Announcing: The Pasadena Playhouse Announces New Executive Director and Contract Renewal for Artistic Director Sheldon Epps

THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES
ELIZABETH DORAN AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SHELDON EPPS’
LONG-TERM CONTRACT RENEWAL
AND COMPLETION OF $1 MILLION
CHALLENGE CAMPAIGN

Sheila Grether-Marion, Chair of The Pasadena Playhouse Board of Directors, made three important announcements today.  Elizabeth Doran, currently the Managing Director of The Actor’s Gang, will join The Playhouse as its new Executive Director on September 17. Artistic Director Sheldon Epps has renewed his contract to remain as The Playhouse’s long-term Artistic Director as he enters his 16th season. And The Playhouse successfully achieved a $250,000 challenge grant with $750,000 in matched funds.

“I am thrilled that an arts leader as talented and experienced as Elizabeth is joining The Playhouse family at this auspicious moment,” said Board Chair Sheila Grether-Marion.  “With Sheldon committed for an extended period of time and our recent fundraising success, The Playhouse’s future is bright indeed.”

“I could not be happier that our comprehensive process led us to this quite terrific choice,” stated Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. “I have already discovered that Elizabeth is passionate about the theatre, skilled in a wide range of areas, and both practical and willing to dream, all qualities that are essential for leading a theatre company. I feel confident that we will share a strong, dynamic partnership that will offer The Playhouse wonderful new energy as we continue our evolvement and growth.”

“I am inspired by the blend of tradition and innovation evident in The Playhouse and in the greater Pasadena community,” said Elizabeth Doran, newly appointed Executive Director of The Playhouse. “This is the all-American town, after all, that just put the “Curiosity” rover on Mars. The Playhouse has explored every aspect of American life, producing a spectrum of work from Eugene O’Neill to Suzan Lori-Parks. I am very excited to work with Sheldon Epps, a nationally recognized Artistic Director who has embraced and furthered this ongoing exploration.

In my fortunate collaboration with some of our best artists and art institutions, I have come to know that a great theater must seek to influence national conversations while simultaneously existing to empower, draw strength from, enrich, examine and reflect its home community. This is what inspires me most about The Playhouse: through its widely recognized artistic achievements, it has become a pillar of Pasadena – a community that has, in return, come together at a time of great challenges to shore up this pillar, and enhance its position at home and beyond.

I am honored and exhilarated to step in as Executive Director at this time. The recent struggles faced by The Playhouse worried a similarly threatened national theater community. Its roaring comeback has now given everyone in the arts new hope. With a partner like Sheldon, an energized and growing board, a mobilized community and the eyes of the national theater scene focused on its success, I feel the possibilities of The Playhouse are genuinely limitless. Like our neighbors at JPL might say: the sky’s not the limit…”

“I want to personally thank everyone in the community who helped us meet this challenge,” said Michele Engemann, who was Chair of the Board during the campaign.  “It is enormously encouraging to find such support for The Playhouse, and we are deeply grateful to the Fosters for their visionary gift. Its effects will be felt well into the future”.

“The terrific success of the Foster Challenge is just another example of how The Playhouse has continued to meet every challenge we’ve encountered with responsibility, creativity and, always, a vision to sustain and expand our reputation as one of the great regional theaters in America,” stated Playhouse 2011 – 2012 Development Chair Martha Williamson.

Elizabeth Doran
Hailing from Patchogue, NY, Elizabeth Doran began her career in theatre as a writer and performer. After earning a BA in theatre arts at SUNY Fredonia, Elizabeth became interested in building and sustaining great theatre companies. She earned her MBA in Entrepreneurship and Strategy at Rensselaer in Troy, NY. After working as a market strategist for the international fashion company Alviero Martini in Milan, she returned to the US as the Director of Finance and Planning at La Jolla Playhouse. After subsequently serving as the Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ interim General Manager as it completed its major capital campaign and construction of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Elizabeth returned to the east coast to take on the Managing Director position at Capital Repertory Theatre, an established LORT regional theatre in Albany, NY. Most recently, Elizabeth has been the Managing Director of Los Angeles’ own The Actors’ Gang since October 2008, where, in partnership with Oscar-winner, Tim Robbins, she has expanded international touring, outreach programming, and has raised major gifts in support of artistic development. Elizabeth is married to Kwinn Doran, a college instructor and historian, and lives in South Pasadena with her two young sons, Giacomo and Ely.

Sheldon Epps
Sheldon Epps has been Artistic Director of The Pasadena Playhouse since 1997 and this month celebrates his 15th anniversary with the historic theatre. Epps has renewed a long- term contract to continue as Artistic Director alongside Executive Director Elizabeth Doran. He has also directed numerous productions on The Playhouse’s main stage including the recent hit revival of Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky, Fences, Ray Charles Live!, The Night is a Child, Blue and Play On! This season he will direct Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel. This past season on Broadway, he co-directed Baby It’s You! which had its professional debut on The Playhouse stage in 2009.

Foster Challenge
In the Fall of 2011, Ed and Connie Foster, both long-time supporters and subscribers to The Playhouse, offered a donation of $250,000 if $750,000 of new or increased matching funds was raised by current and new donors by August 31, 2012, for a total of one million dollars. Through the dedicated efforts of The Playhouse staff, Board and generous support from the community, the “Foster Challenge” was actually exceeded.  “We believe in The Pasadena Playhouse,” said the Fosters. “We believe in live arts and we believe in live theatre.”

The Pasadena Playhouse
The Playhouse recently concluded its successful 2011 – 2012 season, which featured two world premieres and four revivals. Each production exceeded attendance forecasts for a season total of nearly 75,000 patrons. Total ticket sales for the season exceeded $2.2 million and single ticket sales exceeded goals by 35%. During this same period, its subscriber base increased by 20%. These financial successes continue into the upcoming season with subscriptions currently at nearly 25% over the 2011-2012 season. The 2012 – 2013 season is set to open with the world premiere of Under My Skin with performances beginning next week on September 11. The Pasadena Playhouse is the recipient of the Los Angeles Times Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Dramatic Theatre” and the Pasadena Star-News’ “San Gabriel Valley’s Best Live Theatre” 2012 Reader’s Choice Award.

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

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09-13-12

Announcing: World Premiere Musical “Bend in the Road” Opens 9/15 at Carrie Hamilton Theatre in Pasadena

BEND IN THE ROAD
A WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL BASED ON ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
DIRECTED BY BENITA SCHECKEL
OPENS AT CARRIE HAMILTON THEATRE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 FOR LIMITED ENGAGEMENT

Bend in the Road, a new family musical based on Anne of Green Gables, has been set for a limited engagement at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre (upstairs at The Pasadena Playhouse) in Pasadena. Written by Benita Scheckel and Michael Upward, and directed by Scheckel, Bend in the Road will play two preview performances on Friday, September 14 at 7pm and Saturday, September 15 at 1pm, with opening night set for Saturday, September 15 at 7:00. The limited engagement will continue through October 7.

Bend in the Road is based on the beloved classic novel Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery, and tells the story of young Anne Shirley, an orphan, who is mistakenly adopted by siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, to help them on their Avonlea farm. Anne’s intelligent, joyous and imaginative ways change the lives of all those around her in this small town, including Matthew, Marilla and nosy town gossip Mrs. Rachel Lynde. Anne finds fast friendships at school, and a rivalry with classmate Gilbert Blythe turns complicated as they grow up.

The cast of Bend in the Road will feature (in alphabetical order) Christopher Callen, Ty Freedman, Christopher Higgins, Justine Huxley, James Jaeger, Don Margolin, Melinda Porto, Kate Sullivan, Kailey Swanson, and Alison Woods. As part of its educational outreach, which includes providing free shows to Pasadena Unified School District students, the production has cast five Pasadena area students to work as apprentices alongside Equity actors. They are (in alphabetical order) Cade Anderson, Zoe Berger-Davis, Mariella D’avirro, Kaitlyn Hammer, and Cheri McKenzie.

The scenic artist is Gary White, lighting design is by Darrell Clark, costume design is by Liz Dickson, and sound design is by Julie Ferrin. The musical director is Michael Upward, choreography is by Kevin Lee, and the stage manager is Kelsey O’Keeffe. Susan Lambert produces for 134 West and Summerland Entertainment.

Director and co-writer Benita Scheckel is a San Gabriel Valley native, and she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Some of her stage credits include Camelot, Into the Woods, Evita, The Music Man, Oklahoma!, and The Secret Garden. She started directing and producing in 2003 for local philanthropic organizations, and in 2007 began her career as a director and teacher in the Pasadena Unified School District, working with middle and high school students. Musical director and co-writer Michael Upward has written a Requiem Mass for chorus, soloists, and orchestra, and over 50 choral compositions which have been performed throughout the United States. In addition to writing three other full length musicals, he has served as musical director for productions of The Fantasticks, Guys and Dolls, Evita, Nunsense II, and Quilters.

Bend in the Road will play two preview performances on Friday, September 14 at 7pm and Saturday, September 15, at 1pm. Opening night is set for Saturday, September 15 at 7:00, and the 13-performance only engagement will continue through October 7. The running schedule is Saturdays at 1pm and 7pm, and Sundays at 1pm. Tickets are on sale now: $10 for previews; $25 for regular performances; $20 for children 12 years of age and under. All seating is general admission, and tickets may be purchased online at www.bendintheroadtickets.eventbrite.com, or or by calling (626) 344-8846.

The Carrie Hamilton Theatre is located upstairs at The Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Avenue, in Pasadena, 91101.

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08-27-12

Announcing: The Pasadena Playhouse World Premiere Comedy “Under My Skin” Featuring Hal Linden Starts 9-11-12

THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
ANNOUNCES FULL CASTING AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR
WORLD PREMIERE COMEDY
UNDER MY SKIN
FEATURING HAL LINDEN

THE PRODUCTION WILL PERFORM
SEPTEMBER 11 – OCTOBER 7, 2012
TICKETS ON SALE TODAY

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, Interim Executive Director), in association with W.I.T. Productions, announced today the full casting, featuring Hal Linden, and creative team for UNDER MY SKIN. Single tickets are also now on sale to the public and rehearsals begin tomorrow, August 14. This World Premiere engagement of UNDER MY SKIN is written by the award-winning team of Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser and will be directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge. Performances will begin September 11 through October 7, with an official press opening on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse.

“Marcia has assembled a wonderfully talented cast to bring this delicious comedy to life on The Playhouse stage,” said Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of The Pasadena Playhouse. “I am excited to see the production grow over the coming weeks of rehearsal and eager for our audiences to enjoy another world premiere engagement on our stage.”

“I’m thrilled to make my Pasadena Playhouse debut with this hilarious comedy by Rob Sternin and Prudence Fraser,” said director Marcia Milgrom Dodge. “We’ve assembled a terrific cast who are not only funny, but gorgeous and sexy. I am so excited to play with them all.”

In UNDER MY SKIN, a twist of fate leads to love and laughs when New York’s most eligible bachelor and a single working mom hilariously experience each other’s lives and see things from a very different perspective. From the acclaimed writing and producing team of Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser and Tony-nominated Ragtime director Marica Milgrom Dodge, comes the world premiere of an outrageous, new, heartfelt comedy about sex love and healthcare … the three things we all need but can’t always get.

The full cast for UNDER MY SKIN features (in alphabetical order):

• Tim Bagley as “Dr. Hurtz” (“Web Therapy,” Knocked Up)
• Erin Cardillo as “Melody Dent” (“Hawaii Five-0,” “Passions,” “The Suite Life on Deck”)
• Yvette Cason as “Angel” (Dreamgirls, Ray Charles Live!, Sisterella)
• Hal Linden as “Poppa Sam” (“Barney Miller”)
• Monette Magrath as “Victoria” (“Weeds,” The Playhouse’s Mauritius)
• Megan Sikora as “Nanette” (L.A. & Broadway’s Curtains)
• Danielle Soibelman as “Casey” (The Morning After, The Chaperone)
• Matt Walton as “Harrison Badish” (Burn After Reading, “One Life to Live,” Comedy Central’s “Onion Sports Dome”)

In addition to director Marcia Milgrom Dodge, the creative team for UNDER MY SKIN includes scenic design by John Iacovelli (The Playhouse’s recent hit The Heiress), lighting design by Jared A. Sayeg (The Playhouse’s recent hit Blues For An Alabama Sky), sound design by Philip G. Allen (The Playhouse’s recent hit ART) and costume design by Kate Bergh (The Playhouse’s recent hit ART).

UNDER MY SKIN will play from September 11 – October 7, 2012 with the official press opening on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Single show ticket prices for UNDER MY SKIN range from $22.00 – $62.00, with Premium Seating available for $100.00. Service and theatre restoration fees apply to all purchases. Rush tickets are available for $20.00 one hour prior to the performance time and are subject to availability. Rush tickets must be purchased at The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office. Tickets are available by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Monday from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (until September 10, the Box Office is closed on Mondays) and 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 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.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 UNDER MY SKIN are available upon request.

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08-13-12