Pasadena, CA - March 5, 2004 – In a sudden turn of events – and in spite of an imminent appellate court ruling - the owners of Pasadena’s historic Raymond Theatre (a.k.a. Perkins Palace) have filed for a project Design Review, which proposes to gut the historic theatre, converting it to a mixed-use residential–retail complex.

The Friends of the Raymond Theatre filed a lawsuit in 2001 against the developers and the City of Pasadena for allowing redevelopment of the theatre. Yet, the developers have decided to "build at their own risk,” and may also have to pay a court-assed penalty should the Friends of the Raymond Theatre prevail in court.

With ranks that have swelled to over 7,000 members worldwide, Friends of the Raymond Theatre have worked for 16 years to preserve Pasadena's Historic Raymond Theatre. The City of Pasadena expects record-breaking crowds to assemble in defense of the Raymond Theatre, and have moved the March 15 public hearing from City Council chambers to the Pasadena Conference Center Building (next to the Civic Auditorium) at 300 E. Green Street, Room 211. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m.

Though funding is still needed from the public, the Friends of the Raymond Theatre have taken the first step necessary to secure counsel to defend the Raymond Theatre against the developer’s latest actions.

Believing that the proceedings will continue for at least a few months, Friends of the Raymond Theatre continue to seek a buyer to purchase the theater and the adjoining parking lot.

If their legal defense fails, the Friends of the Raymond Theatre, celebrities, and several community groups will picket the project, blocking bulldozers if necessary.

The Raymond Theatre has garnered support not only because the building is a cultural and historic treasure, but because thousands of people have attended hearings and witnessed the City give approval to the proposed project based on false and misleading feasibility studies, inaccurate appraisals, and many other unjust motives.

The developer has affected some $2 million in damages to the theatre to make certain the building is not salable. Though the theatre has a prominent "for sale" sign on it, the developers continue to make nearly impossible for buyers to purchase the property.

Now the community and supporters from the greater Los Angeles area are prepared to fight back to protect this landmark from being destroyed. The March 15 hearing will be a pivotal night in the theatre’s 82-year history.

The Raymond Theatre is a historic and cultural landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the theater's 82-year history, it has featured entertainment ranging from vaudeville and movies, to theater and concerts.

The theatre, known in recent years as Perkins Palace, was once one of LA's top concert venues. Artists such as Phil Collins, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac, Willie Nelson, Van Halen and many others have graced its stage. The theatre has also served as a backdrop to many television shows and movies such as This is Spinal Tap, The Bodyguard, Rock N' Roll Tonight, Live from Perkins Palace.

The Raymond Theatre was sold to Pasadena developers Gene and Marilyn Buchanan in 1987 as a redevelopment property. Since then, the Buchanan's have attempted to convert the theater to many alternate uses, against the wishes of the community and many in the entertainment business.

Gina Zamparelli, whose company formerly managed and produced concerts at the Raymond Theatre, formed Friends of the Raymond Theatre in 1987 to protect the venue against redevelopment and assist in its revitalization.

Today, Friends of the Raymond Theatre has over 7,000 members worldwide. They have stopped three proposed developments planned for the Raymond Theatre.

Friends of the Raymond Theatre anticipate an appellate court ruling on the proposed redevelopment project in early 2004 following a suit filed against the City of Pasadena and the developers, Gene and Marilyn Buchanan in 2001.

If the plans pass review on March 15, permits to gut the theatre will be issued immediately. Friends of the Raymond Theatre are taking legal action to prevent the developers from building before the appellate court ruling is rendered, while others are mobilizing to picket the project and block demolition if necessary.

More information and updates can be found at: www.raymondtheatre.com.

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