World Premieres, Broadway-Bound Productions Propel Pasadena Playhouse to Record Season

By: Tyler Peterson Sep. 04, 2013

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director) announced today that its 2012 - 2013 "Better Than Ever" season, which concluded with the closing performance of Sleepless in Seattle - The Musical, exceeded sales and attendance goals for the theatre's fiscal year. The Playhouse's season was highlighted by the world premieres of the comedy Under My Skin and Sleepless in Seattle - The Musical; the smash-hit One Night With Janis Joplin, which was developed at The Playhouse, recently announced its Broadway engagement for this fall; and the launch of a long-term partnership with Lythgoe Family Productions for an annual holiday Panto at The Playhouse. The fiscal year closed with new summer programming that included an inaugural Cirque-A-Palooza festival, a one-week run of Letters From Zora starring Vanessa Bell Calloway and a sold out nine show limited engagement of Val Kilmer in Citizen Twain.

Overall attendance for the season increased by 21% for a total of over 91,000 patrons. The three non-season summer productions brought in an additional 38,000 patrons. Total ticket sales for the season grossed over $4 million (a 56% increase over 2011 - 2012 revenue) and single ticket sales also enjoyed a 30% increase over last season. During this same period, the subscriber base increased by 11%. These financial successes continue into the upcoming 2013 - 2014 season with subscriptions already over 65% renewed, one month into a renewal campaign and subscription revenue already at 75% of sales goals. Fundraising efforts for the 2012 - 2013 season also exceeded goals with the close of The Playhouse's fiscal year on August 31st.

In addition to the season's many financial successes, The Pasadena Playhouse also welcomed Executive Director Elizabeth Doran to its administration this past September. In her inaugural year Elizabeth has been focused on and committed to more deeply integrating The Playhouse and the local community. Early examples of these efforts include the free Saint Patrick's Day street party "Shamrock 'n' Roll" tied to the opening night performance of One Night With Janis Joplin along with a display of Janis Joplin's original psychedelically painted Porsche and a one-night only benefit concert with Ozomatli to raise funds for The Playhouse's Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project. Doran, in partnership with Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, has also been dedicated to filling The Playhouse stages with additional exciting programming outside of its traditional seasonal productions such as the upcoming Cirque-A-Palooza summer festival (July 19 - August 11), a presentation of Letters From Zora starring Vanessa Bell Calloway (August 15 - 18) and a limited engagement of Val Kilmer in Citizen Twain (August 21 - 24).

"It is no secret that this has been a challenging time for our field," stated Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. "Given that, it is extremely gratifying and inspiring to know that The Playhouse has had such a richly rewarding season on all levels. I am proud of the work that we've had in every area of our building, and so grateful that it has generated such tremendous support from the box office, our subscribers and a number of funding sources including our magnificent donors. Much of this success is certainly directly the result of my strong and rewarding collaboration with Elizabeth, who has brought a vivacious and fresh energy to our theatre, which has been a major factor in our having such a tremendous season."

"This was a year of passionate, tenacious pursuit of our goals and powerful response from our patrons to our focus on artistic excellence and audience engagement," added Playhouse Executive Director Elizabeth Doran. "It has been a defining year artistically, and strategically sets the stage for our 100th anniversary in 2017. It has been a joy to work this year with Sheldon, a visionary Artistic Director whose breadth of work has enriched and empowered our local and national community. It has been a pleasure to work with a committed board and staff who have been steadfast in meeting challenges, uncertainty, and new ideas with grace, skill, and creativity. Ultimately, of course, it is the community that we serve that has made our success possible. This has been the combination of forces that has propelled The Playhouse forward this year, and that will provide a strong base for our plans for our Centennial and our future."

Nationally, The Pasadena Playhouse is currently represented with the touring productions of Sister Act - The Musical and Looped, starring Stephanie Powers. Looped grew from a Hothouse at The Playhouse staged reading to the main stage in 2008 - it then was presented on Broadway in 2010. Unchain My Heart, The Ray Charles Musical, which premiered at The Playhouse, One Night With Janis Joplin, as well as a revival of Can-Can directed by David Lee are all scheduled to open on Broadway in the 2013-2014 Season.

The Pasadena Playhouse's 2012 - 2013 season featured the following productions:

Under My Skin - A World Premiere Comedy
Written by RoBert Sternin and Prudence Fraser
Directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge
September 11 - October 7, 2012

Intimate Apparel
By Lynn Nottage
Directed by Sheldon Epps
November 6 - December 2, 2012

Fallen Angels
By Noël Coward
Directed by Art Manke
January 29 - February 24, 2013

One Night With Janis Joplin
Created, Written and Directed by Randy Johnson
March 15 - April 21, 2013

Sleepless in Seattle - The Musical
Book by Jeff Arch
Music by Ben Toth, Lyrics by Sam Forman
Choreographed by Spencer Liff
Directed by Sheldon Epps
May 24 - June 23, 2013

Special holiday presentation
A Snow White Christmas
A Lythgoe Family Production
Written by Kris Lythgoe
Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe
December 12 - 30, 2012

Non-season summer programming included:

Cirque-A-Palooza
Summer Spectacle and Comi Calamity
Created and Directed by Stefan Haves
July 19 - August 11, 2013

Letters From Zora
Written by Gabrielle Pina
Directed by Anita Dashielle-Sparks
Starring Vanessa Bell Calloway
August 15 - 18, 2013

Val Kilmer in Citizen Twain
Written and Directed by Val Kilmer
August 21 - 30, 2013

The Playhouse's recently announced 2013 - 2014 Season will include the following productions:

Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Songs of Leiber and Stoller
Words and Music by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Directed by Jeffrey Polk
September 17 - October 13, 2013

Twelve Angry Men
By Reginald Rose
Directed by Sheldon Epps
November 5 - December 1, 2013

Above the Fold
By Bernard Weinraub
Directed by Steve Robman
January 28 - February 23, 2014

A Song at Twilight
By Noël Coward
Directed by Art Manke
March 18 - April 13, 2014

Artistic Director's Choice (TBD)
Directed by Sheldon Epps
May 27 - June 22, 2014

Aladdin and His Winter Wish
Special holiday presentation
A Lythgoe Family Production
Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe
December 11 - 29, 2013

For more information about The Pasadena Playhouse visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

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