PASADENA – In news timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of its historic facility, officials said Sunday that the Pasadena Playhouse has purchased its 1925 building, which was lost to bankruptcy in 1970 and held in private ownership for more than five decades.
The 70,000-square-foot campus at 39 S. El Molino Ave. includes a theater, restaurant space and six-story annex, and is considered one of the most significant theater sites in America.
“This is an inspiring community moment, and we should all share in the pride and joy of it,” said Erin Baker, chair of the Pasadena Playhouse Board of Trustees. “With this purchase, we are committing to revitalizing the powerful original vision of the Playhouse and bringing it to life for a new century. We are deeply grateful for the bold visionaries who have paved the way for this progress, and we are excited to welcome more of our community to join the effort in making extraordinary theater for everyone!”
The purchase was funded by a $15 million fundraising campaign, which has reached 75% of its goal, according to the Playhouse. The lead gift for the effort was provided by the Perenchio Foundation and matched by major arts philanthropists Terri and Jerry Kohl. The campaign’s other major donors are The Ahmanson Foundation, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, Brad and Pamela King, Harmon and Lea Kong, Leigh and Harry Olivar, Jane Kaczmarek, Bingo and Gino Roncelli, and Erin and Jeremy Baker.
The transaction was completed Friday. The Pasadena Playhouse now owns the entirety of its campus, including the original 1925 theater building and the adjoining six-story annex, known as the Fannie E. Morrison Building, which was built in 1936 to house the College of Theatre Arts.
The property also includes the intimate Carrie Hamilton Theater, which was dedicated in memory of Carol Burnett’s late daughter in 2006, and the first-floor restaurant space, most recently home to Bar Chelou.
The historic building will turn 100 on May 18.
“For most of our history, we’ve been making extraordinary theater here while essentially renting our own home,” Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman said. “Today, that changes. Thanks to the generosity of our community, this building is finally back where it belongs — with the people who built it and believe in its future. Owning our historic campus unlocks endless possibilities for what Pasadena Playhouse can be in its second century.”
Feldman announced news of the building purchase Saturday night to a sold-out crowd at the Playhouse’s annual gala, which broke the $1 million mark for the first time.
The Playhouse has staged thousands of original productions since its founding in 1917, including premieres of works by Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, Suzan-Lori Parks and hundreds of other playwrights.
The Playhouse building was designed in 1924 by renowned architect Elmer Grey (1872-1964), who is known for local landmarks such as the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Huntington Art Gallery and Wattles Mansion in Hollywood. It features the Spanish Colonial Revival style, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
