Stephen Eich News

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that the theatre will host THE FIRST ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL on Saturday, May 14 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The new Broadway musical Baby It's You! tells the inspiring story of Florence Greenberg, the woman who changed the recording world forever when she discovered The Shirelles and created Scepter Records, becoming the music industry's first female powerhouse. Starring Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as Greenberg (just nominated for a 2011 Tony for the role), conceived by Floyd Mutrux, directed by Floyd Mutruxand Sheldon Epps, and written by Tony nominated book writers Mutrux and Colin Escott, the team behind Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet, Baby It's You! began performances at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) Saturday, March 26, 2011, and opened on, April 27, 2011. Prior to Broadway, the production held an out-of-town try out at the Pasedena Playhouse in California. In celebration of the show's progress and success, friends of the Pasadena hosted a pre-Broadway opening reception at Angus McIndoe. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below!

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) congratulate SISTER ACT and BABY IT'S YOU! for receiving six 2011 Tony Award nominations. Both productions had their world premieres at The Pasadena Playhouse - SISTER ACT in October, 2006 and BABY IT'S YOU! in November, 2009.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced today that Tamyra Gray will star as 'Della' in the Pasadena premiere of TWIST - An American Musical, based on Charles Dickens' classic Oliver Twist. This heart-warming family musical features a book by Tony Award-nominee William F. Brown (Broadway's The Wiz - winner of seven Tony Awards) and Tina Tippit, music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winner Tena Clark (Natalie Cole's Still Unforgettable), and music by Gary Prim (songwriter for Dionne Warwick and CeCe Winans). Golden Globe and multi-Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen (Broadway and the West Ends' Cat on A Hot Tin Roof - 2010 Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Play and TV's 'Fame') is set to direct and choreograph the new musical. TWIST is presented in association with TAM Producing Partners - Skyline Pictures (Michelle Seward and Dror Soref), Edgework Productions (Willette Klausner), and GGE Live (Gary Goddard & Forbes Candlish). Performances begin June 14, 2011 and play through July 17, 2011 with the official press opening on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino).

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) presents a one-night-only live broadcast of the 10th anniversary presentation of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE, created by and starring Hershey Felder.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that the theatre will host THE FIRST ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL on Saturday, May 14 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) presents a one-night-only live broadcast of the 10th anniversary presentation of George Gershwin ALONE, created by and starring Hershey Felder. This special event will be broadcast live on 98.7 WFMT in Chicago and syndicated globally by the WFMT Radio Network at 7:00 pm PDT on Monday, May 2, 2011. The local Los Angeles area broadcast will be carried on KMZT (K-Mozart) 1260 AM.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that a 10th anniversary presentation of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE, created by and starring Hershey Felder, will play a limited engagement at The Pasadena Playhouse

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) presents a one-night-only live broadcast of the 10th anniversary presentation of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE, created by and starring Hershey Felder.

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, caps its 2010-2011 Season with the regional premiere of 'Rantoul & Die' by Mark Roberts, directed by Erin Quigley. 'Rantoul & Die' will take place in the Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater April 22-May 22. Previews are April 22-25; press opening is Thursday, April 28. For more information visit americanbluestheater.com.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that a 10th anniversary presentation of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE, created by and starring Hershey Felder, will play a limited engagement at The Pasadena Playhouse

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that a 10th anniversary presentation of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE, created by and starring Hershey Felder, will play a limited engagement at The Pasadena Playhouse. Performances will begin April 12, 2011, with the official press opening on Sunday, April 17, 2011. A global live radio broadcast of the production on the WFMT Radio Network will take place on May 2nd. The Playhouse will also present the popular Hershey Felder's Great American Songbook Sing-Along, which is scheduled for April 25 and May 9, 2011.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced today that their annual fund-raiser entitled PREMIERE GALA: "OPENING NIGHT" will be held at The Pasadena Playhouse on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, caps its 2010-2011 Season with the regional premiere of 'Rantoul & Die' by Mark Roberts, directed by Erin Quigley. 'Rantoul & Die' will take place in the Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater April 22-May 22. Previews are April 22-25; press opening is Thursday, April 28. For more information visit americanbluestheater.com.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced today that tickets are now on sale for TWIST - An American Musical, based on Charles Dickens' classic Oliver Twist.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that a 10th anniversary presentation of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE, created by and starring Hershey Felder, will play a limited engagement at The Pasadena Playhouse

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced their 2011-2012 Season today. The season will include one world premiere musical, one new play starring Academy Award-nominee Angela Bassett (Fences at The Pasadena Playhouse), a Tony Award-winning smash hit, an American classic and will conclude with a new musical to be announced. The 2011-2012 Season begins September 2011.

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, presents a benefit performance of 'American Blues - Collected One-Acts' by Tennessee Williams on the Victory Gardens Biograph mainstage, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Tuesday, March 8, 2011, from 6:00 - 10 p.m. Guest artist E. Fay Butler will perform during the pre-benefit VIP reception from 5 - 6 p.m. The evening will be emceed by ABT Board Secretary Joan Esposito, co-founder of J2SC. For more information call (312) 725 - 4228, email info@americanbluestheater.com or visit www.americanbluestheater.com.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that full casting is complete for the new musical DANGEROUS BEAUTY by Jeannine Dominy (book), Michele Brourman (music) and Amanda McBroom (lyrics). Tony Award-nominee Sheryl Kaller directs a cast of twenty that is led by Jenny Powers (Broadway's Grease) as Veronica Franco. Rehearsals for the world premiere musical begin December 27, 2010. The five-week limited engagement ends March 6, 2011 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue).

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that a 10th anniversary presentation of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE, created by and starring Hershey Felder, will play a limited engagement at The Pasadena Playhouse