Program - The Pasadena Playhouse

Dear Playhouse Friends,
Sheldon Epps
Artistic Director
Elizabeth Doran
Executive Director
Welcome to the first production of the new
year! Could there be a more delightful and
delicious way to start a year than with the
devilish wit and frivolity of Mr. Noël Coward?
I think not. The Playhouse has frequently
hosted Mr. Coward’s work on our stage, and
always with great pleasure and with frequent
success. Our exploration of his canon of
work has highlighted the true “Coward
Classics” to be sure. But I take special delight in finally bringing to our theatre one of
his lesser known gems, Fallen Angels. It has
been my hope to include this title in our season for several years. I could not
be happier that the time is now right, and that the production is being directed
by one of my most admired colleagues, Art Manke. Art has shown his great
expertise with this style of material both here at The Playhouse and at theatres
all over the country. For this current production he is joined by a sparklinig cast
and a skillful design team...All of them wonderful “theatrical angels” who will
deliver this delicious play with panache and flair!
Recently we announced the final title of the current season, One Night With
Janis Joplin. This stunning new musical, which has had overwhelming success
in every theatre where it has been produced, is a great addition to this season
and brings us the theatrical diversity and electricity which we strive for here at
The Playhouse. Along with the previous shows in this theatrical year and our
closing production, Sleepless In Seattle - The Musical this exploration of the life
and influences on the great Janis Joplin will give us a season of genuine range,
excitement, and verve. I hope that you will be here to join us for each of the
upcoming shows, remembering that the real theatrical electricity that we hope
fo can only occur when you are “in the house.”
A new year always offers the opportunity to dream of the future. For me, it also
means a chance to reflect on the year gone by. I am so very proud of the road
that The Playhouse has traveled over the last year. I am certainly proud of the
work on the main stage (including our hugely successful holiday production, A
Snow White Christmas). But I am also gratified by the tremendous energy that
vibrates throughout the building, brought about by our Outreach and
Education programs, the Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project, and our
HOTHOUSE New Play Development Program. All of these activities, and so
many more, help to define The Pasadena Playhouse both as a theatre to be
reckoned with, and a community service organization that has great value in so
many different ways. I begin this year with the full knowledge that we can sustain ourselves as the valuable theatre that we undeniably are only with the hard
work of our staff, the dedication of our board of directors, and the continuing
support of those who care. I am ever grateful for that ongoing hard work, that
generous dedication, and that incredibly valuable support.
Sincerely,
Sheldon Epps
Artistic Director of The Pasadena Playhouse
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P1
Sheldon Epps
Elizabeth Doran
Artistic Director
Executive Director
Presents
Fallen Angels
Written by
Noël Coward
starring
Elijah Alexander Pamela J. Gray Mary-Pat Green
Loren Lester Katie MacNichol Mike Ryan
Scenic Design
David K. Mickelsen
Costume Design Peter Maradudin
Lighting Design
Sound Design/Composer
Dialect Coach Production Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer
Production Manager
Techical Director
Company Manager
Judi Lewin
Joe Witt
Brad Enlow
Kristen Hammack
Tom Buderwitz
Casting
Michael Donovan, CSA
David Nevell
Randall K. Lum Directed by
Art Manke
PRODUCED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
OPENING NIGHT FEBRUARY 3, 2013
P2 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
Steven Cahill
Scott Harrison
Dear Playhouse Friends,
Let’s celebrate the New Year tonight with a delicious evening of sparkling wit!
Hear the name “Noël Coward” and certain ideas come to mind – funny banter
between beautiful characters; merry mischief and silly twists of plot; humor that is
at once bubbly as a champagne cocktail and sharp as a dry martini. Noël Coward
had a fantastic capacity for one liners that poke great fun at the truth of any situation. His humor is light-hearted and joyful, even when he is breaking down social
mores, both on and off the stage.
Coward’s work is forever tied to his own celebrated personality. In fact, over the
past century the Noël Coward character has been written into dozens of plays,
songs, and TV and film scripts – often indirectly but sometimes by name. A great
punk song from the 1970s says, "Noël Coward was a charmer/As a writer he was
brahma/Velvet jackets and pajamas/Had a gay divorce and other dramas."
While Noël Coward’s plays and personal character may seem light and fun on the
surface, in actuality there is always a layer below
the laughter where he deals with social, sexual,
political or spiritual restrictions. The comedic
antics that unfold become great fun as traditional
boundaries are gleefully poked fun at. Coward
wove in clues within his works that his gay audience members could
recognize in between the lines and see a world where their own sexuality was joyful
and normal. Strong female characters are also a dominant force in most Coward
plays. At a time when women’s rights were a hot-button political and social topic, he
created roles for actresses that transcended traditional boundaries.
Cast of Star Quality. Photo by Craig Schwartz
Noël Coward at The
Pasadena Playhouse
1926 – Hay Fever
1927 – Easy Virtue
1932 - Young Idea
1934 – Cavalcade
1938 – Tonight at 8:30
1940 – The Queen was in the
Fallen Angels, when it first opened in 1925, was called “scandalous and
shocking” by London theater critics. This certainly helped to increase
ticket sales, as audiences then, as now, were curious about their own
self-imposed restrictions, and intrigued about ideas that challenged
traditionally held beliefs about marriage, gender, and the right to
pursue personal happiness. We are still exploring these ideas through
popular culture and comedy today – think about shows like "Sex and
the City," "Desperate Housewives," or personalities like the fabulous
Eddie Izzard. We still love to delve into the very same ideas that Noël
Coward did nearly 100 years ago.
Through the work of a great writer, notions that once seemed
completely scandalous become less threatening. Eventually, through a
good lampooning in popular culture, ideas of what is “deviant” and what
is “normal” begin to merge, and mainstream prejudice is reduced. This
is a great example of why I love theater – in fact, of why I love theater
here at The Pasadena Playhouse – a company known for its work in
promoting tolerance through its celebration of diversity.
Embracing diversity at The Pasadena Playhouse is about exploring the
human experience shared by people of all sexual orientations, genders,
ages, ethnicities, learning and physical abilities, and socioeconomic
positions. In fact, our Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity Project is a
specific initiative dedicated to this exploration. It gives priority to
eclectic and dynamic productions like this one, featuring a diverse
array of artists, actors, and playwrights. Our productions reflect the
diverse richness that defines our community, while never forgetting
(as Noël Coward certainly never did) that primary goal of theater: to
entertain.
Parlour
Thank you for joining us tonight. Enjoy
the show – our toast of the season!
1941- Design for Living
Sincerely,
1945- Blithe Spirit
1949 – This Happy Breed
1998- Present Laughter
Elizabeth Doran
Executive Director
2003- Star Quality
2013 - Fallen Angels
Cast of Present Laughter. Photo by Craig Schwartz.
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P3
CAST OF CHARACTERS
(in Alphabetical Order)
MAURICE DUCLOS ....................................................................................... Elijah Alexander
JULIA STERROLL ............................................................................................. Pamela J. Gray
SAUNDERS ....................................................................................................... Mary-Pat Green
WILLY BANBURY .................................................................................................. Loren Lester
JANE BANBURY ........................................................................................... Katie MacNichol
FRED STERROLL ........................................................................................................ Mike Ryan
SETTING
Dining-drawing room of the Sterroll's flat in London
Fallen Angels is performed with a 15 minute intermission
The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors
Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the
United States
The Pasadena Playhouse wishes to
thank VERTICAL WINE BISTRO for
their generous support of
FALLEN ANGELS.
P4 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
ELIJAH ALEXANDER
(Maurice Duclos)
Metamorphoses
(Broadway), Throne of
Blood (BAM), Shopping
& Fucking (NYTW),
Tantalus (Royal
Shakespeare
Company); 3 Seasons
at The Oregon Shakespeare Festival
which included King Henry VIII in Henry
VIII, Darcy in Pride & Prejudice, Florindo
in Servant of Two Masters and Ajax in
Troilus & Cressida; 4 Seasons at The Utah
Shakespeare Festival which included the
roles of King Richard III, Marc Antony,
Oberon/Theseus and Caliban; 3 seasons
at The California Shakespeare Theater
where he played Jack Tanner in Man
and Superman, Lord Goring in An Ideal
Husband and Loveless in Restoration
Comedy. South Coast Rep, A Noise
Within (Don Juan in Don Juan) Yale Rep
(Raulito in Landscape of The Body), Old
Globe, Denver Center, Shakespeare Santa
Fe, Syracuse Stage, GeVa; TV- "Touch,"
"Awake," "Summerland," "JAG," "Emily's
Reason's Why Not," "So NoTORIous"; Film
- Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Amazing Love. Elijah is a
graduate of The Yale School of Drama.
PAMELA J. GRAY (Julia
Sterroll) Broadway:
Present Laughter,
Roundabout Theatre,
Butley at the Booth
Theatre, NY OffBroadway: Manhattan
Theatre Club, MCC,
The Public Theatre,
Second Stage, The National Theatre, The
Edge Theatre, The Julia Miles Theatre,
Theatre for a New Audience, The Vineyard
Theatre. In California: Francey in Dead
End at the Ahmanson, South Coast
Rep's The Real Thing, The Old Globe's
Betrayal. Regional: The Huntington, NJ
Shakespeare, Arena Stage , Dallas Theatre
Center, Yale Rep, Center Stage , Portland
Stage, Williamstown. TV and Film: Agent
Amy Tyler’ on “Sons of Anarchy,” "The
Closer," "Bones," “Medium,” “Trust Me,”
“Law and Order" (all three), “Sex and the
City,” “St. Maybe,” “Safe Harbor,” Michael
Clayton, Corn, I'll Take You There, The
Devil's Advocate, Fish in the Bathtub,
Commandments, The Stranger, The M
Word and Dogs. Yale School of Drama.
MARY-PAT GREEN
(Saunders) appeared
on Broadway in the
original casts of Hal
Prince's Candide
and Sweeney Todd,
in the Off-Broadway
and multiple regional
productions of
Nunsense, and the First National Tour of
Godspell. Regional theatre credits include
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Women, Juno
and the Paycock, Deathtrap, Hannah
Free, and First Lady Suite. Mary-Pat's
film appearances include Yes Man, The
Breakup, In Her Shoes, xXx, and My Best
WHO'S WHO
Friend’s Wedding. On television, she
recently guest starred on "American Horror
Story: Asylum," "The Mentalist," "Castle,"
"Saving Grace," "Desperate Housewives,"
"Cold Case," "My Name Is Earl," and
"Millennium," and has had recurring roles
on "The West Wing," "Six Feet Under,"
"Any Day Now," "Married: With Children,"
and "Ally MacBeal." Mary-Pat is a proud
member of Actor's Equity Association
(1972) and SAG-AFTRA (1974).
Jewel Theatre (Hello & Goodbye; Of Mice
and Men; Doubt), The La Jolla Playhouse
(The Green Bird; Boy) and over thirty
productions at Shakespeare Santa Cruz. In
the other Forty-Nine, he’s worked at The
Denver Center, The Geva, The Hangar,
The Idaho Shakespeare Festival and the
Shakespeare Festival of Dallas. Mr. Ryan
received his MFA from UCSD and his BFA
from SMU. He is a proud member of the
Actors’ Equity Association.
LOREN LESTER (Willy
Banbury) has gueststarred in over 200
television episodics,
including "Hung" (recurring), "Victorious "
(recurring), "Curb Your
Enthusiasm," "NCIS,"
"Good Luck Charlie,"
"The Closer" and "Desperate Housewives."
He recently starred as real-life murderer
Hans Reiser in the ABC series "Final Witness." Favorite film roles: the cult
classic Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, and the
Wes Craven thriller Red Eye. A local boy
who grew up in Glendale and graduated
from Occidental College, he starred in a
number of seasons at Occidental’s legendary outdoor Summer Theatre. Dozens of
plays and musicals in L.A. include Black and
Bluestein, End Days and Gypsy. Married
to actress Kelly Lester. They have three
daughters, all musical theatre performers. Happy 100th Birthday, Actors’ Equity!
Proud member since 1984.
www.LorenLester.com
ART MANKE (Director) With six of Noël
Coward’s plays on his resume – including
the American premiere of Star Quality –
and a stage adaptation of the short story,
Bon Voyage in his drawer, Art Manke
has earned the moniker, “L.A.’s Coward
specialist” from the Los Angeles Times.
Previously at The Pasadena Playhouse, he
directed hit revivals of Private Lives, The
Constant Wife and the aforementioned
Star Quality. Mr. Manke is a five-time
winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critics
Circle Award for his productions of a
wide range of classics and new work. His
staging of The Three Musketeers opened
the Denver Center Theatre Company’s
current season, and his production of
Sense and Sensibility just completed a
successful run at Milwaukee Repertory
Theatre. Mr. Manke is a co-founder and
former artistic director (1991-2001) of the
acclaimed classical theatre company,
A Noise Within, where he directed the
work of Shakespeare, Moliere, Wilde,
Coward and Sophocles. Other credits
include work with South Coast Repertory,
Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American
Conservatory Theatre, Shakespeare Santa
Cruz, Laguna Playhouse, Magic Theatre,
Mark Taper Forum, Seattle Repertory
Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre,
American Players Theatre and Connecticut
Repertory Theatre, among others. He
directs for television, holds a B.F.A. from
the University of Illinois and an M.F.A. from
the American Conservatory Theatre.
KATIE MACNICHOL
(Jane Banbury)
has appeared on
Broadway in The
Green Bird and Two
Shakespeare Actors
and Off-Broadway
in The Cider House
Rules, King John and
The Food Chain. In London, she played the
title role in A Chaste Maid in Cheapside at
Shakespeare’s Globe. Her regional theatre
credits include leading roles at The Mark
Taper Forum, Yale Repertory, Center
Stage, McCarter, Intiman, Denver Center,
Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Dallas Theatre
Company, Shakespeare Theatre of N.J.,
Westport County Playhouse, Williamstown
Theatre Festival, and four seasons as
a member of Shakespeare repertory
company at The Old Globe Theatre. Film
and T.V. credits include: "Law and Order,"
"Medium," "The Practice," "Bamboozled,"
"Garmento" and "Spooner." She is a
graduate of N.Y.U. Tish School of the Arts.
MIKE RYAN (Fred
Sterroll) is making
his first appearance
at The Pasadena
Playhouse. In
California, he has
worked at San Jose
Repertory Theatre (Bill
W and Dr Bob; Legacy
of Light), The Aurora Theatre (Anatol), The
TOM BUDERWITZ (Scenic Design) previously
designed Art, Dangerous Beauty, Camelot,
Mauritius, The Last Five Years, I Do, I
Do! and Private Lives for The Pasadena
Playhouse. Tom has designed for South
Coast Repertory, Center Theatre Group,
Intiman Theatre, Geffen Playhouse,
Portland Center Stage, Denver Center
Theatre Company, Laguna Playhouse,
Arizona Theatre Company, San Diego
Repertory, Reprise Theatre Company, The
Antaeus Company, The Theatre @ Boston
Court, P.C.P.A. Theaterfest, Deaf West
Theatre and A Noise Within among many
others. Tom has been honored with 4 L.A.
Stage Alliance Ovation Awards and 3 L.A.
Drama Critics Circle Awards, including
the 2005 career achievement Award for
Scenic Design. For Television, Tom has
designed specials and series for every
major broadcast and cable network and
has 3 Emmy Award nominations and an Art
Director’s Guild Award nomination. www.
tombuderwitz.com
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P5
DAVID KAY MICKELSEN (Costume Designer)
The Pasadena Playhouse: Cuttin' Up,
Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure New
York: Irish Repertory Theatre, Ensemble
Studio Theatre, Jean Cocteau Repertory
Theatre, Theater of the Open Eye Regional:
Over 300 regional productions at various
theaters including: The Guthrie Theater;
Denver Center for the Performing Arts;
Arizona Theatre Company; Pioneer Theatre
Company; Geva Theatre; Northlight Theatre; Ford’s Theatre; The Old Globe; The
Pasadena Playhouse; Geffen Playhouse;
Laguna Playhouse; Cincinnati Playhouse in
the Park; Cleveland Play House; Hampton
Playhouse; Timber Lake Playhouse; Oregon
Shakespeare Festival; The Colorado
Shakespeare Festival; Illinois Shakespeare
Festivals; Berkeley Repertory Theatre;
Seattle Repertory Theatre; South Coast
Repertory; Tennessee Repertory Theatre;
Missouri Repertory Theatre; San Diego
Repertory Theatre; New Mexico Repertory Theatre; The Repertory Theatre of St.
Louis; Williamstown Theatre Festival;
Sundance Institute Theatre Program; Children's Theatre Company of Minneapolis; A
Contemporary Theatre; Florida Stage; Portland Center Stage; Pennsylvania Center
Stage. Education/Other: MFA, California
Institute of the Arts; BA, Western Oregon
University. Originally from Canby, Oregon.
Professional Affiliations: United Scenic Artists, Local 829.
Website: www.davidkaymickelsen.com.
PETER MARADUDIN (Lighting Designer)
is pleased to return to The Pasadena
Playhouse, where previous work includes
Open Window, Private Lives and Anna in
the Tropics, among others. On Broadway
he designed the lighting for Ma Rainey's
Black Bottom and The Kentucky Cycle, and
Off-Broadway Hurrah at Last and Ballad of
Yachiyo. Mr. Maradudin has designed over
300 regional theatre productions for such
companies as The Kennedy Center, The
Guthrie Theater, American Conservatory
Theater, Mark Taper Forum, La Jolla
Playhouse, Seattle Repertory Theatre,
Old Globe Theatre, and South Coast
Repertory. He is the Studio Director of the
architectural lighting group StudioK1, and
is the author, under his pen-name Peter
Alexei, of the novel The Masked Avenger.
STEVEN CAHILL (Sound Designer &
Composer) Pasadena Playhouse: Intimate
Apparel, Private Lives and Constant Wife
(both with Mr. Manke), Doubt (Non-New
York Premiere) As Bees in Honey Drown,
Bi-Coastal Woman; Off-Broadway: A
Woman of Will, Daryl Roth Theatre;
Recent Credits: Amadeus at Maltz
Jupiter Theatre, Sense and Sensibility
at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre (dir.
Art Manke) Regional Theatre: Much Ado
About Nothing, Merchant of Venice at
Shakespeare Theatre Company; Trinity
River Plays, The Goodman and Dallas
Theater Center; 39 Steps, Miracle Worker,
Denver Center Theatre; Cornelia, The
Old Globe; Shipwrecked, The Geffen
Playhouse and South Coast Repertory;
A Naked Girl On The Appian Way, The
Language Archive, Doctor Cerberus,
Taking Steps all at South Coast Repertory;
Philadelphia Story, Love's Labor's Lost,
P6 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing,
Reckless and Twelfth Night at Chautauqua
Theatre Company. Other Theatres: Magic
Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Quintessance
Theatre Company, Rubicon Theatre
Company, Matrix, Celebration, Ensemble
Theatre Company. Awards: Helen Hayes
Nomination, 3 L.A. Ovation Nods, NAACP
Award nomination. Steven also works as
a composer, arranger and sound designer
for television series, commercials and
film. www.stevencahill.com
MICHAEL DONOVAN, CSA (Casting Director)
Previously at The Pasadena Playhouse:
Intimate Apparel, Under My Skin, The
Heiress, Blues for an Alabama Sky, South
Street, Camelot, Baby It’s You!, The Night is
a Child, Crowns, The Little Foxes, Mauritius, Stormy Weather, The Lady With All
the Answers, Looped, Of Mice and Men,
Mask: A New Musical, Orson’s Shadow,
RAY CHARLES LIVE! – A New Musical,
Matter of Honor, Can-Can, Fences, The
Constant Wife, Cuttin’ Up, Defiance, SISTER
ACT – The Musical, The Marriage Musicals,
Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, It’s
a Wonderful Life, and Open Window. Michael is the recipient of 6 Casting Society
of America Artios awards. Credits include
shows produced at the
Hollywood Bowl, La Jolla Playhouse,
the Kirk Douglas Theatre, Shakespeare
Festival/L.A., International City Theatre,
Ebony Repertory Theatre, the Falcon
Theatre, the Colony Theatre, the Celebration Theatre, The Theatre @ Boston Court,
Laguna Playhouse, Ensemble Theatre
of Santa Barbara, the Intiman Theatre,
Arizona Theatre Company, the Cleveland
Playhouse and Kentucky Shakespeare
Festival. Tours include Aida, Buddy, Peter
Pan and the currently-playing How To Train
Your Dragon. TV credits include the series
"Blood Relatives." Numerous films and over
1,200 commercials.
DAVID NEVELL (Dialect Coach) enjoys
an eclectic career as an actor, educator,
dialect coach and producer. Recent voice/
dialect coaching: The Pasadena Playhouse
(The Constant Wife), South Coast Rep
(How the World Began, Misalliance, Noises
Off, Taking Steps, Shipwrecked!). Teaching: Head of Voice/Movement at Cal State
Fullerton, Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice
Voicework. Since 2008, Consultant to Walt
Disney Entertainment Productions. Recent
acting: The Colony Theatre The Morini
Strad, International City Theatre God of
Carnage, Ensemble Theatre Company The
Scene.
RANDALL K. LUM (Production Stage
Manager) makes his Playhouse debut with
Fallen Angels. Recent credits include five
years at Oregon Shakespeare Festival: The
Unfortunates (a musical workshop), touring
Equivocation (Arena Stage), and American
Night: The Ballad Of Juan Jose (La Jolla
Playhouse and Kirk Douglas Theatre).
Before OSF, 18 seasons as resident stage
manager at South Coast Repertory stage
managing over 90 productions; some
productions include the world premieres
of Wit, Intimate Apparel, Three Days Of
Rain, Princess Marjorie, Brooklyn Boy,
The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler,
Blue Door, Kimberly Akimbo and Safe In
Hell. Other companies worked for include
American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley
Repertory Theatre, TheatreWorks, Seattle
Repertory Theatre, Old Globe Theatre,
and California Shakespeare Theatre. Other
favorite productions include Restoration
Comedy (California Shakespeare Theatre),
Dead Man’s Cell Phone, and Ruined (Oregon Shakespeare Festival).
SCOTT HARRISON (Assistant Stage Manager) Stage Manager for over 20 years.
Mr. Harrison most recently worked at
Center Theatre Group: Nighthawks (world
premiere); Solomania!-Taking Flight & The
Watts Towers Project; 365 Days/365 Plays:
Week One; and Dogeaters (ASM) and
Goodman Theatre: Taking Flight. Other
regional credits include: Laguna Playhouse:
Jumping For Joy; Intiman Theatre: The
Taming of A Shrew; and La Mirada Performing Arts Center: The Broadway Series (two
seasons). At South Coast Repertory, he
served as Resident Stage Manager for 16
seasons highlights include: A Naked Girl On
the Appian Way, Everett Beekin, Brooklyn
Boy (world premieres), Cyrano de Bergerac
and Much Ado About Nothing (dir. Mark
Rucker); A Christmas Carol (15years) and La
Posada Magica (world premiere). Mr.
Harrison is a graduate of Pepperdine
University.
JUDI LEWIN (Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer)
came to L.A. 22 yrs ago from Toronto,
Canada where she worked extensively
in theatre and for The Canadian Opera
Company. Since moving here she has
incorporated television and film into her
repertoire and now works in all aspect of
the industry. Some of the theatre companies Judi has designed for include: The
Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, The Fremont
Theatre in Pasadena, The Blank Theatre in
Hollywood, The Fountain Theatre in Hollywood, McCoy Rigby Entertainment in La
Mirada, Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills and The
Sacramento Music Circus in Sacramento.
Judi is once again pleased to be designing
a production for The Playhouse having just
designed Intimate Apparel in the fall. Fallen
Angels marks the 16th production Judi has
designed for The Pasadena Playhouse.
JOE WITT (Production Manager) is entering
his second season as Production Manager
of The Pasadena Playhouse. Other Production Manager credits include Eric Idle’s
An Evening Without Monty Python (LA
& NYC), Mr. Idle’s What About Dick?, the
original production of Baby It’s You (before
transferring to The Pasadena Playhouse,
then Broadway), he managed the stage
of the music/stand-up venue Largo at the
Coronet, working with artists such as Eddie
Izzard, Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt,
Louis CK, Fred Armison, Fionna Apple,
Jackson Brown, and Aimee Mann, and
helped to develop Will Farrell’s Broadway
debut You’re Welcome, America: A Final
Night with George W. Bush, as well as the
incredibly puppeteered Stuffed & Unstrung
with the Jim Henson Company (LA & NY).
His Stage Manager credits include George
Gershwin Alone on Broadway, the original
off-Broadway productions of Hedwig and
the Angry Inch, Four Guys Named José,
Stonewall Jackson’s House, Blown Sideways
Through Life, and the Lucille Lortel Awards.
Los Angeles credits include, The Pee-wee
Herman Show Live, The Vagina Monologues, Culture Clash’s Zorro in Hell!, Mask
(Pasadena Playhouse), Lydia (Mark Taper
Forum), Much Ado About Nothing (featuring Lyle Lovett and Helen Hunt), and the
original LA production of the off-Broadway
hit Jewtopia. …And he simply can’t thank
his wife, Blythe, enough for watching the
kids all those long nights while he’s off playing at The Playhouse.
BRAD ENLOW (Technical Supervisor) hails
from Cleveland, Ohio where he began his
career in technical theater. His experience
has taken him across the country working
in theaters throughout. He worked as the
TD for University of the Pacific for six years
as well as several other theater and opera
companies before moving to LA three years
ago. In LA, he became the TD for several
small companies including Reprise! Broadway's best. He has been here at the historic
Pasadena Playhouse since January 2012 and
is excited to return for his first full season.
He wishes his family well and hopes you
enjoy the show.
ELIZABETH DORAN (Executive Director)
hails from Patchogue, New York, where
she began her career in theatre as a
writer and performer. After earning her
B.A in theatre arts at SUNY Fredonia,
she became interested in building and
sustaining great theatre companies. She
earned her MBA in Entrepreneurship and
Strategy at Rensselaer in Troy, NY. She has
served as Director of Finance and Planning
for the La Jolla Playhouse, was Managing
Director for Capital Repertory Theatre
(a LORT regional theatre in Albany, NY)
and most recently as Managing Director
of Los Angeles' own The Actor’s Gang
since October 2008, where in partnership
with Oscar-winner Tim Robbins, she
expanded international touring, outreach
programming and raised major gifts in
support of artistic development. She
and her husband, Kwinn Doran, a college
professor and historian, have made
themselves at home in South Pasadena
with their two young sons, Giacomo and Ely
and welcomed a third child Calypso.
SHELDON EPPS (Artistic Director) has been
Artistic Director of the renowned Pasadena
Playhouse since 1997. Before beginning
his tenure at The Playhouse he served
as Associate Artistic Director of the Old
Globe Theatre for four years. He was also
a co-founder of the Off-Broadway theatre,
The Production Company. Mr. Epps has
directed both plays and musicals at many
of the country’s major theatres including
the Roundabout, Manhattan Theatre Club,
the Guthrie, Playwrights Horizons, Seattle
Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, and the
Goodman Theatre. He conceived the highly
acclaimed musicals Play On! and Blues In
the Night, which both received Tony Award
nominations. He directed productions
of both of those shows on Broadway, in
London, and at theatres throughout the
world. Mr. Epps also has had a busy career
as a television director helming episodes
of shows such as "Frasier," "Friends,"
"Everybody Loves Raymond," "Girlfriends"
and many others. For more than a decade,
he served as a member of the Executive
Board of the Society of Stage Directors and
Choreographers. Mr. Epps received the
James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award
for his efforts and accomplishments at The
Pasadena Playhouse. Under his leadership
The Playhouse has earned distinction for
productions of artistic excellence, critical
and box office success, and highly praised
theatrical diversity. Recently he Co-Directed
the Broadway production of Baby It’s You!,
which premiered at The Pasadena Playhouse.
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P7
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Sheila Grether-Marion
Chair of the Board
David DiCristofaro
Vice-Chair of the Board
Linda Boyd Griffey
Secretary
Lenore Almanzar
Valerie Amidon
Sheri Ball
Elizabeth Doran
Peggy Ebright
Michele Dedeaux Engemann
Sheldon Epps
George A. Henning
Brad King
Darrell D. Miller
C. Anthony Phillips
Abel Ramirez
Bingo Roncelli
Lilah Stangeland
Corky Hale Stoller
Mike Stoller
Martha Williamson
Dear Playhouse Friends,
What a wonderful performance we had
in December of A Snow White Christmas,
directed by Bonnie Lythgoe. This interactive
musical proved to be an entertaining take on
two classic stories, and filled The Playhouse
with families and young children - which is
exactly what we sought to achieve.
I thank Lythgoe Family Productions for
having the foresight to introduce this
production to The Playhouse; and I also
thank Sheldon Epps for having the vision
to accept this offering. As we gear up
for our 100th anniversary in 2017, we are
going to continue on this exciting journey.
At the start of this new year, we are
opening with Noël Coward’s Fallen Angels,
directed by Art Manke. This show features
two married women and a charming
Frenchman. With no more said, I hope
you’re enjoying the performance!
Photo left to right: Elizabeth Doran and Sheila
GretherMarion. Photo by Earl Gibson
Under my leadership, I hope you will continue your giving so that we can
continue our performances, and expand our offerings for the young and the
young at heart.
Sincerely,
Sheila Grether-Marion
The Pasadena Playhouse
Board of Directors Chair
Cast of A Snow White Christmas. Photo by Earl Gibson.
EMERITI LIST
A Message from Sheila Grether-Marion, Board Chair:
I am pleased to list the following people who have been elected by the Board of Directors to our Emeritus Board, in recognition
of their extraordinary service as past members of our Board of Directors, and in many cases for their continued commitment and
service to The Pasadena Playhouse.
Chair Emeriti: David M. Davis, Albert Lowe, Kerry McCluggage, Margaret Sedenquist
Board Members Emeriti: Kathy Arntzen Roat, Carol Burnett, Ralph Hirschmann, Frank Kleeman, Dennis Lowe, Tad Lowrey,
Rao Makineni, Abel Ramirez, Lyn Spector, Elliot Stahler, Greg Stone, Leslie Tolan, James Watterson
In Memoriam: David Angell, Betty Ann Koen Brooks, Theodore Fitch Behr, Roger Stangeland
P8 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
Dear Playhouse Friends,
2012/2013 Annual Fund
Donor Benefits
Executive Director’s Circle – $100,000+
All benefits of Artistic Director’s Circle plus:
• Access to rehearsals of productions on Mainstage (at discretion of Director)
Artistic Director’s Circle – $25,000-$99,000
All benefits of Director’s Circle plus:
• Concierge Services for house seats at other local
and nationwide theatres, including Broadway
Director’s Circle – $10,000-$24,999
All benefits of Playwright’s Circle plus:
• Annual exclusive event hosted by Board of
Directors along with key Playhouse leadership
• Parking pass for every Mainstage production in
the 2012/2013 season
Playwright’s Circle – $5,000-$9,999
All benefits of Performer’s Circle plus:
• Invitations to select events throughout the season
Performer’s Circle – $2,500-$4,999
All benefits of Stage Manager’s Circle plus:
• Invitations to every Pasadena Playhouse Opening Night for 2 people
Stage Manager’s Circle – $1,000-$2,499
All benefits of Supporter plus:
• Personal VIP ticketing and subscription services
• Season long admission to the exclusive VIP
Lounge at the Makineni Library, which offers
complimentary snacks and beverages before
the show and during intermission at every
Mainstage performance
Supporter – $500-$999
All benefits of Friend, plus:
• Treats at your seats throughout the season
Friend – $250-$499
All benefits of Contributor, plus:
• Recognition in the program
It’s hard to believe that we are at the halfway
mark of the 2012-2013 Playhouse Year with our
third show of our “Better Than Ever” Season,
Fallen Angels by Noël Coward . This “Lucy and
Ethel” comedy of relationships between both
friends and spouses, complete with its own
version of Ricky and Fred, and a newcomer to the
foursome, a mysterious Frenchman, definitely
has all the ingredients needed for February
and the hallmarked month of celebrating love,
but with a special Coward comedic twist just
to make things more deliciously complicated.
And with it, we are embracing and celebrating
other loves, both at The Playhouse and for The
Playhouse, which your support makes possible all year round. Some recent highlights
include:
* In November, the Diversity Committee and the Wells Fargo Theatrical Diversity
Project embarked on promoting support on their 6th production, Intimate Apparel, as
an ongoing effort to promote diversity in the theatre community and were successful
in raising almost $90,000 – well over half a million dollars since their inception in 2005.
* In December, we partnered with Lythgoe Family Productions to bring you a special
presentation of A Snow White Christmas with a very special Opening Night to raise
funds for underserved local youth to produce three special matinees at no cost to these
attendees. Thanks to you, over $65,000 was raised to support this effort.
* In addition, your support has enabled us to ensure continued growth of our Outreach
& Education programs, which includes serving over 4,000 youth in grades K-12 this year.
We look forward to continuing on this road of love made possible with your support with
our last two shows of the season, One Night With Janis Joplin, and Sleepless in Seattle:
The Musical, in addition to the many Outreach & Education programs planned, including
New Generations, and the continued growth of our new play development program,
HOTHOUSE, replete with inspiring writers, actors and directors through the year.
According to Gandhi, where there is love, there is life. Your love of The Playhouse, its
art, and its community programs bring life to the stage, the audience, and the people
we serve and is heartfelt and so appreciated with the support you extend with your
generosity and dedication. There are many opportunities coming up for you to support
The Playhouse and we thank you in advance for helping make the magic available to all.
With special thanks to you and those you love,
Contributor – $1-$249
•
Recognition on the website
To take advantage of your 2012/2013 season
donor benefits or for more information, please
call the Development office at 626-921-1156.
Bingo Roncelli
Development and Outreach & Education Chair
GIFT-IN-KIND DONATIONS
Our thanks to the following individuals and companies who donated gifts-in-kind to The Playhouse since December 1, 2011. Any
gifts-in-kind received after December 17, 2012 will be acknowledged in the next program.
Chantal and Steve Bennett
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Blake
Corner Bakery Cafe
Laura Diaz, Anchor/Producer
Kevin Dunn
Easy Parking Service
Michele and Roger Engemann
Elements Kitchen
FramePros
Glass Bee Partners Hospitality Consulting
Courtney Harper
Doris Kao, Steve Bickel and Bluelounge Design
The Krezel Family
Patti La Marr and The Friends of The Pasadena
Playhouse
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
Lerman, Pointer & Spritz, LLP
little junebugs
O’Melveny & Myers
Pacific Global Investment Management
Company
Rosebud Floral Design
Saunders Electric, Inc.
TechFirmation
wild Up
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P9
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Corky and Mike Stoller
"Their support is
very much at
the heart of
the theatre's
revitalized
life and our
current state of
good health, both
artistically and
fiscally."
-Sheldon Epps
(L to R) Mike Stoller and Corky Hale Stoller at the Opening Night of Intimate Apparel.
P10 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
MILLION DOLLAR "ANGELS" OF
THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
The Playhouse is inordinately privileged to call as
dear friends, the world-renowned jazz pianist,
harpist and singer Corky Hale Stoller, and her
Grammy-Award winning husband, Mike Stoller, of
Leiber & Stoller fame.
As the introduction suggests, Corky and Mike claim
some pretty impressive footholds in the musical
world:
The multi-talented Corky Hale Stoller has performed
with Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra,
Liberace, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Judy
Collins, George Michael, James Brown and Björk. She
has appeared at The White House, the Hollywood
Bowl, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln
Center, London’s Royal Albert Hall and the RFK
Stadium in Washington, D.C.
Legendary songwriter Mike Stoller is one half of the
legendary songwriting team of Leiber & Stoller. Elvis
Presley recorded more than 20 of their songs,
including "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock." Two of
their most memorable songs written for Peggy Lee are
“I’m A Woman” and “Is That All There Is?” Among their
many other hits are “Stand By Me,” "Kansas City,"
"Yakety Yak," and "Love Potion #9.” Smokey Joe’s
Café: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller still holds the
record as the longest running revue in Broadway
history. Leiber & Stoller have been inducted into the
Songwriter's Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame. They are recipients of the prestigious Ivor
Novello Award in London, and the World Soundtrack
Award in Belgium. In 2009, Simon & Schuster
published Hound Dog: The Leiber and Stoller
Autobiography.
As a couple, Corky and Mike Stoller came to the
rescue of The Playhouse at a critical moment and
(L to R) Sheldon Epps, Corky Hale Stoller and Mike Stoller. Photo by
Earl Gibson
after two years of anonymity, have agreed to be
recognized as Playhouse “Angels” for their incredible
gift of a million dollars.
“Although I had met with Sheldon Epps on
professional matters several years ago, it was only
after reading that this wonderful theatre was to close
after 93 years that we decided we couldn’t let that
happen,” said Mike Stoller.
Corky Hale Stoller added, “In addition to their
wonderful productions under the supervision and
artistic direction of Sheldon Epps in that beautiful
landmark building, The Pasadena Playhouse invites
children and students to experience theatre not only
from within the Pasadena community, but from other
parts of the Los Angeles area.
"Mike and Corky's tremendous gift to The Playhouse
has incredible meaning to me in profound personal
and professional ways. Without doubt, it inspired
others to come forward to match their donation at a
vitally important time. It was also a meaningful and
deeply moving validation of the work of our theatre
both onstage and off- not to mention a huge vote of
confidence in my leadership of the company. Their
support is very much at the heart of the theatre's
revitalized life and our current state of good health,
both artistically and fiscally. I will always be deeply
grateful to this lovely and generous couple," shared
Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director.
Lake Avenue Community Foundation before A Snow White Christmas
at The Pasadena Playhouse
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P11
THANK YOU
Executive Director’s Circle -- $100,000 - $1,000,000+
Anonymous; Connie and Ed Foster; Sheila Grether-Marion and Mark Marion; Wells Fargo Bank
Artistic Director’s Circle – $25,000 - $99,999
Jon Andersen and Martha Williamson; Avery and Andrew Barth; Chantal and Steve Bennett; Marilyn and Don Conlan ; Michele and Roger Engemann; The Green
Foundation; Julie and Don Hopf; Sally and Bill Hurt and Bernadette Glenn; Pam and Brad King; Terri and Jerry Kohl; David Lee and Mark Nichols; Randy and Candy
Renick; Bingo and Gino Roncelli; Rick Saveri ; The Shubert Foundation; Lilah Stangeland; U.S. Bank; Frank Williams
Director’s Circle – $10,000 - $24,999
Ann Peppers Foundation; Diane and Fred Blum; Bill and Mary Lea Carroll; Ann and Paul Demartini; Patti and Jim Dolan; Sheldon Epps and Monette Magrath;
Brenda and Bill Galloway; Jay and Linda Griffey; Sumi and Bill Hughes; Ellen and Harvey Knell; Lily Lee and Tom Chang; Lindemann Foundation; Gayle and Tad
Lowrey; Milo W. Bekins Foundation; The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation; Pacific Global Investment Management Company; Gayle and Edward P. Roski,
Jr. – Majestic Realty; Betty Sandford; Anne Taubman and David Boyle; Sid and Betsey Tyler; Cindy Vail and Greg Stone; Jinny and Scott Wilcott
Playwright’s Circle – $5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous (2); Dan and Sandy Bane; The Bank of America Charitable Foundation; Bea and Paul Bennett; Julieta and Jeffrey Bennett; Meta and Jay Berger; Z
Clark Branson; Frank Brooks, in loving memory of Betty Ann Brooks; Marty and Bruce Coffey; The Dedeaux Family – Justin & Mary Lin, Terry & Christine and
Denise; Gail and Jim Ellis; St. Paul and Kathryn Epps; In Memory of Willette Foster; Friends of The Pasadena Playhouse; Susan and Gary Gerstenslager; Ann and
Robert Hamilton; Helen and Steven Kerstein; Jennifer and Michael LaRocco; Linden Optometry, a P.C.; Liz and David McFadzean; Stephanie and Greg McLemore;
Merrill Lynch; Shannon and Darrell Miller; Skip Ober; Ovation; Herbert and Marilyn Piken; Kay and Bob Rehme; Michael Roney; Thomas Safran; Laney and Tom
Techentin; Martha Tolles; Judy and Robert Waller
Performer’s Circle – $2,500 - $4,999
Anonymous; Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra; Cynthia Bennett and Ed de Beixedon; Claire and Bill Bogaard; The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation;
Hilary and Richard Clark; Lynn and Carl Cooper; David DiCristofaro; Peggy Ebright; Fox Rothschild, LLP; Rose Ann Hall – California Custom Fruits & Flavors; Tracy
and Richard Hirrel; Marcia L. Hoffman; Teena Hostovich; Shelly and Dennis Lowe; Greta and Peter Mandell; Diane and Craig Martin; Susan McGuirl and Bob Musselman; Edith Mehlinger; Jessie Milano; Sharon and Sam Muir; Gaylord Nichols; Deidra Norman Schumann; Elizabeth Pankey; Barbara and Tony Phillips; Jane and
Kris Popovich; Martin Salvin; Elliot and Danielle Stahler; Vivien Stanley Foran and William Foran; Sidney Stern Memorial Trust; Southern California Gas Company;
Mindy and Gene Stein; Alison and Steve Trytten; Mary and William Urquhart
Stage Manager’s Circle – $1,000 - $2,499
Sara and George Abdo; Harry Abrams; Tracy Alderson; JoJeanne and Dann Angeloff; Anonymous (2); Mrs. William E. Ballard; William Barney; The Beggs Family; Sue
and Richard Biggar; Barrett and Carol Bingaman; Brian Bissell; John and Tami Brown; Michael Budd; Brent Chang; Catherine “Tink” Cheney; Marty and Jim Childs;
Karen and Tim Chrisman; Carol Chua; Dottie Clougherty; Adam and Janette Cochran; Barbara and Wesley Coleman; Martin L. Cohen, M.D. and Sharleen Cooper
Cohen; Carol Ann Collins; Stephen Courtney; Carlos and Julio Cruz; Ginny and John Cushman; Gary Dahle and Derek Whitefield; Faye and Robert Davidson;
David and Holly Davis; Mike Deasy; Richard and Bryn DeBeikes; Darrell Done; Barbara and Tom Dukes; Dennis Ellis; Frank W. Epinger; Dorothy Falcinella; Fishbein
Family Foundation; Margaret Foley Jagels; Henri and Donna Ford; Jim Franke; Tim Garrity; Richard Gilman; Audrea Golding; Kelly Gonda; Don Gorsch; Heather and
Paul Haaga; George Handtmann; Beth and Rob Hansen; Arlene and Robert Harder; Kristin and Berkeley Harrison; Ellen and Michael Hatch; Susan Hauk; Virginia
Hawkins and James C. Kenaga, M.D.; Wende and Jon Headley; LeAnn and Michael Healy; Felicia D. Henderson; June and Gareth Hughes; Colin Hurren; Patti Johns
Eisenberg; Donna and Lou Jones; Marcia and Gordon Kanofsky; Kelton Fund Inc./David and Lenora Kelton; Lena L. Kennedy; Jeffrey Kravitz; Evans Lam; Helen L.
Lambros; Sherry and Al Lapides; Sally Jean Lash; Mattie and Michael Lawson; Leigh Leshner; Michael Mackness; Melba Macneil; Sandra Martin; Donald and Judy
Matthews; Deborah Maxson; Vicki and Kerry McCluggage; Linda McManus and Prof. Bill Bridges; Susan and Bradley Mohr; Mr. and Mrs. Chase Morgan; Michael Naples; Nickelodeon; Mark Ogden and Brad Froehle; William and Judy Opel; Cathie and David Partridge; Pasadena Playhouse Alumni & Associates; Amy Pascal and
Bernard Weinraub; Anita Pemstein; Julian K. Petty; Derek and Susan Pippert; Gloria and Don Pitzer; Carol and Glenn Pomerantz; Jeffrey Porter; Preciosa Entertainment Corp.; Gregory Probert; Anette and Edward Pumphrey; Dean Madeline Puzo, USC School of Dramatic Arts; Charles Reardon; The Redhill Group, Inc.; Lorna
and Chuck Reed; Debby and Bill Richards; Joi Rideout; Terrence and Rita Roberts; Steven Robman and Kathy Baker; Rotary Club of Pasadena; Saks, Inc.; Sossi and
Norman Sarafian; Michael Schwartz, M.D.; The Seaver Institute; Sherry and Charles Sheppard; Andre Sherman; Bernadette and Russell Sherman; Judy and Bill
Shupper; John Singleton and Shelia Ward; Ronald Slates; Boyd Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey M. Smith; Phillip Sotel; Anthony Stein; Amy and Charles Stephens; Susan
Sullivan and Connell Cowan; Philip Swan; June Thurber Paine and Garrett Paine; In Memory of Roy Tolles; Dr. Mario Tse; Martin Pierce Udell; USC Alumni Association; Mary and Michael Veselich; Michele Vice-Maslin; Lin Vlacich; Richard von Ernst and Thomas Castaneda; Darrell and Laura Walker; In Memory of Neva Ward
Wallace; Lyla White; Rita Whitney; Alyce and Warren Williamson; Jeph Willis; James Wilson; Mark Withers; Molly and Ralph Wolveck; William H. Wright, Jr.
Supporter – $500 - $999
Sushma and Ashwin Adarkar; Les and Celeste Allan; Malcolm Axon; Meghan and Monte Baier; Aline and Danny Bakewell, Sr.; Kathryn and Michael Balale; Sheri and
Andy Ball; Neil Bauman; Elizabeth Besch; John Brende; John Casani; Corky and Marilyn Conzonire; William Cunningham; Dorothy and William Davila; Janet and
Edgar Davis; Mr. and Mrs. Leo Dencik; Mark and Victoria Eaton; Dr. Thomas Edwards and Sally Edwards; Robert Ellis; Carol Fox; Robert and Bridget Furiga; Robert
Galvan; Scott and Barbara Gantz; Harry Gilbert; Margie and Paul Grossman; Courtney Harper and Family; Juliette Harrhy and Mike Gunter; JP and Diane Harris;
Sue Haynie Horn; Susan Hoffman; Schuyler and Deborah Hollingsworth; Gregory and Samantha Jessner; April and Kelly Johnson; Helga Johnstone; Elizabeth Koen,
in loving memory of Elizabeth Koen Brooks; Lena and Mark Labowe; Emilie and Allen Lanstra; Mr. and Mrs. Les Lazar; Jeehyun Lee and Mark Kim; Sue and John
Leisner; Amy, Martha, and Fidel Leos; Victor and Karen Limongelli; C. Peter Magrath; Pamela and J.C. Massar; Dreux McNairy; Roger C. Memos; Debbie Mitchell;
Susan and Allan Mohrman; Elly and Jim Morgan; Cheryl and Judd Morris; Kenneth and Richel Nash; Janice Ohta; Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Osterloh, III; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce
Palumbo; Sandra Piller, in memory of Michael Piller; Jack Pollock; George Prothro Coulter; Rancho Book Club; Winnie and Lynn Reitnouer; Phong and Marcela
Rock; Isi Russ and Liz Fitzgerald-Russ; Jeff Scofield; Jean Scott and Kent Keller; Katharine Sickel Higgins; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Simmons; Janis and Stuart Simon; Drs.
Neil and Sonia Singla; Gail and David Snyder; Shigeyoshi Takagi; Frank Taylor; Janet Thomasser; Ashana and Tom Thorman; Sheran and David Voigt; Vroman’s Bookstore; James and Mary Weidner; Marion and Michael Westmore; J. Patrick Whaley and Lynda Jenner; Nita Whitaker LaFontaine
Friend – $250 - $499
Joan and Andreas Aebi; Kerby Alvy; Anonymous; Gale and Jane Bensussen; Jennifer and John Berger; Paula Brand; Esthere Brutsch; Jean Burdge; Jacqueline and
Arthur Burdorf; Patty and Byron Capps; Mary Castillo; Suzanne and Walter Cochran-Bond; Patricia A. Cuneo; Christina and Richard Doren; Ann and Gene Dryden;
Allan Edmiston; Mary Ann and Thomas Fell; Valerie Foster Hoffman; Dan Gilbert and Kate Rogers; S. Stanley Goron and Jos. Henry; Beryl and Graham Gosling;
Thomas Greany; Elizabeth and David Hasbrouck; Tom Hatten; Sylvia Hernandez; Marguerite Hougasian, in memory of Victoria Hougasian; Gary Hunter; Marie Ida;
Mr. and Mrs. George Inadomi; Dr. James Johnson; Larry Johnson; Meg Jolley and David Sameth; Nancy and John Killen; Leonard and Barbara Kolod; Donald Kottler;
Marilyn Kezirian; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Korney; Penny and Steven Ledbetter; Sandy Leonardis; Ruth Linnick; Dianne Logan; Mary Lyon; Linda Malmquist; Kenneth
and Ruby Maya; Jeanie McCarthy; Dorothy McVann; Mr. and Mrs. Asa Meudell; Paula J. Miller; Gloria and Accie Mitchell; Janet Mitsui Brown and Roger Aaron
Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Moak; Rio and Frank P. Morse; Mr. and Mrs. Millard Murphy; Robert and Sharon Novell; Diana Palmer; Maiya Penberthy; Paula G. Pitzer;
Stewart and Amy Powell; Florence Reese; Robert and Shelly Reisch; Susan and Ed Richmond; Leo and Sonya Roos; Margaret and Charles Sedenquist; Dorothy
Shepherd; Grant and Liz Smith; Warren Stout, M.D.; Dottie and Walt Sumner; Eileen T’Kaye and David Bischoff; Sandra Tofflemire; Janet and Robert Tranquada;
Timothy Vient; Edgar and Peggy Whitmore; Erik and Tanya Zommers; Bob and Patty Zuber
All donors listed gave $250 since December 1, 2011. Contributions received after December 17, 2012 will be acknowledged in the next program.
P12 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
SHOW YOUR L
VE
Did you know that ticket and subscription purchases cover only about 50% of the cost of your seat? As a
non-profit institution, The Pasadena Playhouse relies on the generous support of its patrons to help bring art
and magic to our stage, and off stage with diverse Outreach & Education programming.
Your individual or institutional contribution will significantly support the productions that appear on our
stage: world-premiere plays, musicals and dramas for all ages and generations of theatre-goers. Annual gifts
can be unrestricted, which means they will be designated to address the areas deemed of greatest need.
Donors may also designate their gifts toward a program of choice.
With the season of love upon us, please consider making a gift to The Pasadena Playhouse. There are many
ways to give:
Cash, Check, Credit Card Gift or Online Donation
The easiest, most direct way to support The Playhouse.
Securities
A gift of appreciated stock or other securities allows you to make a tax deduction for the full fair-market
value without realizing capital gain.
Matching Gifts
Your employer may match your donation to The Pasadena Playhouse, thereby doubling or even tripling its
impact.
Honorary or Memorial Gifts
Gifts may be given in honor or memory of a friend, family member, Playhouse staff member or anyone of
your choosing.
For more information on ways to give, please contact Beth Lewis, Annual Giving Manager, at
[email protected] or (626) 921-1156.
THE GILMOR BROWN SOCIETY
The Gilmor Brown Society, dedicated to a legacy of live theatre and thus named after The Playhouse founder, was established to recognize, honor
and thank those individuals for provisions they have made through thoughtful estate planning to further the mission of The Pasadena Playhouse:
Ellen Bailey
Estate of Evelyn Bray
Marjorie Cates
Estate of Angus Duncan
Estate of Shirley Filiatrault
Harriet L. Freeman
Estate of Ada Gory
Sheila Grether-Marion
Adele F. Morse
Shirli Nielsen
Estate of Charles Pierce
Estate of Constance Ropolo
Lyn Spector
Lilah and Roger* Stangeland
Estate of Bill Watters
Jim Watterson
*Deceased
If you have included The Playhouse in your estate plans and your name is not currently listed, please notify the Development Office so we may
acknowledge you for your support and add your name to the Gilmor Brown Society. For further information or questions about other gift opportunities,
please contact Jennifer Berger, Director of Development/Outreach & Education at 626.921.1164 or by email at [email protected].
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, April 27, 2013
3rd Annual
High School Theatre Festival
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P13
DONOR PROFILE
Playhouse Sweethearts
Blake Lindsey & Stephen Nemeth
As we celebrate this month of love at The Playhouse, we thought it only appropriate to have a chat with two of our loves, Blake Lindsley
and Stephen Nemeth. Blake and Stephen have been involved with The Pasadena Playhouse since Blake first performed on the Mainstage in a production of Equus and subsequently starred in Enchanted April, Noël Coward’s Private Lives also directed by Art Manke,
and most recently in our HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse new works development program, for a staged reading of Turnaround by Patricia
K. Meyer, co-starring Daniel J. Travanti. Blake, like many of us, considers The Pasadena Playhouse her theatrical home. Her husband
Stephen also loves The Playhouse, and in keeping with a little known fact
that The Playhouse had the first Los Angeles Television station, has taken a
parallel artistic route via motion pictures, film and TV. He formed and heads
up Rhino Films, an independent film company that originated as a division of
the iconoclastic record label Rhino Records. He has produced and executive
produced dozens of films including the first adaptation of a David Sedaris work,
C.O.G., that will be in the main competition of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival,
The Sessions (starring John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, and William H. Macy which
was released by Fox Searchlight in October), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
(starring Johnny Depp and directed by Terry Gilliam), the musical film Why Do
Fools Fall in Love, the Frankie Lymon story, starring Halle Berry, and the upcoming Snake and Mongoose about a legendary drag-racing rivalry.
Veterans and stars in the entertainment industry, Blake and Stephen know the
importance of not only sharing their talents but supporting artistic organizations that allow them and others to do so. This includes the HOTHOUSE at The
Playhouse new works development program at The Pasadena Playhouse that
Blake & Stephen at the Zurich Film Festival
Blake and Stephen have continued to support. “The HOTHOUSE Program is
so important to grown and nurture new playwrights and plays. This is where
it all starts!” both exclaim. Their personal enthusiasm and passion for the arts jumps
straight off the page, and it makes one wonder, where did it all start for them? We sat down with them to find out a little bit more…
Playhouse: When did you first discover theatre and art? When were you “bit by the bug”?
Stephen & Blake: Blake did a musical theater summer camp following 6th grade and decided she was going to be an actress. She was so
inspired… She played an alien. As for Stephen, his earliest memories of music and art were from the days when he appeared on the show
“Romper Room”… seriously!
P: Wow! So it was love at first sight for each of you with theatre, art and music. How about when you two met? Did you know you were
meant to be?
S&B: We met at a screening of the film Rendition hosted by Artists for Amnesty… a great reflection of our mutual interests in art and human rights/social justice. We hit it off right away… we ended the night kissing in Blake’s car!!!
P: Love at first sight again! What were some of our subsequent dates? I’m sure art and theatre still played a big part and there are some
pretty fond memories you’ve made.
S&B: We traveled to Paris together early in our relationship and had an amazing time walking around the city seeing every museum there.
Here in Los Angeles, we really enjoyed August: Osage County at the Ahmanson, also watching Blake’s sister Elizabeth Eldridge in many
plays at the Theatricum Botanicum, The Book of Mormon in NYC, and we LOVED Baby, It’s You! and everything else we have ever seen at
The Playhouse.
P: That’s quite an endorsement! Every show you’ve seen at The Playhouse? Would you like to amend or expand that last statement?
Elizabeth Daniels Photography
S&B: The Playhouse is unique for its bold artistic choices, its stunning architecture and history,
and its remarkably loyal following. There are only a few strong theatres in Los Angeles… The
Playhouse is one of them. We also enjoy going to friends’ art shows such as Sheppard Fairey,
Michael Kohn, Robbie Conal and others. We have to continue to foster the great artistic talent
emerging in Los Angeles – in every medium, from fine art to film to great theatre.
P: Agreed. In that vein, let’s give you a chance to talk about the brilliant work you’re doing. What
are you up to right now?
S&B: Well, our son just turned 9 months and is crawling and babbling up a storm. The Sessions,
a movie which Stephen produced and in which Blake has a featured role, is critically acclaimed
and has already been nominated for multiple awards [we went to press mid-January before any
specifics were officially announced.]. Blake continues to work in voiceover and television, and
up next for Stephen is the film adaptation of the NY Times bestselling novel Confessions of an
Economic Hitman.
P: Congratulations! We’ll have to keep an eye out for that one and for you at The Playhouse.
One more question, as we are in the month of love and doing a show all about angels, fallen or
not, do you have an angel in your lives right now? (we think we may know the answer…)
S&B: Absolutely! Our gorgeous son, Lincoln, Linc for short, is our angel. He is delicious and we
crave him every moment we are apart from him!
P14 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
PASADENA PLAYHOUSE ALUMNI & ASSOCIATES
Did you know The Pasadena Playhouse once founded and managed an accredited college of theatre arts?
The Pasadena Playhouse opened at the present site in 1925, and the School of the Theatre officially opened
with 24 students, in 1928. It became an accredited College of Theatre Arts in 1936, awarding both Bachelor
and Master of Theatre Arts degrees to those with sufficient undergraduate credits. The Alumni & Associates
was founded in 1953. Many well-known ‘names’ trained at this prestigious school, among them Charles
Bronson, Barbara Rush, Dabbs Greer, Lloyd Nolan, Victory Jory, Robert Preston, Dana Andrews, Frances
Reid, Raymond Burr, Harry Dean Stanton, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, Sally Struthers, Earl Holliman, Mako, Jamie Farr,
Rue McClanahan, Ruth Buzzi and Jo Ann Worley. Though the school closed permanently in 1969, the Alumni & Associates
continues to be actively involved with The Playhouse. They play a vital role in collecting and maintaining The Playhouse
Archives and assist in guided tours of The Playhouse. Our single greatest contribution to our beloved alma mater is the
creation and administration of The Henry and Joyce W. Sumid Scholarship for needy college students of the theatre arts.
On June 9, 2013, the PPA&A celebrates its 60th Anniversary with a Brunch gathering! Please see our website for more
information and reservations.
www.ppa-a.org
www.sumidscholarship.org
THE AMBASSADORS OF THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
The Ambassador Hosts had a Christmas vacation during A Snow White
Christmas, which took over the Library with their fun and festive play. But now
we are back, the year is a new one, the production is our favorite playwright, Noel
Coward, and we are all eager to greet our playgoing family again.
Pictured is Christine Franke, who has newly joined our development team, and
her enthusiasm is totally contagious. She joins us in the library so often, greeting
guests alongside our Hosts, that we call her our "Uber Host!" So listen for even
more laughter, joy, and theatre discussion than ever bouncing out of the Makineni
Llibrary.
Speaking of theatre discussion, Fallen Angels is one of Noel Coward's less often
produced plays. Those of you who have missed this one will love discovering a new gem and those who know it will be so
glad to re-visit it in this great Pasadena Playhouse production. Enjoy!
THE FRIENDS OF THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
The Friends have been the volunteer support of The Pasadena Playhouse since 1979. An average of 30,000 hours per year
are volunteered by this busy group. They are self-run by a 22 member Board and publish "Offstage", their own newsletter, six
times a year. The Friends activities include ushering, providing cast and crew meals, guiding tours, working in the Archives,
selling merchandise during the shows, office help, special projects, and some fundraising events. In addition, they have
several social events and trips to other theatres.
To join this active and fun-loving organization or for more information, please check our website at www.friendsofthepasadenaplayhouse.org
BACKSTAGE TOURS
There are two sides to every play: what you see as an audience and what’s hidden on the other side of the curtain. Would
you like to know the backstage secrets, see what it takes to get a play on stage? Visit the Green Room and find out why it’s
called the green room – when it isn’t. See the paint frame and learn its purpose. It’s all a part of our backstage tour.
For more information or to book a tour, email [email protected] or call (626) 921-1162.
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P15
Sheldon Epps
Artistic Director
Elizabeth Doran
Executive Director
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Controller. ...............................................Stephanie Surabian
Executive Assistant...............................Whitney Fortmueller
Staff Accountant.......................................................... Chris Lu
Union Liaison........................................................Angela Sidlow
Accounting Consultant......................Mary Ann Heidsman
IT Consulting Firm. ........................................... TechFirmation
DEVELOPMENT/OUTREACH & EDUCATION
Development/Outreach &
Education Director.........................................Jennifer Berger
Major Gifts Officer..............................................Christine Franke
Outreach & Education Manager/
Artistic Associate. ..............................................Courtney Harper
Annual Giving Manager............................................Beth Lewis
Special Events Coordinator. .................. Kimberly Ruppert
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Marketing & Communications Director. .........Patty Onagan
Public Relations Director...........................................Joel Hile
Marketing &
Communications Coordinator......................Jewel E. Moore
Subscriptions Manager..................................Jonathan White
Group Sales Associate.................................. Susan von Tress
Broadcast Advertising............................ Nancy’s Media Buys,
Nancy Pank
Key Art Design..................................................Melissa Hughes
Graphic Design...........................................................Eric Pargac
Program Design.........................................................Tara James
Photography.....................................................................Jim Cox
Subscription Designer...........................................Blue Lounge
Telemarketing.......................................................Theatre Direct
FRIENDS OF THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
EXECUTIVE BOARD
President. .............................................Lenore Bond Almanzar
1st Vice-President..........................................Sue Haynie-Horn
2nd Vice-President...........................................Nancy Ashcraft
Treasurer. ....................................................................Nola Widin
Recording Secretary.........................................Sharon Zaslaw
GENERAL BOARD
Eugenia Amodei, Doris Arima, Ellen Bailey, Mary Basile,
Evey Brown, Chip Browning,, Virginia Browning, Bonnie
Davis, Bob De Wees, Eva Hanloser, Ruthe Kilburn, Gloria
Klaparda, Patti La Marr, Yvonne Lai, Beverly Meissner,
Shirley Miller, Patrick Oliva, Betty Parnell, Beverly
Simone, Jayne Thomas
THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE ALUMNI &
ASSOCIATES
EXECUTIVE BOARD
President. ............................................................Valerie Amidon
1st Vice-President................................................ Anne La Rose
2nd Vice-President..............................................Bridget Furiga
Administrator...................................................RJ Muehlhausen
Corresponding Secretary. ......................Charlyn d'Anconia
Treasurer. ..................................................................... Eric Johns
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lenore Almanzar, Ellen Bailey, Marje Cates,
Ross Clark, Jaclyn Palmer, Jack Scott
EMERITUS — PAST PRESIDENTS
Ross Eastty, Jim Kent, John McElveney, Pete Parkin
PATRON SERVICES
Patron Services Manager. ..............Lemuel H. Thornton III
Patron Services Assistant Manager. ..... Whitney LaBarge
Box Office Manager............................................ Doug Jacobs
Hospitality Manager........................................Stacey Castillo
Subsriptions Services Manager.............Frank Ensenberger
Patron Services Senior Associates..................Shelby Page,
Patron Services Associates............................... Kenia Brown,
Colin Burton, Kareem Cervantes, Elias Feghali,
Deborah Geer, Rafael Goldstein, Marcelo Olivas,
Ben Torres
House Managers............................... Lenore Bond Almanzar,
Sue Haynie-Horn, Patrick J. Oliva
FALLEN ANGELS PRODUCTION STAFF
Production Stage Manager............................Randall K. Lum
Assistant Stage Manager................................. Scott Harrison
Production Assistant........................................ David Mancini
Assistant Director.................................. Joshua Chase Gold
Company Manager...................................... Kristen Hammack
Casting Assistant.................................................. Richie Ferris
Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer. .................................Judy Lewin
Assistant Scenic Designer................................ Darcy Prevost
Assistant Costume Designer..............................Kate Poppins
Deck Head..................................................................Matt Petosa
Deck Carpenter. ........................................................Chris Cook
Props Master.................................................Shannon Dedman
Props Assistant...............................................Christine Brandt
Drapers. ................................Catherine Esera, Laurie Donati
Master Electrician............................................Chris Osborne
Light Board Operator...................................Mark Dougherty
Production Sound Engineer..........................Eric Thompson
Lead Scenic Painter.........................................Johnny LeBlanc
Wardrobe Supervisor/Dresser....................Marie Growden
Wig/Makeup Supervisor....................................Raenae Kuaea
Lead House Rigger.....................................................Tim Moore
Master Carpenter.................................................Isa Mitsuharu
Carpenters......................... Mike Askew, Christopher Cook,
Sean Lewellyn, Ryan Shull, Takuji "Clutch" Kuramoto,
Joel Schlessinger, Juan G. Holguin,
PRODUCTION
Production Manager....................................................Joe Witt
Company Manager.......................................Kristen Hammack
Technical Director..................................................Brad Enlow
Master Electrician.......................................... Cameron Zetty
Props Master................................................ Shannon Dedman
Sound Engineer..................................................Eric Thompson
Crew Chief................................................................Matt Petosa
Wardrobe Supervisor. ................................... Marie Growden
Facilities.................................... Mark Maldonado, Sal Fariav,
Danilo Ramos
*This Theatre operates under an agreement
between the League Of Resident Theatres and
Actors’ EquityAssociation, the Union of Professional
Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Pamela M. Golinski, Esq. Beigelman, Feiner & Feldman P.C.
The actors and stage managers employed in this
production are members of actors’ equity association, the union of professional actors and
stage managers in the United States.
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WARNING: The photographic or sound recording of any
performance or the possession of any device for such
photographing or sound recording inside the theatre, without
written permission of the management, is prohibited by law.
Violators may be punished by ejection and violations may render
the offender liable for money damages.
FALLEN ANGELS
SPONSORS
CA
8
L USA
The Designers at this Theatre
are Represented by
United Scenic Artists • Local USA 829
of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes
AMAZING THANKS GO TO:
Daniel Miralles, Yaakov Sullivan, The Denver Center
Theatre Company, The Cleveland Playhouse, Arizona
Theatre Company and South Coast Repertory.
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