By Jeff Johnson & Ashley Andrews, Esq.

Friday, August 1st we were fortunate to hear from Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director of the Pasadena Playhouse. Jeff Johnson was kind enough to take notes for me because I was in Court and, really, “someone” needs to go back to kindergarten, or pre-school or whenever penmanship is taught and take some lessons. So what I gleaned from his very neat and orderly scribbles is as follows:

The idea of the Pasadena Playhouse began in 1917, when Pasadena was a town of farmers and wealthy vacationers, with an acting troupe. The town embraced the troupe and in 1924 gave them the newly constructed Pasadena Playhouse. It was the largest and most technically advanced venue on this side of the Mississippi (imagine that!). In fact, this little playhouse produced the entire canon of Shakespeare for the first time in America. Subsequently, our legislature then used taxpayer dollars to vote and dedicate the Playhouse as an official State Theatre in 1937 .

The Playhouse has given rise to acting greats such as Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Raymond Burr and Sally Struthers. It has also drawn talent  from across the country from the likes of Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, and Noel Coward, among others. At high points, it had as many as  five independent stages in operation at any given time.  The Playhouse also built and operated one of the first television stations in Southern California – KTTV, whose call letters still exist today as the local Fox affiliate.

For a variety of reasons, the Playhouse sadly went bankrupt in 1969 . Because of a number of supporters, it re-opened its doors in 1985. A focus since then is launching new works and landmark revivals for the American Theatre, while displaying a commitment to cultural and theatrical diversity. Highlights since 2005 include Sister Act, The Musical, and Ray Charles Live!, now titled Unchain My Heart, The Ray Charles Musical, which is scheduled to open on Broadway during the 2011-12 Season.

The Playhouse is always looking for donors to keep this cultural mecca alive and well. In fact, it currently has a “Save Our Butts” campaign to raise funds for new seats. One can choose to be a “Cushie Tushie” for $50, a “Bun Benefactor” for $150, and, amongst others, and my personal favorite, a “Bad Ass” for $500 +.  The idea of being a “Top Dog” for $1000 doesn’t bring the most pleasant images to my mind; but, certainly, one title among many others not too crude for our delicate, Rotarian ears.

We are most grateful for Elizabeth Doran for her hard work. Kudos to her for her time and effort, especially since she has three small children at home who no doubt had something to do with the “Cushie Tushie” campaign. That aside,  without the Pasadena Playhouse, the Arboretum, Huntington Library and a handful of other cultural gems in this area I am certain we would all revert to heathenism. Although, given some of the comments I hear from the back tables at our meetings I wonder if some of us are already reverting despite the presence of these gems….something to ponder over the weekend. And, speaking of weekends, I tried to get Chris Haddow and Paul K. to go cycling with me last weekend and BOTH blew me off – heathenism. And, thank you, Jeff Johnson, for being a true Rotarian and helping me out with the notes.