Growing greatness
The new star-studded Hothouse at the Playhouse series brings new plays to life before they ever hit the stage
By Carl Kozlowski 01/21/2010
Since its inception in 1917, the Pasadena Playhouse has been a launching pad for dozens of major stars and countless hit plays. Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman were roommates while they studied acting at the Playhouse. And performers as diverse as Charles Bronson, Rue McClanahan, Raymond Burr, Sally Struthers and Harry Dean Stanton have all honed their crafts there.
Some may think that an institution this old might be too wedded to tradition. But over the past five years, the Playhouse has taken an adventurous approach to developing new works, creating the donor-funded Hothouse at the Playhouse series of staged readings.
Designed as a way for playwrights to hear their words spoken or sung for the first time by live actors, the series is an important first step in the production process for plays that Playhouse staff members feel may have the potential to make an impact on American culture.
This week, the Playhouse is presenting Oscar-nominated actress Angela Bassett (“What’s Love Got to Do With It?”) in a free reading of “Pastoral,” the story of a pastor (Bassett) who has to decide whether to help a figure from her past with a life-or-death request that, if granted, could alienate her from her teenage son.
While “Pastoral” is sold out, Playhouse artistic associate/literary manager Bari Newport was eager to get the word out for the rest of the series, which includes performances of veteran playwright Stephen Metcalfe’s new work “The Commons,” featuring veteran actor Beau Bridges and his son Jordan on Feb. 9 and 10, and “American Klepto” by Allison Moore. There’s also “The Confessions of Deacon Jim” by Jason Aaron Goldberg, “The Novelist” by Theresa Rebeck and “The Color of Desire” by Nilo Cruz.
“The program started five years ago and it’s important because writers need actors in order to hear their work, and many theaters can’t develop plays as much due to funding cuts,” says Newport. “The Pasadena Playhouse is a leader in developing plays that go on not only to its stage, but to other stages. We’re essentially looking for the next Pulitzer-winning play, but there have been many plays that have gone on to great productions, even without the award: ‘Looped,’ with Valerie Harper, is about to go on to Broadway, and ‘Sister Act’ has been playing forever on the West End after being on the main stage here.”
“The Commons” follows the story of an older couple — retired school teacher and current compulsive blogger Dakin Adams and his wife Macy — who have quietly drifted apart over the years. The only thing they enjoy together anymore is their house and its view of the Pacific Ocean. But even that is thrown into crisis when a new neighbor moves in next door and starts rebuilding his house in a way that blocks their precious view.
In the case of “The Commons,” Metcalfe’s name is considered nearly as big a draw as that of longtime film veteran Bridges.
Metcalfe not only had a strong hand in writing the smash-hit movie “Pretty Woman,” but he has also seen more than a dozen of his plays make it to the stage. What draws people who are the caliber of Bassett, Bridges and Metcalfe to the Hothouse series is the opportunity it provides to have vibrant discoveries occur amid a classic theatrical setting.
The series has shown its worth through the size of the contributions being used to keep it going. On Jan. 15, the Playhouse announced more than $200,000 in funds to fuel the project, including a gift from the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, which will support the upcoming season of new play development readings at Pasadena Playhouse’s Carrie Hamilton Theatre.
A Theatre Communications New Generations grant funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supports Newport’s newly created position, and the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award will support the production of the 2010 world-premiere musical “Havana,” by Nilo Cruz, Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy.
“The actors like the plays and they chose to do them. You can’t make a full-on production without taking the necessary steps to make the play,” explains Newport. “This helps develop the play, and people really enjoy the process, because they’re taking on the shows that they really feel passionate about. I think it speaks more to the quality of the plays than to the performers, because these are really good plays and it’s hard to find good new material.”
Hothouse at the Playhouse readings take place at Pasadena Playhouse’s Carrie Hamilton Theatre, 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena. Each reading will begin at 8 p.m. and a complimentary wine reception will follow. Tickets are free and reservations are recommended. Tickets are available by calling the Pasadena Playhouse Box Office at (626) 356-7529. Visit pasadenaplayhouse.org.
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