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NOVEMBER 4, 2023 

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VOLUME 17 NO. 45VOLUME 17 NO. 45

SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

NAMES HIGHLY REGARDED 
ARTS ADMINISTRATOR

MATT COOK ARTISTIC AND 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Highly regarded arts administrator 
Matthew Cook 
has been named Artistic 
and Executive director of 
the award-winning Sierra 
Madre Playhouse, a dynamic 
Southern California 
cultural hub with a rich 
history spanning nearly 
a century that energizes 
audiences and the community 
with distinctive 
theatrical productions and 
captivating live performances. 
His appointment 
was announced by Board 
President David Gordon. 
Cook has extensive experience 
as both an innovative 
arts leader and Grammy 
Award-winning performer. 
The Playhouse next year 
celebrates its 100th anniversary 
since opening as a 
movie theater in 1924.



Cook, recognized for successfully 
managing a range of small to mid-sized performing 
arts organizations with a goal to create conversations 
and connections with the communities they serve, most 
recently served as executive director of the Los Angeles-
based Blue 13 Dance Company. Previously, he was executive 
director of the noted Pacific Opera Project and held 
development and production positions with the critically 
acclaimed Wild Up new music ensemble. In the dance field 
as a producer and artist, he has collaborated with Martha 
Graham Dance Company, Akram Khan Company, and 
Heidi Duckler Dance, among others. 



“Matt Cook has the talent, knowledge, and experience to 
succeed brilliantly in the dual role of artistic and executive 
director of the Playhouse as he leads our transition into 
becoming the leading small space performing arts and cultural 
center in the region,” says Gordon. “The board looks 
forward with excitement and anticipation to partnering 
with him on this journey.”

“I am stepping into the role of Artistic and Executive Director 
at the Sierra Madre Playhouse to expand the playhouse 
into a full performing arts center as it heads into its 100th 
year anniversary. I am truly thrilled to lead this remarkable 
space that weaves together art, culture, and community,” 
Cook states. “My passion for connecting communities 
through the timeless art of storytelling has found a perfect 
home here. I am excited to collaborate with our talented 
team and engage with diverse voices, fostering an environment 
where stories unfold, conversations ignite, and the 
magic of the performing arts binds us all.”



About Sierra Madre Playhouse

 Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California 
cultural hub with a rich history spanning nearly a century, 
energizes audiences and the community with distinctive 
theatrical productions and captivating live performances. 

 As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts center 
presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, 
including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-
friendly productions featuring eminent local and national 
professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences 
from across the Southland.

 The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers an up-
close and personal connection to performances that resonate 
deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP 
Awards, and LA Times Critics' Choice honors. It is nestled 
into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra 
Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San 
Gabriel Mountains. 

 The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires 
to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating 
the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring 
pursuit of shared understanding. www.sierramadeplayhouse.
org 

PAX PHARMACY SIERRA MADRE 
RIBBON CUTTING A HUGE SUCCESS 
DESPITE ATTEMPTED BURGULARY 5 
DAYS EARLIER

 
Due to the keen observation and fast response of a member 
of the Sierra Madre Police Department, the efforts of 
4 persons to burglarize on of the newest businesses in Sierra 
Madre was unsuccessful. The intruders attempted 
to enter the building around 4:30 am on October 23rd, 
however the unnamed officer who was patrolling the area 
at the ime, heard the breaking glass and when they saw 
the police headed in their direction, they jumped into 
their getaway vehicle and left town immediately. SMPD 
was not able to catch the burglars, however they were able 
to collect enough information that will hopefully lead to 
their arrest. The matter is under investigation. About an 
hour earlier, multiple individuals did sucessfully burglarize 
two pharmacies in the 
San Fernando Valley. It 
is not known at this time 
whether the incidents are 
related.

 Nevertheless, Pax Pharmacy 
located on the corner 
of Kertsting Court and N. 
Baldwin continued to prepare 
for their official welcome 
and ribbon cutting 
sponsored by the Sierra 
Madre Chamber of Commerce 
on the 28th.

 Pictured above are Sierra 
Madre Councilman Robert 
Parkhurst, SM Mayor 
Pro Tem Kelly Kriebs, Pharmacy Owner Dr. Isabella Daher and a supporter cut the 
official ribbon. And, 3 days after the ribbon cutting Dr. Daher was ready for the Trick 
or Treaters out on Halloween, embracing the community spirit of the pharmacy's new 
home, Sierra Madre. Photos by Dirk Bolle


Eileen Benson626.278.0187CalRE# 01880650Barbara Rogers626.484.8135CalRE# 01169115Not intended as a solicitation if your property is already listed by another broker. Affi liated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All 
Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offi ces which are 
owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offi ces which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing 
Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
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InSIDE THIS WEEK

ICYMI...........HALLOWEEN.......... Pages 2, 18, 19 

SIERRA MADRE NEWS .Pgs 3- 5

PASADENA NEWSPage 6

 ALTADENA/SAN MARINO Page 7

ARCADIA/MONROVIAPage 8

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY Page 9 

EDUCATION & YOUTHPage 11

BEST FRIENDSPage 12

THE GOOD LIFEPage 13

OPINIONPage 14

SPORTS..Page 15

PASADENA $5,600,00016 Unit Garden Style Apt BuildingPASADENA $624,000 
2 Bed 2 Bath 1,167sf CondoTEMPLE CITY $924,000 
3 Bed 2 Bath 1,308 sf Home626.355.1451c21village.comLIC# 02119245Serving the Community since 1980FOR SALEFOR SALEFOR SALE