Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, November 12, 2016

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 12, 2016 

On the Marquee: 

Notes from the Sierra MadrePlayhouse

Jeff’s Book Pics By Jeff Brown

The Essex Serpent: A Novel by 

Sarah Perry 

‘One of the most memorable historical novels of 
the past decade’ - Sunday Times. Set in London 
1893. When Cora Seaborne’s husband dies, she 
steps into her new life as a widow 
with as much relief as sadness: her 
marriage was not a happy one, 
and she never suited the role of 
society wife. Accompanied by her 
son Francis - a curious, obsessive 
boy - she leaves town for Essex, 
where she hopes fresh air and open 
space will provide the refuge they 
need.When they take lodgings in 
Colchester, rumours reach them 
from further up the estuary that the 
mythical Essex Serpent, once said to 
roam the marshes claiming human 
lives, has returned to the coastal 
parish of Aldwinter. Cora, a keen 
amateur naturalist with no patience 
for religion or superstition, is 
immediately enthralled, convinced 
that what the local people think is 
a magical beast may be a previously 
undiscovered species. As she sets 
out on its trail, she is introduced to 
William Ransome, Aldwinter’s vicar.
Like Cora, Will is deeply suspicious 
of the rumours, but he thinks they 
are founded on moral panic, a flight 
from real faith. As he tries to calm 
his parishioners, he and Cora strike 
up an intense relationship, and 
although they agree on absolutely 
nothing, they find themselves 
inexorably drawn together and torn 
apart, eventually changing each 
other’s lives in ways entirely unexpected.Told 
with exquisite grace and intelligence, this novel 
is most of all a celebration of love, and the many 
different guises it can take. 

Frantumaglia: A Writer’s Journey by 
Elena Ferrante (Author), Ann Goldstein 
(Translator) 

This book invites readers into 
Elena Ferrante’s workshop. It 
offers a glimpse into the drawers 
of her writing desk, those drawers 
from which emerged her three 
early standalone novels and the 
four installments of My Brilliant 
Friend, known in English as the 
Neapolitan Quartet. Consisting 
of over 20 years of letters, essays, 
reflections, and interviews, it is 
a unique depiction of an author 
who embodies a consummate 
passion for writing. In these pages 
Ferrante answers many of her 
readers’ questions. She addresses 
her choice to stand aside and let 
her books live autonomous lives. 
She discusses her thoughts and 
concerns as her novels are being 
adapted into films. She talks about 
the challenge of finding concise 
answers to interview questions. 
She explains the joys and the 
struggles of writing, the anguish 
of composing a story only to 
discover that that story isn’t good 
enough. She contemplates her 
relationship with psychoanalysis, 
with the cities she has lived in, with 
motherhood, with feminism, and 
with her childhood as a storehouse 
for memories, impressions, and 
fantasies. The result is a vibrant and intimate 
self-portrait of a writer at work.

‘TIS THE SEASON? REALLY?


By Artistic Director, Christian Lebano

 Taking my son to school this morning we had the 
usual struggle with who controls the radio dial – me 
wanting NPR, him wanting a station playing current 
pop music. As he was switching dials he landed on a 
station playing Christmas music! in early November! 
I told him categorically that we could not listen to 
that station until after Thanksgiving. We were on 
Los Feliz and he pointed out several of the homes 
which had already decorated in grand style. I’m 
flummoxed.

 I love the holiday season as much as anyone, but 
early November seems too early to me. I say that 
knowing full well that I scheduled A Little House 
Christmas by Laura Ingalls Wilder and adapted by 
James DeVita to open on November 18! I rationalize 
that it is OK because the show is as much about the 
Ingalls and their lives as it is about the holiday. The 
play is drawn entirely from the books and fans of that 
series will be delighted by this show. And I wanted to 
make sure that it would have enough performances to 
satisfy our audiences.

 When we first presented it in 2014, I was so pleased 
at the reaction to it. Our audiences loved it and it came 
close to selling out its run. This made me think that 
this could be our “Christmas Carol”. That we could 
remount it every couple of years – we all love to create 
traditions around the holidays and I hope that A Little 
House Christmas at the Playhouse will be a new one 
for your family. The cast and director, local favorite 
Alison Eliel Kalmus, are all new to the show, so even 
if you saw it last time, this will be a completely new 
version. As always, Diane Siegel has marvelous plans 
for our lobby – this year featuring the delights of a 
“slow” Christmas.

 Tickets are selling well. Please make your 
plans to see this show – even if it is opening before 
Thanksgiving. I hope you will forgive me!

* * *

 Our free reading series – “Off the Page” is back on 
Monday, November 21 at 7pm with The Immigrant 
Mark Harelik’s play about his Russian grandfather’s 
arrival in Texas in the early part of the last century. 
It is a joyful and beautiful and very funny play about 
coming to America and becoming an American. This 
is one I think would play really well for our audiences 
and I am very eager to hear it. Christopher Cappiello 
(Sidney in Deathtrap) is directing.

 We are now reaching out to our supporters and 
donors to make commitments of support for the next 
year. You each should be receiving your solicitation 
letters soon and when you do, I hope you will consider 
making a generous gift to SMP. I’ve spoken of some 
of our dreams and plans, to make them a reality we 
will need the help of our friends, old and new, in our 
Marquee Giving Circle. Please help us keep SMP as 
a vital and treasured part of this community. And, 
I hope to see you at our Groucho Gala on Sunday, 
December 4! – it’s going to be a fantastic evening. See 
our website for more information.

 As always we do it for you – our SMP family. Your 
support and loyalty mean so much to us. For tickets 
please call Mary in the box office at 626.355.4318. 
Hope to see you soon!


FREE EVENT: THE IMMIGRANT AT SIERRA MADRE 
PLAYHOUSE ON NOVEMBER 21

For the tenth entry in its Off The Page series of 
monthly staged readings, Sierra Madre Playhouse 
will present The Immigrant.

 Rural Central Texas, 1909. A young Russian-
Jewish immigrant, newly arrived in America 
through the port of Galveston, pulls his banana 
cart into the hamlet of Hamilton. Fleeing the 
vicious pogroms of his homeland, he has sought 
refuge in the land of the free. Able to speak 
only Yiddish, alone in the midst of a staunchly 
Christian community, he begs for shelter. Over 
the next 30 years, he makes a home and raises a 
family in this tiny town. THE IMMIGRANT is 
the story of a young Russian-Jewish couple and the 
local couple that take them in, as religion meets 
religion, culture meets culture, fear meets fear, and 
love meets love. This is the true story of Haskell 
Harelik, “the Immigrant.”

 Written by Mark Harelik, the show debuted in 
Denver in 2002. It was based on his novel. His other 
plays include The Legacy and Hank Williams: Lost 
Highway. He is also an actor.

 Christopher Cappiello directs the cast of 
the Sierra Madre Playhouse staged reading. He 
previously appeared on the Sierra Madre Playhouse 
stage in its production of Deathtrap.

 Debra J. Harner and Sierra Madre Playhouse 
Artistic Director Christian Lebano curate the Off 
The Page series.

 Monday, November 21, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

 Admission to The Immigrant is free. Donations 
are accepted. Reservations are not required.

 Website: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org . 
Phone: (626) 355-4318.

 Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 W. 
Sierra Madre, Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. This 
is just east of Pasadena. There is ample free parking 
behind the theatre.


SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS: 

By Sean Kayden

SPOTLIGHT: 

PRINZE GEORGE AT THE TROUBADOUR

Let’s get something out of the way and that is Prinze 
George is one of the best new acts of 2016. Okay, agree? 
Good. Maryland natives and snyth-pop enthusiasts 
Prinze George made their LA debut on Thursday night 
at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. They were 
the opening act for up and comers Lewis Del Mar at 
the sold out show. Prinze George’s affinity for synths, 
narrative lyrics, and charming sounds were fully 
demonstrated. Their lofty debut record, Illiterate Synth 
Pop, featured 10 beautiful tracks dowsed in soaring 
snyths, uplifting energy, and dreamy dispositions. On 
stage, the songs really came to life in different ways 
than initially recognized by listening to the record. 
Naomi Almquist’s deeply compassionate vocals 
compliment Kenny Grimm’s wondrous guitar riffs and 
strong skillset on the synthesizer as well as Isabelle 
De Leon’s infectious drum rhythms. The attractive 
trio positively won over the audience despite being a 
drastically different type of band than the headliners, 
which perhaps most in attendance were anticipating. 
For me, personally, Prinze George was the standout 
act, a special kind of energy that was more in the lines 
of soulfulness and impassioned. While Lewis Del Mar 
performed quite well with frenetic energy and infusion 
rock sounds, it was Prinze George that struck a chord 
with me that lingered beyond their set.

 One of the band’s singles, “Freeze,” kick-started 
the evening. Almquist’s causally soulful vocals, De 
Leon’s thunderous drumbeats, and Grimm’s spotless 
production work created this celestial vibe for the 
opener. “Kisses,” another flawless sequence showcasing 
heavenly vocals, dope beats, and intricate electronics 
definitely elevated those unaware of the magic from 
Prinze George. “Move It,” a deeply emotional track really 
felt special. This carefully designed song featured astral 
arrangements that sink into one’s soul. “Upswing,” a 
song not off their debut LP had this powerful driving 
force behind it. It was another reflective tune, a song 
that has you thinking. When Almquist gently sings the 
line, “We’re on the upswing, flying high,” I imagine 
just how this band, that formed merely 3 years ago is 
clearly on their own upswing. “Upswing” proved to be a 
stylishly composed track powered by a heart-pounding 
drumbeat over the stretch of contemplative lyrics 
dazzling snyths. “Lights Burn Out” was the track I was 
hoping they would perform and it came up toward the 
end. One of the most beautiful songs to grace 2016, 
the audience in complete awe, was just blown away 
by something grander than anticipated for the night’s 
superb offering. 

 Prinze George played a total of ten tracks including 
a couple off their first EP and a cover of Prince’s “I 
Would Die 4 U.” The arrangements intertwined with 
elating guitar melodies and hit an impeccable balance 
of gleam and force. Throughout the course of the night, 
despite Almquist stating she was under the weather, her 
voice was dynamic, merging in and out of the music in 
perfect accordance. Prinze George may fancy synths, but 
nothing comes off forged. In fact, all three members are 
terrific musicians. Almquist and Grimm danced onstage, 
getting real close at times, signifying how they were 
elated to be playing in Los Angeles. In the end, Prinze 
George proved to be the real deal, a band to continue to 
look out for as we embark on the upcoming year. 

LAUGHTER 
the 
ONLY 
skill 
required ! 
JUNE CHANDLER’SFREEYour first LAUGH is ‘on the house’!
MONDAY or TUESDAY nights 
at Casa del Rey in Sierra MadreCall (626) 355-4572 to reserve
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com