My Favorite Weekend

Paul Dooley, co-starring in “After-Play” at the Pasadena Playhouse through

Dec. 21. His movie roles include “Breaking Away,” airing Dec. 19 on cable’s AMC.

Friday: Meet friends before the show at Mi Piace, a great Italian restaurant on Colorado. After the show, we meet up again and repair to the Cheesecake Factory, also in Old Town, where they’ll have an after-theater drink and, hopefully, I’ll have an after-theater compliment.

Saturday: It’s a two-show day. Since I’ll be in Pasadena anyway for my matinee, my family and I head for Old Town. We drop off our 12-year-old daughter at Mudd Beach, a do-it-yourself pottery place. My wife (screenwriter Winnie Holzman) and I window-shop (or really shop).

Saturday evening: With not quite enough time to change clothes, go out to eat, come back and get dressed again before the evening show, the cast welcomes a free meal backstage. This wonderful tradition of serving actors a delicious home-cooked meal between shows on Saturdays is carried on by a volunteer group called Friends of the Pasadena Playhouse, and a warm, caring group it is. After our second show is done and even though we’re exhausted, the cast still often unwinds at some place like Jerry’s Deli.

Sunday: Another two-show day. After sleeping late, I drop my wife and daughter off at Huntington Gardens. In between shows, we frequently go to the Souplantation. Following the 9 p.m. performance, it’s no after-anything tonight. Just straight home, feeling tired and looking forward to my day off!