Sheldon Epps News

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Tom Ware, Producing Director) announced today that John E. Alexander will serve as their new Director of External Relations for the theatre. He will oversee the Playhouse's marketing, sales and community relations efforts and will be working to expand the theatre's exposure regionally and nationally.

Jubilee Theatre Artistic Director Ed Smith announces the theatre's 2009-2010 season, a lineup that opens with the sole North American production this year of The Dance on Widow's Row by Samm-Art Williams.

BLUES IN THE NIGHT is a delightful compilation of material that celebrates the many styles associated with the music known as the blues. As conceived by Sheldon Epps, this musical follows three women and a saloon singer as they recall memories from their past in song form. The Black Rep's current production showcases four superb vocalists who bring their own unique talents to the work, creating a marvelous and uplifting experience, filled with enough genuine warmth and good humor, that it may well redefine how you feel about the blues.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) today announced full casting for the upcoming production of Lillian Hellman?s The Little Foxes, which began rehearsals this week. Dámaso Rodriguez (Pasadena Playhouse Associate Artistic Director), who directed Pasadena Playhouse?s critically-acclaimed production of Orson?s Shadow, directs a cast of ten led by Kelly McGillis as Regina Giddens (Top Gun and Broadway?s Hedda Gabler) and Julia Duffy as Birdie Hubbard (CBS?s ?Newhart?). Preview performances begin May 22 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena).

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) today announced full casting for the upcoming production of Lillian Hellman's THE LITTLE FOXES, which began rehearsals this week. Dámaso Rodriguez (Pasadena Playhouse Associate Artistic Director), who directed Pasadena Playhouse's critically-acclaimed production of Orson's Shadow, directs a cast of ten led by Kelly McGillis as Regina Giddens (Top Gun and Broadway's Hedda Gabler) and Julia Duffy as Birdie Hubbard (CBS's 'Newhart'). Preview performances begin May 22 with the official press opening set for Friday, May 29 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena).

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) today announced full casting for the upcoming production of Lillian Hellman's THE LITTLE FOXES, which began rehearsals this week.

Group sales tickets (15 or more) and subscriptions including CROWNS go on sale Saturday, May 9 for the Pasadena Playhouse run of the acclaimed musical. In celebration of the on-sale, Pasadena Playhouse is hosting an afternoon of festivities. Prior to the sneak-peek presentation, there will be FREE live jazz hosted by The Instrumental Women Project, entertainment and food provided by Gelson's Supermarkets in the Courtyard.

WriteGirl, the Los Angeles-based creative writing and mentoring organization, in partnership with the acclaimed Pasadena Playhouse is pleased to announce PlayWriteGirl, which will be held May 3 at the Pasadena Playhouse. From 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., more than 65 teen girls from Pasadena and beyond, along with their mentors, will participate in the workshop part of PlayWriteGirl. They will learn about monologue and scene-writing in sessions led by guest writers, including screenwriter Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), screenwriter Gina Prince-Bythewood (Secret Life of Bees), producer Jennifer Crittenden (The New Adventures of Old Christine, Seinfeld), Martha Williamson and Jule Selbo (Touched by an Angel) and playwrights Laural Meade and Jennie Webb.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) today announced full casting for the upcoming production of Lillian Hellman?s The Little Foxes, which began rehearsals this week. Dámaso Rodriguez (Pasadena Playhouse Associate Artistic Director), who directed Pasadena Playhouse?s critically-acclaimed production of Orson?s Shadow, directs a cast of ten led by Kelly McGillis as Regina Giddens (Top Gun and Broadway?s Hedda Gabler) and Julia Duffy as Birdie Hubbard (CBS?s ?Newhart?). Preview performances begin May 22 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena).

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) today announced full casting for the upcoming production of Lillian Hellman's THE LITTLE FOXES, which began rehearsals this week. Dámaso Rodriguez (Pasadena Playhouse Associate Artistic Director), who directed Pasadena Playhouse's critically-acclaimed production of Orson's Shadow, directs a cast of ten led by Kelly McGillis as Regina Giddens (Top Gun and Broadway's Hedda Gabler) and Julia Duffy as Birdie Hubbard (CBS's 'Newhart'). Preview performances begin May 22 with the official press opening set for Friday, May 29 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena).

WriteGirl, the Los Angeles-based creative writing and mentoring organization, in partnership with the acclaimed Pasadena Playhouse is pleased to announce PlayWriteGirl, which will be held May 3 at the Pasadena Playhouse. From 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., more than 65 teen girls from Pasadena and beyond, along with their mentors, will participate in the workshop part of PlayWriteGirl. They will learn about monologue and scene-writing in sessions led by guest writers, including screenwriter Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), screenwriter Gina Prince-Bythewood (Secret Life of Bees), producer Jennifer Crittenden (The New Adventures of Old Christine, Seinfeld), Martha Williamson and Jule Selbo (Touched by an Angel) and playwrights Laural Meade and Jennie Webb.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) announced today that LAUGHING MATTERS, a world premiere musical featuring a book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart (author of the international best-selling novel 'Beaches'), music by Mike Stoller (Smokey Joe's Café) and Artie Butler (Feelin' Alright by Joe Cocker), and directed by Leonard Foglia (Broadway's Thurgood starring Laurence Fishburne), will be the final production of the 2009 Season entitled WOMEN: The Heart and Soul of Theatre.

Pasadena Playhouse announced today that LAUGHING MATTERS, a world premiere musical featuring a book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart (author of the international best-selling novel 'Beaches'), music by Mike Stoller (Smokey Joe's Café) and Artie Butler (Feelin' Alright by Joe Cocker), and directed by Leonard Foglia (Broadway's Thurgood starring Laurence Fishburne), will be the final production of the 2009 Season.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) announced casting today for the upcoming production of MAURITIUS by Theresa Rebeck.

Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Ken Novice, Interim Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) announced casting today for the upcoming production of MAURITIUS by Theresa Rebeck.

Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director, Sheldon Epps; Interim Managing Director, Ken Novice; Producing Director, Tom Ware) today announced that upon closing night on March 8, 2009 Stormy Weather starring Leslie Uggams as Lena Horne has surpassed SISTER ACT the Musical as the top selling production in both dollars and tickets (SISTER ACT the Musical bows at the London Palladium on June 2, 2009).

It was with great dismay that I read a recent notice in the Los Angeles Times of layoffs amongst the theatre critic and arts coverage world at publications including the LA Weekly, Daily Variety and the L.A. Daily News...

Stormy Weather has been extended at The Pasadena Playhouse through 3/8 Conceived and written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen Suggested by the biography Lena Horne, Entertainer published by Chelsea House By special arrangements with Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley and Armica Productions Music by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Jerome Kern, Billy Strayhorn and more Choreography by Randy Skinner Directed by Michael Bush

Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director, Sheldon Epps; Interim Managing Director, Ken Novice; Producing Director, Tom Ware) announced on Friday, January 30 that Stormy Weather, starring Leslie Uggams as Lena Horne, is now the non-profit?s record-holder for advance single ticket sales prior to opening night.

The results of the 2008 Executive Board Election were announced on November 17, 2008 at the annual SSDC membership meeting in New York. Joining the leadership of President Karen Azenberg, Executive Vice President Larry Carpenter and Treasurer Doug Hughes are director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall as Vice President and director Mary B. Robinson as Secretary. New members Joe Calarco and Leigh Silverman joined the Board, along with incumbents Rob Ashford, Edie Cowan, Ethan McSweeny, Tom Moore, Lisa Peterson, Daniel Sullivan, David Warren and Chay Yew. After twelve years of valued service, Mark Brokaw and Sheldon Epps rotated off the Board.