The Pasadena Playhouse News

Jason Alexander and more will be starring in Fiddler on the Roof at La Mirada Theatre. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez stopped by Watch What Happens with Andy Cohen on Tuesday and hinted at a return to Off-Broadway that is sure to excite fans. After a question about Jinxk Monsoon in the current Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, the Rent star teased viewers about something that may be in the works. Watch the video here!

Gloria Calderón Kellett’s One of the Good Ones is nearing the end of its world premiere run at the Pasadena Playhouse, closing April 7, 2024. Kimberly Senior directs the cast led by Lana Parrilla and Carlos Gomez and featuring Isabella Gomez, Nico Greetham and Santino Jimenez. Finally got to pin down Carlos to answer a few of my queries.

A second cousin once removed to William Rose’s GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER, ONE OF THE GOOD ONES finds the highly assimilated, upper middle class Gomez family losing their collective sanity when their daughter, Yoli, brings home Marcos, a man who, to her parents’ minds at least, qualifies as an “other.” A sweet, occasionally tart new play.

Uncle Vayna is back this season courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater. This version of the play features a new translation by Heidi Schreck and is directed by Lila Neugebauer.  Meet the cast of Uncle Vanya here!

The Kit Kat Club is now open! Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, starring Academy Award and Tony Award winner Eddie Redmayne and introducing Gayle Rankin, begins previews tonight, April 1, at the August Wilson Theatre. Meet the cast of Cabaret here!

The Fabulous Invalid has announced that Messy White Gays, a new play written by Drew Droege, will have a four performance public reading at the SoHo Playhouse.

After 34 years as artistic director, Fountain Theatre co-founder Stephen Sachs has announced his retirement at the end of 2024.

Remembering the legacy of Rita McKenzie, a powerhouse on stage with a theatrical career spanning Broadway, TV, and symphony performances.

Open Fist Theatre Company will present the world premiere of A Froggy Becomes, written by Becky Wahlstrom and directed by Pat Towne, opening March 9 and running through April 13 at Atwater Village Theatre.

Amas Musical Theatre and the Amas Musical Theatre Lab, will present developmental lab readings of Falling For Make Believe: The Life and Songs of Lorenz Hart, with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart.

Get into the holiday spirit with Damian Dare in The Electric Kringle Caper, a must-see show at Rec Room Arts. Running until December 31st, 2023, this magical performance is not to be missed. Book your tickets now and experience the wonder!

A new Pasadena Playhouse holiday tradition begins with the premiere of Tony nominee Sam Pinkleton and Randy Blair’s Pasadena Playhouse Holiday Spectacular running December 14th through December 23rd. Sam directs the cast of MaryAnn Hu, Lesli Margherita, George Salazar and Jason Michael Snow. I had the chance to toss a few questions out to Broadway, Los Angeles and London stage veteran, Ms. Lesli Margherita.

JOB, the critically acclaimed psychological thriller about the toll life on the internet takes on all of us, which played a sold-out, twice-extended Off Broadway run this fall, will return for an encore engagement next month.  Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!

Per playwright Howard L. Craft, the spirit of the human soul has the capacity to return to earth multiple times until it successfully learns…well…whatever it is supposed to learn. Can’t speak for the soul, but the performer J. Alphonse Nicholson needs no do-overs to embody the five incarnations of Abel Green within Craft’s play FREIGHT. Simply put, Nicholson nails each Green ably, in every possible way. Completely.

A re-imagined production of Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s Inherit the Wind is currently playing on the Pasadena Playhouse stage, just extended through December 3, 2023. Michael Michetti directs the cast, led by Alfred Molina & John Douglas Thompson as the battling lawyers in a trial inspired by the Scopes Monkey trials in 1925. Rounding out the talented company: Chris Perfetti, Abubakr Al, David Aaron Baker, Rachel Hilson, Jared, Brian Calì, Marlene Forte, Matt Gomez Hidaka, Thomas Hobson, Michael Kostroff, John W. Lawson, Philip J. Lewis, Gabriella Pizzigoni, Rene Rivera and Pam Trotter. After the whirlwind of opening night and unexpected COVID cancellations, John Douglas graciously found some time to chat with me on the phone.

The National Theatre Conference announces its 2023 award recipients, including Jacob G. Padrón as Person of the Year, Deaf West Theatre for Outstanding Theater, a.k. payne for Stavis Playwriting, Isabel Pask for The Paul Green, and Joshua Castille for Emerging Professional.

Pasadena Playhouse announces the cast for their Holiday Spectacular, including Broadway stars MaryAnn Hu and Lesli Margheita. Get all the details here.

Director Michael Michetti has put thought and heart into his production and peopled it with a strong cast whose characters opt for playing the strength of their convictions over histrionics. A hurricane force this WIND is not, but there’s plenty to enjoy.

Steve Carell is headed to Broadway! The actor, best known for starring in the television series The Office, will make his Broadway debut in Lincoln Center Theater's upcoming production of Anton Chekhov’s classic UNCLE VANYA. Find out more information about the production here!