About Us

The McCadden Place Theatre began January of 1980 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 possibilities 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 donations, 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 improvements, including an updated grid, and raised ceiling, and a balcony on-stage.

  McCadden Place Theatre History Award Winning Past Productions:

*the following productions were produced by McCadden Place Theatre.

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”

Fugitive Kind's "Welcome To Illyria" by Meghan Brown. Scenic Design by Jeanine Ringer