Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 19, 2015

12

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, September 19, 2015 

On the Marquee: Notes from the Sierra MadrePlayhouse

SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS:

BEST SONGS OF THE WEEK

By Sean Kayden


POISED ON THE EDGE OF POSSIBILITY

By Artistic Director, Christian Lebano

I’m a lucky man. Not every man gets to fulfill his 
dream. Mine was to serve as an Artistic Director 
of a theater – and I’ve realized that ambition here at 
SMP. But in truth the title means little if you don’t 
have a supportive and dedicated team behind you 
and on that score I’ve truly been lucky. The SMP 
“staff” of Estelle Campbell as Managing Director 
and Ward Calaway as Operations Director, our 
team of Mary in the Box Office, Alison heading the 
Volunteer Guild, Jill leading our Social Media push, 
Daniel manning the website, 
Deb crafting our e-blasts, 
Phil doing our publicity, and 
Diane curating the lobby and 
planning our events have all 
been invaluable in moving 
the theater forward. The 
Board of Directors – Paul Van 
Dorp, Serge Varella, Louise 
Calaway (who also does our 
accounting), and Frank Zgonc 
have been staunch allies in our 
fulfilling the mission we set 
out when I was brought on as 
Artistic Director. 

 On Wednesday we officially 
launched our Advisory 
Council with a wonderful 
dinner which allowed us the 
opportunity to assess how 
we’ve grown and how much 
further we have to go to 
achieve the goals we have set for ourselves and to really 
become – as our Vision Statement says – “the cultural 
center of the SGV.” It was inspiring to assemble these 
8 people for their first official meeting as a group and 
to realize how very successful they all are AND to 
know that they are planning on advising and helping 
us do the kind of development and strategic work that 
will enable us to manifest the dreams we have for the 
Playhouse. 

The evening gave me a chance to do a “state of the 
state” talk and I was so pleased to realize how far 
we’ve come in so many of our strategic goals: we 
launched the Field Trip Series and in two years it has 
performed for over 4000 local students and teachers; 
we launched the Emerging Artists Series and our 
collaboration with the Colburn Conservatory has led 
to more than two dozen concerts; we have created 
wonderful lobby exhibits and special events for every 
production; we now have regular talkbacks after the 
Sunday matinees; we’ve engaged with local businesses 
and civic leaders and have had sponsorship from 
them for every show we’ve done; we’ve established 
a social media presence; and, I get to speak to you 
through these columns every week.

 And then there is the work we’ve been putting on 
the stage. I was delighted when I pulled together a 
list of the honors and awards we’ve earned over the 
last two years. Just this week 
Stage Scene LA announced its 
2015 awards and SMP made a 
very good showing with 4000 
Miles, Putting it Together 
and Always…Patsy Cline 
being named Outstanding 
productions in their respective 
categories. Many of the actors, 
directors, and designers from 
those shows were individually 
honored. Go to our website to 
see the complete list.

And then there is Always…
Patsy Cline which continues 
its record-breaking run at 
SMP. This show is bringing 
in so many new friends and 
patrons – I had one woman at 
the matinee last week tell me 
she has lived in Sierra Madre 
for 24 years but Patsy was the 
first show she’d seen at the Playhouse – and now she 
regrets not coming sooner. Parisians don’t go to the 
Eiffel Tower!

I have so many other new initiatives in the offing – 
and I’ll tell you about them soon. We are without a 
doubt, poised on the edge of possibility. As for now, 
I’ll say again, I’m a very lucky man….

 Patsy runs until October 18. If you think a show 
may be sold-out it is still worth calling Mary Baville 
in our box office and getting on the waiting list for 
the show you want – we sometimes get cancellations 
and Mary will call you and let you know. Remember 
we give 20% discounts for groups of 10 or more who 
purchase their tickets ahead of their attendance date. 
Please call Mary at 626.355.4318 to arrange your 
purchase. 

Foals – “Give It All”– 
“What Went Down” 
marks the fourth records 
from art-rock enthusiasts, Foals. 
“Give It All” is a dense song 
that builds layers upon layers as 
it progresses along. The slower 
tune is a part of moderately 
heavier rock album. This late 
release, which arrived in late 
August, is produced by band in 
much need of a break. While 
consistently delivering intense, 
praiseworthy records, it’s about 
time that the UK band sees 
further commercial success. 
Regardless if that comes into 
fruition stateside, Foals are a 
dynamic group with a unique 
blend of songs that push boundaries beyond the 
confines of indie rock. What Went Down is available 
now via Warner Music UK. 

Astronauts, etc. – “No Justice” - The man behind the 
moniker Astronauts, etc. is Anthony Ferraro. After 
dropping out of University of California, Berkeley, 
due to arthritis his hands and unable to perform 
etudes or concertos at the level that was deemed 
necessary, Ferraro began to seek new avenues. It 
wasn’t too long afterward when he started recording 
music in his bedroom under the name Astronauts, 
etc. He broke out in 2012 with a couple of singles 
that led him to his first full-length record, Mind 
Out Wandering on Hit City U.S.A. “No Justice” 
is a dreamy track balancing between the likes of 
melancholy and optimism. It gracefully embodies 
70s soft rock as well as echoes 
with modern day indie rock. 
The way Ferraro’s songs are 
constructed seem as if there is 
an exact science to them. Along 
with the crisp and laidback 
beats, the dominant presence 
of Ferraro’s work on the piano 
as well his powerful falsetto are 
on full display. Every echo, beat, 
and pulse is on cue perfectly. 
The smooth work conquers the 
soul with sentimental lyrics and 
beautifully arranged melodies. 

Pure Bathing Culture – “Pray 
For Rain” – The shimmering 
80s inspired tune is a gorgeous track from the 
sophomore release of the same name by Portland 
electronic-indie act, Pure Bathing Culture. Sarah 
Versprille’s lovely vocals fuel the song’s sparkling 
sublime pop resonance. The sharp up-tempo drum 
programming, glittery synths, and the chill guitars 
pulsate with new urgency and rawness than ever 
before. The all-encompassing uplifting vibe mixed 
with gloomy lyricism provides an equal exchange 
of both hope and somberness. Album number two 
will be released via Partisan Records on October 
23rd and if the remaining songs are equivalently as 
pleasant to the ears, a sophomore slump shouldn’t 
even be a concern to loyal fans.