Playhouse Village in Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Pasadena Playhouse

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 14, 2021

1. Pasadena Playhouse Marker

Inscription. Considered Elmer Grey's outstanding design, the Pasadena Playhouse, an excellent example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, opened on May 18, 1925. The first in America to stage Shakespeare's 37 plays, the Playhouse has provided the theatre world with quality and excellence, and trained many of its stars. The Legislature proclaimed it the State Theatre of California in 1937.

Erected 1977 by California State Parks; Pasadena Playhouse; Pasadena Historical Society; City of Pasadena. (Marker Number 887.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.

Location. 34° 8.708′ N, 118° 8.231′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Playhouse Village. It is on El Molino Avenue south of Colorado Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 39 S El Molino Avenue, Pasadena CA 91101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Victor Jory Bell (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Pasadena Playhouse (a few steps from this

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marker); Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts (a few steps from this marker); Pacific Asia Museum (approx. ¼ mile away); W.A. McHenry House (approx. ¼ mile away); Blinn House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pasadena City Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Eddie Van Halen (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.

Pasadena Playhouse courtyard and Marker image. Click for full size.

2017

2. Pasadena Playhouse courtyard and Marker

The marker is to the right of center in this photo.

Pasadena Playhouse image. Click for full size.

2017

3. Pasadena Playhouse

Photographed by Adam Margolis, April 15, 2026

4. Pasadena Playhouse

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 529 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 15, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on November 30, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on April 20, 2026, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.