The theatre, which had declared bankruptcy earlier this year, continues fundraising efforts with a new campaign named Fund the Future. The new money raised "will support opportunities for the Playhouse's advancements including expansion of the next generation of theatre audiences."

Pasadena Playhouse announced on July 8 that its reorganization plan was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles, and the theatre had emerged from Chapter 11 after nearly two months.

The tour of Ed Asner as iconic American president FDR played an engagement at the Pasadena Playhouse Oct. 12-Nov. 7, officially re-lighting the venue. The Playhouse is getting back on its feet with a series of productions now through spring 2011. A new musical called Dangerous Beauty premieres there in February 2011.

Michele Dedeaux Engemann, chairman of the board of The Pasadena Playhouse, said in a Dec. 9 statement, "When we met the $1 million pledge, the board knew immediately that we still needed to have an aggressive fundraising campaign to continue our ongoing efforts to reach our goals. We are thrilled with what we have accomplished since July of this year and are wholeheartedly dedicated to take on our new Fund the Future campaign."

Contributions for "Fund the Future" can be made online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org; by calling (626) 921-1156; or by mailing a gift to Fund the Future, Pasadena Playhouse, 600 N. Rosemead Boulevard., Pasadena, CA, 91107. *

Pasadena Playhouse was established in 1917. In recent years, the Playhouse has launched new works and notable revivals. Highlights since 2005 include the launch of the national tour of Purlie (with the Goodman Theatre), the world premiere of Sister Act the Musical (with the Alliance Theatre; the show is now in London's West End and a Broadway production surfaces in spring 2011), the world premiere of Ray Charles Live! (scheduled to open on Broadway as Unchain My Heart in 2011), and the world premiere of Looped starring Valerie Harper (who earned a Tony nomination for her turn).

Visit pasadenaplayhouse.org.