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| | 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 | Buy Tickets |
| | Marlonius Jazz Orchestra and Mara Kaye: Billie Holiday and The Blues
Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée
Los Angeles-born bassist, composer and band-leader Marlon Martinez brings a powerful blend of classical chops, deep jazz sensibility and modern creative vision to the stage. A product of the Colburn Conservatory of Music, Martinez studied classical bass and orchestral performance before evolving into a leading voice in the city’s jazz community.
Martinez is the founder and artistic director of the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra, where his original compositions sit alongside reinterpretations of jazz classics. He has toured and collaborated with a remarkable range of artists—including Stewart Copeland, Mike Garson and Quatuor Ebène—and continues to bridge genres, instrumentation and musical cultures with his work.
In this performance you’ll experience Martinez’s artistry in a smaller-ensemble setting: expect rich bass tones, melodic leadership from the lower register, crisp interplay between his group and the rhythm section, and compositions that move between swing, funk, lyricism and adventurous rhythm. The evening offers listeners an opportunity to hear the double bass not just as accompaniment, but as expressive voice and creative centre.
Whether you come for the jazz tradition, the virtuosity of bassist/composer collaboration or the vibrancy of L.A.’s evolving jazz scene, this concert provides deep listening, groove and musical heart.
Tickets: $35 | Buy Tickets |
| | 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 | Buy Tickets |
| | 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 | Buy Tickets |
| | Melissa Villaseñor + Steven Castillo + David Erick Ramos
Comedy at the Playhouse: A Curated Monthly Series at Sierra Madre Playhouse
Co-presented with Petty Victories
Comedy at the Playhouse is a monthly series of comedy shows, bringing some of the best comedians working today to your favorite historic theater.
Is there anything more fun than watching good friends perform on the same bill? The answer is no, no there’s not. Melissa Villaseñor and Steven Castillo are kindred spirits who found themselves working together on Saturday Night Live. Their shared silly sense of humor is sure to put you in a good mood. Their friend David Erick Ramos will kick off the evening with a short musical set featuring the ocarina.
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 | Buy Tickets |
| | Bob Baker's Nutcracker
This holiday tradition returns to Sierra Madre Playhouse for its third year! Los Angeles’ beloved Bob Baker Marionette Theater brings its timeless charm and puppetry magic to The Nutcracker, delighting audiences of all ages with dazzling marionettes, colorful sets, and Tchaikovsky’s classic score.
This one-of-a-kind production reimagines The Nutcracker through the artistry and imagination that have made Bob Baker Marionette Theater a cultural treasure for more than 60 years. Dozens of hand-crafted marionettes twirl, skate, and dance through the Land of the Sweets, capturing the wonder of the season with every movement.
Equal parts nostalgia and discovery, The Nutcracker at Sierra Madre Playhouse transforms the stage into a joyful holiday dreamscape where families can share laughter, music, and awe together. Whether it’s your first visit or part of your annual tradition, this cherished partnership between the Playhouse and Bob Baker Marionette Theater promises pure enchantment—up close and unforgettable.
Tickets: $25 | Buy Tickets |
| | 30 Minute Musicals Presents: Die Hard - A musical parody
30 Minute Musicals, critically acclaimed LA based comedy troupe, returns this holiday season to Sierra Madre Playhouse with another musical parody version of a Christmas classic, DIE HARD! Think Die Hard isn’t a Christmas movie?? It is. Relive the joy and laughter of a favorite action packed 80s film - onstage and wrapped up in a fast-paced musical bow.
The 30MM company has been skewering cult-classic films since 2011, tackling over 18 different films on stages across LA and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. From Showgirls to Outbreak to Top Gun, no film leaves the theatre unscathed. Their fan favorite, DIE HARD, is not to be missed! Experience the in-your-face, action-packed thrills, original music, and hilarity all in 30 minutes (excluding time for laughter).
Tickets: $25 | Buy Tickets |
| | 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 | Buy Tickets |
| | Gregg Karukas - Holiday Jazz Concert
Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée
Celebrate the season with Grammy-winning pianist and composer Gregg Karukas, whose soulful touch and joyful spirit have made him one of contemporary jazz’s most beloved artists. Known for his warm melodies and impeccable groove, Karukas has performed with luminaries such as Boney James, Dave Koz, Sergio Mendes, and Patti Austin, and his music has topped Billboard’s Smooth Jazz charts worldwide.
In this festive concert, Karukas leads a stellar band through reimagined holiday favorites alongside his own acclaimed originals. Expect a blend of sophisticated jazz harmonies, lyrical piano lines, and infectious rhythms that capture the heart of the holidays while keeping the energy swinging.
Presented in the Playhouse’s intimate setting, this performance offers audiences a chance to experience world-class jazz up close—where the warmth of the music and the spirit of the season truly shine.
Tickets: $35 | Buy Tickets |
| | Matt Johnson & The New Jet Set (Swingin' The Disney Songbook) return to The Playhouse December 20 & 21 at 8:00 PM with their festive, foot‑tapping holiday show you won’t want to miss. A Jet Set Christmas! delivers a sleigh full of holiday classics and Christmas carols drenched in tinsel, jazz and joy. This cool yuletide celebration, complete with a swingin’ sing-along, will put you the holiday spirit and transport you to that “Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.” Ho, ho, ho!
Known for their “retro‑cool jazz interpretations of beloved classics,” the band — led by celebrated drummer Matt Johnson — brings the seasonal spirit to life with swinging arrangements, charming storytelling, and audience sing‑alongs. This festive edition expands on their well-loved format—think holiday tunes sung big‑band style, interactive fun and behind‑the‑scenes anecdotes woven into every song.
Tickets: $35 | Buy Tickets |
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