Live theater emerges from pandemic silence in Pasadena, LA – San Gabriel Valley Tribune

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  Daisy Eagan and Jane Kaczmarek on the red carpet for “Head Over Heals” at the Pasadena Playhouse. (Photo by Philicia Endelman)

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  The actors pose for “Head Over Heals” in the Pasadena Playhouse. (Photo by Philicia Endelman)

The good news is that live theater is back in business. After 18 months of hibernation, imposed by COVID-19 restrictions, the doors to the Pasadena Playhouse have reopened. And at the center, in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, LA Opera is embarking on the season’s second production, “La Cenerentola,” Gioachino Rossini’s comic spin on the age-old fairy tale “Cinderella.”

The Playhouse started the new season with “Head Over Heels,” a battered jukebox musical featuring the music of LA’s all-female rock band, The Go-Gos. Celebrities showed up for the red carpet opener on November 14th. Several cast members were also present for pre-curtain photos, including the Alaska 5000, winner of the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars, and award-winning gay cartoon Lea DeLaria.

Famous among the audience were Jane Kaczmarek, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Margaret Cho and Bruce Vilanch, along with longtime Playhouse fans Peggy Ebright and Bingo and Gino Roncelli.

I admit that the punk-rock genre is not my cuppa tea, so I will leave reviews of this show to knowledgeable reviewers. For me, the real significance of this event was the sheer joy of seeing our unsinking theater community come together again.

Even more good news is that Assemblyman Chris Holden has secured $ 1.6 million from the state budget to overhaul the century-old theater’s HVAC system.

“The funds are crucial for us to be able to return safely indoors,” said Playhouse-producing artistic director Danny Feldmann. “We would not be able to do that without this unprecedented support from the State of California.”

“Head over Heels” is in the Playhouse until Sunday 12 December.

Be sure to wear your dancing shoes and be ready to rock out into the hallways.

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  LA Opera “Cinderella” opening night, Serena Malfi as Cinderella. (Photo: Craig T. Mathew / Mathew Imaging)

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  LA Opera “Cinderella” opening night, from left to right are Alessandro Corbelli, Serena Malfi, Rodion Pogossov, Levy Sekgapane and Ildebrando D’Arcangelo. (Photo: Craig T. Mathew / Mathew Imaging)

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  LA Opera “Cinderella” opening night, Rodion Pogossov. (Photo: Craig T. Mathew / Mathew Imaging)

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  LA Opera “Cinderella” opening night, the carriage (Photo by Craig T. Mathew / Mathew Imaging)

ASKEPOLTE

There is no pumpkin trainer and no helpful mice – not even a fairy godmother or a glass slipper. Rossini’s Italian “Cinderella” is not the scenario we know. This is pure opera buffa.

To begin with, the portly prince and his courtiers are tricked into wearing pink wigs and robes. A spooky, bespectacled Cinderella – in Playtex gloves and apron – sings her heart in a retro Betty Furness kitchen before being led to the palace ball by the prince’s teacher in disguise.

But there is a “happy to the end of their days” that makes this outre holiday candy a great way to introduce young people to opera.

“Cinderella” is at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion through Sunday, December 12th. Tickets start at $ 18.