 'Little Foxes' is dream role for 'Newhart' star Julia Duffy

2009-05-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

"Playing Birdie in 'Little Foxes' is dream role for 'Newhart' star Julia Duffy Friday, May 29, 2009 By Jeff Favre

It’s not hard to imagine why the casting director for the Pasadena Playhouse’s proposed revival of The Little Foxes hesitated to audition Julia Duffy for the role of Birdie.

After all, Duffy remains in most memories as the cute, pouting maid on Newhart, definitely a far cry from the timid, depressed alcoholic Birdie in Lillian Hellman’s famed 1939 play set in the turn-of-the-20th-century South.

But Duffy, who will turn 58 next month, pegged Birdie as one of the roles she had long admired and that she now felt mature enough to tackle.

'I lobbied hard to be seen for the role, and eventually they let me,' she said last week."

Sure enough, her instincts were correct. Duffy was picked to co-star with Kelly McGillis, who will play the lead role of Regina, in The Little Foxes, which opens tonight at the playhouse under the direction of Dámaso Rodriguez..."

To read the rest of the article at VenturaCountyStar.com, click here.

Julia Duffy in The Little Foxes. Photo by Craig Schwartz

Julia Duffy article from the Pasadena Star News

2009-05-28T17:29:00.000-07:00

A wonderful article From PasadenaStarNews.com...

"Duffy holds her own in `Little Foxes' By Michelle J. Mills, Staff Writer Posted: 05/28/2009 03:54:01 PM PDT

Kelly McGillis, as Regina Giddens, during a dress rehearsal for the play 'Little Foxes', at the Pasadena Playhouse, in Pasadena, Wednesday, May 20, 2009.

Julia Duffy began her career in soap operas, including 'One Life to Live,' but is best known for her role as Stephanie Vanderkellen in CBS's "Newhart.' Her character was pert and preppy and her inner sweetness shined through. This is not unlike her new role on the Pasadena Playhouse stage as Birdie Hubbard in Lillian Hellman's 'The Little Foxes.'

'The Little Foxes' opened on Broadway in 1939. Set in Demopolis, Ala., in 1900, the work focuses on a family whose members are scheming against each other in a grab for money to support a business opportunity.

'But beyond the level of greed and what it does to people, I think it says a lot about shift of power within families, within social structures and a bit about women, a gender power shift that was beginning,' Duffy said."

To read the full article, click here.

Above: Julia Duffy in The Little Foxes. Photo by Criag Shwartz.

See Bette Davis in the film of THE LITTLE FOXES with special guests!

2009-05-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Little Foxes Presented by American Cinematheque

June 15 @ 7:30 p.m.
Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood

Join us for a screening of the 1941 film directed by William Wyler, starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall and Teresa Wright. Following the screening, the director and cast of Pasadena Playhouse's production of The Little Foxes will join David Wyler (son of William Wyler) and Deborah Martinson (author of Lillian Hellman: A Life with Foxes and Scoundrels) for a talk-back.

Tickets $10 Playhouse patrons receive $2.00 off!

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

Pasadena Playhouse Represented at the National Library of Norway

2009-05-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

For the past few years, the Pasadena Playhouse archivists have been keeping in touch with the good folks over at ibsen.net, a program of the National Library of Norway under whose auspices they are creating a database of information on all productions of Henrik Ibsen plays, translations and adaptations, all over the world, ever.

About a year ago, they emailed us asking for a list of all the Ibsen productions we had ever staged, and we were able to promptly send one off. So, they’ve got all our productions listed on their searchable website now (And there are LOTS – try visiting www.ibsen.net and searching for “Pasadena Playhouse.” It’s an impressive list.).

More recently, I was reading an early history of the Playhouse covering the years 1917 to 1921, and discovered a whole chapter dealing with a rather controversial production of “An Enemy of the People” we staged during those years. I immediately thought of Ibsen.net, and sent them a copy. The website’s editor, Benedikte Berntzen, was pleased to receive the story, but followed up with an inquiry about the possibility of us sending them any original documents we could spare for their permanent collection at The Ibsen Centre at the University of Oslo.

So, I sent volunteers Nola and Carolyn downstairs to comb our vaults for any extant duplicates of programs related to Ibsen shows. The intrepid volunteers emerged the following week, considerably dustier than when they went in, but bearing a sizable stack of programs and advertisements. They went out in the mail that day, and a few days ago I received an email from Mr. Berntzen confirming that they had received our package and thanking us for the service. Normally, it is not Playhouse policy to release original documents from the Archives, as our history is fragile, valuable and limited (Most people who request information today receive high-quality computer scans of what we have in our records, in order to minimize deterioration and hold on to what we have, while also making as much available to the public as possible).

However, these programs will be preserved in one of Europe’s most significant collections for students of the dramatic arts and Ibsen scholars for generations to come, creating a broader knowledge in the world at large of Pasadena Playhouse, the College of Theatre Arts, and their immense contribution to world theatre.

- Penn Genthner, Playhouse Archivist

Photos: Henrik Ibsen, courtesy of PBS.org; Penn Genthner.

Of WriteGirls, Elections and Cultivating Meaning

2009-05-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

On May 3rd, Pasadena Playhouse joined forces with WriteGirl, a young women’s literacy and mentoring organization, to produce an event called PlayWriteGirl. This was both a large-scale, daytime writing workshop and an evening performance complete with pre- and post-show food and wine receptions. During a grand gathering on our patio, writing generated during the day by young WriteGirls, many of whom were Pasadena-based and attending for the first time, was selected and disbursed to actors who quickly turned around and performed the material that same evening.

I am late with this post.

Initially, I was going to talk about putting the event together and how excited I was to see the Pasadena Playhouse campus literally converted for a day into a wall-to-wall creative space for the mentoring of young women.Then, after May 3 came and went, I was going to write about how much energy was swarming the campus from dawn to dusk – how the first volunteers arrived to set up before 8:30 in the morning, and the last of us didn’t leave the theatre until after 11:00 that same night. How the girls, with much specific guidance, wrote and re-wrote and edited and finessed. I was going to talk about the 70+ young women, the 60+ mentors and guest writers, the 15 celebrity actors, the tremendous food and wine vendors, the countless staff & volunteers from Write Girl and Pasadena Playhouse who were here celebrating the written word, live theatre and fantastic food and drink. I was going to write about all of us coming together as a new community.

But I didn’t.

And today, May 20th, I finally know why I have taken so long to write about this event.

We had a special election yesterday. A special election where every proposition failed by at least 60%, except one: Proposition 1F, which dealt with limitations on the salaries of elected officials in times of state deficit. This one passed with a whopping 73.9%. The message from the citizenry was clear. Now, regardless of your politics, and whether you voted for or against these propositions, as a citizen of this state, you know we are facing some serious challenges – in the arts as well in public education.

Yesterday evening, I attended a parents’ forum that addressed some of the possible consequences of this already-almost-tired economic crisis to our schools. My daughter is barely 2, and I am doing what I can to stay optimistic about her possibilities regarding education, but suffice it to say, it is not a fun time to be a parent trying to figure out what’s best for your kid.

I don’t mean to be bleak, but it’s scary. Scary to think about ratios in classrooms going up to 40:1 and scary to see even further losses of arts and physical education programming, as these are two of the most important elements of quality education in my mind. It’s simple – when students receive more personalized attention, they are more able to reach their potential; if their minds and bodies are creatively and physically challenged and engaged, they learn endurance, ingenuity, team work, comprehensive thinking and problem solving skills.

On May 3rd, on the campus of Pasadena Playhouse, I saw a more stimulating academic environment than I ever could have imagined. Write Girl’s programs focus on one-on-one mentoring. This is how they can boast the shocking statistic that not only do all of their girls’ graduate high school, but also 100% of them go on to college. Pasadena Playhouse boasts an almost 100-year history of producing great theatre, and the same girls who spent the day writing took part later that day in an event where their work was performed, both back to them and to a larger public audience. The stakes were high for them in this extracurricular event, which made it important and meaningful.

Our kids need to be stimulated by understanding themselves and their work as part of a larger collective consciousness. The haphazard community created on the day of PlayWriteGirl sparked one of the young women to tell me “this was the most amazing thing [she’d] ever been a part of and [she] would never forget how it felt to hear someone speak [her] words back to [her] – like it made them really mean something.” In an era where there is so much information and input and “stuff”, to find this “meaning” in one’s work is gold.

I submit that the future of education will still, fundamentally lie in the hands of parents and schools; but community partnerships like the one we experienced here 2 weeks ago will play an increasingly pivotal role in providing students with meaningful educational experiences that fall outside the realm of traditional school curricula. We need to be innovative in the way we are working together to create opportunities for youth. We need to be the facilitators of a-ha moments. We need to encourage the fostering of meaning.

I look forward to our continued collaboration with WriteGirl, as well as our continuing collaborations with other organizations like Phoenix House, West of Broadway and Theatre 360. I also look forward to our work within the schools. As necessity breeds invention, I am eager to see what will come.

Photos: rhe cast and crew of PlayWriteGirl, Alexix Chamow - PPH Education Director.

A important mesage from LA Stage Alliance

2009-05-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

A special message from LA Stage Alliance Executive Director, Terence MacFarland

"I'm asking for your help to try to secure financial support for the arts from Sacramento! I know there's a lot on all of our plates right now, however, an important decision regarding the future of arts funding in California is being decided this week!

AB 700 - The Creative Industries & Community Economic Revitalization Act 2010 goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, May 20th! (Click through the link to see the text of the bill - otherwise, know that it directs 20% of sales tax from the sale of art and art supplies to the California Arts Council.)This is the committee that has killed similar bills the past two years. If we can get it out of Appropriations then it has a very good chance of passing. This committee is the gate keeper to a full Assembly vote. Note that Kevin de Leon from Los Angeles is chair of Appropriations. He needs to know that this bill matters to his constituents!!
If you are inclined to support this bill, here are two options- the first takes one minute, the second takes five minutes!

One minute version, click here to send an email in support of AB700.

Five minute version - fax in a letter of support for AB700: Is there any chance of getting a letter of support to the author from your organization by the end of the day Tuesday?

This could mean over $20 Million a year to support the California Arts Council!

Here is the California Arts Advocates info page on AB700: http://www.californiaartsadvocates.org/ab700.html

Here is a list of other supporters: http://www.californiaartsadvocates.org/AB700Support.html
If you can, please join me in acknowledging Assembly Member Krekorian's work on our communities behalf!!

Please feel free to forward this message along to your networks!

Thank you!
--
Terence

Pasadena Playhouse Donor Event

2009-05-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hi, I am Patti Johns Eisenberg and I work at the Playhouse as the Leadership Gifts Manager. Last week we had a wonderful, fun event for our most generous donors; a party at Tiffany & C0.

Paige Pomerantz, Director of Tiffany in Pasadena and Michele Engemann, our Board Chair hosted the cocktail party for 50 at the store in Old Town Pasadena. Champaigne flowed and the delicious appetizers from The Kitchen were passed. Paige welcomed the Mayor of Pasadena, Bill Bogaard and toasted Pasadena Playhouse for its Season of Women and the wonderful outreach programs we have. She also gave a brief history of the new jewelry line of Tiffany Keys. Sheldon Epps and his wife Monette Magrath were there as well as Damaso Rodriguez, associate artisic director and director of The Little Foxes. Besides Michele and Roger Engemann, Board Members Lilah Stangeland, Sheila Grether-Marion, Margaret Sedenquist, Sharon Muir, Cynthia Bennett, Lyn Spector (ok, diamonds are a girl's best friend) came to visit and shop. Many other friends and donors came including our friends from Riverside Si and Skip Ober, we all had a wonderful time.

Roger Engemann, Playhouse Board Chair Michele Engemann and Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps.

New BroadwayWorld article - THE LITTLE FOXES CASTING - Kelly McGillis and Julia Duffy Lead the way

2009-05-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hey there Playhouse fans - just some light reading should you be following THE LITTLE FOXES...

From BroadwayWorld.com:

"Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) today announced full casting for the upcoming production of Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes, which began rehearsals this week. Dámaso Rodriguez (Pasadena Playhouse Associate Artistic Director), who directed Pasadena Playhouse’s critically-acclaimed production of Orson’s Shadow, directs a cast of ten led by Kelly McGillis as Regina Giddens (Top Gun and Broadway’s Hedda Gabler) and Julia Duffy as Birdie Hubbard (CBS’s “Newhart”). Preview performances begin May 22 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena)."

"Damaso has brought together a tremendously exciting cast for our production of Lillian Hellman's great American classic. I am especially happy to welcome Kelly McGillis to the stage of the Playhouse, and I know that she will follow a long line of notable actresses who have brought tremendous theatrical excitement to the plum role of Regina,” said Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. “I look forward to watching the dynamic fireworks that this wonderful group of actors will bring to this terrific play."

To read the full article, click here.

Reviews are in for CROWNS "Steamroller entertainment!" says the Los Angeles Times

2009-05-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

See what F. Kathleen Foley of the Los Angeles Times has to say!:

"'Crowns,' a co-production of Ebony Repertory Theatre and the Pasadena Playhouse at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, serves as both bittersweet memorial of hard times past and rousing celebration of cultural renewal present.

The story centers on emotionally battered Yolanda (crystal-voiced Angela Wildflower Polk), a young Brooklyn girl sent to live with her grandmother in the South after her brother's murder. Yolanda's Mother Shaw (authoritative Paula Kelly), a devout churchgoing lady, tries to mend Yolanda's broken spirit by declaring, 'Our crown has already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear it.'

That quote, borrowed from James Baldwin, forms the thematic fulcrum of the play, which is broken up into segments emulative of various church services, with an emphasis on ritual -- wedding, funeral, baptism. "

To read the full review, click here:

Click here to buy tickets!

"Crowns" Original Painting ©2009 Synthia Saint James

LA Stage Magazine interviews the cast and creatives of CROWNS

2009-05-11T13:02:00.001-07:00

Hi there Pasadena Playhouse fans! I wanted to share this wonderful article from LA STAGE MAGAZINE, written by great friend of the Playhouse and theatre advocate Deborah Behrens! Enjoy

"When Aretha Franklin sang “My Country Tis of Thee” at Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, it wasn’t the Queen of Soul’s trademark voice that captured the rapt world’s attention. It was her choice of millinery. The now iconic grey felt hat with its front-and-center rhinestone-studded bow went from being a Capitol steps debutante to an international fashion diva in less time than it takes to post a Twitter tweet. Today it has its own Facebook page, an upcoming exhibit at the Smithsonian and a reserved final resting place in the Obama presidential library.

That the daughter of renowned minister C.L. Franklin should choose a chapeau of such imposing character comes as no surprise, says Wren T. Brown, founder of the Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT) who, in a historic partnership with the Pasadena Playhouse, is co-producing the Los Angeles premiere of Regina Taylor’s Crowns, a musical that celebrates the African American church tradition of wearing hats, which opens May 8 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center before transferring to the Playhouse on July 10.

Directed by ERT Artistic Director Israel Hicks, with musical direction by Eric Reed, the LA production stars Paula Kelly, Suzzanne Douglas, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Ann Weldon, Sharon Catherine Blanks, Angela Wildflower Polk and Clinton Derricks-Carroll..."

Top read the rest of the article. click here.

Special Offer for Playhouse patrons - 2-for-1 tickets to BACK TO BACHARACH

2009-05-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Crowns Group Sales Event - meet the playwright and hear the songs!

2009-05-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

Come for the presentation, a complimentary pre-show reception, and a free raffle with prizes provided by Barnes and Noble and other Pasadena Playhouse partners!

Festivities begin: 12:00 p.m.
- Enter our free raffle for a chance to win gifts from Barnes and Noble and custom made hats from That's Yvonne
- Listen to live music provided by The Instrumental Women Project
- Enjoy complimentary refreshments from Gelson's Supermarkets
- Buy tasty treats from the Gourmet Cobbler Factory

Presentation on the Mainstage: 1:00 p.m.
- A special discussion of the musical by Regina Taylor, Crowns playwright
- A presentation of the costume and set design for the show
- A live performance from the musical starring three members of the cast!

Admission is FREE but RSVPs are required. Contact Paul Millet at pmillet@pasadenaplayhouse.org or (626) 737-2851 with your name, phone number, and the number in your party . If you do not hear back from Paul, assume that your reservation has been received.

Catch Mauritius Before it's Gone!

2009-04-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

Mauritius closes this Sunday! See the show that critics call an "altogether exciting, richly rewarding experience!"

MAURITIUS

by Theresa Rebeck

Directed by Jessica Kubzansky
March 27 – April 26, 2009

A new mystery by one of America's most prolific playwrights!

Filled with scams and double-crosses, two half-sisters vie for the rights to a recently inherited (and dazzlingly valuable) stamp collection. Throughout their farcical escapades, the pair come face-to-face with a couple of machine-gun mouthed con artists who ensnare them in their own brand of beguiling trickery.

"Three Thugs and a Stamp Collection! You can't dismiss the pleasurable kick of watching a woman take on a slew of Mamet-esque thugs! The corkscrew-twist drama of suspense...moves quickly and fluidly...a multitude of mysteries!"
- Ben Brantley, The New York Times on the Broadway production of Mauritius

Starring:
Ray Abruzzo (The Sopranos, LA Law)
John Billingsley (True Blood, Star Trek: Enterprise)
Kirsten Kollender (Home Baking Made Easy, Williamstown Theatre Festival)
Monette Magrath (The Constant Wife, Pasadena Playhouse)
Chris L. McKenna (Art School Confidential)

Click here to purchase tickets!
www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

Photo: cast of Mauritius. Photo by Ed Kreiger.

A special message from Artistic Director Sheldon Epps

2009-04-22T11:59:00.001-07:00

Support the Playhouse!!

A Look Back in Time Through the Playhouse Archive

2009-04-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Pasadena Playhouse is gearing up for its next mainstage production, "The Little Foxes," which Stage Management begins pre-production work on tomorrow. The Costume Plot and other final designs are due on Wednesday, and we're all set to begin rehearsals with the cast next Tuesday. Personally, I'm looking forward to hosting a tour for our new team of artists after a Meet & Greet with the staff on their first day, which brings me to a little bit of Playhouse history:

Once I heard that we were scheduled to produce such a seminal work of the American dramatic canon, I ran down to the archives to see what our previous production history was with this show. Having been the world's most prolific theatrical producer for most of the 20th century, I knew the Playhouse MUST have done the show before, and I was eager for a historical perspective on what I understand will be a very contemporary presentation.

Below, you'll find some scanned excerpts from our January, 1942 program for The Little Foxes the last time someone staged it here, as well as a photo of the magnificent set by in-house Art Director Rita Glover, prominently featuring the famous staircase. Some interesting things to note about these images are the advertisements on the title page for cocktails priced at 25 cents and dinners for 75 cents, as well as the header on that same page, noting that The Little Foxes was the 619th production in the organization's (then) 25-year history. That implies that even during the financial distress of World War 2, Pasadena Playhouse was averaging more than 25 productions each year, or a new show every other week. 67 years later, we have presented approximately 3,500 shows since opening in 1917 (counting readings and productions in subsidiary theatres), or 1,283 productions on the mainstage alone. That's a lot of plays!

"Laughing Matters" Tops off our 2009 Season!

2009-04-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

PASADENA, CA (April 16, 2009) – Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) announced today that LAUGHING MATTERS, a world premiere musical featuring a book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart (author of the international best-selling novel “Beaches”), music by Mike Stoller (Smokey Joe’s Café) and Artie Butler (Feelin’ Alright by Joe Cocker), and directed by Leonard Foglia (Broadway’s Thurgood starring Laurence Fishburne), will be the final production of the 2009 Season entitled WOMEN: The Heart and Soul of Theatre. The new musical comedy, in the spirit of the Yiddish theatre, is about three generations of Jewish women and the history, humor, and music that binds them together. Preview performances begin November 4, 2009 with the official press opening on November 13 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

It is the 1970’s in New York City and Raisel (“Bubbie”), a former star of the Yiddish Theatre, is now living with her daughter Red and her granddaughter Jenny. Jenny is desperate to know about her Bubbie’s past – especially her life in pre-World War II Poland. Red, a television comedy writer, does not want her daughter to be burdened with the dreadful memories of that horrific era, and most importantly, does not want to remember her own childhood in Warsaw. Through an often funny, sometimes painful journey through their collective history, the women strive to build a bridge between them that will serve as a soulful foundation for generations to come.

“Iris Rainer Dart’s wonderful story about three generations of mothers and daughters is an incredibly fitting way for us to conclude our hugely successful celebration of WOMEN: The Heart and Soul of Theatre on the stage of the Playhouse,” said Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. “This new musical is wildly theatrical, funny, wide ranging, culturally diverse, and very moving. I know that our audiences will appreciate the opportunity to see it here first. I am thrilled that we will have the opportunity to collaborate on this world premiere with an exciting creative team and that we continue to bring the best of the new works to our stage and to our audiences.”

http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/

Join Vroman's at The Festival of Books!

2009-04-17T16:44:00.001-07:00

Vroman's Bookstores has long been a supporter of our theatre - check out a great opportunity to get some face time with a published author and VIP treatment as you travel to UCLA's Festival of Books!

Vroman's 8th Annual Book Bus Ride to the L.A. Times Festival of Books

Vroman's is pleased to announce our eighth annual Book Bus ride to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, one of the country's premiere literary events!

Join us Saturday, April 25 for a day that begins with a bagel & juice breakfast before our 8:30 a.m. departure, a bag chock-full of books & goodies, games and prizes, cookies for the ride home, and a 20% off coupon good April 25 - May 1, 2009 at our main store.

And there's more! Each bus will be hosted by one of our fabulous booksellers, as well as a literary celebrity!

This year's buses include:
* Bus #1: The Mystery Bus hosted by Charlie Huston, noir master and author of The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death.

* Bus #2: Hosted by Gustavo Arellano. He is the author of Orange County: A Personal History, and he received the President's Award from the Los Angeles Press Club, an Impact Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and a 2008 Latino Spirit Award from the California State Legislature for his "exceptional vision, creativity, and work ethic."

* Bus #3: Hosted by Jerrilyn Farmer and Gregg Hurwitz. She is the author of Murder at the Academy Awards (co-written with Joan Rivers), a fabulous red carpet roman clef that blends the classic whodunit with a dash of celebrity glitz, glamour, and, of course, gossip. He is the critically acclaimed, internationally bestselling author of The Tower, Minutes to Burn, Do No Harm, The Kill Clause, The Program, Troubleshooter, Last Shot, and most recently, The Crime Writer, an instant international bestseller that was shortlisted for best novel of the year by International Thriller Writers and nominated for the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger.

For more details, click here.

“Perforated Propaganda”

2009-04-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

With Daniel Piazza Assistant Curator of Philately at the Smithsonian Institution's National Postal Museum

Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium
Admission is free!

From 1933 until his death in 1945, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was America's foremost philatelist. As a stamp collector, Roosevelt understood that the common postage stamp's ubiquitousness made it a perfect medium for projecting political messages at home and abroad. During his twelve years as president, Roosevelt and his Postmasters General actively used the nation's stamps to sell New Deal projects, reinforce his role and authority as president, promote his personal interests and affiliations, and encourage optimism and hope during the Great Depression and World War II. In short, he harnessed their propaganda potential in a way that no administration before or since has matched.

This talk will be illustrated with material from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum's collections and the upcoming exhibit Delivering Hope: FDR and the Stamps of the Great Depression.

Don't forget to check out Pasadena Playhouse's current production of Mauritius about rare stamp collecting!

Stamp Day at the Playhouse

2009-04-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

Stamp day at the Playhouse was quite a success! Don Schilling, Member of American Philatelist Society and Synthia Saint James, Fine Artist and Designer of first Kwanzaa, where there to celebrate. Don and Synthia gave presentations in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre. Attendees riffled through buckets of stamps and picked out their favorites to take home!

For patrons who weren't able to attend the historical unveiling on April 11th of the Pasadena Playhouse Commemorative Pictorial Postmark, you can still order yours!

The USPS provides a "Mail-Back Service". To qualify for this service, mail-in requests must be postmarked no later than May 11th.

Envelopes and cards that are to receive pictorial postmarks must bear unused postage stamps at the applicable First-Class Mail rate and must have complete addresses.

You should supply self-addressed stamped envelopes to protect the items receiving the pictorial postmark from being marred in their return through the mail stream. If you do not provide self-addressed stamped envelopes, the postmaster may choose to furnish a Priority Mail (R) envelope or box using a G-10 label protective cover when returning the items through the mail stream.

Please mail your request to Pasadena Postmaster, USPS, 870 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105-4407.

http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/

Photos: Stamp Day in the Playhouse courtyard; Synthia Saint James, Don Schilling and Gay Parker-Iris, Pasadena Playhouse Audience Development Coordinator; Patrons picking out their stamps to take home.

Pasadena Playhouse and WriteGirl Present...

2009-04-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

PlayWriteGirl
May 3, 2009

The Playhouse has partnered with WriteGirl, a creative writing and mentoring program for teen girls in the greater Los Angeles area (now in its eighth tremendous year) to create a very special event! On May 3, 2009 the Playhouse campus will turn into a WriteGirl venue with over 150 girls attending workshops and breakout sessions during the day. Aspiring writers will work alongside professional women writers of all genres to create new works right on the spot. Then, later that evening, you can join us for a us for a star-studded performance of their work on the Playhouse Mainstage!

Confirmed celebrities include Christine Lahti, Melora Hardin, Dana DeLany, JoBeth Williams, Melroa Harden, and Sprague Grayden among others - with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Ticket Levels
VIP ($100): Includes a pre-show reception and silent auction on the courtyard (food and jazz music provided), premier seats for the performance on the Mainstage and a post-show reception in the Playhouse Donor Lounge (a chance to mingle with WriteGirl aspiring writers and their mentors).

Premier ($50): Includes a pre-show reception and silent auction on the courtyard (food and jazz music provided) and tickets to the performance on the Mainstage.

Standard ($20): Best available seats to the performance on the Mainstage.

Receptions are generously provided by Nancy Silverton (Mozza), Silverlake Wine, CanelÈ, barbrix, BLD, Little Dom's, Cliff's Edge, Border Grill and Ciudad Catering, Cake Monkey, Hocus Pocus Winery, Veno Kado and Sweets for the Soul.

For more information about VIP seating contact Jerusha Schmalzel at (626) 737-2867 or jschmalzel@pasadenaplayhouse.org.

20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented by IBM

2009-04-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) will award outstanding representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in news and entertainment media at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented by IBM. Kathy Griffin, Bishop Gene Robinson and the cast and creator of The L Word will receive Special Honors for their dedication to raising visibility of the LGBT community.

Join host Miss Coco Peru and special guests including Jessica Alba, Dustin Lance Black, Michelle Clunie, Teri Hatcher, Cleve Jones, T.R. Knight, Heather Matarazzo, Megan Mullally, George Takei and Gus Van Sant along with local presenting sponsor ABSOLUT to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the GLAAD Media Awards!

GLAAD is pleased to offer a new $50 Media Awards Show Ticket to the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on April 18, 2009. Included with the ticket is a free one-year membership to GLAAD.

Click here to purchase tickets online!

The evening begins with a silent auction, ABSOLUT cocktails and continues with a presentation of Awards and Special Honors. VIP dinner and celebrity after party follow.

GLAAD Media Awards
April 18, 2009
5:00pm-12:00am
Nokia Theater LA Live
777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tickets: $50-$450
877-519-7904

Visit www.glaad.org/mediaawards for a list of nominees, guests and ticket information.

Greg The Intern

2009-04-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hi!

My name is Greg and I’m the new marketing intern here at the Pasadena Playhouse. Currently finishing my senior year at The University of Southern California, my internship here at the Playhouse is a great opportunity for me to utilize my degree in Economics as well as provide a beneficial outlet for my love of the theatre.

From day one, it has been an exciting experience getting to work for a professional theatre in my local community. At a meeting with the Board of Directors during my second week, I learned all about what it takes to keep a non-profit organization afloat in our current economic climate. The percentage of the operating budget that comes from the donations of loyal theatre patrons is quite astounding. I’m also continually impressed with the contributions of volunteers who just want to help and think it speaks highly of the top-notch theatre being produced.

My current activities have included creating a marketing campaign to encourage local college students to take advantage of our great student discounts, working to improve our community outreach through programs like Stamp Collectors Day and PlayWrightGirl, and developing ideas for our new website coming in August.

More than anything else, it has been very impressive to witness the dedication of my co-workers in their efforts to further the development of American Theatre. There is such a tangible impetus in this organization to help our fellow man, and I couldn’t be more eager to share my talents. Hopefully you’ll see more blog posts from me in the future and maybe even, if I’m given the go-ahead, a new video series highlighting the ins and outs of our diverse, public-spirited organization. Keep your fingers crossed, hold a good thought, and in the meantime come see our world-class shows!

~Greg

Critic's Rave - Mauritius is a hit!

2009-04-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

Read what the critics had to say about our current production of Mauritius!

"Taut dramatic intrigue!”
"The work draws you in with its twists and turns... Mauritius ensnares us in the tricky pursuit of genuine value."
- Charles McNulty, LA Times

"An altogether exciting, richly rewarding experience!"
- Bob Verini, Variety

"Sinister! Clever! Sharp!"
- Laurence Vittes, The Hollywood Reporter

"Entertaining!"
- Jana Monji, Pasadena Weekly

Click here to purchase your tickets before they're gone! See you at the theatre!

Pictured above: Chris McKenne and Kirsten Kollender. Photo by Ed Krieger

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

2009-03-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

"I'm sure that if you were alive and online during the 2008 Presidential Election you were inundated (like I was) by requests for donations to campaigns, lobbying groups, and political parties. And if (like me) you were lured by the promise of a super trendy T-Shirt or bumber sticker and made that $20 donation you probably felt (like I did) an awesome sense of pride and enpowerment. That feeling is the spirit of philanthropy.

As much as I hate to admit it, we live in a world where money talks...and it's voice is very loud. If you believe in a cause and value its survival you MUST support it financially, even if it's with a $5 donation. The Obama campaign raised over $250 million in donations under $200. That was an unprecedented achievement that demonstrated that it isn't only the big money corporations and wealthy individuals who have the right to have their dollars heard....we do too!

So its time, now more than ever, to put your money where your HEART is and give to the organizations you love. And if you LOVE Pasadena Playhouse (like I do) please make a gift, of any size, and start (or continue) a pattern of philanthropy that will allow that spririt to grow throughout our generation and those to come."

Contributed by Executive Assistant and Board Liaison Jerusha Schmalzel.

Click here to support the Playhouse!

Stamp Collectors Day

2009-03-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

In honor of our next production, Mauritius, we are hosting Stamp Collectors Day: A Celebration of the Stamp

Saturday, April 11
1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
On the Playhouse Courtyard

Featuring a special Pasadena Playhouse Pictorial Postmark, USPS Exhibition and presentation by fine artist Synthia Saint James.

For more information, please email Gay Parker at gparker@pasadenaplayhouse.org.

MAURITIUS

by Theresa Rebeck

Click here to purchase tickets!

www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

Mauritius in the Hollywood Theatre Scene

2009-03-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

Hey there theatre fans-

If you're like me, you not only enjoy seeing plays and musicals at Pasadena Playhouse but at numerous other venues around Los Angeles, both large and small. The Playhouse was thrilled to kick off a wonderful promotional campaign with Footlights (the Playbill of Los Angeles' 99-seat theatre community) for the upcoming run of Mauritius (a new mystery that takes the stage this Friday, March 27!). As part of the promotion, Mauritius will be featured on the back cover of the show program for theatres such as The Fountain, The Falcon Theater, The Celebration Theatre and 20 more of the most prolific and dynamic intimate theatres in town. So when you're visiting your favorite venues in Santa Monica, Hollwood, North Hollywood, Silverlake, West LA and elsewhere, keep an eye out for exciting news and offers from Pasadena Playhouse!

Click here for more information about Footlights.

Star-Studded Cast Announced for Mauritius!

2009-03-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

Featuring Ray Abruzzo, best known as "Little Carmine Lupertazzi" from The Sopranos

MAURITIUS
By Theresa Rebeck
Directed by Jessica Kubzansky
March 27 - April 26

A new mystery by one of America's most prolific playwrights.

CASTING ANNOUNCED!
Ray Abruzzo (The Sopranos, LA Law)
John Billingsley (True Blood, Star Trek:Enterprise)
Kirsten Kollender (Home Baking Made Easy, Williamstown Theatre Festival)
Monette Magrath (The Constant Wife, Pasadena Playhouse)
Chris L. McKenna (Art School Confidential)

Buy your Mauritius tickets today!

Los Angeles Critic's Circle Award Nomination for the Playhouse' s Sharon Lawrence

2009-03-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

The Playhouse is thrilled to announce that Sharon Lawrence has been nominated for a 2009 Los Angeles Critic's Circle Award for her powerhouse performance as Vivienne Leigh in Orson's Shadow! Her nomination in the "Featured Performance" category marks another recognition of her phenomenal on stage work that also included a LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award Nomination.

Here is more about the LADCC Awards From BroadwayWorld.com:

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2008. The 40th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 16 at the El Portal Theatre, thanks to the generous donation of the El Portal's management. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a catered reception (with no-host bar) and silent auction. The show commences at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the Awards show can be reserved from the LADCC's website, at www.ladramacriticscircle.com.

Pictured above: Sharon Lawrence. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Happy Independence Day Mauritius!

2009-03-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

March 12 (today!) is Mauritius' Independence Day!

2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Mauritius' independence from The United Kingdom. Mauritius Independence Day traditions include touting Mauritius flags (pictured above), celebrating and supporting the Mauritius community and partying all night long (sound familair?)!

Read more about the island of Mauritius here. Read more about Pasadena Playhouse's upcoming production of Mauritius here.

Image provided by www.mapsoftheworld.com

Stormy Weather: A Pasadena Playhouse Success

2009-03-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

Pasadena Playhouse closed their wildly successful production of Stormy Weather this past weekend. Stormy Weather broke the Pasadena Playhouse record in tickets sales - quite an accomplishment considering the current economic conditions! Check out these photos taken closing weekend! Don't forget to reserve your tickets for our upcoming production of Mauritius. Enter the dangerous world of stamp collecting with Theresa Rebeck's new mystery play.
Dionne Warwick with Stormy Weather star Leslie Uggams and Nichelle Nichols.

Seisha Mercado with Leslie Uggams.

Leslie Uggmas with Beverly Todd.

Linda Hart and Leslie Uggams.

Diahann Carrol and cast member Kevyn Morrow who played Billy Strayhorn in Stormy Weather.

www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

2009-03-05T17:06:00.000-08:00

If "variety is the spice of life," Pasadena Playhouse has been quite the spicy spot of late. On Tuesday, January 29th, the theatre celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Diversity Project, instigated by Artistic Director Sheldon Epps in 2005 to fund culturally diverse, nontraditional, or particularly elaborate productions that would otherwise pose too great a financial risk to properly produce on our stage. The event was a big success, netting over $50,000 despite the nation's ailing economy, drawing many Playhouse friends, and bringing new patrons into the fold. Hosts Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance, and Gabrielle Union presided over the event, which consisted of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a tribute to Playhouse supporter Brenda Galloway, a special performance of the Playhouse's best selling show ever - Stormy Weather, starring Leslie Uggams as the remarkable Lena Horne, dessert, and a party with the cast in the Makineni Library above the lobby.

Thanks to efforts like this, when you subscribe to Pasadena Playhouse, you know that six times throughout the year, you will be treated to a totally unique experience. From one production to the next, the Playhouse explores the infinite variety of styles, themes, stories and characters the rich American canon has to offer. Furthermore, a contribution to the Diversity Project is an investment in the future of theatre in this country, funding productions like our world premieres of RAY CHARLES LIVE! A New Musical, Vanities, Mask, Matter of Honor, and SISTER ACT - A New Musical, which have left our stage bound for Broadway, London's West End, and regional theatres around the country.

If you're interested in being a part of this important work, or want to join us in the fun next year, please contact Brad Price, Director of Development, at bprice@pasadenaplayhouse.org or (626) 737-2845.

Pasadena Playhouse mourns the loss of a beloved artist and friend.

2009-03-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

The staff of the Playhouse was saddened to hear that Horton Foote; one of America's great playwrights, a Pasadena Playhouse alum, and an enormous supporter of our theatre; has passed away. He was 92.

From Artistic Director, Sheldon Epps:

"All of us at Pasadena Playhouse deeply mourn the loss of Horton Foote, a true American playwright. Mr. Foote has acknowledged many times that his days here as a student at the Playhouse theatre school were enriching, inspiring, and a source of great happiness for him. This theatre is fortunate to have had a connection with this true gentleman of the theatre, and we celebrate the joyous fact that his huge body of work will remain with us and alive on our theatre’s stages well into the future.”

Several of Mr. Foote's plays have been produced at the Playhouse including Only the Heart (1944), The Chase (1959), A Trip to Bountiful (1962) and The Traveling Lady (1964). Mr. Foote is the author of 60 plays and received the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1995 for The Young Man From Atlanta.

The New York Times had this to say about Mr. Foote and his work:

"A sense of existential isolation pervades the generations-spanning nine plays that make up The Orphan's Home Cycle, as well as his individual works... His plays are quiet, artful balances of everyday minutiae and an aching cosmic loneliness. Mr. Foote, whose career in the theater encompassed more than six decades, also wrote numerous screenplays. He received Academy Awards for his adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and his original screenplay, Tender Mercies. -- Ben Brantley

To read the complete New York Times article, click here.

Pictured above, Horton Foote. Courtesy of WGA. org.

Mauritius starts rehearsals today!

2009-03-03T16:34:00.000-08:00

The dangerous life of stamp collecting has begun!

Rehearsals started today for Mauritius, the fourth play of our 2008-2009 cross season series Women: The Heart and Soul of Theatre.

It is a Pasadena Playhouse tradition that on the first day of rehearsals for every production the entire administrative staff, production staff and representatives from the Friends of the Pasadena Playhouse (our 350-person strong volunteer organization) join the cast and creative team for the upcoming show in a brief get-to-know-you-meet-and-greet session in our rehearsal hall.

This is a time for the cast and crew to meet the dozens of year-round staff who work to keep our great organization going and make sure that the production they are working on is as successful as possible. It is also a time for the staff to get to know the artists who will be lending their talents to our theatre for the next several months.

I have been told by many former cast members (and many current staff members!) that the first rehearsal meet-and-greets is one of the absolute highlights that comes with working for or with our theatre.

What would you do if YOU ran the NEA?

2009-03-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

This is a fascinating series of answers to one of the hot-button questions floating around the arts world - take a read, and let us know what YOU would do:

Were it only that simple.

When Congress voted on President Obama’s $787-billion stimulus package, fiscal conservatives slammed the NEA’s $50-million allocation. It wasn’t the first time the agency, whose 2008 budget was about $144 million, had been thrust under the microscope.

Since awarding its first grant in 1965, the NEA most famously riled opponents in the early 1990s with its plan to award grants to a quartet of controversial artists. As the president prepares to name a new NEA chief, we asked people from the arts and other fields to share what their priorities would be if they ran the cultural agency.

Read the full article here.

Tin Pan Alley, another musical born at Pasadena Playhouse, heads to New York!

2009-02-26T17:55:00.000-08:00

Exciting News from Playbill.com!
By Kenneth Jones
25 Feb 2009

"The Tin Pan Alley Rag, Mark Saltzman's unique play with music in which composer Irving Berlin and Scott Joplin meet, will find a New York City home this summer at Roundabout Theatre Company's Laura Pels Theatre.

An Equity casting call indicates a June-September run at Roundabout's Off-Broadway home at the Pels, where Lisa Loomer's Distracted is now playing. Stafford Arima (London's Ragtime, Off-Broadway's Altar Boyz, the music spectacle Bowfire) will direct, Liza Gennaro will choreograph, and Michael Patrick Walker will music direct. Music by contemporaries Joplin and Berlin will be heard. Roundabout has not officially announced this production...

The show received five Los Angeles Ovation Award nominations, including Best Musical, when it first opened at the Pasadena Playhouse in 1997. It has been refined and revised over the years..."

To read the rest of the article, click here!

Watch Stormy Weather Insider Video!

2009-02-26T09:16:00.000-08:00

See what patrons had to say about our 2009 production of STORMY WEATHER. See clips of the fabulous Leslie Uggams singing Lena Horne classics, as well as interviews with Sheldon Epps (Artistic Director), Sharleen Cooper Cohen (Playwright), and Michael Bush (Director).

Click picture below to watch our video!

STORMY WEATHER
On stage through March 8th
Click here to purchase tickets!

From left to right: Jordan Barbour, Robert Totri, Leslie Uggams, Kevyn Morrow and Cleavant Derricks. Photos by kevinberne.com

PASADENA PLAYHOUSE RECEIVES MAJOR GIFT

2009-02-25T11:55:00.000-08:00

GIFT OF $300,000 SUPPORTS PASADENA PLAYHOUSE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SHELDON EPPS’ THEATRICAL DIVERSITY PROJECT

Wells Fargo Bank renewed its major funding for Pasadena Playhouse at the Playhouse’s Third Annual Theatrical Diversity Project Celebration which was hosted by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, with a commitment of $300,000 to support the Playhouse and become the exclusive naming sponsor of the theatre’s Diversity Project. The gift is a multi-year commitment to the theatre and will fund the Diversity Project with $100,000 in each of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons. The $300,000 gift will support Pasadena Playhouse’s mission of creating and presenting world-class theatre that represents and reflects the diverse communities of Southern California. The funds will be used for audience development initiatives, programming and outreach programs such as Write Girl, which will take place at the Playhouse this May. Write Girl empowers young women through creative writing mentorship and self-expression.

“I am both pleased and proud that Wells Fargo has chosen to celebrate and support the success of our diversity efforts in this extraordinary way,” said Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. “We have had a long and tremendously rewarding relationship with Wells over many years. However, I am personally gratified that they would recognize with this particular gift our achievements in an area that is vitally important to them, and is very much at the heart of the mission of this theatre, both onstage and off.”

The theatre’s focus on diversity has led to numerous debut productions at the Playhouse in the past five years including the world premiere co-production of Open Window with Deaf West Theatre, the world premiere of new musicals SISTER ACT the Musical (opening in London this summer), Ray Charles Live!, Mask, and Vanities, a new musical, as well as the world premiere of the hit play Looped (now in a pre-Broadway run) with Valerie Harper.

"Diversity is at the core of Wells Fargo's vision and values, and we recognize and applaud the Pasadena Playhouse's commitment to bringing cultural and theatrical diversity to all of its productions," said David DiCristofaro, Wells Fargo South Coast Community Bank regional president and Pasadena Playhouse board member. "As the sole sponsor of the theatre's diversity project, we hope to help the Playhouse continue presenting innovative performances to even larger audiences."

Wells Fargo became a major supporter of Pasadena Playhouse in 2005 when they donated $500,000 to support the theatre’s first capital campaign thus becoming the season sponsor for the 2005, 2006 and 2007. Additionally, Wells Fargo has supported the theatre with an annual operating grant to support outreach programs and events and to create the now annual Wells Fargo Student Day. This program brings students from the Compton area to the theatre to have a discussion with Artistic Director Sheldon Epps before experiencing a special matinee performance of a main stage production.

Match your passion and enthusiasm for great theatre with your financial support! Ensure that diverse artistic and education programs continue to thrive at Pasadena Playhouse by becoming a contributing member of the Diversity Project. Contact Brad Price, Director of Development, at bprice@pasadenaplayhouse.org or (626) 737-2845 or click here to make a secure online donation!

Top photo: Pasadena Playhouse board member David DiCristofaro, Courtney B. Vance, Angela Bassett, Donna Lynn Leavy, and Sheldon Epps. Bottom Photo: Sharleen Cooper Cohen (creator of Stormy Weather the Musical), Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, Honoree Brenda Galloway, Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance, Diversity Committee Chair Donna Lynn Leavy.

Hothouse at the Playhouse reading of AIR GUITAR HIGH - two nights only

2009-02-23T16:06:00.000-08:00

AIR GUITAR HIGH
By Laura Schellhardt
Directed by Alexis Chamow
February 24 & 25, 2009

Nothing ever happens in Scrug, Iowa. At least that's what the kids who attend Scrug High School will tell you. Until the US Regional Air Guitar Championships come through town, that is. Then things start to happen in Scrug, Iowa. Then things start to happen "for realz." AIR GUITAR HIGH is the high-octane story of a group of teenagers determined to take their futures into their own hands. Literally.

Tickets are FREE but reservations are a must and can be made at 626-356-7529.

Critics are raving about Furious Theatre’s production of Hunter Gatherers

2009-02-18T11:41:00.000-08:00

Now extended through February 28^th!

“TOP PICK!... Bitingly hilarious!”
"A razor-sharp staging from Furious Theatre Company... With abundant irony and well-turned barbs, Nachtrieb's sharply crafted dialogue follows in Edward Albee's footsteps... Dámaso Rodriguez's relentlessly paced staging builds suspense with the visceral engagement of a cinematic thriller and draws nicely realized characters from the entire cast."
- Philip Brandes, Los Angeles Times

“CRITIC'S PICK...Savagely funny!”
"Combines the verbal savagery of vintage Edward Albee with the visceral brutality of Sarah Kane. In director Dámaso Rodriguez's sidesplitting yet thought-provoking L.A. premiere, the distinctive voice of a trailblazing playwright strongly resonates... The tight ensemble tackles the difficult material with intelligence and skill... This marvelous production is a fitting kickoff to Furious Theatre's graduation from Actors Equity's 99-Seat Plan to a Letter of Agreement arrangement, now offering substantially increased pay for its deserving actors."
- Les Spindle, Back Stage West

“Smart and funny...intense and hilarious!”
"A fine example of Furious's work—an impressively engaging production of an edgy new play."
- Sharon Perlmutter, Talkin' Broadway

“Blisteringly funny!”
"This landmark for the company is a wild night for the audience."
- Don Shirley, LA CityBeat

"Brilliantly performed!"
- Vicki Smith Paluch, Pasadena Star News

Furious Theatre Company Presents…
Los Angeles Premiere
HUNTER GATHERERS
Written by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb
Directed by Dámaso Rodriguez

The Los Angeles premiere of the 2006 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award-winner finds Pam and Richard hosting their best friends, Wendy and Tom, for an annual dinner get-together. An animal sacrifice kicks off the evening, followed by a little more sex, violence, deception, wrestling, and dancing than at previous parties. A darkly comic evening where the line between civilized and primal man is blurred, and where not everyone will survive long enough to enjoy the brownies for dessert.

Click here for more details and to purchase tickets!

Stormy Weather now extended through March 8th!

2009-02-11T10:41:00.000-08:00

See the show that critics are raving about!

"A high-voltage affair! EXUBERANCE to spare! ~ Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times

"A TRIUMPHANT evocation of Lena Horne's spirit and talent! A Cavalcade of sizzling standards!" ~ Bob Verini, Variety

"GO!" Steven Leigh Morris, LA Weekly

"In a word: MESMERIZING." ~ Gail Choice, Our Weekly

"ROUSING PRODUCTION NUMBERS! The score uses some of the best songs written in the 20th century!" ~ Jonas Schwartz, TheatreMania

"A promising sunny NEARLY SOLD-OUT RUN! Prospects of an electrical storm on the Great White Way!" ~ Laura Hitchcock, CurtainUp

Leslie Uggams as Lena Horne in
STORMY WEATHER
On stage now through March 8th

Click here to purchase your tickets before they're gone!

www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

Photo credit: Leslie Uggams as Lena Horne. Photos by kevinberne.com.

Stormy Weather Breaks Opening Night Box Office Record at Pasadena Playhouse

2009-02-03T20:31:00.000-08:00

Celebrated Theatre Enjoys Success While Taking Proactive Steps in Face of Continuing National Economic Downturn

PASADENA, CA (January 30, 2009) Pasadena Playhouse today announced that Stormy Weather starring Leslie Uggams as Lena Horne has surpassed both Ray Charles Live and SISTER ACT the Musical and is now the record-holder for advance single ticket sales prior to opening night.

Pasadena Playhouse earned an international reputation for the development of new musicals over the past several years and this announcement comes as the Playhouse developed SISTER ACT the Musical published casting for its bow at the London Palladium on June 2. The report also coincides with the celebrated non-profit theatre’s announcement that they are taking proactive cost-savings and income-generating measures to weather the national economic downturn.

“Stormy Weather has been nothing less than prolific at the box office and has far surpassed our expectations. Sales hit $330,000 by opening night Friday, January 30, surpassing both Ray Charles Live and SISTER ACT the Musical and this is at a lower ticket price,” stated Interim Managing Director, Ken Novice. The average ticket price for Stormy Weather is $50.00 while the average ticket price for Ray Charles Live and SISTER ACT was $70.00. Neither of these two previous productions surpassed $315,000 by opening night (Ray Charles Live reached $314,496.00 while SISTER ACT the Musical reached $297,773.50). Novice continued, “While we are thrilled with the box office receipts and the tremendous response from preview audiences, the success story only serves to point up the fact that America’s regional theatres cannot exist on ticket sales alone. We must also successfully reach a goal of raising $1 million in donated revenue in the first quarter in order to continue producing at the highest level of artistry.”

Facing a severe slow down in donated revenue that began in the third quarter of 2008, Pasadena Playhouse launched a multi-year capacity building fundraising program earlier this month, activated their board of directors in day-to-day fundraising efforts to expand the base of support and re-focused all fundraising programs into the first quarter of 2009. In addition, the Playhouse cut expenses to a minimum while focusing on maintaining the highest production values, supporting vital education programs that serve over 10,000 students annually, and making use of effective marketing techniques.

Pasadena Playhouse Board of Directors Chair, Michele Engemann stated, “We are not immune from current economic forces. It is imperative that our fundraising efforts in the next couple of months work; we must roll up our sleeves now in hopes of avoiding a crisis-driven funding call in the future. Board members have been working in our offices to support our development team by making fundraising calls and providing email addresses of colleagues and friends. The board is also beginning additional activities including identifying corporate contacts to solicit for charitable contributions and sponsorships and hosting fundraising events in our homes and at the Playhouse. If we are successful, these activities will allow us to expand our circle of individual and corporate donors in support of our artistic and education programs. The commitment demonstrated by our board will also send a positive sign to foundations that the Playhouse is worthy of their consideration for support even in what could be a long period of national financial distress.”

While many theatres are trimming expense budgets and cutting staffing the Playhouse has focused on capitalizing on artistic success and today announced a three-year pledge of $300,000 from Wells Fargo Bank. “The story is the same with many of my colleagues; we are all using the same analogy - it’s as if last October the donated revenue faucet was sharply turned to the off position,” stated Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director, Sheldon Epps. “But, there has been such positive momentum here on stage that we are compelled to tell our story now. Wells Fargo was the first to respond and that was followed by a $100,000 gift from a board member the next day. We are going to make sure that these become the first gifts in a long line of necessary support between now and April.”

In addition to fund raising efforts, the Playhouse will be co-producing one of its subscription offerings in 2009 with a local theatre company as another step to weather the national economic downturn. Epps continued, “As all of our arts institutions face enormous challenges during this economic climate, I believe that increased opportunities for collaboration, such as our co-production of Crowns with Los Angeles’ Ebony Repertory Theatre, are a necessary and intelligent way for us all to continue to thrive. I am very pleased that our two companies have recognized the wisdom of such an alliance, and I believe that the success of this effort will in fact serve as a model for similar partnerships in our immediate community and throughout the national theatre scene.”

Novice addressed administrative savings, “We very carefully evaluated all functional areas with the goal of protecting our artistic integrity and our ability to promote our 2009 season because it has been proven again and again that our programming drives our fundraising success. We identified items that we could live without in the short term such as professional memberships, and we looked for functions that we could absorb for a period such as contracted cleaning services for our administrative offices. We also trimmed budgets in other areas by more efficiently targeting our marketing efforts. Most importantly our long range plan remains intact and includes a greater emphasis on expanding our donor and subscription base, supporting our board to fundraise at the peak of their ability, indentifying new board members and individuals who can make major gifts, and expanding our base of donors under $1,000 by magnifying our telefunding efforts. We are also investigating ways to engage our subscribers and single ticket buyers in the fund raising efforts and hope to announce a major matching gifts program soon.”

The Playhouse also initiated discount programs for both season subscriptions and single tickets in order to address the financial challenges faced by some theatre audiences. Discounts of up to 44% are available for 2009 subscriptions with even larger discounts available for groups, students, and educators. In addition, access pricing is available for the Playhouse’s biggest musical production, Stormy Weather. And, for the first time in the Playhouse’s history, a holiday production (title to be announced) will be offered on subscription – this change will result in a significant increase to subscription revenue while retaining the Playhouse’s opportunity to sell individual tickets during the holiday season. The Playhouse has also identified other revenue opportunities by packaging and marketing its front of house concessions offerings and reinvigorating its seat naming fundraising program targeting patrons at each performance.

www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

Photo credit: Leslie Uggams as Lena Horne in Stormy Weather. Photo by kevinberne.com. Ray Charles Live! and The cast of SISTER ACT the Musical. Photos by Craig Schwartz.

Stormy Weather opens tonight!

2009-01-30T13:29:00.002-08:00

The sometimes stormy, always extraordinary journey of an American icon...

Leslie Uggams as Lena Horne
STORMY WEATHER

On stage now through March 1st!

We're breaking all Pasadena Playhouse box office records with Stormy Weather - get your tickets today before they're all gone!

www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

Left photo credit: Pictured are (standing) Leslie Uggams, (seated L-R) Jordan Barbour and Nikki Crawford. Right photo credit: Leslie Uggams as Lena Horne. Bottom photo credit: Pictured are (L-R) Robert Torti, Kevyn Morrow, Leslie Uggams, Jordan Barbour and Cleavant Derricks. All photos by kevinberne.com.

Stormy Weather opens tonight!

2009-01-30T13:29:00.001-08:00

Bonus Feature of the Week: Leslie Uggams Trivia Question

2009-01-28T10:43:00.000-08:00

Leslie Uggams won a Tony Award for Best Actress for her work in which Broadway production?

A. On Golden Pond

B. Stormy Weather

C. Hallelujah, Baby!

D. Thoroughly Modern Millie

Click here to let us know! Check back next week for a new and for the answer to this trivia question!

Leslie Uggams portrays the legendary Lena Horne in our current production of Stormy Weather. Tickets are selling fast ~ click here to purchase yours today!

www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

Save the Theater Critics! Los Angeles Theatre Artistic Directors Join Together

2009-01-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

From the LA Times Culture Monster Blog:

"The recent reports of the elimination of theater critic, writer and editor positions at the Los Angeles Daily News, LA Weekly and the Daily Breeze came as a blow to Los Angeles' stage community.

Late Thursday, Culture Monster received a letter signed by the artistic directors of three major Los Angeles theaters -- Gilbert Cates of the Geffen Playhouse, Sheldon Epps of the Pasadena Playhouse and Michael Ritchie of Center Theatre Group -- decrying the decline in voices and calling on the arts community to keep the conversation going..."

To read the whole story click here!

Travel with us to London and New York!

2009-01-16T10:48:00.000-08:00

London
April 13-20, 2009

Tour includes:
- Round-trip Air from Los Angeles
- 7 days/6 Nights First-Class Hotel
- 3 Theatre Productions including:
- Zorro: The Musical
- Priscilla Queen of the Desert
- Royal National Theatre Production
- Walking tours, daily excursions, and much more

Early-Bird Special ~
Be one of the first 15 to register and get $300 off your London tour!

NYC
May 6-12, 2009

Tour includes:
- Round-trip Air from Los Angeles
- 7 days/6 Nights First-Class Hotel
- 3 Theatre Productions including:
- South Pacific
- Billy Elliot: The Musical
- A 3rd Broadway Production
- Walking tours, daily excursions, and much more

Contact Jessica Smith at (626) 737-2842 or jsmith@pasadenaplayhouse.org for more information.

Bonus Feature of the Week: Lena Horne Poll

2009-01-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

What's your favorite Lena Horne song of all time?

a. "Stormy Weather"

b. "The Lady is a Tramp"

c. "I'm Through With Love"

d. "After All is Said and Done"

e. Other (explain)

Let us know and feel free to elaborate! Check back next week for a new and the results to this poll.

Answer to last week's Lena Horne Trivia question:

Which one of the following facts about Lena Horne is FALSE?

d. She retired from show business completely in 1980.

www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

Listen to the music of Lena Horne and Leslie Uggams online!

2009-01-05T12:58:00.000-08:00

Get in the mood for our upcoming production of Stormy Weather by listening to the music of Lena and Leslie for free online at Rhapsody.com.

Click here for Lena Horne music.

Click here for Leslie Uggams music.

Get your tickets to Stormy Weather NOW, before they're gone!

Leslie Uggams stars as Lena Horne in Stormy Weather beginning January 21st.

www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org