Los Angeles, California Travel Guide
About Know the Neighborhoods Getting Around Attractions Hotels
Eats & Nightlife Essentials & Practicals
Pasadena Playhouse
Pasadena Playhouse
Overview: Around since 1917, the Pasadena Playhouse (the building itself was built in 1925) is one of the most well-respected performance stages in the nation. The Pasadena Playhouse is located a handful of blocks east of Pasadena’s Downtown area just south of the main Colorado strip on El Molino.
Registered as a national historic building (in 1975), the Pasadena Playhouse has a rich history as Calfornia’s “State Theatre of California” and as a theatre school. The 1920s saw the formation of the College of Theatre Arts, which turned into one of the greatest acting factories, churning out some of the greatest actors in history such as Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, Nick Nolte, Charles Bronson and more. Today, the Pasadena Playhouse no longer operates a theater arts school but it does reach out to the community, getting youth, especially at-risk kids, exposure to theater.
The Pasadena Playhouse has a nice atmosphere like the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. It has a quaint courtyard and an old-world feel to it with orange lanterns warming up theater-goers at night and its beautiful Spanish colonial design. The playhouse has a main stage as well as separate Carrie Hamilton Theatre. Its programming (six productions a year) is second to none as many award-winning shows have had their turns at the Pasadena Playhouse. Some of the notable productions have been Of Mice and Men, RAY CHARLES LIVE!, Can Can, Sister Act the Musical, Fences
Location: 39 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Site: www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
Ph: (626) 356-7529
Cost: $40 – $70
Parking: Metered parking on the street as well as the lot behind the theater.
Accessibility: The Pasadena Playhouse’ main stage is wheelchair accessible. The Carrie Hamilton Theatre does not yet have wheelchair accessible seats.
Getting There: Metro Gold Line, www.metro.net