The Pasadena Playhouse News

Pasadena Playhouse, The State Theater of California offers an exciting line up of educational and community events this spring. 

Vendôme Pictures and Pathé Films has announced they are partnering with Tony Award-winning Deaf West Theatre (DJ Kurs, Artistic Director) to develop the stage musical adaptation of the Academy Award-nominated, smash hit film CODA. The film also made history being the first predominantly deaf cast to win the coveted ensemble prize at the SAG Awards.

Written by and starring Holland Taylor, Ann is an inspiring and hilarious look at the life of celebrated Texas Governor, Ann Richards. Taylor is now set to present the West Coast premiere of Ann at the Pasadena Playhouse. Ann, directed by Benjamin Endsley Klein, runs from March 22 through April 24.

For one show only, Frank Ferrante will perform his acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx in Frank Ferrante's Groucho.

This Week's New Classified Listings on BroadwayWorld for 1/27/2022 include new jobs for those looking to work in the theatre industry.

This Week's New Classified Listings on BroadwayWorld for 1/20/2022 include new jobs for those looking to work in the theatre industry.

THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY has announced its return to live performances with three plays performing in repertory. THE PLAY YOU WANT, written by Bernardo Cubria and directed by Michael John Garcés, will begin previews on Tuesday, February 8; will open on Friday, February 11 at 8pm and run through Sunday, March 27.

Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) proudly presents A HOLIDAY HOMECOMING, marking its return to live, in-person concerts after a two-year pandemic hiatus. This Los Angeles holiday tradition kicks off GMCLA’s Season 43 at UCLA’s Royce Hall for two concerts only: Saturday, December 11 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m.

If you are a person who enjoys a good “out of sync,” then you belong in the turbulence-riddled realm of Arcadia by way of the Pasadena Playhouse where kings are queens, handmaids love above their station and amazons are…well, lots of things to a lot of people.

The Pasadena Playhouse opens its 2021-2022 season on November 13, 2021 with HEAD OVER HEELS, co-directed and co-choreographed by Jenny Koons and Sam Pinkleton. For these live performances featuring the music of the iconic L.A.-based female rock band The Go-Go’s, the Pasadena Playhouse had been reconfigured to include a dance floor to complement the traditional reserved theatre seats. HEAD OVER HEELS‘s cast is diversely comprised of: Alaska 5000, Lea DeLaria, Yurel Echezarreta, Tiffany Mann, George Salazar, Freddie, Emily Skeggs and Shanice Williams. Got the chance to catch George before their first preview for some behind-the-scenes info.

At the first performance of Head Over Heels, Assemblymember Chris Holden presented the symbolic $1.6 million check he secured from the State Budget for the historic Pasadena Playhouse that was critical for a return indoors. The event marked the theater's first public performance since it closed due to the pandemic. 

Today's episode features stage and screen star Mary McCormack. Tony-nominated for her role in Broadway’s “Boeing Boeing” opposite Mark Rylance, she is also widely known for her four seasons as a regular cast member of “The West Wing' (two SAG Award nominations), as the lead of USA’s critically acclaimed “In Plain Sight,” and for her role opposite Howard Stern in Private Parts. 

Windows, a new play written by Tawni O'Dell, adapted from the highly acclaimed top-rated audio drama Closing the Distance, has announced that it will make its Broadway premiere next Spring.

Thoughts of a Colored Man officially opens on Broadway on October 13, at the John Golden Theatre. Meet the cast and learn more about who is starring in the play!

Ebony Repertory Theatre announces full cast and creative team for BLUES IN THE NIGHT, the Tony and Olivier Award-nominated musical conceived by Sheldon Epps. Presented by Ebony Rep, in association with International City Theatre, ERT's Founder and Producing Artistic Director Wren T. Brown (ERT's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill) directs this powerful and soulful blues celebration.

Ebony Repertory Theatre has announced full cast and creative team for BLUES IN THE NIGHT, the Tony and Olivier Award-nominated musical conceived by Sheldon Epps.

The York Theatre Company in association with Riki Kane Larimer, will present the world premiere of Cheek to Cheek: Irving Berlin in Hollywood, a song and dance celebration featuring the music and lyrics of the legendary Irving Berlin, with book by Barry Kleinbort, music direction by David Hancock Turner, and directed by Randy Skinner.

Artists Rep's Board of Directors, along with Executive Director J.S. May and Managing Director Kisha Jarrett,  have begun succession planning and are collaborating to ensure a smooth artistic leadership transition. In the midst of the transition, the non-profit organization launches its return to in-person production with its 39th season of intimate, provocative theatre.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the return of in-person performances at the Theater’s home on Navy Pier with the much-awaited debut of As You Like It infused with the hit songs of The Beatles, beginning October 6, 2021. 

Kritzerland will resume its LIVE presentations at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s with KRITZERLAND’s 114th July 28, 2021. Bruce Kimmel, the mastermind behind (and front center) of Kritzerland made some time available between his creative multi-taskings to talk about Kritzerland and his various other accomplishments.