California's Pasadena Playhouse has cancelled their planned concert productions of Anything Goes and Follies, both due to the ongoing Los Angeles–area fires. While the theatre's historic venue has not been damaged, the company is citing the "extensive impact" on the company's staff, artists, and audiences as the reasoning behind the move.
The theatre's box office will be contacting ticket holders in the coming days to discuss next steps.
“Pasadena Playhouse is heartbroken by the devastation that this week’s fires have inflicted on so many within our community, and we continue to be grateful for the outpouring of concern and support," reads a lengthy statement from Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman. "We are fortunate that our historic building has not sustained any significant damage.
"Given the extensive impact of the fires on Playhouse staff, artists, and audiences, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming In Concert productions of Anything Goes and Follies at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
"This was not an easy decision to make, but our theatremakers and staff are currently unable to come together to continue the vital work of creating these monumental productions. We remain committed to the safety and support of all the artists, crew, and staff who have been deeply impacted. ... Most importantly, our thoughts are with everyone in our community. Please know that we are thinking of you, and that Pasadena Playhouse is committed to doing all we can to support the people of Pasadena, Altadena, and Los Angeles, who have done so much to support us.”
Anything Goes was to have been led by Jinkx Monsoon as Reno Sweeney, and perform January 24-25, with a supporting cast including Wayne Brady, J. Harrison Ghee, BenDeLaCreme, Harvey Guillén, Alec Mapa, and Mike Millan, with Annie Tippe directing, Darryl Archibald serving as music director, and Ayodele Casel providing choreography. Sondheim and Goldman's Follies was to have followed January 31-February 1, with a cast including Rachel Bay Jones, Stephanie J. Block, Derrick Baskin, and Aaron Lazar, with Leigh Silverman directing and Archibald music directing.
