Wikipedia

Pasadena Playhouse

(Redirected from Pasadena Playhouse College of Theater Arts)

Pasadena Playhouse is a Tony Award-winning historic performing arts venue located 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California. The 686-seat auditorium produces a variety of cultural and artistic events, professional shows, and community engagements each year.

Pasadena Playhouse
Map
Address39 South El Molino Avenue
Pasadena, California
United States
Coordinates34°08′42.5″N 118°08′15″W / 34.145139°N 118.13750°W / 34.145139; -118.13750
Public transitMemorial Park
OwnerPasadena Playhouse State Theatre of California, Inc.
TypeRegional theatre
Capacity686
Construction
Opened1924
Reopened1986
Website
www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
Pasadena Playhouse
ArchitectElmer Grey
A. Dwight Gibbs
Cyril Bennett
Architectural styleSpanish Colonial Revival
NRHP reference No.75000435
CHISL No.887
Added to NRHPNovember 11, 1975
Interior of Pasadena Playhouse, as seen from the mezzanine

History

edit

Beginning around 1912, the period known as the Little Theatre Movement developed in cities and towns across the United States.[1] The artistic community that founded the Pasadena Playhouse was started in 1916 when actor-director Gilmor Brown began producing a series of plays at a renovated burlesque theatre with his troupe "The Gilmor Brown Players". Brown established the Community Playhouse Association of Pasadena in 1917 that would later become the Pasadena Playhouse Association, which necessitated a new venue for productions.[2]

The community theatre organization quickly grew and in May 1924, the citizens of Pasadena raised funds to build a new theatre in the city center at 39 South El Molino Avenue. Completed in 1925, the theatre was designed in a Spanish Colonial Revival style by Pasadena artist and architect Elmer Grey, with a fire curtain painted by Pasadena artist Alson S. Clark.

Its non-professional, community beginnings and the tremendous amount of local support for the project led George Bernard Shaw to dub Pasadena "the Athens of the West", likening the enterprise to the ancient Festival Dionysia.[3]

The building that was designed by Grey and built by the Winter Construction Co. drew the attention of the nation, bringing Southern California world premieres by authors such as Eugene O'Neill, William Saroyan, Noël Coward, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Tennessee Williams, as well as many English language premieres of significant Continental dramas. The Playhouse was recognized by the Legislature as the State Theatre of California in 1937.[4]

The Pasadena Playhouse School of Theatre Arts was established in 1927 initially offering course credit via the University of California. Later known as the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, it eventually became an accredited college in 1936, offering BFA and MFA degrees. The college trained notable talents such as Raymond Burr, Victor Mature, Ernest Borgnine, Eleanor Parker, Charles Bronson, Ray Vasquez, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Sally Struthers,[5] Jamie Farr,[6] Mako,[7] Robert Rockwell, and others.[8] During the school years, the Playhouse was very active, having as many as five independent stages in operation at any given time, giving 306–322 performances annually on the main stage alone.[4] In order to provide housing for the many students, older homes along El Molino Avenue were modified to become dormitories.[9]

The varied staging capabilities offered by its five venues led the Playhouse to become one of the first companies in California to experiment with new theatrical forms such as theatre-in-the-round.[10] The Playhouse also built and operated one of the first television stations in Southern California. In addition to training the Air Force to use television and radio equipment, the Pasadena Playhouse supplied the majority of Southern California's early TV stations with the first trained technicians in the business.[10]

 
A partial view of the theater auditorium

Due to changes in Actors' Equity Association laws, and the opening of drama departments in many schools and universities across the country, the College of Theatre Arts shut down in 1969. Later that year, after the death of founding director Gilmor Brown, the theatre itself went bankrupt.[11] After six years, the city bought the building in 1975 and later transferred it to real estate developer David Houk. After it lay dormant for 17 years, he relaunched the theatre in 1986 as a place to develop shows that would tour other California venues.[12] While the Pasadena Playhouse reopened for use as a community theatre, the acting school remained closed.[13][14][15][16][17] Over the next twenty years, the theatre staged classic drama, new musicals and plays, and integrated itself as an educational facility, slowly regaining a prominent place in the national theatre scene to become a major operation of over eight million dollars a year by 2008.[18]

2010-2011 financial situation

edit

Regardless of continued recent critical acclaim of the Playhouse, and despite its steadily popular and ambitious season schedules,[19] the theatre had a history of financial difficulties since its reopening in the 1980s. Saddled with millions of dollars' worth of debt from earlier unforeseen expenditures during the theatre's restoration, the Playhouse's operators struggled with balancing interest and loan repayments with increasing running costs.[3]

On January 29, 2010, the Los Angeles Times announced that, due to financial difficulties, the theatre would close on February 7 after its run of the musical Camelot and cancel the remaining 2010 season.[20] On May 11, 2010, the Pasadena Playhouse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced an intention to restructure its operations to reduce its debt burden.[21]

After less than four months, on July 7, 2010, it emerged from bankruptcy after a multimillion-dollar anonymous matching fund contribution toward operating costs and judicially approved debt cancellation.[18] The Pasadena Playhouse also reduced paid staff to essential upper level administration, keeping the Artistic Director Sheldon Epps as coordinator for the rest of the planned consolidation. Director Epps announced through an interview with the LA Times that the shake-up was intended to put the theatre back on solid financial footing and ensure the Playhouse's survival into the future.[22] The Playhouse released a tentative Fall/Winter season schedule including one new production of Dangerous Beauty slated for January 2011.[23][24] Plans for a new extension and 400 seat venue designed pro bono by Frank Gehry[25] were announced in 2007, but the extension was never built.

A majority of the subscribers donated the rest of their season back to the theatre rather than requesting refunds, recusing the theatre of over a million dollars in possible financial liability.[26] Epps has said that as the debt burden is lifted these steps will allow the theatre to carefully and responsibly rebuild the company.[26]

On April 1, 2011, the Playhouse held a "Premiere Gala: Opening Night" to celebrate its newfound financial solvency and announce next year's productions.[27]

The Next Century

edit

In 2017, after 20 years as artistic director, Sheldon Epps announced his departure from the theater. Epps produced over 100 plays during his tenure and personally directed 13 of them.[28] Danny Feldman, the executive director at Labyrinth Theater Company in New York was chosen as his replacement.

Pasadena Playhouse received the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award at the 76th Tony Awards.

Awards and nominations

edit
Awards Production Nominations Wins Notes
2009 Ovation Awards Stormy Weather 3 0
2011 Ovation Awards Twist – An American Musical 5 2 Won for Scenic Design and Costume Design
2012 Ovation Awards The Heiress 2 0
2013 Ovation Awards Fallen Angels (play) 5 0
76th Tony Awards Regional Theatre Tony Award N/A N/A

Notable alumni and players

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Bryer, Jackson. ed. The Theatre We Worked For. Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 1982. p. 9. ISBN 0-300-02583-1
  2. ^ NSTATE, LLC. "California State Theater, Pasadena Playhouse". Netstate.Com. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  3. ^ a b Morrison, Patt (February 26, 2010). "Sheldon Epps: Play it again". The Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ a b "California State Library - History and Culture - State Symbols". Library.ca.gov. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  5. ^ Barker, Mayerene; (November 11, 1979). "Hundreds Crash Builders' Big Bash". Los Angeles Times. Pt. VII, p. 8. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Pasadena Playhouse Comes to Life April 19". South Pasadena Review. March 26, 1986. p. 4. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Usherwood, Ron (August 9, 2006). "The Cutting Room". The Taos News. p. 116. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Pasadena Playhouse (theatre, Pasadena, California, United States) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Britannica.com. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  9. ^ Scheid, Ann; Lund, Ann Scheid (1999). Historic Pasadena: An Illustrated History. HPN Books. ISBN 9781893619012.
  10. ^ a b Hollywood: the movie lover's guide : the ultimate insider tour to movie L.A. By Richard Alleman
  11. ^ "Culture Monster". The Los Angeles Times. February 11, 2010.
  12. ^ "Pasadena Playhouse Closes – has the domino effect begun? Is this the first of many?". off-stage right. Archived from the original on 2010-06-18. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  13. ^ "The Pasadena Playhouse – Featured On 'Tour America's Treasures'". The Playhouse Blog. Pasadena Playhouse. February 29, 2012. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016.
  14. ^ CURTAIN UP! THE REVIVAL OF THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
  15. ^ "Pasadena Playhouse, A Star Crucible, Reopens". Chicago Tribune. 8 May 1986. Archived from the original on 2018-09-16.
  16. ^ "Pasadena Playhouse to close its doors". 29 January 2010.
  17. ^ "Water and Power Associates".
  18. ^ a b "Culture Monster". The Los Angeles Times. July 8, 2010.
  19. ^ "The Pasadena Playhouse Receives Twelve Ovation Awards Nominations - Los Angeles Sentinel | HighBeam Research - FREE trial". Highbeam.com. 1998-10-21. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  20. ^ Boehm, Mike (2010-01-30). "LA Times article on closure of Pasadena Playhouse". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  21. ^ "Pasadena Playhouse files Chapter 11 petition". Los Angeles Times. May 11, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  22. ^ Morrison, Patt (February 26, 2010). "Sheldon Epps: Play it again". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2011.
  23. ^ "Culture Monster". The Los Angeles Times. July 19, 2010.
  24. ^ Pasadenaplayhouse.blogspot.com
  25. ^ "Pasadena Playhouse Receives Donation From Acclaimed Architect Frank Gehry to Begin a Two-Phase Design Project of the Carrie Hamilton Theatre in Honor of Carol Burnett and Her Late Daughter. - PR Newswire | HighBeam Research: Online Press Releases". Highbeam.com. 2007-02-19. Retrieved 2010-10-06.[dead link‍]
  26. ^ a b "Pasadena Playhouse ready for Act 2". Pasadena Star-News. 2010-03-09. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  27. ^ Pasadena Outlook, Vol. 5 No. 9
  28. ^ "Pasadena Now » Epps Brings the Curtain Down | Latest Pasadena News - PasadenaNow.com". Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  29. ^ Fitzgerald, Mike. "Interview with Jane Adams". Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  30. ^ "Ariana Grande, Charlene Tilton and Neil Patrick Harris Headline A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS at Pasadena Playhouse, 12/13-23". Broadway World. 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2018-07-16.
  31. ^ a b "Mimo-Dance Is Feature of Program; One-Act Play, 'Amaranth,' to Complete Bill Opening Tonight at Playhouse". The Pasadena Post. May 3, 1926. p. 2. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Pam, Jerry (December 19, 1960). "Pasadena Playhouse: Anniversary Recalls Renown Prestige". Hollywood Valley Times. p. 9. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  33. ^ Harris, Mike (2009-03-22). "John Alvin: veteran stage, film, television actor, 91". Ventura County Star. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k McGarry, T.W. (January 1, 1983). "Energetic project revives Pasadena Playhouse". Santa Maria Times. p. 30. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  35. ^ a b c d Tessel, Harry (July 8, 1977). "Dana Andrews: 'You Can't Be a Stranger ar Forever'". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. 63. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Parish, James Robert; Leonard, William T. (1976). Hollywood Players: The Thirties. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House Publishers. pp. 14–15. ISBN 0-87000-365-8.
  37. ^ Vermilye, Jerry (20). Jean Arthur: A Biofilmography. Bloomington, IN : AuthorHouse. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-4670-4327-4.
  38. ^ "Ed Asner, Who Helped Relight Pasadena Playhouse, Dies at 91". Pasadena Now. August 30, 2021.
  39. ^ "Local Thespian Honored in U.S.". Calgary Herald. June 28, 1950. p. 22. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  40. ^ Truitt, Brian (June 11, 2021). "'Robot Monster' Star Claudia Barrett Dies at 91". The Desert Sun. p. A16. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  41. ^ Schallert, Edwin (November 12, 1949). "Lawrence to Have Brief Glamour in'Menagerie'; Douglas Gets Diver Bid". The Los Angeles Times. p. 11. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  42. ^ a b c d "Shaw Series Begins at Pasadena". Los Angeles Daily News. p. 18. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  43. ^ Matheson, Sue (2019). The John Ford Encyclopedia. Lanham, MD : Rowman & Littlefield. p. 30. ISBN 9781538103814.
  44. ^ a b c d e Von Blon, Katherine T. (December 25, 1937). "'Blue Bird' Engaging Attraction". The Los Angeles Times. p. 30. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  45. ^ a b Starr, Michael Seth (2008). Hiding in Plain Sight: The Secret Life of Raymond Burr. New York : Applause Theatre and Cinema Books. p. 31. ISBN 978-1-55783-694-6.
  46. ^ "Bernard Thomas to Direct Series of Four Plays". Albuquerque Journal. 1957. p.15. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  47. ^ Skelton, Scott; Benson, Jim (1999). Rod Serling's Night Gallery: An After-Hours Tour. Syracuse, NY : Syracuse University Press . p. 145. ISBN 0-8156-2782-3.
  48. ^ Keath, Lee (Associated Press). "Youssef Chahine, 82, Egyptian Film, Director". August 1, 2008. p. 51. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  49. ^ Ito, Robert (May 2003). "Fear Factor: Jack Chick Is the World's Most Published Author—And One of the Strangest". Los Angeles Magazine. p. 58. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  50. ^ "Maxine Cooper". The Daily Telegraph. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  51. ^ "Playhouse Company: Becomes 13th Member". Pasadena Independent. September 1, 1965. p. 32. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  52. ^ "Daugherty Graduates from Theater School". Covina Argus. June 28, 1935. p. 9. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  53. ^ a b "Pasadena Playhouse School Finds Many Outlets for Talent". The Los Angeles Times. August 30, 1942. p. 60. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  54. ^ "Actor Don De Fore Devoted Family Man". The Montreal Gazette. November 28, 1962. p. 11.
  55. ^ "To Visit Children in Hollywood, Pasadena". San Angelo Standard-Times. June 15, 1941. p. 24. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  56. ^ Manners, Doris (July 24, 1956). "Best of Hollywood". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 13. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  57. ^ Pasadena Playhouse Association (June 23, 1941). "Pasadena Playhouse Association: Board of Trustees; Playhouse Staff". Playbill. p.7
  58. ^ Polson, Dorothee (May 2, 1973). "Celebrities Cook". Arizona Republic. p. G1. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  59. ^ Hampton, Wilborn (March 5, 2009). "Small-Town Texas Was His Inspiration". Fort Worth Star Telegram. p. A7. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  60. ^ Hanifen, Ada (December 13, 1937). "Highlights and Shadows". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 22. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  61. ^ "Greer Uses 'Method' in His Acting Roles". The Wichita Beacon. September 9, 1967. p. 48. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  62. ^ Barnes, Mike (April 11, 217). "Peter Hansen, Longtime Actor on 'General Hospital,' Dies at 95". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles: Eldridge Industries. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  63. ^ "Deaths: Eats Moline". The Moline Dispatch. August 21, 2007. p. 7. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  64. ^ a b c d e f g Neville, Lucie (September 24, 1939). "Where Did You Come From, Movie Starlet?". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. 58. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  65. ^ Mines, Harry (April 23, 1943). "Selznick-RKO pool talent; Anne Baxter cast". Los Angeles Daily News. p. 30. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  66. ^ Schallert, Edwin (April 23, 1943). "R.K.O., Selznick Will Divide Players' Time". The Los Angeles Times. p. 15. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  67. ^ Henry, Bill (May 28, 1947). "By the Way; Experience". The Los Angeles Times. p. 13. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  68. ^ Von Blon,. Katherine (June 25, 1939). "What's Doing in Little Theaters". The Los Angeles Times. p. 50. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  69. ^ Pappas, Leona (December 27, 1975). "Arnett, Mantley Set for Western". San Antonio Express. p. 21. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  70. ^ Lamparski, Richard (1982). Whatever became of--? : eighth series : the best (updated) and newest of the famous Lamparski profiles of personalities of yesteryear. New York : Crown Publishers. p. 204. ISBN 9780517543467.
  71. ^ "Lock That Car; Hand Is Quicker". Los Angeles Times. December 6, 1959. Pt. 8, pg. 1. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  72. ^ Meyers, Jeffrey (2001). Gary Cooper: American Hero. New York : Cooper Square Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-8154-1140-6.
  73. ^ Variety Staff (January 5, 1998). "Eve McVeagh Gordon dies at 78". Variety. Los Angeles: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  74. ^ Clemens, Samuel (June 2023). "Joyce Meadows". Classic Images.
  75. ^ "Ruth Mix Receives Degree from Pasadena Playhouse". The San Bernardino County Sun. June 8, 1950. p. 21. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  76. ^ Scheuer, Philip K. (November 14, 1952). "Warners Slate Version of 'High Button Shoes'; Character Men Active". The Los Angeles Times. p. 43. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  77. ^ Shelton, Patricia (June 20, 1973). "Murphy Rejoins Coat and Tie Set". The Orlando Sentinel. p. 64. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  78. ^ a b "17 Drama Students Graduate ". The Pasadena Post. June 25, 1932. p. 5. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  79. ^ Elber, Lynn (February 28, 2015). "In Focus: Lived Long and Prospered; Beloved as Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy dies at age 83". The Vancouver Sun. p. 28. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  80. ^ Schallert, Edwin (April 24, 1935). "The Pageant of the Film World". The Los Angeles Times. p. 19. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  81. ^ Wishart, David J. (2004). Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. p. 274. ISBN 0-8032-4787-7.
  82. ^ Associated Press (January 28, 2003). "TV Actor, radio personality, stage performer, movie star Robert Rockwell dies at 82". Lodi News-Sentinel. p. 8. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  83. ^ Kaufman, Dave (1968). TV 69: Who's Who, What's What in the New TV Season (mass market paperback). New York: Signet. p. 137.
  84. ^ a b c "Vivid Drama to Open Tonight at the Playhouse; Large Cast". The Pasadena Post. January 30, 1930. p. 11. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  85. ^ "Ralph Senensky Directing Little Theater Production". Mason City Globe-Gazette. January 5, 1949. p. 12. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  86. ^ "Actor Paul Sorensen dies at 82". Variety. Los Angeles: Penske Media Corporation. 2008-07-22.
  87. ^ "Stanton Will Appear on Matinee Theater". The Lexington Herald. p. 25. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  88. ^ Pavillard, Dan (July 16, 1966). "Movie Stardom: The Big Adventure". Tucson Citizen. p. 38. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  89. ^ Zima Lauren (March 3, 2011). "Emmy-winning production designer Stephenson dies". Variety. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  90. ^ a b "Martha Wilke in Dramatic Work". The Hammond Times. October 19, 1935. p. 35. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  91. ^ "Ballet Company Dancer Receives Sholarship". The Sacramento Bee. August 1, 1961. p. 12. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  92. ^ "Graduates Are Honored; Juniors Give Luncheon at Playhouse". The Pasadena Post. June 22, 1931.
  93. ^ "Biography of Frank Wilcox". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  94. ^ "David Young Given Award for Achievement in Radio". Los Angeles Daily News. June 11, 1949. p. 10-B. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  95. ^ Schallert, Edwin (April 22, 1942). "Subject Sought for Returning Anna Neagle; Reel Notes Reeled Off Briefly". The Los Angeles Times. p. 34. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  96. ^ Coe, Richard L. (3 September 1978). "The Survivors – Still on Scene". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  97. ^ "Soiree to Present Six Living Art Scenes". The Desert Sun. March 22, 1978. p. 8. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pasadena Playhouse (Pasadena, California).
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pasadena_Playhouse&oldid=1256832952"