Shuttered Pasadena Playhouse files for bankruptcy in hopes of revamping, reopening

Pasadena Playhouse files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

PASADENA, Calif. — The Pasadena Playhouse, which brought the curtains down in February, has filed for bankruptcy.

Executive director Stephen Eich said Tuesday the playhouse is seeking Chapter 11 protection so it can get its finances in order and reopen.

Actors such as Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman got their start at the stage and school. But early this year, with the debt mounting, 37 employees were laid off and an attorney was hired to take over finances.

At the time, Eich said bankruptcy was an option for the 684-seat theater. It opened in 1925 and has been the state’s official theater for 65 years.

The theater, which has filed for bankruptcy before, has been nicknamed the “Pasadena Poorhouse.”