EXECUTIVE BOARD FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends,I must first offer our apologies for the long ‘intermission’ in newsletters. The break was mostly due to the fact that we received little input from members to share with you. Indeed some of the articles in this edition are dated but still of interest. As much as we hate to admit it, it should be obvious to all that we are winding down to the end of our run.

However, we are able to announce the date of the FINAL PPA&A Reunion!! Sunday, October 15th, 2017 we will hold the 62nd meeting of the PPA&A at the Playhouse. The reunion will include a reception, attendance to the matinee performance of OUR TOWN on Mainstage, and then dinner. We are busily reviewing locales and making arrangements for this exciting event.

Our reunion last September that coincided with the Playhouse production of THE FANTASTICKS was very successful. One of the most helpful items in bringing that event to fruition was hearing from members of their desire to attend. So, we are again asking that you drop us a line or send us an email to let us know if you would be joining us for this very special reunion. Please email to Valerie@ ppa-a.org or regular mail to P.O. Box 291, Pasadena, CA 91102.

The Pasadena Playhouse has a new logo, a new website and a new Lobby! If you haven’t been to the Theatre for a while make a point to come see a show very soon as the Playhouse prepares to celebrate its 100th Anniversary!!

Valerie

Newsletter Summer 2017

PPA&Avamidon@ppa-a.org

PPA&A NewsletterNewsletter@ppa-a.org

PPA&A Websitewww.ppa-a.org

Henry & Joyce Sumid Scholarshipwww.Sumidscholarship.com

Pasadena Playhouse Archivesarchives@pasadenaplayhouse

Playhouse Website:www.pasadenaplayhouse.org

PPA&A CONTACTS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Valerie Amidon...............................Vice President Anne La Rose........................Treasurer RJ Muehlhausen.............................Recording Secretary Marje Cates..................

Lenore Almanzar Ross ClarkCharlyn d’Anconia Ross EasttyJohn McElveney Jaclyn Palmer

Pete Parkin

EMERITUS

Jim Kent

Newsletter Staff: Ross Clark

Remember the Pasadena Playhouse Alumni & Associates in your Estate Planning

MINUTES OF PPA&A BOARD MEETING – May 22, 2017

Present: V Amidon, R Clark, A La Rose, J McElveney, RJ Muehlhausen, J Palmer,L Almanzar, R Eastty (via phone)Absent: M Cates, C d’Anconia, P ParkinCall to order – 7:05 pm Minutes of previous meeting - acceptance m/s/p TREASURER’S REPORT: The income tax returns were distributed. The business returns are being prepared professionally. Gratitude was expressed for Eric Johns’ work in doing our past returns. Sumid fund is up in value.Checking account is low; transferring funds from investment account to cover costs.Treasurer’s report - acceptance m/s/pPRESIDENT’S STATEMENT: Our Town will be playing on Mainstage during our final reunion. October 15 is planned date.On site restaurant is closing and a new one coming in its place.We hope the return of a theatre in that site should be considered.Classroom/Studio now being refurbished in the rooms next to the Carrie Hamilton Theatre.ADMINISTRATIVE: Artistic Director Danny Feldman said first show of the new season will be Our Town in partnership with Deaf West Theatre. They are looking at ways to use students in Mainstage playsDisplayed new Playhouse logo to coincide with 100th birthday, The style of the new logo will be implemented in every show title.SUMID SCHOLARSHIP: May 31st is the last day of application reviews for the FINAL scholarship season.NEWSLETTER/eNEWSLETTER: Publication date must occur before June 21.ARCHIVES: One more drawer to finish and every picture will be scanned.Problems again with Huntington museum to get access to Playhouse archivesNEW/OLD BUSINESS: RJ reported that Marje Cates is doing well!!! We are all wishing you well Marje!ADOURNMENT 8:13 pm m/s/p

Respectfully submitted,Jaclyn Palmer

Page .2STAGE WHISPERS Summer 2017

TREASURER’S REPORT

WE GET LETTERS

Pasadena Playhause Alumni and Associates

February 29. 2016

Check baok bslance fram l2l3l{15 sl,827.31

Income Annual memberships (0) $0.00Life memberships {0) $0.00Directcries {0) s0.00)onations s50.00

Bank interest, 5/30 md 6130 $0.09Ralah's Grocerv s34.82Tctal Income $84.32

Check bmk balance as of VlZ9lL $1,87822

Othercash assets lUnexsended lesal retainer $1,000.00

Invetment Fund Balancs {Franktin Income Class A - $2,500 from Rose Freeman}As of 11/16i15 s38,594.69Account withdrawal s0.00As af 2D9ll6 s36,275.47

Gain{loss} ttr 52319-22

IUMID rund as.o!_ull lrlfsu\{o_ ru{ .71 of uze I t 6Gain

D

$411,.164.04

$4:!fs-6,.5?.

s2,392.53

.

Page 2.STAGE WHISPERS Spring 2016

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

..............................President Valerie Amidon.......................Vice President Anne La Rose

.........................Treasurer RJ Muehlhausen................Recording Secretary Marje Cates

Lenore Almanzar Ross ClarkCharlyn d’Anconia Ross EasttyJohn McElveney Pete Parkin

Jaclyn PalmerEMERITUS

Jim KentNewsletter Staff: Ross Clark

Remember the Pasadena Playhouse Alumni & Associates in your Estate

Planning

PPA&Avalerie@ppa-a.orgPPA&A Newsletter

Newsletter@ppa-a.orgPPA&A Websitewww.ppa-a.org

Henry & Joyce Sumid Scholarshipwww.Sumidscholarship.com

Pasadena Playhouse Archivesarchives@pasadenaplayhouse

Playhouse Website:www.pasadenaplayhouse.org

PPA&A CONTACTS

PPA&A Minutes of Board Meeting March 21, 2016

Present: V. Amidon, M. Cates, R. Clark, C. d’Anconia, RJ Muehlhausen, P. Parkin, A. LaRose (by phone) Absent: R. Eastty, J. McElveney, J. Palmer, L. Almanzar Guest: E. Johns

Call to Order 7:04 PM

Minutes of previous meeting M/S/P

Treas. Report acceptance M/S/P

President’s Statement:Board will purchase 4 tickets to Gala $2000.00 at Villa

Roma Level

** Classes to resume at Playhouse**

A professional workshop on public speaking will be held

April 23, 2016 (14 students)

Committee Reports:Administrative :$34.82 received from Ralph’s

$50.00 Received member Michelle Savitz

Green House:Readings start in May; all is on target.

Sumid Scholarship:Approximately 40 Applications received thus far. Not all

are complete. A month to go before closing.

Newsletter/eNewsletter:Plan to go to print early in April

Archives:Present Playhouse staff is making use of the Archive

resources.

Preparing for Playhouse Centennial Celebration is in

progress.

Old/New BusinessPossibility for resurrecting the Ghost Tour Program.

Can we raise $50,000 to restore the Fire Curtain? Perhaps

use Go Fund Me

Adjournment 8:23PM M/S/P

Next meeting May 23, 2016 7PM

Submitted by Marje Cates – Recording Secretary

BOARD MINUTES

TREASURER’S REPORTMarie Cloninger (’41) writes:

(received April 18, 2016)Dear Valerie,You will never know how happy I was to hear from someone connected to the P layhouse .  I wa s a scholarship student in 1938 -39 which meant that we worked at various things in the Playhouse. I operated the switchboard and in my Texas brogue I wou ld ha ve to make announcements! ! I also

typed a lot of scripts. It was a happy day when in 1939, continued on page 3.

Pasadena Playhouse Alumni and AssociatesTreasurers Report

May 22, 2017

Checkbook balance from 4/30/17 $458.95

Income Annual memberships (0) $0.00 Life memberships (0) $0.00 Directories (0) $0.00 Transfer from Franklin Fund $0.00 Bank Interest $0.02 Ralph’s Grocery $90.89 Total Income $90.91

Expenditures Secret. of State Statement of Info. $20.00 Registry of Charitable Trusts $25.00 Bank Service Charges $34.00

Total Expenditures $79.00

Checking Account Balance as of 5/22/2017 $470.86

Other cash assets Unexpended legal retainer $1,000.00

Cash balance, 7/27/2015 $1,470.86

Investment Fund Balance (Franklin Income Class A - $2,500 from Rose Freeman)AS of March 13, 2017 $39,149.60 Account withdrawal $0.00 As of May 19, 2017 $39,654.40 Gain $504.80

Sumid Scholarship Fund as of 3/13/2017 $473,788.03

Sumid Scholarship Fund as of 5/22/2017 $482,192.44

�1

I started attending the classes as a student. I graduated in 1941 and did a year of Post Graduate work and recall that John Carridine who was our speaker at our graduation was pictured with me in the LA Times because I had the highest scores in the class. I still have that picture somewhere. Those were happy days. Unfortunately, all the students that I kept up with through the years have died. I am now 96 years old but I look back with great love for all the thing I did with my theatre work. I did a play in New York and worked with National Broadcasting Company for quite a while. I worked in the evenings so I could make the rounds during the day. I lived in the Rehearsal Club .... I am sure you have heard of it; it was just for females who were actresses. I had a good agent who had started sending me on a lot of readings when I left to get married. However, I continued with my work in theatre. I returned to Beaumont, Texas where I was reared and started Beaumont Community Players in 1947. We did "The Drunkard" in a large room in a local hotel where they allowed us to sell beer, popcorn and peanuts so we made quite a bit of money and were able to fix up the local Little Theatre Building which was in disrepair. We operated there for quite a while and when that was closed the city gave us an elementary school building that was no longer being used. From there, one of our local thespians found a movie theatre that he turned into a wonderful theatre building and I am happy to report that they are still doing plays there. Since I am now 96 years old, you will find me in the audience for every play they have. I have had a wonderful life and I look back with fondness on my years at the Playhouse.

My name was Marie Concetta Mazzagatti....and I had a friend who was also a student whose name was Goldie Brickhouse. And I recall Charles Prickett calling us in one day to say that we had to change our names. Goldie became Linda Shawn and I took the name of Marie Marlo. Sad to say, I don't know anyone still living from my class at the Playhouse. I did keep up with a number of my good friends and attended a reunion we had many years ago at Robert Rockwell's home as headquarters.

I look back with great fondness on my years at the Pasadena Playhouse. At 96 years of age, I am afraid that I am not up to such a long trip but I hope you have a successful reunion.Sincerely yours,Marie Concetta Cloninger

Editors note: We received this wonderful letter in response to the invitation to the Fantasticks reunion. We are sorry to report that Marie passed away vey shortly after writing us this letter.

Page .3STAGE WHISPERS Summer 2017

Janice Reade Hoberg (’50) writes:We are all hoping for a reunion but I know it's so much work for all of you.  I miss seeing you all.

Just opened our play "Calendar Girls" here that I've directed and selling out like mad.  We only have a 100 seats in our Chautauqua Playhouse.  We are oldest live community theatre in Sacramento area and really have a number of Season Ticket holders.  Of course, they are getting on in age, but then, so am I.

I hope all is well with you and loved ones.  I so enjoyed meeting you over the years.

Wish I were nearer to see the new show.  Busy here doing Christmas entertainment for some Senior shut-ins.  Cheer them up a bit.  We’re doing Reader’s Theatre (A Christmas Memory”  I’m doing ‘Sook’ again and love it.  Bye, Fondly, Janice

Sylvie Drake (’51) writes: (received October 12, 2016)

Dear Friends,

We los t Gordon Da v idson ver y unexpected l y on October 2. Gordon changed the face of theatre in this town and Rob Kendt at American Theatre magazine was kind enough to ask if I

would write something about him. I said yes at once, because my years on the theatre desk of the Los Angeles Times paralleled most of his as the founding artistic director of Center Theatre Group. Quite selfishly, I wanted the catharsis of expressing my feelings about those many exciting times and the man who spearheaded them.

Here, if you wish to read, is the link:http://www.americantheatre.org/2016/10/12/gordon-davidson-you-had-to-love-him-and-very-often-his-work-too/

We Get Letters continued from page 2.

Tony Oseguera (’60) writes: (received June 30, 2016)

I sincerely hope that my letter finds you in the best of health and enjoying life to the fullest!  My wife Maggie and I are busy in our retirement pursuing our special interests. Please accept these photos of student productions for the glorious years of 1957-1960, taken in the various Pasadena Playhouse College theaters.  The links included will enable anyone reading the Pasadena Playhouse Alumni Newsletter to peruse these photos with the Identification and commentary, for their personal enjoyment!

Page .4STAGE WHISPERS Summer 2017

Editors note: This is just a sampling of the photo he sent. You can view his entire letter and pictures at https ://aanthonyoseguera.wordpress.com/2016/07/01/pasadena-playhouse-1957-1960/

Sylvie Drake (’51) writes: (received July 1, 2016)

I came across this interesting tid bit:In a conversation with Louis Mertins, a biographer (Robert Frost: Life and Talks-Walking), Frost talked about the time he spent living in Monrovia, California, during the summer of 1932:

“Monrovia was near enough to Los Angeles for all purposes, and the Community Players were at nearby Pasadena. Even in New England we had heard of the work done by this group. We became their regular fans. In Vermont we mostly had to run clear to New York to see a play. Our Broadway was within ten miles of our home in Monrovia, California. …It took the curse off having Hollywood so near.”Sylvie

Checkout the new Pasadena Playhouse Logo on the last page of this newsletter!!!!!!!

A New Look

Page .5STAGE WHISPERS Summer 2017

Larry Fazio ’65“STAGE MANAGER - The Professional

Experience, Refreshed” Pub. Focal Press

(In February 2017 the 2nd Edition to his  stage managing book was published.)

I started work on the 2nd Edition in June of 2015 and met the deadline of having it completed in May of 2016. But that was only half the work because it would take almost another year for it to be published.

THE GREAT GALLEON CURTAIN

(below are excerpts from an article by Karen Shih in 2008 as part of a Graduate Program at Irvine University)

The curtain's designer, muralist Alson Clark, had traveled to Mexico in search of a creative muse for the curtain project. He had tossed around the idea of the Spanish galleon in earlier sketchbooks, but apparently the ship didn't reach full sail until Clark returned to Pasadena. 

An amber spanish galleon in turquoise waves filled the entire curtain so that the ship's masts speared up towards the proscenium arch. When revealed, the public burst with admiration for the great galleon curtain and its sheer magnificence.

Since its debut, the curtain has risen to starry-eyed thespians of Pasadena Playhouse's College of Theatre Arts. It has seen Legislators honor The Playhouse as the State Theatre of California in 1937. It has faced somber mourners at Gilmor Brown's memorial service, held in a dimly-lit main theatre in 1960. It has crumbled to bankruptcy along with The Playhouse in 1970 and has celebrated the theatre's return and restoration in 1986.

The Playhouse has not displayed the main curtain since its asbestos material was deemed toxic in the 1980; however, a painted reproduction of the Spanish galleon sailed below in the theatre's Green Room. Though the curtain no longer greets patrons in the main theatre, its galleon design continues to cargo a piece of Playhouse history. After all, this Playhouse has roared through its own battles, emerging refined and victorious. To this day, The Pasadena Playhouse still embarks on journeys of wonder and uncharted reverie.

Lenore Almanzar ’54 adds

In December 2008, The Friends of The Pasadena Playhouse were decorating a tree in the lobby.  To their delight, the curtain was brought down and pictures were taken of the group in front of it. It was more beautiful than anybody remembered.

WHAT THE ALUMNI ARE DOING

Fire Curtain down at one of our brunches

Page .6STAGE WHISPERS Summer 2017

Jaclyn Palmer ‘62 I had the lead in a short film to be shown in festivals--Bridge for Seniors and the lead in Murder in the Heartland which wi l l be a ired on the Investigation Discovery channel.(Editors Note: Be sure to see t h e e Ve r s i o n o f t h e newsletter to see a picture of Jackie made up to look like she has been dead for a day. Warning, don’t view while having breakfast!)

The book is now in color and is fully updated, especially in the technology that has come into theatre. While much of the work a stage manager does in his or her job remains the same, there was a VAST change in the technology part of the job - both in what the stage manager now uses to help him or her in doing his/her job, and the technology that is now used to move scenery and visually dress the stage: LED lighting, moving lights, projecting image on the stage, giant LED screens dressing the back part of the stage or moving panels of scenery and LED screens across the stage - all of which is controlled by computer; all of which at one time was done by many stage hands, but is now done by  a computer operator with just a handful of stage hands.

Ross Clark ’69 After understudying Hal Linden in the Pasadena Playhouse Production of “The Fantastics”, Ross appeared as the King in the Pasadena Civic Ballet’s “Alladin”. His latest children’s show, “Not Another Grimm Tale”, played in the Amphitheater at Farnsworth Park in Altadena in May 2017.

WHAT THE ALUMNI ARE DOING (Continued)

Archives News

On July 19, 2016 Paul Schoeman and Valerie Yaros, employees of SAG-AFTRA, donated/returned a metal shield that was used in the July 25, 1935 production of Henry VI, part I. Actor Jean Inness used the shield for her role as Joan of Arc. The shield was purchased at a Warner Brothers’ prop sale circa 1988-1990. The shield was stored at Paul’s home until he decided to donate it to SAG-AFTRA because of the shield’s connection to motion pictures. 

After he brought the shield into the offices of SAG-AFTRA Valerie Yaros, who is the Historian/Archivist for SAG-AFTRA, deciphered the name of the actress in the handwriting after “Joan of Arc” on the back of the shield. A 1935 newspaper article on the Playhouse’s upcoming Henry VI, Part convinced Valerie that the shield was used in the play at the Pasadena Playhouse. When her call came in it was referred to Ross Clark, Alumnae of The Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, and archivist/database administrator for The Playhouse Archives.  When Valerie told him that they had the shield Ross was pleased and asked if we could have a photo of it.  To his surprise Valerie mournfully said, “Don’t you want our shield?”.  What a great surprise and the offer was accepted and the shield came home to The Pasadena Playhouse.

Page .7STAGE WHISPERS Summer 2017

Playhouse Centennial Memberships

The Pasadena Playhouse is preparing to celebrate itsCentennial beginning November 2017. As a gift to thecommunity who has supported the Playhouse for 100years, they are offering special Centennial Membershipsfor just $100. The Memberships include a ticket to all 5of the 2017-2018 season productions! That’s $20 ashow! Enjoy great seats and invitations to behind-the-scenes events - all while supporting your Theatre. Tellyour friends and become a member today before theysell out! Only 1000 Centennial Memberships will be sold.Become a member at:

www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/membership

At the Playhouse this Season

Page .8

supporting roles in "Branded" (1950), with Alan Ladd, "When Wor lds Co l l ide" ( 1951 ) , and "The Savage" (1952), with Charlton Heston. Hansen, however, played many more roles on television. He earned his 1979 Emmy Award for his supporting role on "General Hospital." He co-starred on the series "Science Fiction Theatre," "The Adventures of Jim Bowie," and "How the West Was Won." Fans of 1990s TV shows may remember him for the player who courted all three of the stars on "The Golden Girls." On "Cheers," he played the CEO who owned the bar.. Hansen was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Florence "Betty," who died in 1993. He is survived by his longtime companion, Barbara Wenzel; a son, the Rev. Canon Peter Falconer Hansen; a daughter, Gretchen Hansen Chartier ; three grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Martin McCabe ’57 Martin Eugene McCabe, died January 26th 2017 at his Phoenixville residence. He had been suffering from COPD (emphysema) for several years.

He graduated from Phoenixville High School with the class of 1954, and was a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He lived many years in Southern California, where he received a Degree in Theater Design from the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts in 1957. His production career included creating costumes for “Laugh-In”, work on “Wagon Train” for three seasons, and work as a Production Assistant for MGM Studios. He also worked as a window decorator or J.C. Penney and was ordained a minister of the international Church of the Foursquare Gospel.

After returning to Pennsylvannia, he was active with the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area and with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a Life out and a Brotherhood Member of Lodge #22, Order of the Arrow.

Peter Hansen ’49, an Emmy -winning actor who p layed lawyer Lee Baldwin on the daytime soap opera "General Hospital," died Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Santa Clarita, California, according to multiple news sources. He was 95. Hansen played the character off and on between 1965 and as late as 2004. In 1997, he played the character on "Por t Charles," which was the companion show of

"General Hospital." He retired from acting soon after his 2004 appearances on the shows. Peter Franklin Hansen was born Dec. 5, 1921, in Oakland, California. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, he joined the Pasadena Playhouse. By the 1950s, he was signed by Paramount. His film credits included

FINAL CURTAIN

STAGE WHISPERS Summer 2017

Peter Hansen in “Dream Girl” on Main Stage his Senior Year

Page .9STAGE WHISPERS Summer 2017

Bobbie, a life member of the PPAA, having lapsed into a coma the past few years, never knowing of the death of our first child, has sadly passed and was laid to rest at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier CA, on April 20th of this year, where her many friends and family bid her a loving fond adieu. Ron DiSalvo2000 Keeper of the Flame

Bobbie Webb ’57 Those of our classmates who were in any vicinity close to the Playhouse from 1956 through 1959 will likely remember Barbara Ann “Bobbie” Webb, a tall, affable blond, from the class of ’57, who had won virtually every beauty contest held in California during the early 1950s.  Bobbie and I met and married

during our student years at the Playhouse, and in the decade following our graduation she bore our three lovely children, threw away her beauty pageant trophies, and wholeheartedly embraced a deep religious faith, which dedication, alas, eventually drove us apart as husband and wife, and although we both later remarried, she then giving birth to another lovely child, we remained friends ever after.  The later years were not kind to Bobbie, her second husband after an unfortunate accident having been left totally paralyzed and she hospitalized for many years with complications arising from COPD. In spite of these and many other hardships Bobbie never lost her outgoing personality, or her religious fervor. 

Page .10

PASADENA PLAYHOUSE ALUMNI & ASSOCIATES

P.O. Box 291Pasadena, CA 91102-0291

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Next at the Playhouse

TWELVE ANGRY MENBy Reginald Rose

Directed By Sheldon Epps

November 5 - December 1, 2013

Aladdin and His Winter Wish

December 11 - 29, 2013

At the Carrie Hamilton

North Pole Radio On The Air

Written and Directed By Ross Clark

December 13 - 15, 2013

The Pasadena Civic Ballet’sMusical Theatre Workshop

Presents

The new look of our Lobby