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Announcing: Blank Theatre Presents Fourth Annual Production of “The Santaland Diaries” – Previews Begin Fri 11/16

THE BLANK THEATRE PRODUCTION OF “THE SANTALAND DIARIES”
RETURNS TO THE STELLA ADLER THEATRE
STARRING PAOLO ANDINO
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL MATTHEWS
PERFORMANCES BEGIN NOVEMBER 16
OPENING NIGHT SET FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 AT 8:00

The Blank Theatre’s annual holiday production of “The Santaland Diaries” by David Sedaris, now in its fourth year, will again star Paolo Andino and be directed by Michael Matthews. “Santaland” begins preview performances on Friday, November 16, and opening night is set for Saturday, November 24 at 8:00 at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.

“The Santaland Diaries” is an outrageously funny solo play by NPR’s well-loved humorist David Sedaris, about his experiences as an unemployed writer who takes a job as a Christmas elf at Macy’s in New York City. At first, the job is simply humiliating, but once thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa’s workshop, David (or, as his alter ego is known, Crumpet the Elf) becomes battle weary and bitter, occasionally taking out his frustrations on the parents and children alike.

Paolo Andino is best known for his two seasons on LOGO’s “Big Gay Sketch Show.” Film: “Fatties,” “Pink & Green,” “Choking Man.” TV: “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Ed,” “Army Wives.” Stage: “Pieces,” “Anna in the Tropics,” “The 39 Steps,” “The Food Chain,” and “Waiting for Godot.”

Michael Matthews recently directed the intimate theatre premiere of “The Color Purple, The Musical” which is nominated for 13 Ovation Awards, including Best Director of a Musical. Also from this past season, his production of “What’s Wrong With Angry?” is Ovation Award-nominated, including Best Director of a Play. Matthews is the winner of two 2011 NAACP image Awards for his direction of “The Women of Brewster Place” and “Take Me Out,” both at Celebration Theatre. He directed The Blank’s productions of “The Jazz Age” and “The Temperamentals.” Others include “Haram! Iran!,” “Three Tall Women,” “Stupid Kids,” “Beautiful Thing,” and, most recently, the critically acclaimed and Ovation Recommended world premiere production of “Justin Love” at Celebration Theatre. Matthews also served as assistant director on “Dead End” at the Ahmanson Theatre and “The Cherry Orchard” at the Mark Taper Forum.

For those who like a little spice with their Christmas sugar, this tale of mass marketing, stressed out sales clerks, drunk Santas, screaming kids and the general insanity of the holidays is hilarious, witty, sardonic and unpredictable; mercilessly cutting through the Christmas spirit to point out what crazy things we do as human beings during the holidays.

The set design for “The Santaland Diaries” is by Sean Vasquez, lighting design is by Tim Swiss, costume design is by Michael Mullen, and sound design is by Warren Davis. The stage manager is Sarah A. Bauer, and the show is being produced for The Blank Theatre by Daniel Henning, Matthew Graber, and Noah Wyle.

Preview performances begin Friday, November 16 at 8pm, and continue on Saturday, November 17 at 8pm, Sunday, November 18 at 2pm, Tuesday, November 20 at 8pm, and Friday, November 23 at 8pm. Opening night is set for Saturday, November 24 at 8:00. There will be no performance on Sunday, November 25. The regular running schedule is Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through December 16 only. All tickets are $30, and may be purchased by visiting www.TheBlank.com or by calling (323) 661-9827. The Stella Adler Theatre is located at 6773 Hollywood Boulevard, on the corner of Hollywood and Highland.

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10-23-12

Announcing: Family Ticket Packages Now Available for ‘A Snow White Christmas’ at The Pasadena Playhouse

FAMILY TICKET PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE FOR
THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE AND
LYTHGOE FAMILY PRODUCTIONS’
A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS

Pasadena Playhouse LogoPASADENA, CA (October 19, 2012) – The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director) and Lythgoe Family Productions, announced today that family ticket packages are now available for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS (December 13 – 23) with prices starting at $99.00 for a four-ticket package. A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will begin December 13 and continue through December 23, with a gala press opening night on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse.

Family ticket packages are available for all performances December 13 – 23 and include two adult and two child tickets and prices start at $99.00 for Rear Orchestra seating on weekday performances (Tuesday – Friday evenings). Additional packages are available at $159.00 for Front Orchestra/Front Mezzanine seating on weekdays and Rear Orchestra seating on weekend performances (Saturday – Sunday) and $199.00 for Front Orchestra/Front Mezzanine seating on weekend performances (Saturday – Sunday). Additional tickets are available to add on to all Family packages.

An updated version of the classic tale, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS features family-friendly magic, with a comedic twist, dancing (with “So You Think You Can Dance” alumni), a live miniature pony and contemporary music from Katy Perry’s “Firework” to Huey Lewis and the News’ “Power of Love” to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and more. A Panto is known for its interactive style and humor that appeals to everyone from ages 2 – 102! Before every performance, guests and their families are invited to enjoy a “Winter Wonderland” event in The Playhouse’s Engemann Family Courtyard, complete with holiday music, crafts, activities, games and photo opportunities.

Lythgoe Family Productions produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience the whole family can share.

The cast for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS features:
· Ariana Grande as “Snow White” (Nickelodeon’s “Victorious”)
· Neil Patrick Harris as “The Magic Mirror” (“How I Met Your Mother”)
· Charlene Tilton as “The Wicked Queen” (“Dallas”)
· Curt Hansen as “Prince Harry” (Broadway’s Next to Normal and Hairspray)
· Jonathan Scott Meza as “Muddles” (“The Jumpitz”)
· David Figlioli as “Herman the Huntsman”

In addition to director Bonnie Lythgoe, the creative team for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS includes choreography by Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee for “So You Think You Can Dance”), musical direction, additional music and arrangements by Michael Orland (“American Idol”), book by Kris Lythgoe, scenic and costume design by Lythgoe Family Productions creative department with additional costume design by designer Julia Clancy, Donna Maas and Kleev Guessford, additional scenic design by J.J. Wickham (LFP producers include Kris Lythgoe, Bonnie Lythgoe, Becky Baeling and Jason Haigh-Ellery).

A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will play from December 13 – 23, 2012 with a gala press opening on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. There are no performances on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 18 and 19. Single ticket prices for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS range from $32.00 – $72.00, with Premium Seating available for $100.00. Child single tickets are available for Rear Orchestra and Rear Mezzanine seating ranging from $22.00 – $47.00. Family ticket packages are available at $99.00 (weekday performances, Rear Orchestra), $159.00 (weekday, Front Orchestra/Front Mezzanine; weekend performances, Rear Orchestra) and $199.00 (weekend and Christmas Eve, Front Orchestra/Front Mezzanine). Golden Tickets are available as an add-on to any child’s ticket for an additional $100.00 each and are limited to 10 Golden Tickets per performance. A Golden Ticket allows the ticketholder (children only) a special on-stage experience during the production. Admission to the “Winter Wonderland” event is complimentary to all ticket holders (select activities require an additional purchase) and begins an hour and a half before every performance. Service and theatre restoration fees apply to all purchases. Tickets are available by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday – Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. during non-performance dates. On performance dates the Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and 12:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available 24 hours online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org. Group Sales (8 or more) are available by calling 626-921-1161.

For additional information visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

Full bios for the cast and creative team of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS are available upon request.

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10-19-2012

Announcing: The Pasadena Playhouse Announces First Four Productions of HOTHOUSE at the Playhouse 2012-2013 Season

THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES
FIRST FOUR PRODUCTIONS OF
HOTHOUSE AT THE PLAYHOUSE
2012 – 2013 SEASON

THE STAGED READING SERIES FEATURES THE
WORLD PREMIERE OF LEE BLESSING’S A VIEW OF THE
MOUNTAINS STARRING JANE KACZMAREK AND BETSY BRANDT,
MARSHA MASON IN A NEW COMEDY,
MATTHEW LILLARD IN A NEW DRAMA
AND A NEW PLAY DIRECTED BY MICHAEL ARABIAN

PASADENA, CA (October 16, 2012) – The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director) announced the first four productions of the 2012 – 2013 season of its HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse new play development, staged reading series. The season will feature the world premiere reading of Lee Blessing’s (A Walk in the Woods) A View of the Mountains starring Jane Kaczmarek and Betsy Brandt, Marsha Mason as the title role in Aunt Stossie’s Coming for Five Days and Michael Arabian (Ovation nominee, Waiting for Godot) directing a new work supported by the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance.

“It is a pleasure and privilege to look forward to this season of HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse and see authors and actors returning to us having had rewarding prior experiences – work that has started at HOTHOUSE, had life on our Mainstage, going on tour after successful Tony-nominated Broadway productions and the brand new authors that are just starting out,” said Courtney Harper, HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse Producer, Outreach & Education Manager / Artistic Associate for The Pasadena Playhouse. “It’s a time for sustainable growth for us at HOTHOUSE and we could not be more thrilled about the four readings we are announcing today and the other additional works we are considering to include in the upcoming season.”

“We also want to thank our supporters for their continued attendance this past season at HOTHOUSE,” Harper added. “We presented a record-breaking nine staged readings since September 2011, and a wide and exciting variety of work – from a world premiere musical, to an adaptation of a New York Times bestselling book, to a play that could have been ripped from the headlines. We are proud of our accomplishments and so thoroughly enjoyed sharing the experience with each and everyone who joined us. Like the Mainstage season at The Playhouse, we are feeling “better than ever!”

The 2012 – 2013 season of HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse will feature:

A View of the Mountains
By Lee Blessing (A Walk in the Woods)
Directed by Brian Shnipper
Starring (in alphabetical order): Betsy Brandt, John Getz, Jane Kaczmarek, Josey
Montana McCoy and Chris McGarry
Tuesday & Wednesday, October 30 & 31 at 8:00 p.m. in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre

As enormous forces close in around them, a prominent family is split down the middle in America’s liberal-conservative dogfight. “For keeps” politics dominates in this unsparing look at what we’re willing to do for our beliefs.

Aunt Stossie’s Coming for Five Days
By Ellen Simon
Directed by Jon Mascone
Starring Marsha Mason as “Aunt Stossie”
Tuesday & Wednesday, January 8 & 9 at 8:00 p.m. in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre

A comedic drama about what happens when the uninvited enters your life. Set in a
Central California beach town, three generations of women and two surfer boys navigate the entanglements of sex, health and family after a tsunami warning sign goes up in their neighborhood.

Title-TBA
An exciting new play supported by the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
Directed by Ovation Award Nominee, Michael Arabian
Tuesday & Wednesday, February 12 & 13 at 8pm in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre

Dear Galileo
By Claire Willett
Starring Matthew Lillard and Danielle Soibelman (The Playhouse’s Under My Skin)
Directed by Courtney Harper
Tuesday & Wednesday, March 12 & 13 at 8:00 p.m. in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre

Three women wrestle with their identity, the conflict between science and religion, and their fathers’ legacies. As their stories move towards a point of convergence, the destinies of each become inextricably bound with the others, linked through time by love, family, grief, faith, the search for identity and the wonder of the stars.

To RSVP for any of the HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse staged readings, visit http://
www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/outreach-and-education/hothouse.html or call The Pasadena Playhouse box office at 626-356-7529.

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Support HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse

In order to keep bringing our audiences the next great American play or musical, The
Pasadena Playhouse needs your support. This staged reading series is produced and
presented as a complimentary Playhouse program so HOTHOUSE relies on the contributions of patrons who see the importance of supporting art in its youth and
nurturing the artists who are growing their work. Donations made to HOTHOUSE allow
the program to continue to develop new work and revise and reinvigorate classics. With patron support, HOTHOUSE has a vibrant life and will continue to enrich our culture, society and art form at large for many years to come.

To make a donation please visit our website at www.pasadenaplayhouse.org and click
“Donate Now” or contact The Playhouse Development Office at
blewis@pasadenaplayhouse.org or 626-921-1156.

The Pasadena Playhouse was established in 1917 and was designated the State Theatre of California for bringing national and international renown to the state as a center for dramatic art in 1937. Built on a tradition of innovation and excellence, The Pasadena Playhouse is committed to continue to be the premiere theatrical experience in Southern California showcasing the most exciting theatrical entertainment in the state and being an amazing forum for launching new work onto the national stage. Broadway productions that originated at The Pasadena Playhouse (as well as previous HOTHOUSE seasons) include: Sister Act, Baby It’s You!, Looped and Mail. Unchain My Heart, The Ray Charles Musical, which premiered at The Playhouse, is scheduled to open on Broadway in the 2012-13 Season. Looped has also recently announced a US Tour, starring Valerie Harper, beginning January 2013. The Pasadena Playhouse is the recipient of the Los Angeles Times 2012 Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Dramatic Theatre,” the Pasadena Star-News’ “San Gabriel Valley’s Best Live Theatre” 2012 Reader’s Choice Award and the Pasadena Weekly’s 2012 “Best of Pasadena” Award for Best Live Theatre and Best Historical Landmark.

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