Comments on: Pasadena Playhouse http://hometown-pasadena.com/talk-of-our-towns/pasadena-playhouse/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:32:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Elements: The Bar | Hometown Pasadena http://hometown-pasadena.com/talk-of-our-towns/pasadena-playhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-9003 Elements: The Bar | Hometown Pasadena Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:02:52 +0000 http://hometown-pasadena.com/?p=8559#comment-9003 [...] the Pasadena Playhouse returns (we have faith that it will), the Playhouse District will really have it goin’ on, [...] [...] the Pasadena Playhouse returns (we have faith that it will), the Playhouse District will really have it goin’ on, [...]

]]> By: Pasadena Theatre Watcher http://hometown-pasadena.com/talk-of-our-towns/pasadena-playhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-8287 Pasadena Theatre Watcher Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:12:43 +0000 http://hometown-pasadena.com/?p=8559#comment-8287 Truth is, Sheldon Epps and co. just plain mismanaged the entire playhouse finances for years. Because they are a registered charity, you can access the playhouse tax return freely, and truth is that they were taking in $3-3.6 million at the door and spending 7-8 million. They had 37 staff, which is about double the needed staff to run a playhouse of that size, and Sheldon Epps and Tom Ware themselves got 15-20% increases in salary in the last few years - Ware getting over $135k a year as the head carpenter, and Epps as the part time artistic director getting over $230k for his last year of service... And operating for years without anyone other than Epps directing the finances... Well, sorry of you don't like the opinion, but Epps is always saying publicly that the playhouse was "saddled" with debt from its early days 13 or more years ago... with a debt that covered necessary production equipment and was not addressed in over a decade. That's not a reasonable statement - it just tries to make it the problem of anyone else but those responsible for the mismanagement - the top one being Epps himself. As Epps has called for a "new beginning", I find myself in complete agreement - a new beginning with no one from the current (mis)management team would be best! Truth is, Sheldon Epps and co. just plain mismanaged the entire playhouse finances for years. Because they are a registered charity, you can access the playhouse tax return freely, and truth is that they were taking in $3-3.6 million at the door and spending 7-8 million. They had 37 staff, which is about double the needed staff to run a playhouse of that size, and Sheldon Epps and Tom Ware themselves got 15-20% increases in salary in the last few years – Ware getting over $135k a year as the head carpenter, and Epps as the part time artistic director getting over $230k for his last year of service… And operating for years without anyone other than Epps directing the finances… Well, sorry of you don’t like the opinion, but Epps is always saying publicly that the playhouse was “saddled” with debt from its early days 13 or more years ago… with a debt that covered necessary production equipment and was not addressed in over a decade. That’s not a reasonable statement – it just tries to make it the problem of anyone else but those responsible for the mismanagement – the top one being Epps himself. As Epps has called for a “new beginning”, I find myself in complete agreement – a new beginning with no one from the current (mis)management team would be best!

]]> By: The Marathon Already? | Hometown Pasadena http://hometown-pasadena.com/talk-of-our-towns/pasadena-playhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-7411 The Marathon Already? | Hometown Pasadena Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:38:00 +0000 http://hometown-pasadena.com/?p=8559#comment-7411 [...] guess we’ve been too caught up in the Olympics and the Playhouse and other dramas, but somehow it’s just now sinking in that the Pasadena Marathon is Sunday [...] [...] guess we’ve been too caught up in the Olympics and the Playhouse and other dramas, but somehow it’s just now sinking in that the Pasadena Marathon is Sunday [...]

]]> By: Petrea http://hometown-pasadena.com/talk-of-our-towns/pasadena-playhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-6702 Petrea Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:27:51 +0000 http://hometown-pasadena.com/?p=8559#comment-6702 I've lived in Pasadena nearly five years now, and before that I lived in Altadena for two years. I'm a Pasadena homeowner. I've worked in the theatre much of my life. And all the time I've lived in Pasadena I've wanted to see shows at the Pasadena Playhouse. But I can't afford a ticket. Perhaps my opinion will be unpopular in light of the fact that the Playhouse is a long-loved Pasadena icon, but I think it has to be said: I believe the Playhouse has been out of touch with Pasadena for a long time. I know from experience that it costs a lot of money to produce theatre. But if your own market can't afford tickets to your shows, you're doing something wrong. Yes there are rich people in Pasadena, but the rich people here obviously aren't supporting the theatre. There are a lot of other people in town who might like to attend the theatre but who have to make other choices with their money. At $68 for a Sunday matinee, that's $136 for me and my husband to see a show. In this day and age, I'm afraid I have to opt to pay my property taxes instead. I want the Playhouse to survive. But it's got to survive in the 21st Century, with a new awareness of its audience. I’ve lived in Pasadena nearly five years now, and before that I lived in Altadena for two years. I’m a Pasadena homeowner. I’ve worked in the theatre much of my life. And all the time I’ve lived in Pasadena I’ve wanted to see shows at the Pasadena Playhouse. But I can’t afford a ticket.

Perhaps my opinion will be unpopular in light of the fact that the Playhouse is a long-loved Pasadena icon, but I think it has to be said: I believe the Playhouse has been out of touch with Pasadena for a long time.

I know from experience that it costs a lot of money to produce theatre. But if your own market can’t afford tickets to your shows, you’re doing something wrong. Yes there are rich people in Pasadena, but the rich people here obviously aren’t supporting the theatre. There are a lot of other people in town who might like to attend the theatre but who have to make other choices with their money. At $68 for a Sunday matinee, that’s $136 for me and my husband to see a show. In this day and age, I’m afraid I have to opt to pay my property taxes instead.

I want the Playhouse to survive. But it’s got to survive in the 21st Century, with a new awareness of its audience.

]]> By: Barlprod http://hometown-pasadena.com/talk-of-our-towns/pasadena-playhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-6632 Barlprod Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:21:03 +0000 http://hometown-pasadena.com/?p=8559#comment-6632 Maybe a mystery dinner theatre which would benefit the theatre and a restaurant that participates would work. There is a Gourmet Detective in Riverside, across from the Mission Inn, that seems to work quite well. True, it is different in that the play begins as soon as the guests walk in and dinner served in the same room as the play, but I'm sure something could be worked out with a restaurant close by! Surely there are dancers, actors, and singers that would love to showcase their talent in such a wonderful place and as a fundraiser! Maybe a mystery dinner theatre which would benefit the theatre and a restaurant that participates would work.
There is a Gourmet Detective in Riverside, across from the Mission Inn, that seems to work quite well. True, it is different in that the play begins as soon as the guests walk in and dinner served in the same room as the play, but I’m sure something could be worked out with a restaurant close by!

Surely there are dancers, actors, and singers that would love to showcase their talent in such a wonderful place and as a fundraiser!

]]> By: Cafe Pasadena http://hometown-pasadena.com/talk-of-our-towns/pasadena-playhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-6531 Cafe Pasadena Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:14:52 +0000 http://hometown-pasadena.com/?p=8559#comment-6531 This is just another sign that we may indeed be far from an economic recovery in this country. As for the new Elements. That Playhouse space has always been bad luck for restaurants. If the PH is now outta biz, it probably won't help that young restaurant to walk & run. Nevertheless, I see a future for the PH! This is just another sign that we may indeed be far from an economic recovery in this country.
As for the new Elements. That Playhouse space has always been bad luck for restaurants. If the PH is now outta biz, it probably won’t help that young restaurant to walk & run.

Nevertheless, I see a future for the PH!

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