Theater Palisades Actor’s Troupe members performed a radio play.
“Bah, Humbug,” might be what some Palisades residents are feeling this year about Christmas. Many are displaced and for the first time in decades won’t be in their homes for the holiday. But even as some traditions are interrupted, others continue such as the ever delightful presentation of Theatre Palisades Actors’ Troupe’s “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens.
The 12th annual production took place on December 17 at the Morgan-Wixson Theater. About 100 people were on hand to enjoy the free refreshments before the show, which was directed and produced by Martha Hunter and Sherman Wayne. Promptly at 7:30 p.m. actors filed on stage for the hour radio play that featured a “Carter’s Liver Pills Commercial” and a “Rinso Soap Commercial.”
Also on hand were the foley artists, Martha Hunter, Betsy Handler and Craig Hunter, who were responsible for the sound effects, such as doors slamming, footsteps and wind.
Craig Hunter, Betsy Handler and Martha Hunter (right) were in charge of sound effects.
The production and Theatre Palisades were featured in a December 17 story in the L.A. Daily News “Show Must Go On’ for a Community Theater Trying to Rise from Palisades Fire Ashes.”
The community theater has been in Pacific Palisades more than 60 years. The 125-seat theater, the Pierson Playhouse, was named in honor of donors Lelah and J. Townley Pierson. It opened its doors to the public in 1988.
“In January, at the height of the Palisades fire, many members of the organization first learned of the building’s destruction while watching the news,” the story said and then quoted Philip Bartolf, the president of Theatre Palisades.
“I forget which local station was reporting about the fire, which was then affecting Palisades High School. And they kind of swung their camera around, and then ‘Boom,’ there’s the theater. “Everything inside the building was either reduced to rust, ash or shards — literally nothing survived.”
The basement had a large costume room filled with a variety of fashions from different eras and props – all burned. The lighting and sound equipment were destroyed.
After the evening’s performance, the actors thanked the board of the Morgan-Wixon for the use of the theater. Palisades shows have also been held at the Kentwood Players in Westchester and at The Blue Door Theater in Culver City.
The Theatre Palisades Youth have held shows at Harvard-Westlake School and Paul Revere Middle School.
Already, both groups are looking for temporary space for upcoming shows. Theatre Palisades welcomes donations, large and small, to go towards the construction of a brand-new theater. If you would like to donate or know someone who would or could, after all this is a show business town, please visit the website click here..
Thank you, Sue. Your loyal support of our little theatre is always appreciated.