Sheldon Epps News

The Pasadena Playhouse announced Academy Award and Emmy nominee Taraji P. Henson (Starred on "Person of Interest" on CBS, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and new "No Good Deed" oppsite Idris Elba) to star as "Jane" in the World Premiere of ABOVE THE FOLD, the fourth production of its 2013 - 2014 Season. Written by Bernard Weinraub and directed by Steven Robman, ABOVE THE FOLD plays January 28 - February 23, 2014. Opening night is February 2, 2014.

In response to the devastating typhoon and its aftermath in the Philippines, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick have announced A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30pm. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross' Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Workshop Foundation, The Pasadena Playhouse, and East West Players will present a forum to explore the current state of diversity in Southern California theatre focusing on the director's role and the questions: What's working? What aren't we doing? How can we work together to increase diversity in Southern California theatre? DIVERSITY: THROUGH THE DIRECTOR'S EYE is set for Monday, December 16, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at Pasadena Playhouse, 39 El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA.

The Honorable Lance A. Ito, Honorable Lance A. Ito, Curtis Silver of United Negro College Fund, Daniel Mayeda, Co-Chair of Asian Pacific American Media Coalition, Dr. Jorge Huerta, UC-San Diego Professor of Theatre Emeritus California, and Twelve Angry Men cast member Jason George, Chair of the National Diversity Advisory Committee for SAG/AFTRA lead the list of community members discussing the play as part of the new Talkback Tuesdays series at The Pasadena Playhouse. Ito, Mayeda, Huerta and George will join six other esteemed panel members for these post-performance discussions tonight, November 12 and November 19 and 26. The Pasadena Playhouse artistic director Sheldon Epps, who is the director of Twelve Angry Men will participate in all three Talkback Tuesday events.

The Pasadena Playhouse is currently presenting Reginald Rose's classic drama TWELVE ANGRY MEN, the second production of its 2013 - 2014 Season. The show began previews November 5 and will continue through December 1, 2013, officially opening tonight, November 10.

The Pasadena Playhouse announced today that STONEFACE, originally part of the 2013-2014 season and then postponed, has been reinstated, with its original star French Stewart. STONEFACE is performed June 3 to 29, 2014.

The Honorable Lance A. Ito, Honorable Lance A. Ito, Curtis Silver of United Negro College Fund, Daniel Mayeda, Co-Chair of Asian Pacific American Media Coalition, Dr. Jorge Huerta, UC-San Diego Professor of Theatre Emeritus California, and Twelve Angry Men cast member Jason George, Chair of the National Diversity Advisory Committee for SAG/AFTRA lead the list of community members discussing the play as part of the new Talkback Tuesdays series at The Pasadena Playhouse. Ito, Mayeda, Huerta and George will join six other esteemed panel members for these post-performance discussions on November 12, 19 and 26. The Pasadena Playhouse artistic director Sheldon Epps, who is the director of Twelve Angry Men will participate in all three Talkback Tuesday events.

The Pasadena Playhouse presents Reginald Rose's classic drama TWELVE ANGRY MEN, the second production of its 2013 - 2014 Season. This plays tonight, November 5 - December 1, 2013, with a press opening night and The Pasadena Playhouse Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project fundraising event on November 10.

Co-Producers Juliana Hansen and Jonathan White will present a one night only benefit performance, ONE STARRY NIGHT: Hollywood and Broadway Come Together to Fight ALS, on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 8pm, hosted by The Pasadena Playhouse. The evening will also include a silent auction and VIP post-show meet-and-greet. Proceeds will provide critical funding for The ALS Association Golden West Chapter's mission priorities in care services, public policy, and cutting-edge global research toward treatments and cure.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director) announced a new pilot program, GREENHOUSE at The Playhouse, in partnership with the University of Southern California's School of Dramatic Arts for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for Reginald Rose's classic drama TWELVE ANGRY MEN, the second production of its 2013 - 2014 Season. This plays November 5 - December 1, 2013, with a press opening night and The Pasadena Playhouse Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project fundraising event on November 10

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director) announced the start of the 2013 - 2014 season of its HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse new play development, staged reading series. This staged reading series is produced and presented as a complimentary Playhouse program to continue to develop new work and revise and reinvigorate classics.

'A Moment in Time' written by Stewart F. Lane with music and lyrics by John Denver received a reading for an invited audience at an NYC Studio Space on Tuesday, September 17th.

The critically acclaimed FURIOUS THEATRE COMPANY are thrilled to announce that they are returning to the Pasadena Playhouse's Carrie Hamilton Theatre with a brand new season, brand new ensemble members and are just as Furious as ever!

James Rocco (Vice President Programming and Producing Artistic Director of Ordway Center for the Performing Arts) is being recognized for his 25 Years of Dedication to the theatre at 3:30 p.m. on September 24, 2013 at the Times Square Visitor Center. The Broadway League and Coalition of Broadway Unions will be inducting James as well as Rob Ashford, Karen Azenberg, Jeff Calhoun, Sheldon Epps, Joey McKneely, Gregory Mosher and Susan Stroman into BROADWAY SALUTES.

The Pasadena Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Productions (LFP), announced today the principal casting for ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH, starring Ben Vereen (Broadway's Pippin and Jesus Christ Superstar) as “The Genie,” Jordan Fisher as “Aladdin” (Disney's Teen Beach Movie), Ashley Argota as “The Princess” (Nickelodeon's True Jackson VP) and Richard Karn (“Home Improvement”) as “The Sultan.”

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director), announced today that a "Playhouse Rock on El Molino" 1950's community dance party and a free outdoor screening of "Jailhouse Rock" starring Elvis Presley will celebrate the opening of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE: THE SONGS OF LEIBER AND STOLLER on Sunday, September 22, from 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. on El Molino Avenue in front of the theatre.