Planning a Visit to Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena Playhouse stands at 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena. Visit Pasadena says the theatre was established in 1917 and is the official State Theatre of California.

Its central Pasadena location makes it possible to plan a performance alongside dinner nearby. The theatre’s nearby restaurant options include Anayas Restaurant on E. Colorado Boulevard, AIKAN Sushi and Ramen on E. Green Street, Annapurna Grill, Blaze Pizza and Tender Greens, all on E. Colorado Boulevard.

The Pasadena Playhouse event calendar is the place to check which shows are playing and when. Productions and performance dates change, so check the official site before you go.

Choose a performance before arranging the rest of your evening: the start time affects when to arrive, when the box office closes on performance days and whether you can fit in a meal beforehand. Show pages also give the specific date for the Mainstage production’s Sunday matinee with open captioning and audio description.

Every patron needs a ticket and must sit in the seat shown on it; children under five are not admitted.

The box office window is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.; on performance days, it stays open until the final scheduled performance begins. Phone hours follow the same schedule, and the phone number is 626-356-7529.

Late seating takes place at the first appropriate break, at management’s discretion, and latecomers may be directed to seats other than those purchased. Photography and electronic-device use are not allowed during performances, so turn off phones and other devices before the show.

Lobby restrooms, including accessible facilities, are available starting 45 minutes before each performance; all-gender restrooms are upstairs in the Carrie Hamilton lobby. Accessible seating is on the orchestra level only.

Contact Patron Services to arrange accommodations if you use a wheelchair or have a disability. Assistive listening devices are available in the lobby before performances on a first-come, first-served basis, with photo ID. Service animals are welcome.

Driving from El Rancho Motel takes about 11 minutes. The Playhouse Plaza Parking Structure is across from the theatre, with an entrance on S. El Molino Avenue. Parking prices and payment arrangements can change, so confirm them with Pasadena Playhouse before you go.

If you’re using Metro, the theatre is a 15-minute walk south from Memorial Park Station on the A Line. Metro Micro also offers rides to the theatre from Memorial Park Station, Lake Station or elsewhere within its zone; check its current fare and service details before travelling. For broader local transport planning, see how to get around Pasadena.

Start by checking the show’s performance time, then decide whether to eat before or after the theatre. Nearby choices named by the Playhouse include Anayas Restaurant, AIKAN Sushi and Ramen, Annapurna Grill, Blaze Pizza and Tender Greens. Check the restaurant directly for current opening hours.

If you plan to drive, allow time to park across the street and reach the entrance before the performance. For a wider sequence of Pasadena stops, the one-day Pasadena itinerary offers another way to structure time in the city.