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 The
theater is housed in a lovely historical 1920's building in the quaint city
of South Pasadena. The Reynolds first leased part of the building in 1991.
Originally a mortuary, it now houses a variety of businesses and offices in
addition to the theater. The property has been remarkably well maintained
by its owners, Valley Fund Corporation. Valley Fund Corporation is, itself,
a nonprofit organization serving the needs of handicapped adults through its
San Gabriel Valley residential training facilities.
The Fremont
Centre Theatre has enjoyed the support and encouragement of the building
owners and owe a special appreciation to Dr. Jack Green, who has worked closely
with the Reynolds in managing and maintaining the property and supporting
the theater and it's goals.
The Fremont Centre
Theatre (FCT) enjoys wide support in the community of South Pasadena.
The Fremont Centre Theatre and the seventy-five year old Landmark Rialto Theater
will bookend the newly proposed Theater and Arts District in South Pasadena.
This new Theater and Arts District promises to be the most lively and exciting
entertainment district in the growing San Gabriel Valley. Members of the city
government and Chamber of Commerce
attend each production at FCT, and local business and professionals are constant
advertisers in the theater program guides.
FCT, as a small professional
theater under Equity's 99-seat plan, has gained a reputation for excellence
as often reported in the words of the media. Here are but a few samples of
the media's opinion . . .
Arcadia-Monrovia Weekly:
"The Fremont Centre Theatre is giving audiences a great deal
to look forward to."
South Pasadena Review:
"The Fremont Centre Theatre opened its doors quite impressively
last Saturday night. . . If this is any indication of what we can expect from
Lissa and James Reynolds' Fremont Centre Theatre, I would say that South Pasadena
has a lot to look forward to in the future."
Pasadena Weekly:
"It's great to see theater finally find a home in South Pasadena
-- and what better way to inaugurate a great theater than with some great
theater ! . . . The Fremont Centre Theater's production of William Mesnik's
Three Songs is almost overwhelming. "
Pasadena Star-News,
San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Whittier Daily News:
". . . small, but increasingly prominent. . . "
". . . this theater,
one of the best kept secrets in the San Gabriel Valley, is fast developing
a remarkable reputation for quality performances and thought-provoking topics.
. . "
". . . the Fremont
Centre Theatre. . . what a deliciously highbrow way to spend Ò Fremont
Centre Theatre offers extraordinary plays."
"Fremont Centre
Theatre delights. . . "
"The husband
and wife team of James Reynolds and Lissa Layng have spent this past year
creating a new theatrical force in the San Gabriel Valley. Their year-old
Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena has rapidly established a reputation
for quality performance and challenging material, drawing audiences from all
over the Los Angeles area. Yet, at heart Reynolds and Layng are actors, and
good ones . . . The city of South Pasadena is lucky to have these two, the
theater they have created and this show (reference to "And Where She
Stops Nobody Knows" by Oliver Hailey) which displays both to such good
effect, within its city limits. Hope the city knows that."
"One of the things
you can count on when attending a show at some big theater in Los Angeles
is the quality of the performers. Delightfully, it appears this can also be
said of the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena. . . this pattern is
almost taken for granted. "
". . . polished
performances can, by now, almost be taken for granted at the Fremont Centre
Theatre."
"In its first
year of existence the Fremont Centre Theatre established a reputation for
performances of fine lesser known or brand new works, with minimal sets and
costumes, but top notch performers. "
". . . this could
be one of the big comic hits of this year in the Los Angeles area. That would
not be unusual for the Fremont ."
". . . a tiny
space with great charm, is fast developing a reputation for producing first
quality, intimate plays."
Pasadena Weekly:
"Very interesting things are afoot with the Fremont Centre Theatre.
. ."
Backstage West:
"The Fremont Centre Theatre stage has been graced during its
past two years by such varied and exceptional talent that we are constantly
in awe of those whose limelights we have been privileged to share."
San Gabriel Valley
Tribune:
"Thanks to the advent of the Fremont Centre Theatre in South
Pasadena, the art of the one-person play has found a fairly constant venue."
. . . to mention but
a sampling . . .
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