The Pasadena Playhouse News

After 34 years as artistic director, Fountain Theatre co-founder Stephen Sachs has announced his retirement at the end of 2024.

Remembering the legacy of Rita McKenzie, a powerhouse on stage with a theatrical career spanning Broadway, TV, and symphony performances.

Open Fist Theatre Company will present the world premiere of A Froggy Becomes, written by Becky Wahlstrom and directed by Pat Towne, opening March 9 and running through April 13 at Atwater Village Theatre.

Amas Musical Theatre and the Amas Musical Theatre Lab, will present developmental lab readings of Falling For Make Believe: The Life and Songs of Lorenz Hart, with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart.

Get into the holiday spirit with Damian Dare in The Electric Kringle Caper, a must-see show at Rec Room Arts. Running until December 31st, 2023, this magical performance is not to be missed. Book your tickets now and experience the wonder!

JOB, the critically acclaimed psychological thriller about the toll life on the internet takes on all of us, which played a sold-out, twice-extended Off Broadway run this fall, will return for an encore engagement next month.  Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!

Per playwright Howard L. Craft, the spirit of the human soul has the capacity to return to earth multiple times until it successfully learns…well…whatever it is supposed to learn. Can’t speak for the soul, but the performer J. Alphonse Nicholson needs no do-overs to embody the five incarnations of Abel Green within Craft’s play FREIGHT. Simply put, Nicholson nails each Green ably, in every possible way. Completely.

A re-imagined production of Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s Inherit the Wind is currently playing on the Pasadena Playhouse stage, just extended through December 3, 2023. Michael Michetti directs the cast, led by Alfred Molina & John Douglas Thompson as the battling lawyers in a trial inspired by the Scopes Monkey trials in 1925. Rounding out the talented company: Chris Perfetti, Abubakr Al, David Aaron Baker, Rachel Hilson, Jared, Brian Calì, Marlene Forte, Matt Gomez Hidaka, Thomas Hobson, Michael Kostroff, John W. Lawson, Philip J. Lewis, Gabriella Pizzigoni, Rene Rivera and Pam Trotter. After the whirlwind of opening night and unexpected COVID cancellations, John Douglas graciously found some time to chat with me on the phone.

The National Theatre Conference announces its 2023 award recipients, including Jacob G. Padrón as Person of the Year, Deaf West Theatre for Outstanding Theater, a.k. payne for Stavis Playwriting, Isabel Pask for The Paul Green, and Joshua Castille for Emerging Professional.

Pasadena Playhouse announces the cast for their Holiday Spectacular, including Broadway stars MaryAnn Hu and Lesli Margheita. Get all the details here.

Director Michael Michetti has put thought and heart into his production and peopled it with a strong cast whose characters opt for playing the strength of their convictions over histrionics. A hurricane force this WIND is not, but there’s plenty to enjoy.

Steve Carell is headed to Broadway! The actor, best known for starring in the television series The Office, will make his Broadway debut in Lincoln Center Theater's upcoming production of Anton Chekhov’s classic UNCLE VANYA. Find out more information about the production here!

The independent film DARUMA, directed by Alexander Yellen, makes its East Coast debut at the Dances with Film Festival in New York. Starring Barry Bostwick and Abigail Hawk, the authentically cast drama follows a paraplegic's journey to reunite with his daughter. Don't miss the New York premiere on December 1st at Regal Cinemas in Union Square.

The musical workshop of The Manager world premieres at The Bourbon Room November 13th and 14th. The real-life story of the six degrees of separation between Elvis, Colonel Tom Parker, Ricky Nelson and Louis Jay Pearlman is told through the original songs by Ben Susskind. Steve Josephson directs the cast of Kevin Baily, Ted Barton, Steve Josephson, Payson Lewis, Douglas Nottage, Marguerite MacIntyre, Jesse Corbin, Travis Nesbitt, Jesse JP Johnson, Christopher Messin, Cecily Gish and Melanie Au-Yeung. Kevin, who wears two hats in this production as producer and as Colonel Parker, managed to carve out some time to answer a few of my queries between his producing and rehearsing obligations for The Manager and his current stint as John Boehner role in 44.

A cast change has been announced for the New York premiere of Madwomen of the West, a new comedy by Sandra Tsing Loh. Brooke Adams will join Caroline Aaron, Marilu Henner, and Melanie Mayron, under the direction of Thomas Caruso.

Brooke Adams is set to join Caroline Aaron, Marilu Henner, and Melanie Mayron in the new comedy 'Madwomen of the West' at Actors Temple Theater. Directed by Thomas Caruso, the Off-Broadway production starts performances on November 11th. Don't miss this hilarious and talented cast!

MUSE/IQUE presents 'Gospel and the King: Elvis' at First Congregational Church LA on October 19 and 21.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phylicia Rashad and more well-known figures in the theatre world will be meeting to discuss the crisis facing nonprofit regional theater with congressional leaders. 

JOB, the world premiere of a new play by Max Wolf Friedlich, starring Peter Friedman and Sydney Lemmon has extended its critically acclaimed run.

Get ready for an enlightening evening of theater talk as Christopher Ashley, the Artistic Director of the acclaimed La Jolla Playhouse, joins host Bob Barth on 'Bob Barth's One Night Stand.'