Good things come in pairs in the Playhouse District. There are two
live theaters (The Pasadena Playhouse and Boston Court) as well as
two movie theaters (The Academy and Laemmle's Playhouse which show art
and independent films) and two bookstores (Vroman's and Cliffs).
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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