The Pasadena Playhouse on Wednesday identified a previously anonymous pair of donors whose $1-million gift in May 2010 helped lift the organization out of bankruptcy.
Songwriter Mike Stoller and musician Corky Hale Stoller, members of the Playhouse’s board of directors, were responsible for the monumental donation, according to a statement by the theater.
Mike Stoller and songwriting partner Jerry Leiber wrote more than 20 songs for Elvis Presley, including “Jailhouse Rock” and “Hound Dog.” The pair also penned "Love Potion No. 9" for The Clovers, “Yakety Yak” and “Poison Ivy” for The Coasters, “Is That All There Is?” for Peggy Lee and collaborated with Ben E. King on "Stand by Me."
Corky Hale Stoller is a pianist, harpist and singer who performed with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Billie Holiday, Judy Collins, James Brown and other greats.
The couple joined the Playhouse’s board at the time of their donation, which inspired a significant amount of additional gifts, according to the theater.
In the statement, Artistic Director Sheldon Epps said the couple’s gift was a “deeply moving validation of the work of our theater, both onstage and off.”
Designated the State Theater of California in 1937, the Pasadena Playhouse is staging Noel Coward’s “Fallen Angels,” which will open on Jan. 29, and the world premiere of “Sleepless in Seattle – The Musical” in May.
— Joe Piasecki, Times Community News
Songwriter Mike Stoller and musician Corky Hale Stoller, members of the Playhouse’s board of directors, were responsible for the monumental donation, according to a statement by the theater.
Mike Stoller and songwriting partner Jerry Leiber wrote more than 20 songs for Elvis Presley, including “Jailhouse Rock” and “Hound Dog.” The pair also penned "Love Potion No. 9" for The Clovers, “Yakety Yak” and “Poison Ivy” for The Coasters, “Is That All There Is?” for Peggy Lee and collaborated with Ben E. King on "Stand by Me."
Corky Hale Stoller is a pianist, harpist and singer who performed with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Billie Holiday, Judy Collins, James Brown and other greats.
The couple joined the Playhouse’s board at the time of their donation, which inspired a significant amount of additional gifts, according to the theater.
In the statement, Artistic Director Sheldon Epps said the couple’s gift was a “deeply moving validation of the work of our theater, both onstage and off.”
Designated the State Theater of California in 1937, the Pasadena Playhouse is staging Noel Coward’s “Fallen Angels,” which will open on Jan. 29, and the world premiere of “Sleepless in Seattle – The Musical” in May.
— Joe Piasecki, Times Community News
Follow Joe Piasecki on Twitter: @JoePiasecki.
