The Pasadena Playhouse announced Thursday that the opening night celebration of this year’s Panto at the Playhouse A Cinderella Christmas on Thursday, December 8, 2016 will be dedicated as a benefit event with proceeds supporting The Pasadena Playhouse Education Programs and a student matinee performance over the holiday season.
The benefit will be co-chaired by Anita Lawler and Julietta Perez. Benefit Committee members also include Darrell Brooke, Renee Chang, Amber Gerhardt, Kathryn Hamilton, Emilie Lanstra, Elsa Luna, Rebecca Lythgoe, Kris Lythgoe, Pam King, Cherol Nellon, Jennifer Rogers, and Melissa Tyson.
The benefit includes a VIP pre-show reception in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre of The Pasadena Playhouse, including delicious hors d’ oeuvres, desserts, beverages, and a post-show celebration with the cast of A Cinderella Christmas.
Julietta Perez, Panto Benefit Co-Chair, says, “I look forward to Panto at the Playhouse every year because it always such a sensational show! It’s an honor to attend Opening Night, filled with holiday cheer, and know we are helping children attend the theatre and have their first introduction to this magical art form, who otherwise would not have the opportunity.”
Last year, thanks to the generosity of The Pasadena Playhouse donors and the strong mission of The Pasadena Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Panto, over 1,200 elementary school students were able to experience and share in the magic of live theatre, many for the very first time at special performances of the Panto at the Playhouse production of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas, starring Sabrina Carpenter, Parvesh Cheena, Chrissie Fit, Corey Fogelmanis, August Maturo, John O’Hurley, Kevin Quinn, and Nikki SooHoo, presented by Lythgoe Family Panto and The Pasadena Playhouse.
This year’s Panto at the Playhouse benefit will coincide with the opening night of the Panto at the Playhouse production of A Cinderella Christmas, starring Lauren Taylor, Alex Newell, Morgan Fairchild, Kenton Duty, Davi Santos , Matthew Patrick Davis, Josh Adamson, and Ben Giroux.
A Cinderella Christmas opens December 8, 2016 and plays through January 8, 2017 at The Pasadena Playhouse.
Returning from last year’s hugely successful Panto at The Playhouse production of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas will be director Bonnie Lythgoe (“So You Think You Can Dance”), choreographer Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee “So You Think You Can Dance”) and musical director Michael Orland (“American Idol”). The book is by Kris Lythgoe, costume design by Lythgoe Family Panto, and casting by Becky Lythgoe.
Lythgoe Family Panto produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy and pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. A Cinderella Christmas will include such pop hits as,” Meghan Trainor’s “Me Too” and “No,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway,” Michael Buble’s “Just Haven’t Met You Yet” and Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
Panto at The Playhouse is celebrating its fifth year at The Pasadena Playhouse. Past productions at The Pasadena Playhouse include: the world premiere of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas starring Sabrina Carpenter and John O’Hurley, Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight starring Olivia Holt and Lucy Lawless, A Snow White Christmas starring Ariana Grande and Neil Patrick Harris and Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Ben Vereen, Jordan Fisher, and Ashley Argota.
This year’s Panto at the Playhouse benefit will take place on Opening Night of A Cinderella Christmas, Thursday, December 8, 2016. Pre-show reception begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre of The Pasadena Playhouse. Special pre-show guests Prince Charming and Santa Claus! Curtain is at 7:00 p.m. Post show party with Cast immediately following. Opening Benefit tickets range from $150-$350.
Purchased Benefit tickets directly send elementary school students to the Panto Student Matinee and gives the gift of theatre to a child.
For more information, or to become a Patron of the 2016 Panto at The Playhouse benefit, contact Emily Abbott at (626) 204-7381 or [email protected] or visit http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/accevite