Pasadena Playhouse

Dr. Gordon Breitman, long-time resident of La Canada and community physician for over 45 years, passed away in his home at the age of 78 in Henderson, NV, on April 4, surrounded by loving family. He is remembered for his kindness, warmth, thoughtfulness and good deeds. A believer in community service, he spent much of his spare time while a La Canada resident volunteering as President of the Friends of the Library, working to improve the Pasadena Playhouse and the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center.

What do you get when you cross the creative son of a Venetian espresso salesman with a passion for all things Disney, an eye for carnival costume design, a love of origami and a musical ear? The result is artist Ennio Marchetto and his ever-evolving live performance, “The Living Paper Cartoon” appearing Aug. 23 through 28 at the Pasadena Playhouse. The 51-year-old Ennio, a self-described clown, unfolds a unique, musical-comedic parody of current pop stars and classic icons using quick-change costumes made of paper and cardboard.

There is nobody more surprised than me that I would be writing a Stephen Sondheim review and liking it. Sondheim, was until just recently, my least favorite of the composer/lyricists. I became his instant fan last week when his "Side by Side by Sondheim" opened at the Pasadena Playhouse. This production with singers Davis Gaines (of "Phantom" fame) Julie Dixon Jackson and Teri Ralston, was energetic, fun and fantastic. This compilation of Sondheim lyrics from plays such as "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "A Little Night Music," "Company," "Follies," "Evening Primrose," "Anyone Can Whistle," "Do I hear a Waltz," "The Mad Show," Pacific Overtures," "West Side Story" and "Gypsy.

Edward N. (“Ned”) Glad, a retired attorney and honorary Officer of the British Empire, died March 4 from natural causes.  He was 91. Born on June 30, 1919 in Polk, Nebraska, Glad was a leading customs lawyer in the country, known for his litigation prowess in the U.S. Customs Court that led to significant international recognition.  Prior to his legal career, Ned served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  He was part of the officer class who commissioned the U.S.S.

  Ten Years Ago The first official lighting ceremony at Montrose Shopping Park took place with a ceremony accompanied by a marching band, Mrs. Santa Claus, three town criers and free refreshments.   Twenty Years Ago A completely remodeled La Crescenta home with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,842 square feet of floor space was on the market for $293,500.   Thirty Years Ago Arson was suspected in a November 1977 brush fire in the Crescenta Valley, the second to break out within an 8-day period.

Fitch M. "Ted" Behr passed on peacefully Monday morning, Sept. 26, 2005, leaving behind his loving daughter, Jessica and son, Christopher, five grandchildren, two great- grandchildren and many in the community who will miss him greatly. Ted was born in Pasadena on Feb. 20, 1915 and lived in La Ca"ada Flintridge for more than 60 years. He was involved in his community with charities and the arts being his main focus. He was intelligent, charming, gracious, generous, humorous and a true gentleman.

Darleene Barrientos For many women, accessorizing is a luxury, but at Posh Accessories, it can be beneficial for children, too. The store, at 3521 N. Verdugo Road, opened Saturday, offering designer lines of handbags, jewelry, sunglasses and other accessories usually found at department stores like Macy's or Saks. Posh Accessories' customers can get lower prices for the same accessories and will help the after-school program at New Horizons Family Center for at least the next month.

A Noise Within of Glendale, which has a complete season of classical theater productions, is offering internship programs beginning in early August. Interns have direct access to the company's resident artists who have graduated from renowned schools such as the American Conservatory Theatre, Yale School of Drama and Northwestern. Interns have moved on to professional venues like the Pasadena Playhouse, California Shakespeare Festival and others. As part of the program, interns are cast in supporting roles each season and frequently understudy key roles.

When the Pasadena Playhouse filed for bankruptcy in 2010, closing its doors and some $2.3 million in debt, a leading player in its recovery and reopening later that year was Stephen Eich, the respected former managing director of both Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Geffen Playhouse. Eich took on the position of executive director at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2009 to help guide the venerable theater back to solvency. Now, less than three years later, he is leaving that position to pursue projects of his own, he said.