For Immediate Release

For additional information contact:

Roxanne Patmor 562.338.3168
Julie Bartolotto 562.424.2220

Historical Society of Long Beach

Presents

Comedy, Drama & the History

of the Long Beach Playhouse
Opens Friday, January 23rd
6:00 8:00 pm
4260 Atlantic Avenue, Bixby Knolls
The Long Beach Playhouse is the subject of the Historical Society of Long Beach's latest exhibition the Comedy, Drama &
the History of the Long Beach Playhouse. The show highlights various locations for Playhouse productions, set design
models, costumes, program covers, 45 photographs, and more. The exhibition opens on Friday, January 23rd from 6:00
to 8:00 pm at 4260 Atlantic Avenue with a reception that is free and open to the public.
The exhibition is a fantastic collaboration between the two organizations. The subject is steeped in local history
and fresh for the Historical Society audiences. - Julie Bartolotto, Executive Director of the Historical Society of
Long Beach
The show can be seen at the Historical Society of Long Beach, 4260 Atlantic Avenue in Bixby Knolls. Gallery hours are
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 1-5 pm, Thursday 1-7 pm, and Saturday 11-5 pm. The show runs through Friday, July 3,
2015.
Curating the show are Roxanne Patmor, who serves as President for both organizations, and historian Dr. Kaye Briegel,
HSLBs Vice President. Playhouse staffers Andrew Vonderschmitt, and Donna and Greg Fritsche are involved in the
installation of the exhibition. The show was made possible by Harriet Whitmyer, and George and Elaine Hermans efforts
culling the Playhouses historical materials.
In 1969, a masters student at CSULB, La Delle Pederson, wrote her thesis about the Long Beach Playhouse. More
recently another CSULB graduate student, Jeff Eychison, conducted oral history interviews with people involved in the
Playhouses development. Interviews were conducted with Lucy Daggett, June Doherty, Ed Hyka, and Elaine Herman
that were important sources of information for the show.
The brochure from the theaters first production talked about the members coming together and putting on
plays. It wasnt about selling tickets or bottom lines. It was just about providing art for the community - and
that is still what were about. - Andrew Vonderschmitt, Executive & Producing Artistic Director, Long Beach
Playhouse
A related Readers Theater Presentation will be held on Sunday, May 3 from 2:00-4:00 pm. Admission: $20 general
public, $15 members of HSLB or Playhouse.
The exhibition is supported in part by the Arts Council for Long Beach and the City of Long Beach.