Sheldon Epps News

The Pasadena Playhouse production of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES by Josefina López and directed by Seema Sueko opened in conjunction with the Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project fundraising event. Legendary director, choreographer and producer Kenny Ortega will be the 2015 Diversity Award Artistic Honoree and Abel Ramirez, founder of El Portal Restaurant, will be the 2015 Community Honoree. Check out the opening night pics below!

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director) announces a special presentation for the 2015-2016 Season today. Frank Ferrante in AN EVENING WITH GROUCHO, the acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx, for three performances, Jan 9-10, 2016. Tickets for this special presentation are now on sale.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director) announced today that legendary director, choreographer and producer Kenny Ortega will be the 2015 Diversity Award Artistic Honoree, and Abel Ramirez, founder of Pasadena's El Portal Restaurant and business and cultural leader of the Pasadena community, will be the Community Honoree at the 9th Annual Pasadena Playhouse's Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project fundraising benefit on Sunday, September 13, 2015, in honor of the opening of Josefina Lopez's Real Women Have Curves.

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is now in its final performances at The Pasadena Playhouse and must close Sunday, August 23, 2015. The production was extended by popular demand, and became a summer smash, garnering milestone numbers at The Pasadena Playhouse box office.

The cast has been announced for The Pasadena Playhouse production of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES by Josefina Lopez and directed by Seema Sueko. The cast will feature Blanca Araceli (FX's The Bridge), Santana Dempsey (HBO's The Newsroom), Diana DeLaCruz (ABC Family's Chasing Life), Cristina Frias (The Motherf*cker with the Hat at South Coast Repertory), and Ingrid Oliu (HBO's Real Women Have Curves, Stand and Deliver). REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES plays September 8 through October 4 (press opening on Sunday, September 13).

The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director Sheldon Epps) announced today that, Alison Luff (Broadway: Matilda the Musical, Scandalous, GHOST the Musical, Mamma Mia!), and Constantine Maroulis (Broadway: Rock of Ages, Jekyll & Hyde, The Wedding Singer, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), will lead the cast of BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Sheldon Epps. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena).

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director) presents A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, starring Mary Bridget Davies, following her Tony Award® nominated Broadway run.  Pasadena native Kacee Clanton, also from the Broadway production of A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, will alternate the role of Janis Joplin with Davies.  The production is conceived, written and directed by Randy Johnson, with choreography by Patricia Wilcox and musical direction by Tyler Evans.  Check out a first look below!

The Pasadena Playhouse presents A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN. Conceived, written and directed by Randy Johnson, with choreography by Patricia Wilcox and musical direction by Tyler Evans. A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN stars Mary Bridget Davies, following her Tony Award nominated Broadway run. Pasadena native Kacee Clanton, also from the Broadway production of A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, will alternate the role of Janis Joplin with Davies.

The Pasadena Playhouse announced today that The New Victory Theater in New York will present the Off-Broadway premiere of The Pasadena Playhouse/Crossroads Theatre Company production of FLY, by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan, the Tony Award-winning co-founder and former artistic director of Crossroads Theatre Company, to open March 11, 2016. FLY will be directed by Ricardo Khan.

The Pasadena Playhouse announced today full casting for A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN.  Conceived, written and directed by Randy Johnson, with choreography by Patricia Wilcox and musical direction by Tyler Evans.  A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN stars Mary Bridget Davies, following her Tony Award nominated Broadway run.  Pasadena native Kacee Clanton, also from the Broadway production of A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, will alternate the role of Janis Joplin with Davies.  

WATERFALL, the epic new Broadway bound musical love story, which had its world premiere at The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director, Sheldon Epps) on June 7, 2015, will play its final performance on Sunday, June 28. The production will next play Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre October 1-25, 2015.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director Sheldon Epps) presents the World premiere of WATERFALL, an epic new Broadway bound musical love story, starring Emily Padgett (Broadway: Side Show, Rock of Ages), Thom Sesma (Broadway: The Times They are A-Changin', Man of La Mancha), J. Elaine Marcos (Broadway: Annie, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert), and Thai superstar Bie Sukrit and featuring a distinguished international creative team and a cast of 20.  

The Colony Theatre has announced that the final production of its historic 40thAnniversary season, the critically-acclaimed, smash-hit, Los Angeles Premiere of WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN A Musical Play by Joseph Vass, directed by David Ellenstein, Musical Director Kevin Toney, Musical Arranger Joseph Vass will be EXTENDING through SUNDAY, MAY 24 at the Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third Street in Burbank.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the final production of its historic 40th Anniversary season, the Los Angeles Premiere of WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN A Musical Play by Joseph Vass, directed by David Ellenstein, Musical Director Kevin Toney, Musical Arranger Joseph Vass. WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN will preview today, April 15; Thursday, April 16; and Friday, April 17 at 8:00pm. It will open on Saturday, April 18 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, May 17.

The Pasadena Playhouse announces the return engagement of A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN with Mary Bridget Davies, following her Tony Award nominated Broadway run. The acclaimed musical will perform July 21 - August 16, 2015 with the official press night on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. Tickets for A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN are now on sale to the public.

The Pasadena Playhouse announced their 2015-2016 Season today, which includes the award-winning REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES by Josefina Lopez; the World Premiere of the new musical BREAKING THROUGH with a book by Kirsten Guenther and Music and Lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz; the return of Panto at The Playhouse with Lythgoe Family Productions' PETER PAN AND TINKERBELL A PIRATE CHRISTMAS, Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan's FLY produced in association with Crossroads Theatre Company; the West Coast Premiere of Harvey Fierstein's CASA VALENTINA; and an Artistic Director's Choice to be announced at a later date.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the final production of its historic 40th Anniversary season, the Los Angeles Premiere of WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN A Musical Play by Joseph Vass, directed by David Ellenstein, Musical Director Kevin Toney, Musical Arranger Joseph Vass. WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN will preview on Wednesday, April 15; Thursday, April 16; and Friday, April 17 at 8:00pm. It will open on Saturday, April 18 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, May 17.

The ALS Association Golden West Chapter cordially invites you to a special performance dedicated to conquering ALS. Co-Producers Juliana Hansen, Melissa Verdugo, Jonathan White, and Patrick McMinn will present The 2015 Gala -- ONE STARRY NIGHT, a one-night only-benefit performance held on Monday, April 20, 2015, at the historic Pasadena Playhouse.

Yesterday, February 25, author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide…, War Horse), was joined by Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), and acclaimed director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Blues in the Night), for a conversation with Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect…, Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) at Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street, to discuss the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Today, February 25 at 7PM, Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th Street hosts author and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Stewart Lane (La Cage aux Folles, A Gentleman's Guide..., War Horse), Tony Award winning actress Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah Baby!, On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedly II), acclaimed Broadway director Sheldon Epps (Baby It's You!, Play On!, Blues in the Night), and author Tom Santopietro (The Godfather Effect..., Considering Doris Day, Sinatra in Hollywood) in a discussion about the inspiring account of the tumultuous path that black actors have traveled to reach recognition on the Great White Way.