Pasadena Playhouse to Host PREMIERE GALA - TAKE THE LEAD AT THE PLAYHOUSE, 5/4

The Pasadena Playhouse announced today the planning and honorary gala committee members leading the best party in Pasadena annual fundraiser entitled PREMIERE GALA -TAKE THE LEAD AT THE PLAYHOUSE. The Pasadena Playhouse's gala will be held on the stage of The Pasadena Playhouse on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 5:30p.m.

Gala Committee Chair Teena Hostovich commented, "The Pasadena Playhouse is not only the official State Theatre of California, but it is the heart of the Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley arts and cultural community. Our Gala on May 4 "Take the Lead" will not only pay tribute to our rich history, but celebrate our incredible honorees - the Lythgoe Family - as well as our exciting present and future. My incredible planning committee, board members, staff and I sincerely hope that everyone will join us at Pasadena's Party of the Year!"

In addition to Ms. Hostovich, Gala Committee Members include: Lesley Brander, Darrell Brooke, Patti Eisenberg, Brenda Galloway, Amy LoCascio, Shannon J. Miller, Jessica Staats and Brett Stangeland.

Honorary Committee Members include: Debbie Allen, Supervisor Michael Antonovich, Angela Bassett, Mayor Bill Bogaard, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Peggy Ebright, Michele Dedeaux Engemann, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Assemblymember Mike Gatto, Taraji P. Henson, Assemblymember Chris Holden, Kathleen K. Johnson, Councilmember John J. Kennedy, David Lee, Spencer Liff, State Senator Carol Liu, Councilmember Steve Madison, Councilmember Gene Masuda, Councilmember Margaret McAustin, Beverley Morgan Sandoz, Mary Murphy, Honorable Anthony Portantino, Vice Mayor Jacque Robinson, French Stewart, Jeff Thacker, Councilmember Terry Tornek, Ben Vereen, Patricia Ward Kelly and Lyla White.

The Pasadena Playhouse's Board of Directors include: David DiCristofaro (Acting Chairman), Sheila Grether-Marion (Chairman), Tony Phillips (Treasurer), Linda Boyd Griffey (Secretary), Lenore Almanzar, Valerie Amidon, Sheri Ball, Darrell Brooke, Elizabeth Doran, Peggy Ebright, Sheldon Epps, George A. Henning, Teena Hostovich, Brad King, Amy LoCascio, Darrell Miller Michael A. Persaud, Abel Ramirez, Bingo Roncelli, Lihah Stangeland, Corky Hale Stoller, Mike Stoller and Martha Williamson.

This year's event will celebrate dance and choreography at The Pasadena Playhouse and will honor the Playhouse's great friends and partners the Lythgoe Family: Nigel Lythgoe, Bonnie Lythgoe, Simon Lythgoe, Kris Lythgoe, and Becky Lythgoe. The Playhouse Board of Directors, led by Committee Chair, Teena Hostovich, will be spearheading this red carpet gala event.

In his earliest days, family patriarch Nigel Lythgoe began as a dancer, eventually advancing the techniques of filming choreography, and creating and producing iconic dance and music shows like "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance." Family matriarch Bonnie Lythgoe also began her career as a dancer and choreographer, and now produces theater in London, Australia and the U.S. She annually directs Panto at The Playhouse each holiday season. Sons Simon and Kris continue the legacy of engaging audiences in the arts - Simon is a world-class television producer, and Kris, along with wife Becky, have made a major impact at The Pasadena Playhouse - producing mainstage Pantos that enrich young audiences and delight families.

The Pasadena Playhouse is renowned for its work creating new plays and musicals, many of which move on to Broadway, London, and beyond. The choreographers and dancers of The Pasadena Playhouse represent some of the greatest talent in the field, and The Playhouse is thrilled to celebrate their work on this magical night featuring scrumptious food, the best party in Pasadena, and a sampling of surprise performances.

Corporate, patron, underwriting and other sponsorship opportunities are available from $1,500 -$25,000.

Outlook Newspapers is a media sponsor of PREMIERE GALA -TAKE THE LEAD AT THE PLAYHOUSE.

For more information about PREMIERE GALA -TAKE THE LEAD AT THE PLAYHOUSE sponsorship or to buy tickets, please contact Julia Fitzgibbons in the Special Events Office at 626-204-7383 or jfitzgibbons@pasadenaplayhouse.org.