In the coming season, Sierra Madre Playhouse continues its focus on exclusively American playwrights, offering a mix of solidly entertaining mainstage shows and a variety of fascinating special events.
Mainstage Shows
Sept. 23- Oct. 22, 2016: Bee-luther-hatchee. Written by Thomas Gibbons. Directed by Saundra McClain. A look at race and cultural appropriation. Who has the right to tell certain American stories?
Nov. 18- Dec. 23: A Little House Christmas. Adapted by James DeVita. Based on the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Directed by Emily Chase. This Christmas play with songs features beloved characters in a heartwarming holiday story. This marks the return of our warmly received 2014 production, and we hope to make it one of our traditional Christmas offerings.
Jan. 13- Feb. 18, 2017: Talley’s Folly. Written by Lanford Wilson. Directed by Kiff Scholl. Set in 1944 in Missouri, this story of an unlikely interfaith romance won the Pulitzer Prize.
Mar. 10- Apr. 15: A Wrinkle in Time. Adapted by John Glore (Assistant Artistic Director of South Coast Repertory). Based on the best-selling science fiction novel by Madeleine L’Engle. Directed by Christian Lebano. An exceptional teenage girl and her companions go on an adventure to rescue her missing scientist father, trapped on another planet. This is the 4th annual offering of our Field Trip Series. We’ll be presenting midweek performances for area schools, in addition to our weekend performances at the Playhouse for general audiences.
May 12- Jun. 17: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Adapted by Simon Levy from Fitzgerald’s novel. Directed by Christian Lebano. Millionaire Jay Gatsby pursues a forbidden romance with the love of his life, the married Daisy Buchanan.
July 7- August 26: A Summer Musical, to be announced.
Special Events:
July 31 and Aug. 7, 2016: Suburban Showgirl. Written by Palmer Davis. Directed by Cate Caplin. Gorgeous Palmer Davis stars in the musical comedy about a glamorous dancer struggling to balance her career and her roles as a wife and mother. Davis plays 18 characters in this show suitable for general audiences.
Aug. 25- Aug. 28: CarneyMagic. After a sold-out engagement earlier this year, illusionist and sleight-of-hand artist John Carnet returns with his astounding and mystifying display of theatrical magic.
Oct. 28- Oct. 30: Los Angeles Fear and Fantasy Film Festival. A celebration of films from around the world, including horror, fantasy, science fiction, and cross-genres.
Off the Page:
A monthly series of staged readings. Admission free. Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
July 25, 2016: Eleemosynary. Written by Lee Blessing. Directed by Christian Lebano. Featuring Katherine James, Deb Snyder and Cristina Gerla. In a family of three generations of intellectually gifted women, the youngest acts to alter the family destiny.
August 22: Foxfire. Written by Hume Cronyn and Susan Cooper. Directed by Karesa McElheny. A lovely play about our connections to our family, our past, and the land on which we were born.
September 26: The Quality of Life. Written by Jane Anderson. Directed by Gary Lee Reed. Featuring Joe Colligan, D.J. Harner, Bonnie Bailey-Reed and Gary Lee Reed. This completely engrossing play explores a myriad of ethical, religious and moral beliefs concerning life and death.
October 17: From the Mississippi Delta. Written by Dr. Endesha Mae Hollander. Directed by Sherrie Lofton. One woman’s rise from poverty and oppression to liberation and a doctorate.
November 28: The Immigrant. Written by Mark Harelik. Directed by Christopher Cappiello. A young Russian-Jewish immigrant settles in Texas in 1909 in this touching and funny narrative.
Sierra Madre Playhouse Artistic Director Christian Lebano comments, “We’re very excited to share next season with our loyal patrons and friends. It is a mix of really great stories with something for everyone. From the charming valentine of a love story in Talley’s Folly, to the beloved Little House books, to Gatsby- one of the great American novels, to Wrinkle- the best-selling science fiction story, and the intriguing and provocative Bee-luther-hatchee. Each of these productions will be supported by special events and a wonderful lobby display. We can’t wait to get started.”
Sierra Madre Playhouse’s Managing director is Estelle Campbell.
Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. , Sierra Madre. This is just east of Pasadena. There is ample free parking behind the Playhouse. Ticket prices vary between productions, but are always affordable. For reservations contact (626) 355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.
