'Dirty Blonde' taping invites police action

PASADENA, Calif. -- One person apparently thought the Pasadena Playhouse's stage production of "Dirty Blonde" was worth immortalizing.

Police were called to the theater Sunday after a man was caught illegally videotaping an afternoon performance of the play about the actress Mae West, officials said.

Lead actress Claudia Shear noticed the man videotaping, came down from the stage and asked the man for the tape, but he refused to turn it over, said Playhouse spokesman Ken Novice.

"The audience then got into the action and began chanting 'Give back the tape!"' he said.

After police were called to the theater, the man turned over the tape and was escorted away, Novice said.

Police said the problem was resolved without incident.

Novice said Playhouse officials will not ask police to charge the man, who was not identified, with illegal videotaping. The man told officials he arrived late and did not hear the announcement or see the written notice in the program warning against videotaping, Novice said.