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Live theater has been presented at the Pasadena Playhouse on El Molino just off Colorado since 1917.  An acting academy is also part of the Playhouse and among its alumni are Dustin Hoffman, Mare Winningham, and Gene Hackman.

The Playhouse District extends about a block north and south of Colorado between Los Robles Ave and Catalina Ave.  It is a small area packed with interesting, non-mall shopping and dining as well as entertainment.

The Boston Court Theater on Mentor Ave. often stages experimental plays -- but as you can see in this photo, Othello and other classics are also performed.

Just steps away from the Boston Court theater is the Ice House Comedy Club.

Two notable bookstores in Pasadena's Playhouse District  are Vroman's and Cliff's on Colorado.  Vroman's is over 100 years old and thriving, despite competition from the big chain book stores.  Across the street in the next block is Cliff's Books, a used book store that has books, records and even comic books stacked to the ceiling -- treasures waiting to be discovered.

Vroman's book store and Laemmle's Playhouse movie theater sit side-by-side on Colorado Blvd.  Occasionally there are free musical performances in the courtyard between the two buildings.

Lunch, dinner, after-theater supper?  You can find myriad dining choices in the Playhouse District.  This arcade, on Colorado across the street from Laemmle's theater, has several restaurants and some interesting stores as well.  Walk through the arcade at the other end and you will find more shops and restaurants lining Green Street.

The Zona Rosa coffeehouse is popular for after-theatre coffee and dessert and a new Elements restaurant in just a couple of doors away, next to the Playhouse.