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2008 Season
Orson's Shadow
Mask
Of Mice and Men
Looped
Vanities
Mauritius
ORSON ’S SHADOW
By Austin Pendleton
Conceived by Judith Auberjonois
Directed by new Associate Artistic
Director, Dámaso Rodriguez
Starring (in alphabetical order)
Nick Cernoch as
Sean
Sharon Lawrence
as Vivien Leigh
Scott Lowell as
Kenneth Tynan
Bruce McGill as
Orson Welles
Charles
Shaughnessy as Laurence Olivier
Libby West
as Joan Plowright
January 11 - February 17, 2008
An ingenious tale of two Hollywood giants – Orson
Welles and Laurence Olivier. The time is 1960; the place
is a London theatre. Legendary critic Kenneth Tynan has
made a startling proposal: Welles should direct Olivier
and the young Joan Plowright in Rhinoceros,
Ionesco’s absurdist masterpiece. But it is the rehearsal
process that brims with absurdity as titanic
personalities, including Vivien Leigh, wrestle the muse.
Based on an actual event, Orson’s Shadow is a witty
and incisive depiction of the drama of theatre.
MASK
A new musical based on a true story
Book by Anna
Hamilton Phelan
Music by Barry
Mann
Lyrics by
Cynthia Weil
Based on the
Universal motion picture Mask
Musical Staging
by Patti Colombo
Directed by
Richard Maltby, Jr.
March 12 -
April 20, 2008
One of the most
successful songwriting teams in history, Barry Mann and
Cynthia Weil ("You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling"), Academy
Award-nominated writer Anna Hamilton Phelan (Gorillas
in the Mist) and Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby, Jr.
(creator/director of Ain't Misbehavin' and Fosse)
have come together to bring you this world premiere
musical.
Mask stars
Michelle Duffy (Can-Can, Ovation Award-winner),
Greg Evigan (B.J. and the Bear, My Two Dads),
Michael Lanning (Tony Award-nominated production of
Civil War) and introducing Allen E. Read as Rocky
Dennis.
This theatrical
pop-rock musical is based on a true story of an unusual
looking boy and his unconventional biker mother. She shows
him how to embrace life. He shows her how to choose it.
OF MICE AND MEN
By John Steinbeck
Directed by Paul Lazarus
May 2 - June 8, 2008
Once in a great while a dramatic theatrical event takes
place that demands national attention. Such is the case
with Pasadena Playhouse's groundbreaking revisionist
production of John Steinbeck's beloved tale Of Mice and
Men. Steinbeck's powerful portrait of two men's quest for
the American dream is given an astounding and provocative
make-over by acclaimed director Paul Lazarus.
In 1942, several years after Steinbeck's original setting
for Of Mice and Men, a government sponsored program was
put into place that woud forever change the face of
immigration in this country. It was called the Bracero
Program and opened the door to thousands of Mexican
immigrants who crossed the border in pursuit of dreams for
a better life for their families. Not only did this
program quite literally fuel the expanding American
economy but it also created a wave of immigration that
continues to this day. This daring and profound setting
for Of Mice and Men amplifies Steinbeck's themes of
loneliness and longing and provides a fresh experience for
Playhouse audiences.
LOOPED
by Matthew Lombardo
Directed by Rob Ruggiero
June 27 – August 3
From the writer of the hit comedy Tea at Five comes
another delectable glimpse into the eccentric life of a
Hollywood legend!
Looped tells the story of Tallulah Bankhead, the original
celebrity bad girl, being called into a sound studio to
“loop” one line of dialogue for what would be her last
film. Southern, but by no means a belle, Ms. Bankhead was
known for her wild partying that outshined even today’s
superstars, including innumerable affairs with male and
female celebrities and outlandish exploits that were even
investigated by the British secret service. Relish in the
promiscuity, scandal and outrageous wit with the
sultry-voiced stage and film star who lived them.
VANITIES
By Jack Heifner
Music and Lyrics by David Kirshenbaum
Directed by Judith Ivey
August 22 - September 28, 2008
Tap your feet and sing along in this musical
adaptation of the original hit comedy! Reminisce with this
hilarious and moving musical scrapbook of three unique
small town cheerleaders and the choices that change their
friendships and lives during the heart of the sexual
revolution. Fall for the funny and adorable housewife, the
wild world-traveler and the troubled go-getter as their
hopes and heartaches melt into a new libretto and lyrics.
With catchy melodies and good humor, it's a timeless
gathering of friends that promises to make this new
musical just as praised as the original off-Broadway hit!
MAURITIUS
by Theresa Rebeck
October 17 – November 23
In Mauritius, when two half-sisters vie for the rights to
a recently inherited and dazzlingly valuable stamp
collection, they come face-to-face with a couple of
machine-gun mouthed con artists who ensnare them in their
own brand of beguiling trickery. Filled with requisite
scams and double-crosses, Mauritius takes us on a
twisting, turning and wildly hilarious ride – and just
when you think you’ve got it all figured out – a shocking
ending leaves you breathless.
Mauritius opened on Broadway at the Biltmore Theatre in
October 2007. Ben Brantley of The New York Times said,
“Three Thugs and a Stamp Collection! You can’t dismiss the
pleasurable kick of watching a woman take on a slew of
Mamet-esque thugs! The corkscrew-twist drama of
suspense…moves quickly and fluidly…a multitude of
mysteries!”
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