Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, February 2, 2019

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE PLANS A BUSY 2019 SEASON

Sierra Madre Playhouse has plans for an action-packed year, 
with a full slate of mainstage shows in addition to bonus 
attractions.

 First, the mainstage schedule:

 February 23- March 31: Tuesdays with Morrie. Written 
by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom. Based on the book by 
Mitch Albom. Directed by L. Flint Esquerra. Starring Larry 
Eisenberg and Jackson Kendall.

 Some lessons can’t be learned in school: The funny, true 
story of Mitch Albom and his former professor, Morrie 
Schwartz.

 “A touching, life-affirming, deeply emotional drama 
with a generous dose of humor.” ---N.Y. Daily News

 

March 16- April 27: Stuart Little. Adapted by Joseph 
Robinette. Based on the book by E.B. White. Directed by 
Sierra Madre Playhouse Artistic Director Christian Lebano.

 Our 6th Annual Theater for Young Audiences offering- 
perfect for kids aged 4 to 10, and their families! The 
classic tale of Stuart, the mouse-sized boy, who sets off on 
adventures in a human-sized world. From the creator of 
Charlotte’s Web.

 “Stuart Little is high on energy and laughs and tells 
a delightful, relatable story for kids of all ages.”---Theater 
Guide

 June 15- July 21: Dames at Sea. Book and lyrics by 
George Haimsohn and Robin Miller. Music by Jim Wise. 
Directed by Joshua Finkel. Musical director: Sean Paxton. 
Choreographed by Jeffrey Scott Parsons.

 Will Ruby go out there a chorus girl, but come back 
a star? The answer is a resounding yes!Dames at Sea is a 
hilarous homage to the glamorous and hopeful musicals of 
the 1930s.

“A winner! A gem of a musical!”---The New York Times

 

 August 23- September 29: The Joy Luck Club. Adapted 
by Susan Kim. Based on the book by Amy Tan. Directed by 
Tim Dang.

 Four Chinese-American mothers, four American-
born daughters, and the rich complexities of family ties 
and history as the eight women reach across a seemingly 
unbridgeable divide.

 “Blending hilarity and heartbreak, the play has moments 
both side-splitting and shattering.”---L.A. Times

 October 10- October 27: Little Women. Adapted and 
directed by Artistic Director Christian Lebano. Based on 
the book by Louisa May Alcott.

 A co-production between Sierra Madre Playhouse and 
California School for the Arts- San Gabriel Valley. The 
classic story of the March Sisters which has inspired women 
and girls for 150 years.

 “Even contemporary girls who can’t imagine wearing silk 
dresses or being too ladylike to run will identify with the 
March Sisters’ strong bonds and earnest efforts to overcome 
their faults.”---Common Sense Media

 

 November 30- December 29: Every Christmas Story Ever 
Told (and Then Some!) Written by Michael Carleton, Jim 
FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez. Original music by Will 
Knapp. Directed by Patrick Towne.

 Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday 
classic for the umpteenth time, actors decide to perform 
every Christmas story ever told -- plus Christmas traditions 
from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times 
to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. a madcap 
romp through the holiday season! An outrageous holiday 
romp for the whole family (except those who still believe in 
Santa!)

 “Takes the audience on a high-energy romp through a 
variety of Christmas traditions, holiday classics and songs. 
It’s incredible and difficult to describe, so get your tickets to 
experience it for yourself.”---Broadway World

 Bonus attractions:

 April 7: Wiesenthal. Written and performed by Tom 
Dugan. Directed by Jenny Sullivan.

 As Holocaust survivor and the world’s most renowned 
hunter of Nazi war criminals Simon Wiesenthal is about 
to retire, he recounts for an audience the stories of his most 
famous cases of bringing wrongdoers to justice.

 Winner- Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award.

 “Theatrical magic.”---Stage and Cinema

 

 April 5,6, 13, 14- Doris and Me: One Man’s Obsession 
with Doris Day. Written and performed by Scott Dreier. 
Directed by Richard Israel.

 “If you are a Doris Day fan, this show is a Must! If 
you aren’t, you will be by the end of this heart warming, 
entertaining and memorable evening!”---Broadway World 
Critic’s Pick

 PLUS: Off The Page, our series of FREE staged play 
readings:

 February 28: Intimate Apparel. Written by Lynn Nottage. 
Directed by Michael T. Kachingwe.

A Black seamstress in New York in 1905 aspires to one day 
open her own beauty salon for a Black clientele.

 March 25: Sly Fox. Written by Larry Gelbart. Directed by 
Artistic Director Christian Lebano.

 In early 20th Century San Francisco, Foxwell J. Sly 
attempts to pull a con and grab the fortunes of three greedy 
opportunists. Based on Volpone by Ben Jonson.

 April 22: Side Man by Warren Leight. Directed by 
Richard Van Slyke.

 A trumpet player and his son are confronted by the 
displacement of jazz by emergent rock-and-roll in a story 
spanning several decades.

 May 20: TBA. Directed by Stasha Surdyke.

June 17: Book of Days by Lanford Wilson. Directed by 
Artsitic Director Christian Lebano.

When murder roars through a small Missouri town, Ruth 
Hoch begins her own quest to find truth and honesty amid 
small town jealousies, religion, greed and lies.

 

 July 29: Light Up the Sky by Moss Hart. Directed by 
Barbara Schofield.

 When the Boston tryout of Peter’s new play gets off to a 
rocky start, some of his associates turn on him. When the 
play ultimately succeeds, it’s time for Peter to deliver some 
delicious payback in this comedy classic.

 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 on the street and in parking lots 
behind the Playhouse and across the street. There are several 
dining establishments just steps away. Reservations: (626) 
355-4318 or go to www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

Sierra Madre Playhouse Presents: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE Starring Jackson Kendall and Larry Eisenberg

The autobiographical story of Mitch Albom, an accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor. Sixteen years after graduation, Mitch happens to catch 
Morrie's appearance on a television news program and learns that his old professor is dying. Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimmage and a last class in 
the meaning of life.


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HAPPENINGS IN THE TRI-CITY AREAS

By Joan Schmidt

 Let’s start with Arcadia’s Great Race Place. The 
Eclipse Awards, the Oscars of Thoroughbred Racing 
were televised from Gulfstream. Many connections 
from Santa Anita won. Justify received the “Big” award- 
Horse of the Year. But also Accelerate, Roy H and 
Unique Bella won in their categories. Hronis Racing 
was Outstanding Owner; everyone loved the winner’s 
comments: John Saddler (Accelerate) was a great 
trainer and their success was because, “John Saddler 
doesn’t tell us how to grow grapes, and we don’t tell 
him how to train horses”! BIG CONGRATS to Kent 
Desormeaux with his recent 6000th win on X S Gold 
(Trained by James Cassidy) What a ride! He was behind 
a few lengths, but pulled past Madskat Sunset right 
before the Finish!

 Recently, Duarte School Board Members Ken Bell, 
Reyna Diaz, Tom Reyes and Ceci Escarcega Carroll 
participated in the Ribbon-Cutting of the new Culinary 
Arts Facility at Duarte High School. The Center which 
boasts professional grade kitchen equipment, multiple 
cooking stations, a locker room area and a bistro zone 
started as a mere culinary arts classroom. Duarte 
Unified School District will be the only district to have 
dual enrollment culinary school collaboration in the 
San Gabriel Valley once their partnership with Mount 
SAC is in full swing. Between this and California School 
of the Arts, Duarte IS a very desirable city to live in.

 Last Monday, the city of Monrovia held its annual 
State of the City Address. Prior to the event was a 
reception at Basin 141, really a neat venue which serves 
draft beer, great appetizers. It was great to see Fire 
Chief Dover who told me soon they will be placing the 
permanent plaque to the later Fire Chief Harry Stevens 
who died in the line of duty. I told Susan Motander, 
there with her husband Judge Bruce Marrs what a 
beautiful tribute she wrote about the late Charlotte 
Schamadan, an inspiration to so many others. Brenda 
from Wonder Dog attended and she is expected to 
speak at the March Town Council Meeting. As I sat 
with fellow Town Council Member, Lucy Nicoloro, she 
marveled about how “homey” Monrovia’s downtown 
was. She loves attending movies on $5 Tuesday, window 
shopping, stopping at one of the many great restaurants, 
pubs, or ice cream parlors. Monrovians are so blessed to 
have such a beautiful, family-friendly area.

 Sometimes I feel blessed to be in my county area. If 
I had to choose which of the three cities to reside in, 
it would be impossible. They all have superb school 
systems. I personally know their city’s staff and all of 
them are so hard-working and dedicated to making 
their city the best. Their Fire Departments and Police 
Departments also are outstanding. The San Gabriel 
Area truly ia a great place to call “home”.


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