RAY CHARLES LIVE! Exclusive Web Offer

RAY CHARLES LIVE! - A New Musical Get $25 tickets for Saturday, 12/1 at 4pm - mention code JACK Clockwise from left: Brendan Victor Dixon, NRaca, Angela Teek, Sabrina Sloan and Nikki Renee Daniels. Photos by Michael Lamont. On pace to be the best-selling show in Playhouse history, RAY CHARLES LIVE! opens to packed houses... "Critic's Pick!" - Les Spindle, Back Stage West "A COMPELLING portrait of the complex entertainer!" - Bob Verini, Variety "Full of STOP-THE-SHOW PERFORMANCES!" - Paul Hodgins, OC Register Ray Charles touched perhaps more bases than any other performer in American music history, mastering everything from rhythm and blues, to gospel, to jazz, to country music and pop - delivering them all with equal expertise. RAY CHARLES LIVE! - A New Musical brings to the stage this incredible variety of musical styles capturing the energy, the hard driving musicality, and the excitement and electricity of Charles live onstage. RAY CHARLES LIVE! - A New Musical features many of Charles' hits including: "Georgia on My Mind," "What'd I Say," "Hit The Road, Jack," and "Unchain My Heart." Get $25 tickets for Saturday, 12/1 at 4pm - mention code JACK Not available online. Offer good while supplies last. Call (626) 356-PLAY for tickets! Great seats still available!

Post your RAY CHARLES LIVE! reviews here.

Sure my mom loves the show, but what did you think?

Please use the blog's "Comments" feature to post your reactions.

Conversation with... Suzan-Lori Parks

Suzan-Lori Parks. Photo by Stephanie Diani

You're Invited!
Conversation with... Suzan-Lori Parks

Join Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Top Dog/Underdog) for an inspiring dialogue with moderator Iona Morris (Assistant Director - Ray Charles Live!). Suzan-Lori Parks tells all about her creative journey and discusses the book she wrote for the hit musical Ray Charles Live!

Saturday, November 17, 2007
1:00 p.m.
Event Tickets $5.00 - purchase at box office, 626-356-PLAY or PasadenaPlayhouse.org

Live jazz, cobbler & ice cream at 12 noon on the patio!

Cannibals Feast on Playwright

FURIOUS HOSTS ALEX JONES TALKBACKS!

Playhouse Resident Artists Furious Theatre Company are hosting British playwright Alex Jones here in Pasadena for the world premiere of his play CANNED PEACHES IN SYRUP. Jones will give two nights of free talkbacks on his weird, wonderful and hilarious play at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre after the performance of the play. Join him as he discusses cannibals and veggies and how he came up with this crazy vision of the future. In addition to the Jones talkbacks, there will be an event for every night during the first two weeks of Furious’ run of CANNED PEACHES IN SYRUP. Join Furious here at the Playhouse, whether Cannibal or Vegetarian, for these tasty Furious Events!

Thurs 10/4
($12 Preview) Talkback with Alex Jones
Fri 10/5
($12 Preview) Pre-show Happy Hour in the Playhouse Library
Sat 10/6
(SOLD OUT) Opening Night Party in the Playhouse Courtyard
Sun 10/7
(Act Now! Almost sold out!)Talkback with Alex Jones
Thurs 10/11
Talkback with the cast and director
Fri 10/12
Pre-show Happy Hour in the Playhouse Library
Sat 10/13
Furious Late Night Returns
Sun 10/14
"Save the Peaches, Save the Planet" a post-show discussion on going green to save the environment

All events are FREE with your ticket to CANNED PEACHES IN SYRUP except Furious Late Night, which is $5 with your ticket to the show. Go to www.savethepeaches.com for tickets.

Save the Peaches!

Furious Theatre Company, Pasadena Playhouse Artists in Residence, have launched an all-new website for the world premiere of their upcoming play, Canned Peaches in Syrup, opening October 6 here in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre. Check out www.SaveThePeaches.com to view the teaser trailer, get the latest info on the production, find all kinds of cool downloads for the show and purchase tickets to this hilariously twisted post-apocalyptic love story.

Adventures in Internship

A note on her experiences from development intern Elise Cherpin:

Working at the Pasadena Playhouse this summer was a great experience. As a Development Intern, I was very excited to work with a Development staff. I could see from my first day there that the Playhouse has a very active development vision and I was excited to be a part of that team. I enjoyed learning about different aspects of development and because I was an intern, I participated in all areas, such as Individual Giving, Event Planning, and Institutional Giving. The summer musical Can-Can had a fun, vibrant atmosphere and so I worked especially in Event Planning, helping with many special events, from Opening Night to private parties to Closing Night. I also helped with some of the beginning stages of planning the Fall Gala, which gave me great insight into organizing a large fundraising event. Working on different projects gave me great overall understanding of what Development staffs in non-profit organizations do and I believe that it is because of this internship that I am now more interested in non-profit development as a future career.

I am grateful that the Playhouse re-confirmed my love of the arts and my desire to work in performing or visual arts. The Playhouse was my first time working with a theatre so I definitely learned a lot about the theatre world. I especially enjoyed our weekly Intern lunch meetings where we met with different Playhouse staff members. Not only did I discover more about theatre in general, but I also gained valuable knowledge about how non-profit art organizations run in general. Definitely keep that program going!

I do recommend each intern having a larger, specific project that is more of their own and they can work on throughout the entire ten-week internship. I experienced a little of that at the end of my program and once I completed the project, the level of pride was definitely something I wish I could have experienced more throughout my time there. A larger project also gives the intern an opportunity to be mentored by the supervisor, providing more contact which can be helpful in both the short and long-term. Also, I recommend weekly or bi-weekly meetings between the intern and their supervisor just to confirm things are going well and to have an opportunity for questions about the job, organization, or non-profit arts in general.

I never really had the chance to thank everyone for their kindness and help. The staff felt close and I greatly enjoyed being a part of the Playhouse “family.” If there’s any way you can pass that along, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks also for the happy hour outing! I hope the Playhouse continues to thrive and I can come back sometime soon to experience it!

Thanks Kappy!

Bring a Friend to Matter of Honor

Cedric Sanders (center) and Eric Lutes. Photo by Craig Schwartz.
Bring a friend to our world premier production of Michael J. Chepiga's Matter of Honor with this special 2-for-1 offer. Just give us a call at (626) 356-PLAY (7529) and mention code IM04 and receive 2-for-1 tickets on any available seat.

This offer is not available to order online, so give us a call.

And remember, Matter of Honor must close September 30th, so call us today!

MATTER OF HONOR
Written by Michael J. Chepiga
Directed by Scott Schwartz

August 24 - September 30

SISTER ACT the Musical Awards News

The Suzi Awards, Atlanta’s local version of Broadway’s Tony Awards, have just been announced.

And to no-one’s surprise the Pasadena Playhouse/Alliance Theatre co-production of SISTER ACT the Musical has garnered a choir full of nominations.

So congratulations to Alan Menken, Glenn Slater, Cheri & Bill Steinkellner (Production-Musical), Peter Schneider (Director-Musical), Dawnn Lewis (Lead Actress-Musical), Amy K. Murray (Featured Actress-Musical), David Jennings (Lead Actor-Musical), Michael Kosarin and Brent-Alan Huffman (Musical Direction), Marguerite Derricks (Choreography), Garry Lennon (Costume Design), and Donald Holder (Lighting Design), and the entire cast and crew of SISTER ACT the Musical for their 10 nominations!

SuziAwards.org

Playhouse loses dear friend Jerry Bono

On August 31st a dear friend of the Pasadena Playhouse passed away. Jerry Bono first came to the Playhouse as a student in 1962. He studied acting and costuming, and graduated after two years and eight productions with the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts and even two on the mainstage. After his training, Jerry went to work in television as a costumer for Switched at Birth, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Speechless, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Voyagers, BJ & the Bear, and Airwolf.

Though the College closed shortly after his graduation, Jerry always felt very connected to the community there, and became one of the most active members of the Pasadena Playhouse Alumni & Associates, serving on its Board of Directors as First Vice President. While on the board, he chaired the Alumni Play Reading Committee, which made recommendations for mainstage productions; organized the annual Alumni Brunch for two years; prepared magnificent desserts for the Board meetings; hosted last year’s Board picnic; and went far out of his way to involve classmates in the organization, often taking it upon himself to pay lifetime membership dues for friends.

Jerry was also skilled at nurturing plant life despite the oppressive Mojave sun. Friends describe his Van Nuys home as a “garden of paradise,” and for many years, he volunteered his time to take care of the foliage decorating the Playhouse patio and Actors’ Alley.

Unbeknownst to many thanks to his dauntless enthusiasm and good cheer, Jerry had been undergoing chemotherapy for some time. Nevertheless, no one expected the sudden failure of his liver and kidneys on Sunday, August 26th. The worst of his illness was brief, and Jerry departed last Friday, the 31st. According to his wishes, no religious ceremony was conducted, but close friends and family paid their respects at a memorial service held in his home last Saturday.

An announcement about a permanent memorial from his friends at the theatre will be made soon.


Jerry Bono, 1942-2007

Matter of Honor Reviews

The reviews are in for the Playhouse's world premier production of Michael J. Chepiga's Matter of Honor and, frankly, they're all over the place.

And (just as frankly), as much as we'd love to receive nothing but raves, even terrific productions like Matter of Honor typically garner a wide variety of opinions.

And that's a good thing too.

So click the links below if you'd like to see what a wide variety of critics think, but really, we'd mostly love to hear from you. If you'd like to post your thoughts on this controversial play just click here.

Calendar Live

Variety

LA Weekly

LA City Beat (Great pics here by the way)

LA Stage Scene

ReviewPlays.com

The Hollywood Reporter

Theatertimes.org

Internship Blues

The Playhouse has been fortunate over the years to benefit from the hard work and enthusiasm of summer interns from around LA and around the country.

This summer's marketing intern, Yvonne Butron, was kind enough to jot down a few words on her experiences here at the Playhouse:

At the beginning of the summer when I began looking for an internship I never expected to be working for an arts related organization. I never studied theater or any type of art while in college, so coming to a non-profit theater was a new experience for me. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in marketing, so I wanted to see what it took to be successful in the field. Despite what I learned at school, I was not sure if I would enjoy a career in this field; therefore, I wanted to gain some real life marketing experience.

Working at the Pasadena Playhouse was a memorable experience because everyone there was always willing to help me out if I had a question, and everyone seemed to enjoy their jobs even though there were times when the unexpected took place. Even though I was born in Pasadena and have heard of the Playhouse, I never knew about the amazing work that they were creating or the opportunities that they provided for student to learn about the field. Working in a small non-profit organization meant that you would be performing tasks that are not in your job description, due to the amount of work that had to be completed to be successful and build a reputation. Even though I enjoyed working at the Pasadena Playhouse, I plan to search for a career in other fields in entertainment marketing, but I will always remember the experience I gained from the marketing staff and everyone else at the Playhouse. I enjoyed working with everyone and learning about how a theater is managed and creates high quality productions. Despite not planning to stay in theatre, I have become more appreciative of the arts, and I plan to visit the Playhouse and other art organizations in the future.

Yvonne

2-for-1 Matter of Honor Tickets!

Cedric Sanders (center) and Eric Lutes. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Come help us kick off our world premier production of Michael J. Chepiga's Matter of Honor with this special offer. Just give us a call at (626) 356-PLAY (7529) and mention code IM04 and receive 2-for-1 tickets on any available seat.

This offer is not available to order online, so give us a call.

And remember, this offer ends September 9th, so call us today!

MATTER OF HONOR
Written by Michael J. Chepiga
Directed by Scott Schwartz

August 24 - September 30

Matter of Honor Patron Reviews

Many thanks to those of our patrons who took a few moments of their valuable time to post reviews of Can-Can.

So, without further ado, please use the "comments" feature of this blog to post your thoughts on Matter of Honor.

Wine and Beer Lovers' Nights at Pasadena Playhouse

Sponsored by Celestino Ristorante and Le Petit Vendome

Enjoy an evening of great entertainment and a world class reception at Pasadena Playhouse's Wine and Beer Lovers' Nights. Sample a wide selection of different wines and international beers provided by Le Petit Vendome and expertly pared appetizers provided by Celestino Ristorante before select Saturdays at the 8:00 p.m. performance of Matter of Honor.

International Beer Tasting: Saturday, September 1 at 6:30 p.m. Wine Lovers Night: Saturday, September 8. 6:30 p.m.

Admission: $75 (includes VIP tickets to Matter of Honor)

OR

Subscribe to the next four plays at Pasadena Playhouse and enjoy one of our two Tastings for Free! Call (626) 356-PLAY for details.

50% off tickets for final performances of Can-Can!

Tuesday, August 7 at 8:00
Wednesday, August 8 at 8:00

MENTION CODE: LAST
(626) 356-PLAY

Offer not available online - seating is limited call now!

Can-Can Choreographer Tells All!

Conversation with... Patti Colombo & John Charron: "Making Can-Can Dance!"

The cast of Can-Can. Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Award-winning Can-Can choreographer tells all in "Conversation with...
Patti Colomobo and John Charron" -- "Making Can-Can Dance!" on Saturday, July 28 at 1:00 p.m.

The dance scenes from the hit musical Can'Can have dazzled audiences and critics alike. Says Jay Reiner of the Hollywood Reporter... "Patti Colombo's choreography is right up there with the best of Broadway."

Enjoy a lively and engaging conversation with the award-winning Colombo and associate choreographer John Charron. The event will be moderated by Los Angeles Times Dance Critic Lewis Segal.

SATURDAY, JULY 28, 2007 at 1 p.m.
The Gourmet Cobbler Factory serves up delicious cobbler & ice cream at 12 noon!

To reserve your FREE seats, email Gay Parker.

Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps Receives James Irvine Leadership Award

Sheldon Epps, of the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, CA, is congratulated by Governor Schwarzenegger and The Irvine Foundation's President and CEO James E. Canales, right, as a recipient of one of The James Irvine Foundation's six 2007 Leadership Awards during a visit to the governor's Cabinet room at the state capitol in Sacramento on Monday, July 16, 2007.
Photo by John Decker



From Brian:

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful and yet most wonderful. - William Shakespeare - As You Like It

Only the great line from Shakespeare can capture our feelings as we proudly announce that Sheldon Epps is a 2007 recipient of the James Irvine Leadership Award. This honor, which includes an $125,000 grant to the theatre, is given each year to just a handful of Californians who have made a leading and meaningful impact on the lives of Californians.

I know that we are all proud of Sheldon, but he and I want you to know this award is also an acknowledgment of all our efforts -- the dedication and tireless hours that each of you put in as a member of the Playhouse family as well as the great work and generosity of our Board of Directors in support of the vision and direction of our theatre.

Congratulations to Sheldon (and to all of us!)

Brian

From the James Irvine Foundation:

The Pasadena Playhouse is officially California’s state theater, but poor attendance has threatened to close its doors more than once in its long history. Up until the last decade, when the theater did put on performances, often there would be no people of color — and few under 60 — in the audience. Enter Sheldon Epps in 1997, one of the few African-American artistic directors of a major regional theater in the country. His commitment to diversity and the production of an eclectic range of high-quality performances has led to the Playhouse’s remarkable renaissance. Today it is recognized nationally for its commitment to theatrical diversity, artistic excellence, and box-office success. The Playhouse offers a broad range of high-quality productions, draws a younger and multiethnic audience and conducts programs to expose disadvantaged youth to live theater, while maintaining steady growth in subscriptions and ticket sales.

More on Sheldon and the award here.

From the Archives: A Stow-Away on the Playhouse's Voyage Across the Sea

Earlier this week, the Playhouse archives received an email from Noel Coward scholar Michael Menzies recounting his very first experience with the Pasadena Playhouse in the unlikeliest of places – the other side of the world. Surprisingly, the archives didn’t contain any record of the following events. So, to shed some light on this all but forgotten piece of Playhouse history and entertain our blog readers, Mr. Menzies has kindly allowed us to post his email.


In 1949, I was fourteen years old and living with my family in Auckland, New Zealand. At that time there was no professional theatre in the country at all, and the Pasadena Playhouse sent a company of players for a six month season at a converted cinema, known as the Prince Edward.

Their first production was Sam Benelli’s The Jest (a curious choice for a city that had little theatre). This was followed by a Moss Hart play, Light Up the Sky (about the blitz in London - a theme more suited to New Zealand, which had supplied both men and food to England and her allies). I am not totally sure this was the second production - it has become a little muddled in my mind... it may have been The Little Shop Around the Corner, or Angel Pavement, both of which I believe the Pasadena players performed. Then came the most successful production of the engagement: Charley’s Aunt.

At the time there was a world-wide polio scare, and children were denied access to public gatherings - we had to attend correspondence school. I was devastated at the time, since I was unable to attend any performances and theatre had already become what turned into a life long passion.

I wrote to members of the company - I recall the names Gabriel Boyne and Molly Rayner, and asked for autographs and photos of the players. Instead, I received an invitation from actress Molly Raynor to watch Charley’s Aunt from the flies of the theatre. I was in heaven - or at least the flies!

My parents agreed to this ruse to avoid a public gathering and drove me to the theatre, delivered me backstage, and bought tickets for themselves to attend the matinee performance.

I can’t recall later productions at the Prince Edward, an awkward and inconvenient location for a live theatre company doomed to fail - my memory of the Pasadena Players in New Zealand ends with that performance.

Congratulations on the success of Can-Can, and may good and continuing fortune stay with you.

Best wishes,
Michael Menzies

Hindsight at Hot House

Book Now! Next FREE Hothouse Reading Just Announced!

Book your tickets now for the upcoming reading from Pasadena Playhouse's sell-out new play development series...

Hindsight
By Ross Brown
Directed by Kappy Kilburn

July 17 and 18 at 8:00 P.M.
Carrie Hamilton Theatre.

It’s 1970 and teenage Rob Gold and his brothers are surrounded by the sounds of combat: Vietnam, anti-war protests, and most of all, the marital combat between their parents. Then comes the accident – and a family dynamic that goes from armed insurrection to Armageddon. HINDSIGHT is the story of brothers and how they endure and escape the mess they call family – each in his own way. It’s about dysfunctional parents, sibling bonds, grief, and survival. It will even make you laugh. What else can you do when your mother steals your Bar Mitzvah money and gives it to Yul Brynner so he can gamble in Vegas?

Email BoxOffice@PasadenaPlayhouse.org with your full contact information, number of tickets, and performance for which you wish to book. Or call (626) 356-PLAY!

Jonathan's Mailbox: EF Pasadena International Homestay Program

Jonathan:

Thank you for offering to place some images and text on the Pasadena Playhouse Blog. Although we are not certain of the exact count, we believe we still need over 40 Host Families before the students arrive next Wednesday, July 11. At present we have over 130 out of 175 placed.

The main points for the Blog are:

* High School Students from China, France, Germany, Russia, Spain and Switzerland
* July 11 - August 7 -- only a 3 or 4 week commitment. 40 out of 175 still to place.
* Activities pre-planned -- no need to take students to beach, amusement parks, etc., we do it for you!
* CONTACT CHRISTINE CHRISTOFF FOR MORE INFORMATION - fizz4you@aol.com

Attached are two of our favorite images for your Blog. One is of a young family that hosted a German boy, born in Turkey. The other is of two EF students from abroad enjoying Universal City Walk.

We will contact you in the next few weeks for further discussion regarding an afternoon International Festival at the Pasadena Playhouse featuring the Playhouse and EF Homestay. EF has an enormous database of families from Pismo Beach to San Diego. EF has been active in the United States for 40 years, placing over 150,000 students in homes. We believe that the Festival would be of mutual benefit to both of our organizations and could be held next Spring.

Thanks for your assistance,

Jerry and Christine Christoff

EF Pasadena International Homestay Program