Leah Zeger & Cory Pesaturo

Violinist-vocalist Leah Zeger and accordionist Cory Pesaturo share a deep fluency across jazz, classical, and global styles, and both have built careers around improvisation and genre-crossing collaborations. Zeger is a Houston-born player and singer whose path runs from early orchestral posts to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and major film and TV scoring sessions; she has toured or recorded with artists ranging from Hans Zimmer and Jeff Lynne’s ELO to Annie Lennox, CeeLo Green, Miley Cyrus, and Postmodern Jukebox. She’s also a Yamaha Artist and a songwriter with solo albums that spotlight her hybrid of lyrical violin writing and jazz-inflected vocals.

Cory Pesaturo (“C-Pez”) is a three-time world champion of the accordion (acoustic, digital, and jazz) and a Guinness World Record holder for marathon performance. Educated at the New England Conservatory in Contemporary Improvisation, he has appeared on four occasions at the White House, on The Late Show with David Letterman, and on international broadcasts; he also delivers talks (TED, Google, EG) on the modern accordion and its evolving role in improvising music. His official bio emphasizes his goal of expanding the instrument’s vocabulary—often performing largely improvised sets that move from bebop language to folk idioms, tangos, and club-tempo textures.

What to expect musically: an acoustic-electric palette where Zeger moves between supple, cantabile violin lines, agile scat and vocal phrasing, and rhythm-section roles (chordal figures, ostinati), while Pesaturo leverages both the expressive reeds of a traditional accordion and the timbral range of digital instruments. The duo’s sets typically traverse jazz standards and modern reharmonizations, Roma-influenced swing, tango, klezmer-to-Balkan drive, film-score themes reframed for improvisers, and originals—often stitched together with spontaneous modulations and metric shifts. Expect extended solos, real-time call-and-response, and transitions that treat the entire program as a through-composed arc rather than a sequence of isolated tunes. (For reference points: Zeger’s recent work with Zimmer and PMJ, and Pesaturo’s championship performances and talks about improvisation on the instrument.)

Artist snapshots (context for the ear):

Zeger’s background includes an opera degree alongside jazz club work; that blend shows up in her phrasing—portamento and bel canto breath shaping over harmonic language that’s closer to 1940s–60s vocal jazz. On violin, she toggles between classical articulation and swing inflection, with occasional electric-violin timbres.

Pesaturo’s sets often feature high-velocity right-hand lines, left-hand walking bass, and layered accompaniment textures that make the duo feel orchestral; he frequently programs sounds to move from reed-like warmth to synth-adjacent colors without losing the physicality of the accordion.

The evening reads as a chamber duo with the spontaneity of a small jazz group: tunes deconstruct and rebuild mid-flight, cadenzas emerge out of grooves, and stylistic borders blur in service of interaction and narrative flow.

Tickets: $35

DIAVOLO - T.R.U.S.T.

DIAVOLO comes to Sierra Madre Playhouse for a family-friendly dance performance!

DIAVOLO Architecture in Motion® is a creative movement production company that uses the medium of performance in order to explore the intersection of architecture, innovation, education, and healing. Since 1992, DIAVOLO has been pushing the boundaries of dance, movement and storytelling for audiences around the globe. In more than 250 cities and 14 countries – over 100 million people have witnessed the bold, gravity-defying signature work that is DIAVOLO, including on America’s Got Talent Season 12 and at the 2024 GRAMMYs.

DIAVOLO is composed of dancers, gymnasts, and actors who all work as teammates. As collaborators they work on, and around, outrageous surrealistic sets and structures. T.R.U.S.T, featured in this performance, is a piece choreographed in several sections. The first sections take place in the space on and around a simple platform, a traveling ottoman, and an acrobatic wheel. All of these are manipulated by the dancers as they help each other explore the shared pathways and gravity. They tumble, catch, and slice through the air with perfect precision and teamwork. The next sections have the dancers interact with more familiar structures - like benches, ladders, and a door. As they work with these structures they reveal the importance of cooperative partnering, problem solving, and cooperative space sharing. The final section brings the dancers together as they move through a maze filled with obstacles and tight spaces. The audience will see their ability to overcome adversity and develop confidence. DIAVOLO's gravity-defying movements create metaphors for the challenges of human relationships and the struggle to maintain one’s balance in today's technical, and often detached world.

Tickets: $25

Kaycee Conlee + Leslie Liao + Ian Karmel

Comedy at the Playhouse: A Curated Monthly Series at Sierra Madre Playhouse in Partnership with Petty Victories

We’re kicking off comedy in 2026 with an all-star lineup doing longer sets! Get ready for a night of sharp wit and seasoned storytelling as three of comedy's most unique voices take the stage at the Sierra Madre Playhouse.

Your Host Kaycee Conlee: Kaycee Conlee is a standup comedian, actor, emcee and writer described as “refreshingly authentic, hilariously relatable, and brilliantly witty.” Kaycee has worked on The Tonight Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show and brings a dynamic stage presence and infectious energy. Kaycee has a natural charisma that draws audiences in and her unique blend of observational humor and personal storytelling are hilariously delightful.

Co-Headlining the evening: Ian Karmel is an Emmy Award-winning stand-up comedian, actor, and writer originally from Portland, Oregon. His recent comedy special, Comfort Beyond God’s Foresight, was named to The New York Times’ Best Comedy of 2025 list. Ian was head writer for the Emmy Award-winning The Late Late Show with James Corden. In 2024, Ian's debut memoir, T-Shirt Swim Club, co-written with his sister Alisa Karmel, was released by the Penguin Random House imprint Harmony & Rodale Books. His stand-up has been featured on Conan, The Late Late Show, Comedy Central, Netflix's The Comedy Line Up, and as a Just for Laughs New Face in 2013. Ian hosts the weekly podcast All Fantasy Everything, from Headgum studios.

Also headlining: Leslie Liao delights audiences around the world with her relatable, introspective, and matter-of-fact style of humor, which is often anchored in her experiences as a single Asian-American woman living in Los Angeles. Leslie was recently selected as one of “Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch” at Montreal’s prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. She can be seen in the stand-up series Verified Stand-Up on Netflix, and has performed twice on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. She regularly performs at The Comedy Store, Hollywood Improv, Laugh Factory, and many more.

This is comedy for grown-ups—thoughtful, hilarious, and performed in the cozy confines of one of LA's historic venues. Seats fill fast for shows of this caliber, so grab yours now for an unforgettable evening of laughter.

Tickets: $20

The Romantic Violin: Martin Chalifour

Violinist Martin Chalifour has shaped a career defined by musical depth, virtuosity, and a profound connection to both solo performance and orchestral leadership. A native of Québec and alumnus of the Montréal Conservatory and the Curtis Institute of Music, he became principal concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1995 and has since held the longest tenure in the orchestra’s history.

In this recital evening, The Romantic Violin, audiences will hear Chalifour traverse a lyrical landscape of violin repertoire intimately rooted in the romantic tradition. Expect rich tone, expressive phrasing, and emotional clarity—qualities he has brought to more than 60 concertos and countless chamber music settings. On stage he brings both the refined sensibility of a soloist and the collaborative awareness of a concertmaster who shapes ensemble sound.

Program highlights will include works that showcase the violin’s voice as both intimate and expansive: pieces of lyrical charm, technical brilliance, and emotional resonance. Whether in gently flowing adagio lines or fiery virtuosic passages, Chalifour’s performance embodies the instrument’s capacity to sing, to soar, and to reflect.

This is an evening built on nuance and musical storytelling—no extraneous showmanship, just the violin in its fullest expressive form. Listeners will engage with the instrument’s legacy: the romantic era’s embrace of melody and sentiment, merged with contemporary understanding of technique and sound. The recital invites reflection, listening with intent, and an appreciation for the violin’s place at the intersection of introspection and revelation.

Tickets: $40

Tam Tran Goes to Washington from East West Players

East West Players returns to Sierra Madre Playhouse once again for Lunar New Year, with a performance of their new Theatre for Youth show, Tam Tran Goes to Washington!

Tam Tran is a UCLA senior who prefers life behind the camera. When her undocumented status becomes part of the spotlight she never sought, her best friend Cinthya steps in—and together they find themselves drawn into the national conversation on immigration. Tam is invited to testify before Congress in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the DREAM Act. Suddenly, the quiet student becomes a public figure, forced to confront her fears, her identity, and the weight of what it means to belong.

This touring production—part of East West Players’ Theatre for Youth program—is a compact yet potent work that weaves activism, personal narrative, and the complexities of undocumented life. With a focus on young Asian American voices and immigrant experiences, the play brings the themes of fear, courage, friendship, and public responsibility into clear view.

Audiences should expect:

• A brisk narrative that follows Tam’s emotional journey from behind-the-camera observer to active witness in the political arena.
• Sharp writing that highlights the interplay of private self and public role—how Tam’s personal history, creative ambitions and undocumented status collide as she steps into testimony.
• Moments of humor, tension and reflection as Tam and Cinthya navigate college life, family expectations and the larger forces of immigration policy.
• A production that handles real issues of deportation, legislative hearings and the cost of visibility with sensitivity—while still centering the humanity of Tam’s story.

Tam Tran Goes to Washington asks what happens when one person’s voice becomes a symbol—and what it takes to speak when silence has been survival. It invites audiences—especially youth—to consider how personal stories become part of public history, and how representation and rights matter not just in policy, but in lived lives.

Tickets: $20

Cold Tofu Improv and Sketch Comedy

Cold Tofu Improv returns to Sierra Madre Playhouse for Lunar New Year!

Founded in 1981 in Los Angeles, Cold Tofu was created by Marilyn Tokuda, Denice Kumagai, Judy Momii and Irma Escamilla as the nation’s first—and longest-running—Asian American improv and comedy troupe. At a time when Asian Americans rarely appeared in comedy roles, let alone formed their own ensembles, these artists forged space for smart humor rooted in community, identity and cultural insight. Early members included Amy Hill, Phil LaMarr, Jerry Tondo and Geoff Rivas.

Over the decades, Cold Tofu has grown from small living-room sessions to full-scale ensemble productions, touring colleges and community-centers, performing in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo district and beyond. The group’s work blends short-form and long-form improv, sketch comedy and audience-interaction, often touching on Asian American experience, crossover cultural humor, identity, heritage and the absurdities of everyday life. They have provided not only laughs, but also a training ground for performers of color and an alternative comedic narrative to mainstream stereotyping.

What to expect in a Cold Tofu show: spontaneous, playful, razor-sharp improv based on audience suggestions; sketches and characters that draw from daily life—family dinners, workplace scenes, cultural mix-ups—with a twist; and a vibrant ensemble energy that carries you along while commenting with intelligence and heart. Audiences might witness a rapid-fire improv game, a comedic riff on intergenerational dynamics, or a suddenly surreal scenario built out of a single suggestion. The tone is inclusive, fast-moving and heartfelt, equal parts clever and warm.

Cold Tofu positions itself as more than a comedy troupe—it is a cultural institution that has helped expand the representation of Asian American voices in improvisational comedy, opened pathways for diverse artists, and encouraged laughter that reflects the full spectrum of experience. In their presence, comedy is both entertainment and cultural commentary, delivered with authenticity, ensemble trust and improvisational skill.

Tickets: $25

Letters to Harriet Tubman

Letters to Harriet Tubman, from Paul Morse Productions, uses songs and stories of the Civil War era to tell the adventures of the heroic woman who fought slavery through the "underground railroad." Harriet Tubman, who was born a slave, grew to become one of the foremost warriors in the battle against slavery, helping and guiding hundreds of slaves, including her own parents, to travel north to freedom. In this two-character play, Harriet is joined by her guitar-playing neighbor, Jeffrey Taylor, Jr. The production examines the history of the main character and of the times, and is interspersed with lively period songs and African-American spirituals, including Go Down, Moses, Oh, Freedom and Battle Hymn of the Republic. A telling tale of the difference that can be made through the strength and courage of one individual, this performance inspires and encourages the audience to hope, dream and achieve.

Tickets: $20

George Brown Ansambel

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

George Brown Ansambel is a dynamic, boundary-crossing sextet whose instrumentation, background, and musical vision reflect a richly diverse cultural and stylistic identity. The group draws from roots in jazz, world music, folk traditions and chamber-inspired ensemble interplay, creating a sound world that is both sophisticated and immediate.

Onstage you’ll encounter a collection of highly skilled instrumentalists—horns, reeds, strings, percussion, rhythm section—that weave together improvisation, composed material and rhythmic drive. The sextet operates with the precision of a chamber ensemble and the momentum of a jazz group, moving seamlessly through melodies, ensemble voicings and individual solos.

What audiences can expect:

• A program that features original compositions alongside uniquely arranged works—some steeped in global traditions, others shaped by jazz grooves, modern harmonies, and unexpected textures.
• An evening of musical storytelling: the ensemble uses contrast and interplay—quiet lyric passages next to propulsive grooves, subtle motifs next to bold statements—to invite listeners into an immersive journey.
• Strong ensemble cohesion with space for individual voices: every player contributes to the collective sound, yet there are moments of spotlight and spontaneity, where solos emerge naturally from the group fabric.
• Cross-cultural resonance: you might hear rhythms, timbres or melodic material that hints at Latin American, African, Asian or Eastern European influences, integrated into a contemporary ensemble context rather than presented as “world music” pastiche.
• A sonic experience that rewards attentive listening: while the grooves and energy draw you in, the harmonic nuance, chamber-like textures, and polished ensemble work invite you to lean into the details, listen for the smaller gestures, and appreciate how the group inhabits its sonic space.

In short: George Brown Ansambel offers a performance that is at once polished and vibrant, globally aware and locally grounded, structured and spontaneous. For listeners who enjoy the intersection of jazz, chamber music and world-influenced sound, this sextet delivers a rich, multifaceted experience.

Tickets: $35

Danny Jolles vs the Alien

Comedy at the Playhouse: A Curated Monthly Series at Sierra Madre Playhouse in Partnership with Petty Victories

This month we’re featuring a new solo show from a beloved talent: Danny Jolles vs The Alien. Danny Jolles is a comedian who you might know from CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, TED, HACKS and more. What you might not know is that he’s done a show almost every night of his adult life. But on this night, on this show, Danny will find himself in an otherworldly situation and the question will be asked…what makes humanity worth saving?

Tickets: $20

123 Andrés - Bilingual Beats & Family Fun

Get ready to jump, sing and move! Latin-Grammy and Grammy Award-winning duo 123 Andrés bring a vibrant, high-energy concert experience for the whole family — offering a joyful fusion of English and Spanish songs, interactive movement and uplifting rhythms from across Latin America.

Andrés and Christina will invite children and adults alike to participate: clapping, dancing, singing, and exploring community, culture and language together. With catchy original songs that double as playful lessons — whether counting, learning colours, or celebrating identity — this isn’t just a show; it’s an experience.

Perfect for families with children ages 2–8 (and anyone young at heart), 123 Andrés create a welcoming space where kids feel empowered and everyone connects through music, bilingual storytelling and shared joy.

Come with open hearts and dancing feet — this is bilingual family entertainment at its best.

Tickets: $20

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123 Andrés - Música bilingüe y diversión familiar

¡Prepárense para saltar, cantar y bailar! El dúo 123 Andrés, ganador de premios Grammy y Latin Grammy, ofrece un concierto vibrante y lleno de energía para toda la familia, con una alegre fusión de canciones en inglés y español, movimiento interactivo y ritmos contagiosos de toda Latinoamérica.

Andrés y Christina invitarán a niños y adultos a participar: aplaudiendo, bailando, cantando y explorando juntos la comunidad, la cultura y el idioma. Con pegadizas canciones originales que también son divertidas lecciones — ya sea para contar, aprender los colores o celebrar la identidad— esto no es solo un espectáculo; es toda una experiencia.

Ideal para familias con niños de 2 a 8 años (y para quienes se sienten jóvenes de corazón), 123 Andrés crea un espacio acogedor donde los niños se sienten empoderados y todos conectan a través de la música, cuentos bilingües y la alegría compartida.

Vengan con el corazón abierto y ganas de bailar: ¡este es el mejor entretenimiento familiar bilingüe!

Boletos: $20

Arun Ramamurthi with Nirmal Narayan and Vivek Chellappa

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Indian Classical Music Series

Violinist and composer Arun Ramamurthi brings a unique perspective to Indian classical music, rooted originally in south Indian (Carnatic) violin but fluent in both that tradition and north Indian (Hindustani) settings. He has performed internationally, leads innovative ensembles, and merges rigorous classical technique with improvisational breadth.

Percussionist Nirmal Narayan, a disciple of the eminent mridangam maestro Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, is recognized for his virtuosity in rhythmic accompaniment—and his deep commitment to the classical idiom of Indian rhythm. Together with Vivek Chellappa (on a supporting instrument such as tabla, harmonium or melodic accompaniment), this trio presents a concert of Hindustani-inspired classical music that both honours tradition and invites expansive listening.

Expect a program structured around classical ragas—beginning with extended melodic development (alap), moving into rhythmic composition (gat) and culminating in energetic improvisation and interplay among violin, percussion and melodic support. The performance will invite listeners into the subtle world of Indian classical music: micro-tonal inflections, shifting moods, spontaneous responses between players, and a sustained sense of focus and presence.
Although steeped in tradition, the artists’ collective experience and cross-training suggest moments of creative openness—so while deeply respectful of the classical forms, the evening also offers space for expressive dialogue, dynamic interplay and moments of real-time inspiration.

The atmosphere of the concert is thoughtful and immersive: seating that invites attentive listening, a sound space rich in tone and resonance, and a journey that calls for both patience and presence. For audiences new to Indian classical music, the experience opens the door to a sound world that moves slowly into deep unfoldings; for experienced listeners, there is the craft of improvisation, granular rhythm, sophisticated interplay and the poetry of the raga-cycle brought to life.

Tickets: $12-$35

Papelina y Papelón

Papelina y Papelón is a beloved Chilean children’s theater and television production that brings puppetry, music, and humor together to explore friendship, curiosity, and creativity. Performed by Pablo Casas and Fátima Gómez—two of Chile’s most celebrated performer-educators—and joined by bilingual actor Rosvita Rauch, the show introduces a whimsical world where paper comes to life, transforming the simplest materials into storytelling magic.

With more than three decades of experience in children’s educational theater and television, Casas and Gómez have reached millions through their long-running series on Chile’s National Television Network (TVN). Their live stage work extends this universe with playful puppetry, music, and audience participation designed for children ages 2 to 7.

For this U.S. engagement, Papelina y Papelón expands its story to include a new bilingual character—an aunt who has immigrated to the United States—opening new windows of understanding for English-speaking and multilingual families. Through gentle humor and rich visual imagination, the performance celebrates the joy of discovery, language, and cultural connection.

Audiences can expect a warm, participatory experience that blends theater, early-childhood education, and heartfelt storytelling—crafted by artists who view laughter and creativity as the most universal languages of all.

Tickets: $25

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Papelina y Papelón es una querida producción chilena de teatro y televisión infantil que combina títeres, música y humor para explorar la amistad, la curiosidad y la creatividad. Interpretada por Pablo Casas y Fátima Gómez, dos de los artistas y educadores más reconocidos de Chile, y con la participación de la actriz bilingüe Rosvita Rauch, la obra presenta un mundo mágico donde el papel cobra vida, transformando los materiales más sencillos en historias fascinantes.

Con más de tres décadas de experiencia en teatro y televisión infantil educativo, Casas y Gómez han llegado a millones de personas a través de su exitosa serie en la Televisión Nacional de Chile (TVN). Su trabajo en vivo expande este universo con títeres, música y participación del público, diseñado para niños de 2 a 7 años.

Para esta presentación en Estados Unidos, Papelina y Papelón amplía su historia con un nuevo personaje bilingüe: una tía que emigró a Estados Unidos, lo que brinda una mayor comprensión a las familias angloparlantes y multilingües. Con un humor sutil y una rica imaginación visual, la obra celebra la alegría del descubrimiento, el lenguaje y la conexión cultural.

El público disfrutará de una experiencia cálida y participativa que fusiona teatro, educación infantil y narraciones conmovedoras, creada por artistas que consideran la risa y la creatividad como los lenguajes más universales.

Boletos: $25

Kristina Wong - Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism Book Release Event

Join Kristina Wong—performance artist, comedian, writer and activist—for the launch of her new book Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism (Beaming Books, April 2026). In this fresh work, Wong draws on her celebrated body of theatre and social-practice work to explore community care, collective power, and the long legacy of Asian American activism—through her trademark blend of sharp wit, heartfelt insight and grassroots storytelling.

At this reading and conversation event, she’ll discuss the inspiration behind the book, share passages and reflections, and open the floor for audience questions and connection. It’s a rare opportunity to engage directly with an artist whose work spans theatre, mutual-aid practice and cultural commentary—and to gather together around what activism means for us today.

Tickets: $35 (includes book)

Breadcrumbs Along the Trail by Carl Weintraub

Explore the power of story — and the paths we walk. In this engaging solo performance, Carl Weintraub draws from a rich treasure-trove of fables, folk tales, fairy tales, and personal stories to place the audience squarely in the trail of life’s greatest questions: where we’ve come from, how we choose to move ahead, and what we carry with us.

Like breadcrumbs dropped along a forest path, each story offers insight and nourishment — guidance for the next bend, signposts for decisions, and echoes of journeys already taken. With his trademark warmth, theatrical skill, and deep respect for the oral tradition, Weintraub weaves an experience that entertains, enlightens, and invites reflection.

The result is a performance for all ages — ideal for families, community audiences, and educational settings. Audiences will leave enriched by the wisdom of the tales, the joy of being part of a shared story-space, and inspired to drop their own breadcrumbs along the trails they follow.

Tickets: $15

John Clayton – Double Bass Trio

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

John Clayton is one of the most respected double bassists working today—equally at home in jazz and classical contexts. With a career spanning decades, he has performed with the Count Basie Orchestra, led the acclaimed Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and held one of the highest positions in European symphonic bass before returning to the U.S. His deep rhythmic foundation, rich tone, compositional savvy and wide musical curiosity make him a special artist.

In this intimate trio format, Clayton brings his double bass to the forefront in a chamber-style setting. Expect an evening where the bass is both anchor and voice—driving grooves, offering melodic statements, responding to and inspiring the ensemble. The trio format offers flexibility: moments of laid-back swing, reflective lyricism, and rhythmic interplay where the bass interacts with its partners in surprising ways.

For the audience, this means something special: close-up access to Clayton’s artistry, clear aural detail in a small venue, and the opportunity to hear a master musician in a setting that strips away layers and brings focus to sound, texture and interaction. Whether you come as a jazz enthusiast or simply appreciate high-level musicianship, this performance promises depth, elegance and musical generosity.

Tickets: $35

A Midsummer Night's Dream from Will & Company

In this lively and engaging adaptation by Will & Company, Shakespeare’s beloved comedy is brought to life in a spirited romp through the woods, filled with fairies, mischief and magic. A young pair of lovers venture into the forest and stumble into a world of enchantment. There, the mischievous sprite Puck intervenes, a troupe of would-be actors attempts to rehearse Pyramus and Thisbe, and the fairy king and queen’s quarrel threatens to unsettle all. With quick-witted humour, audience participation woven through the action, and visual flair suited for young and family audiences, this version invites everyone to lean in, laugh together, and experience the wild, joyous energy of Shakespeare’s night-of-dreams. Ideal for Grades K-12 and general audiences, the production invites you to believe that magic might just be one moonlit forest away.

Tickets: $20

Ryan Cross

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

Ryan Cross, an accomplished jazz bassist, cellist, and composer, brings his exceptional talents to the stage with his band. A Grammy-recognized musician who has performed and recorded with legends like Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, and John Legend, Ryan’s mastery of jazz and wide-ranging versatility make his performances dynamic and unforgettable. Having appeared on over 100 TV shows and films, Ryan’s influence extends across music and entertainment.

Tickets: $35

Aperture Duo

Violinist Adrianne Pope and violist Linnea Powell joined forces in Los Angeles in 2015 to create Aperture Duo, a chamber ensemble dedicated to exploring the full expressive potential of the violin-and-viola pairing. Deeply rooted in both tradition and innovation, the duo performs music ranging from early classical works to pioneering commissions written specifically for their instrumentation.

Their concerts often juxtapose familiar repertoire—like Mozart’s violin-and-viola duos—with bold new works marked by extended techniques, original sound worlds, improvisation and theatrical flair. This interplay between old and new creates an experience both accessible and adventurous. Aperture Duo’s musicians treat each performance as a conversation: two artists, two instruments, one commitment to deep listening, responsiveness and emotional clarity.

At this upcoming appearance at Sierra Madre Playhouse, audiences will witness their signature blend of sonic intimacy and creative edge. Expect precise chamber interplay, a wide palette of tonal textures—from shimmering lyricism to sharp rhythmic intensity—and an evening that invites you to rethink what two string instruments can accomplish together.

Tickets: $12-35

Katisse Buckingham – Woodwinds Quartet

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

Los Angeles-born virtuoso Katisse Buckingham returns to an intimate chamber setting with his Woodwinds Quartet, bringing a rich blend of jazz, funk, soul and classical sensibility to the fore. An artist equally fluent on saxophones (tenor, alto, soprano, baritone) and flutes (alto, bass, piccolo), Buckingham fuses deep improvisational instinct with melodic clarity, drawing from his early influences in jazz, hip-hop, rock and classical music.

In this performance you’ll hear the quartet harness Buckingham’s signature tone and expressive range across wind instruments—expect shimmering flute passages, robust saxophone solos, and ensemble work that grooves with precision and breadth. The instrumentation provides a rare spotlight for wind instruments in chamber form, allowing each musician to shine while maintaining tight collective interplay.

The program is crafted to reflect both Buckingham’s eclectic background and the quartet’s collaborative voice—movements of soulful lyricism, rhythm‐driven grooves, and spontaneous improvisation weaving through structured forms. The result is a live experience that invites close listening and active engagement: winds that sing, dance and dialogue.

Presented in a setting that emphasizes proximity and clarity of sound, this performance offers the audience an opportunity to connect with the music up close—each breath, each phrase, each collaborative moment carried directly to the listener. Whether you come for the jazz‐inflected solos or the chamber-like textures, the evening will showcase the versatility and artistry of one of Southern California’s most dynamic wind players and his supporting ensemble.

Tickets: $35

Twinkle Time: Bilingual Pop-Rock Concert for Families

Get ready for a vibrant, high-energy celebration of music, culture, and fun with Twinkle Time! Blending bilingual pop-rock, hip-hop, and educational themes, this award-winning Billboard Charting recording artist Twinkle invites families to sing, dance, and learn together. Through both English and Spanish lyrics, Twinkle encourages kids to embrace their uniqueness, celebrate diversity, and feel empowered to say: “It’s okay to be me.” Expect bold costumes, catchy rhythms, interactive moments, and a set list pulled from her beloved albums—making this performance a joyous, inclusive experience for young audiences and grown-ups alike.

Tickets: $25

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Twinkle Time: Concierto bilingüe de pop-rock para familias

¡Prepárate para una vibrante y enérgica celebración de música, cultura y diversión con Twinkle Time! Combinando pop-rock bilingüe, hip-hop y temas educativos, la galardonada artista Twinkle, que ha figurado en las listas de Billboard, invita a las familias a cantar, bailar y aprender juntas. A través de letras en inglés y español, Twinkle anima a los niños a aceptar su singularidad, celebrar la diversidad y sentirse con la confianza suficiente para decir: "Está bien ser yo". Disfruta de llamativos vestuarios, ritmos pegadizos, momentos interactivos y un repertorio de sus aclamados álbumes, convirtiendo este espectáculo en una experiencia alegre e inclusiva para niños y adultos por igual.

Boletos: $25

Vijay Gupta – Restrung: A Talk & Concert

Violinist Vijay Gupta, celebrated for his wide-ranging artistry and visionary engagement in community, presents an evening that blends musical performance and candid reflection in honor of his forthcoming memoir Restrung. Former member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and founder of the nonprofit Street Symphony, Gupta invites the audience into his personal journey—from prodigy to orchestral performer, through burnout and renewal, to an artist leader whose mission extends far beyond the concert stage.

The evening begins with Gupta sharing parts of his story in conversation form. He’ll speak about how music became more than performance for him—becoming a lifeline in moments of crisis, a tool of connection on Skid Row, and a path toward purpose and community. Following the talk, Gupta takes the violin for a live performance, offering music that reflects his recent journey: pieces that resonate with introspection, rhythmic vitality, and emotional transparency.

Expect a program of repertoire and reflection that bridges classical solo violin traditions with contemporary ideas of resilience, justice, and belonging. You’ll hear masterful technique and thoughtful interpretation alongside stories of real-life transformation and creative reinvention. The atmosphere is intimate, sincere, and deeply human.

This event is designed as both book release and concert: ticket includes a copy of Restrung, offering attendees not just a performance, but an entry point into Gupta’s larger narrative and mission. After the music and talk, there will be a Q&A and book signing, giving the audience a chance to connect directly, ask questions, and take home a signed copy.

Join Vijay Gupta for an evening of music, story, and inspiration—a blend of artistry and advocacy, where the sound of the violin meets the voice of commitment.

Tickets: $35 (includes book)

Indradeep Ghosh with Chris Votek and Neelamjit Dhillon

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Indian Classical Music Series

A meeting of strings and rhythm at the confluence of Hindustani classical tradition and Western chamber sensibility.

Violinist Indradeep Ghosh leads the trio with an instrument modified to blend the tonal richness of Hindustani raga and sympathetic-string resonance, inviting deep expressive explorations of melody and tone. Cellist Chris Votek brings rare fluency in both Western classical and North Indian traditions—his work adapts the vocal-style (gayaki-ang) vocabulary of raga to the cello with striking clarity and emotional power. Tabla maestro Neelamjit Dhillon anchors the ensemble with rhythmic virtuosity, guiding the music’s unfolding shape with subtlety, depth and drive.

In this performance you’ll hear the arc of Hindustani music: slow, meditative melodic unfolding (alap), rich interplay between strings and rhythm, and moments of spirited improvisation that bring the ensemble to life. Flavors from East and West weave together—Ghosh’s evocative violin lines, Votek’s cello voice in dialog, and Dhillon’s tabla cycles creating both foundation and spark. The result is an immersive musical journey that invites listeners to engage deeply: to follow unfolding sound, shifting textures, and the seamless interaction of tradition and innovation.

Presented in our Hindustani Music Series, this evening offers a rare opportunity to experience the string-based voice of Indian classical music and its modern articulation in Los Angeles’s vibrant musical ecosystem. Whether you are newly curious about raga or seasoned in classical listening, expect an intimate, profound and resonant concert.

Tickets: $12-35

Camille Hernandez - Motherlands

Poet, performer, and educator Camille Hernandez presents an immersive reimagining of her celebrated chapbook Motherlands—now transformed into a choreopoem that merges movement, rhythm, and language into living performance. Rather than reciting from behind a podium, Hernandez animates her poetry through gesture, breath, and motion, weaving text and embodiment into a single, fluid expression.

Tickets: $20

Sidney Jacobs – Vocalist with Quartet

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

Los Angeles–born vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and producer Sidney Jacobs brings a smooth, soulful blend of jazz, R&B, and contemporary groove to the stage. A member of the legendary vocal ensemble The Fisk Jubilee Singers and a solo artist on the Resonance Records label, Jacobs is known for his velvety tone, inventive phrasing, and heartfelt delivery.

In this performance, Jacobs leads a dynamic quartet through a set that blends original music with reimagined standards, each piece infused with his distinctive harmonic sophistication and emotional warmth. His artistry bridges genres with ease—one moment deeply swinging, the next intimate and introspective.

Accompanied by four of L.A.’s finest musicians, Jacobs creates an atmosphere that’s both stylish and deeply personal. Listeners can expect an evening of musical storytelling that celebrates the depth and diversity of contemporary jazz while honoring its roots in soul, blues, and the Great American Songbook.

Part of Sierra Madre Playhouse’s Jazz Series, curated by guitarist and composer Greg Porée, this concert showcases one of Los Angeles’s most expressive vocalists in an intimate setting where every note feels close, alive, and deeply felt.

Tickets: $35

Absolute Focus + Chris Votek

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Indian Classical Music Series

Cellist and composer Chris Votek brings his expansive artistic voice to an evening of cross-cultural chamber music, joined by the ensemble Absolute Focus. Known for translating the melodic and rhythmic traditions of Hindustani raga onto the cello, Votek’s work bridges Indian classical forms, Western chamber traditions, and contemporary improvisation.

Together with Absolute Focus, he creates a sound world where strings, melody, and rhythm flow in conversation—music that honors classical roots while embracing spontaneity and exploration. The performance will unfold in the spirit of raga: beginning with a meditative opening that builds into rich ensemble interplay and rhythmic dialogue.

Audiences can expect an immersive experience where East and West meet through intricate texture, tone, and form. Every note invites deep listening, tracing a journey from stillness to movement, from introspection to celebration.

Presented as part of Sierra Madre Playhouse’s Hindustani Music Series, this program highlights Los Angeles-based artists who are redefining how classical traditions live and evolve in the modern world.

Tickets: $12-35

Dancing Storytellers - Indian Mythology and Me

Dancing Storytellers brings Indian myths to life through a vivid blend of classical South Asian dance, folk movement, theater, rhythm, and playful audience engagement. Their performance, Indian Mythology and Me, weaves together three unforgettable stories—Bheema’s meeting with Hanuman, the clever mice who outwit an elephant queen, and the powerful tale of Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. Each story is told through expressive gesture, dynamic choreography, and the artists’ signature style of conversational storytelling.

The experience is fully interactive. Performers move through the space, inviting children to step into the story with them, try out movement and gestures, and become part of the world onstage. The result is a performance that feels both theatrical and deeply personal, connecting ancient narratives to the everyday lives of young audiences.

Rich with humor, heart, and cultural insight, Indian Mythology and Me encourages reflection on identity, courage, empathy, and the power of stories to shape who we are. Designed especially for K–5 audiences but captivating for all ages, the program offers a vibrant introduction to Indian mythology, dance traditions, and the timeless themes embedded within them.

Tickets: $20

Asia / America New Music Institute - Echoes of Home

Asia / America New Music Institute (AANMI) returns to Sierra Madre Playhouse for a new show, Echoes of Home!

Composers from across Los Angeles’s vibrant Asian American communities share deeply personal works inspired by the neighborhoods that shaped them — from Little Tokyo to Koreatown, San Gabriel, Gardena, and Historic Filipinotown. Through music and story, the concert traces memories of temples, festivals, and familiar streets, revealing how these enclaves continue to define the city’s cultural soul. Presented by the Asia / America New Music Institute (AANMI), this program celebrates Los Angeles as a tapestry of voices, each carrying the sound of home.

AANMI promotes cultural exchange between Asia and the Americas through the creation and performance of new music concerts. AANMI concerts allow audience members to experience key narratives at the intersections of Asian and American cultures, past and present.

Tickets: $12-35

Sumeet Laha and Anand Verumi

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Indian Classical Music Series

Join musicians Sumeet Laha and Anand Verumi for a performance of Indian classical music at Sierra Madre Playhouse!

Tickets: $12-35

Tesserae Baroque Ensemble - Baroque Trio Sonatas

Tesserae returns to Sierra Madre Playhouse for a  vibrant program of trio sonatas for harpsichord, violin, and recorder, performed with the clarity, flair, and historically informed artistry that define Tesserae’s work. This intimate concert highlights the ensemble’s nuanced blend of color and texture, bringing these rich Baroque sonatas to life with elegance and effortless virtuosity.

Tickets: $12-35

Leela Dance Collective

Leela Dance Collective is a Los Angeles–based dance company devoted to the classical North Indian dance form kathak—honouring its roots while pushing the form into new expressive territory. Led by co-artistic directors Rukhmani Mehta, Seibi Lee, and Rachna Nivas, the company blends the rich craft of kathak’s fast-paced footwork, pirouettes, and expressive storytelling with contemporary collaboration and cross-genre innovation.

Established in 2016, Leela works not only on stage but as a cultural force: they train emerging dancers, bring kathak into educational settings, and create works that speak to today’s diverse audiences. Their repertoire ranges from traditional solo kathak pieces to full-length dance dramas and interdisciplinary programs that integrate music, theatre, and movement.

At this performance in our Dance Series, Leela Dance Collective presents their work in a close, focused setting—allowing audiences to clearly hear the rhythm of anklets, sense the percussive impact of each step, and feel the intimate energy of dancer-musician interplay. Whether you are new to kathak or already familiar with its tradition, the evening offers a compelling mix of precision, storytelling, and cultural depth.

Tickets: $12-35

Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble

Based in Los Angeles, Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble (PKE) is dedicated to performing, preserving, and sharing the gong-chime music and dance traditions of the southern Philippines. Centered on the mesmerizing sound of the kulintang—a row of tuned, knobbed gongs—the ensemble creates music that is both ancient and immediate, intricate and celebratory.

Formed in 2003 by a collective of artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners, PKE’s members have trained extensively with master musicians from Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. Their performances bring to life the interlocking rhythms, layered melodies, and graceful dances of the Maguindanao, Maranao, Tausug, Sama, and Yakan peoples, blending authenticity with a sense of connection to contemporary Los Angeles.

A Pakaraguian performance unfolds as both concert and cultural experience. The ensemble’s instruments—ranging from the resonant agung and dabakan drums to the luminous kulintang—interweave in cycles that seem to suspend time, inviting deep listening and reflection. Through movement and music, they honor centuries of tradition while showing how these forms continue to evolve across borders and generations.

Part of Sierra Madre Playhouse’s commitment to presenting Los Angeles–based artists, this performance invites audiences into a sound world that transcends geography—an exploration of rhythm, heritage, and the shared pulse of community.

Tickets: $20

Outside Mullingar
Written by John Patrick Shanley

In the mist-shrouded farmlands of rural Ireland, Anthony and Rosemary live side by side, bound by family legacies, stubborn pride, and an unspoken longing that has lasted a lifetime. Anthony has spent his days quietly tending his father’s cattle farm, uncertain of his future and haunted by what might have been. Rosemary, his strong-willed neighbor, has waited years for him to see what’s been right in front of him all along.

This tender and funny play from Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award–winning writer John Patrick Shanley (Doubt, Moonstruck) explores the balance between love and land, inheritance and independence, and the courage it takes to follow one’s heart.

Brought to Sierra Madre Playhouse by The 6th Act, co-artistic directors Liza Seneca and Matthew Leavitt lead a distinguished cast including Michael Kirby, Liza Seneca, Armin Shimerman, and Kitty Swink.

In the Playhouse’s intimate setting, Outside Mullingar becomes a lyrical, deeply human story—funny, wistful, and full of hope for what love can bloom late in life.

Tickets: $12-$45

Faust (1926)

Directed by F.W. Murnau
Live piano accompaniment by Larry Garf • Introduction and discussion with Rich Procter

One of the towering achievements of silent cinema, Faust (1926) is director F.W. Murnau’s visionary adaptation of Goethe’s classic tale of ambition, temptation, and redemption. Combining the grandeur of German Expressionism with a deeply human story, the film follows the scholar Faust as he makes a fateful bargain with Mephisto, trading his soul for youth, power, and passion.

Murnau’s Faust remains a visual marvel—filled with sweeping camera movements, intricate set design, and striking use of light and shadow. Its imagery influenced generations of filmmakers, from Hitchcock to Bergman, and stands among the most haunting depictions of good and evil ever captured on film.

At Sierra Madre Playhouse, this masterpiece comes alive once again through live piano accompaniment by Larry Garf, whose score underscores every flicker of beauty and despair. Writer and humorist Rich Procter will introduce the film and lead a post-show discussion exploring Murnau’s artistry, the legacy of Expressionist cinema, and why Faust continues to fascinate nearly a century later.

An unforgettable evening of music, conversation, and film—where silent cinema speaks louder than ever.

Tickets: $20

Chris Wabich Trio

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

Los Angeles percussionist Chris Wabich brings a bold, shape-shifting approach to rhythm that defies easy categorization. Known for his versatility across jazz, world music, fusion, and experimental traditions, he has toured internationally, recorded with artists from Leonard Cohen to Mamak Khadem, and developed a reputation for sonic creativity that turns every performance into an adventure.

Onstage, Wabich is equal parts groove-maker and storyteller. His playing moves fluidly from intricate hand percussion to driving drum set work, weaving unexpected textures and global influences into a unified, deeply musical voice. Whether exploring a standard, reimagining a folk rhythm, or crafting something entirely new, he brings a warmth and spontaneity that draw audiences into the heart of the music.

This performance highlights Wabich’s boundless curiosity and his commitment to crossing musical borders. The result is an evening of rhythm-forward artistry that surprises, delights, and reveals just how expansive the world of percussion can be.

Tickets: $35

A Christmas Carol from Will & Company

Adapted from the beloved novella by Charles Dickens, Will & Company’s A Christmas Carol delivers a warm, non-denominational holiday experience centered on themes of generosity, transformation, and community. In this lively and interactive production, children and adults alike are drawn into the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s extraordinary Christmas Eve journey—from solitaire miser to compassionate citizen—through vivid staging, narration, and audience participation. True to the ensemble’s style, this version gives young people the chance to step onto stage alongside professional actors, enhancing the sense of collective storytelling and shared experience. Designed for Grades K–12 and family audiences, the show is ideal for educational settings and offers a memorable holiday-time performance for the whole family.

Tickets: $25