Thursday, October 16, 2008

Fremont Centre Theatre

Is it Rapunzel's castle? Not quite... but any number of wondrous other tales are told behind this beautiful window. It's part of the Fremont Centre Theatre, specializing in plays that are "original, unique, and obscure --with a few old favorites from time to time." The husband and wife team of James Reynolds and Lissa Layng Reynolds opened the Fremont in 1997, utilizing their extensive theater and business experience. But they're not just bringing great dramatic productions to the San Gabriel Valley. (Valley Magazine named the Fremont as Best Equity Waiver Theater.)When they're not lifting up the curtain, they're lifting up the local community. As volunteers and fundraisers they have contributed to local women's shelters, the South Pas police department, the Pasadena Humane Society, and Foothill YMCA. They have also directed local elementary school productions of Shakespeare -- for which they each received Distinguished Service Award from the local PTSA. Who needs a fairy godmother with helpful neighbors like these?

19 comments:

Tanya Breese said...

That's funny, you and Hope both did theater pics, did you two call each other?!

Love that window and yay for the Reynolds!

Mister Earl said...

I guess this building was once a church? Years ago I took a basic improv class there. The teacher was a comedian who'd been on The Gong Show many times and drove a yellow Volkswagen "Thing." Once or twice, when we were short on students Lissa Reynolds would participate in the class.

Mister Earl said...

If you don't know what a VW "Thing" is, it's also known as a Type 181 ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_181

Virginia said...

Love this old place, a real grand dame! Good one Laurie!

Sharon said...

I love to hear stories about people who are not only talented but, willing to pass that talent on and to support their community in any way they can. Bravo for them.

Yakpate said...

Laurie, I love the wonderful stories that accompany so many of your photos. How hard was it to research this theater and learn about the Reynolds community support?

The action in this photo is charmingly reversed, as the vines climb up and reach out for that fairy tale window, as if trying to get inside. And one last thing... is the sky ALWAYS bluer in South Pas than anywhere else in the LA smog basin?

Beautiful shot!

Hilda said...

A standing ovation to the Reynolds! Bravo!

Love that…

Dixie Jane said...

Just as actors reach for success those vines on this building are also reaching, as yakpate said. Looking at this window makes me "Feel glad all over." Laurie, I love the way you make ordinary things into works of art. Most folks would pay no mind to this window but you wrap it around a fairytale.

Anonymous said...

The restaurant in this building looks charming, but I've never tried it. I miss the plant nursery that was a little bit down the street. Plants were so-so, but they had lots of birds and would blast the classical music.

Hmm, guess I've gone off topic.

Cafe Observer said...

K, you're rite-there is a little cafe in here!
Gotta try it 1 day, sooner rather than later.
I wunder if L has tried it yet??

Unknown said...

i drive by it all the time and usually look and appreciate it.

Anonymous said...

I'll follow AH off topic. I miss the nursery but not for the birds. The lovely white sage I've found nowhere else plus my pretty silver trees. It was expensive though

Laurie Allee said...

Hi everyone,

Mister Earl -- I was born in crunchy/hippie town of Austin, Texas. I've seen my share of Volkswagon Things! :-) Thanks for the reminder. (What a bizarre vehicle!)

Yak, the Reynolds' names come up a lot around South Pas when anyone talks about volunteer work. If you go to the theatre's website, you can read even more.

Altadenahiker and Cafe, I've never been in the bistro next door. Maybe we should try it!

Thanks for being here everybody. Til tomorrow...

Cafe Observer said...

L, yep, we should try it. But,we're the out of it towners, so let us know when we can come visit your land of low-fat milk & honey.

Webradio said...

It's a old place. Thank You for explai... Pretty photo !

Unknown said...

What is the reverse of cascading? I love your Rapunzel reference. The shape of that window is wonderful. Is that Spanish style architecture? Thanks for including a long shadowy line on there for me. :~)

Anonymous said...

I'm game!

Petrea Burchard said...

Yep, these folks are special. It seems that theatre's always got something going.

Eki said...

What a wonderful architecture!

I LOVE how you framed and chose the elements for this picture, Laurie. It's beautiful!