The McCadden Place Theatre began January of 1981 as a dream in the minds of two New York actors, but was fulfilled in the hearts of two unique individuals. Jay Donohue and Joy Rinaldi had both been performers on the "other side of the Mississippi", and both curious to explore other possiblilities in an ever expanding creative world. After some tireless times on film and television sets, both longed to be back on the live stage. They began to plan a theatre in which they could have a more direct participation and the satisfaction of acting a role for more than ten minutes at a time. The goal was to bring Los Angeles more quality productions with as much diversity in plays as there are in actors to be found to act the parts. The two began working to make the dream a reality. The first effort was to seek out a place to house their theatre. They found a graffiti-laden furniture warehouse at 1157 North McCadden Place in Hollywood. There was no question the place needed work. But with good friends, materials and supplies scraped together through donation, a little elbow grease, a few six-packs of the beverage of the day, you are witness that dreams do come true. In July 1991, the McCadden Place Theatre was gutted by a rather unfortunate fire. After a full year of rebuilding, the theatre reopened with many improvement. Â McCadden Place Theatre History Award Winning Past Productions: Sep / Oct 1981 A Moon For The Misbegotten by Eugene O'Neill Starring Salome Jens Mitchell Ryan Stefan Gierasch with Richard Holden Jay Donohue Directed by Henry Hoffman Costume Design by Jacqueline Cummins Lighting by David Luftig Set Design by Owen Sullivan Set Design Consultant David Barber Stage Manager Stephen Burks Awards: LA Times "Pick of the Week" LA Weekly "Best Bets" and "Outstanding Achievement of the year" Drama-Logue Critics Award: "Best Director", "Best Production", "Best Lighting", "Best Set Design" and "Best Ensemble Performance" 1981 The Sucker May 1982 Clash By Night Awards: Drama-Logue Critics' award "Best Performance" 1982 Lou Gehrig Did Not Die of Cancer / Two Outs, Bottom of the Ninth Awards: Drama-Logue Critics' Award "Best Production" Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle "Distinguished Achievement" (nomination) June 1984 Holy Ghost Written by Romulus Linney Directed by Dallas Vogeler Produced by Jay Donohue Joy O'Neil and McCadden Theatre Company Cast Martin Ambrose Shannon Lee Avnsoe Robert Broyles Audree Chapman Eric Karlsen Dale Kleine Nathan LeGrand Gregory Martin Doug MacHugh Molly McClure Jack Radosta Leslie Rivers Victor Savant Jonathan Stark Robert Winley Donna Woodrum Awards: Olympic Arts Festival's Top 10 Productions in 1984 March 1984 Harry, Hillary and Sam Written by Don Sherman Directed by Sidney H. Grossfeld Cast Harry Greg Lewis Sherman Marius Mazmanian Roxie Blanche Rubin Sam Juliet Myrtetus Hillary Joy O'Neil Iris Astral Ransome Shopper No.1 Bess Meisler Shopper No.2 Naomi Serotoff Lyle Greg Deason Carmine Tony Goodstone Uncle Daddy Written by Don Sherman Directed by Sidney H. Grossfeld Cast Viola Linda Johnson Frankie Bart Braverman Connie Terri Hanauer Jimmy Jay Donohue Stacy Kim Rosenberg Melvin Michael Clark Flossie Kendal Braverman Cop J. Dinan Myrtetus Young Cop Mark Cinquanta 1985 Cheatin Awards: Drama-Logue Critics Award "Best Ensemble Performance" 1986 The Big Ballgame Awards: Drama-Logue Critics Award "Best Sound Design" 1986 Peep Show Awards: Drama-Logue Critics Award "Best Scenic Design" 1988 Welcome to Welfare Awards: Drama-Logue Critics Award: "Best Performance"
