Ray Bradbury Was A Fremont Centre Regular

Tributes to the famed science fiction writer Ray Bradbury poured in last week after he died at the age of 91 June 5.

“His gift for storytelling reshaped our culture and expanded our world,” said President Barack Obama.

What you may not know about the writer, whose most famous work is 1953’s Fahrenheit 451, is that he had a long-running relationship with South Pasadena's

Reed Johnson of the LA Times writes:

Bradbury had a five-year relationship with the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena. The company presented a number of Bradbury productions, including a long-running stage adaptation of "Fahrenheit 451"; "The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit," which was adapted from Bradbury's short story; and "Yestermorrows," also adapted from some of the writer's short stories.

Lissa Reynolds, the co-artistic director of the Fremont, said the company served as Bradbury's theatrical home. She said the writer liked the small-town atmosphere of South Pasadena and would sign autographs and socialize with audiences after performances of his plays.

"He would always come on opening night," she recalled. He was "one of the loveliest people."

The South Pasadena Public Library also celebrated Bradbury's 90th birthday in August 2010.

Patch Asks: Are you familiar with Ray Bradbury's work? Have you seen any of his productions at Fremont Centre Theatre?