The Laguna Playhouse said Tuesday it received its largest gift ever, a $5 million pledge from James “Jim” Mellor and his wife, Suzanne.
The Laguna Playhouse plans to use the Mellors’ donation, in part, for an expansion that includes building a second theater next to the 420-seat, city-owned Moulton Theatre.
The Mellors announced their gift to the Laguna Playhouse leaders at a dinner party they hosted for visiting Irish playwright Bernard Farrell.
The Mellors became involved with the Laguna Playhouse shortly after they moved to Laguna Beach permanently in 1997. Suzanne co-chaired the theatre’s 80th Anniversary Gala in 2000 and Jim served as President of the Board of Trustees in 2003. Both currently serve on the board.
Jim is chairman of Bethesda, Md.-based energy company USEC Inc. and Chesterbrook, Pa.-based drug distributor AmerisourceBergen Corp.
He is the former chairman and chief executive of Falls Church, Va.-based defense contractor General Dynamics Corp., where he still is a director and consultant.
“This is truly a watershed moment in the 85-year history of the Laguna Playhouse,” said Sophie Cripe, president of the theater’s board of trustees.
