Pasadena Playhouse

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!!