Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 24, 2022

Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 24, 2022 


SCHOOL DIRECTORY 

Alverno Heights Academy200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3463 Head of School: Julia V. Fanara
E-mail address: jfanara@alvernoheights.org 
Arcadia High School180 Campus Drive Arcadia, CA 91007Phone: (626) 821-8370, Principal: Brent Forseebforsee@ausd.net 

Arroyo Pacific Academy41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca,

(626) 294-0661 Principal: Phil Clarke
E-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.org 
Barnhart School 
240 W. Colorado Blvd Arcadia, Ca. 91007 
(626) 446-5588Head of School: Tonya BeilsteinKindergarten - 8th gradewebsite: www.barnhartschool.org 

Bethany Christian School93 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-3527Preschool-TK-8th Grade 
Principal: Jonathon Haweswebsite: www. bcslions.org 

Clairbourn School 
8400 Huntington DriveSan Gabriel, CA 91775Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172 
FAX: 626-286-1528 
E-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.org 

Foothill Oaks Academy822 E. Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010(626) 301-9809Principal: Nancy Lopezwww.foothilloaksacademy.orgoffice@foothilloaksacademy.org 

Frostig School971 N. Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107 
(626) 791-1255Head of School: Jenny Janetzke 
Email: jenny@frostig.org 

The Gooden School 
192 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-2410Head of School, Jo-Anne Woolner 
website: www.goodenschool.org 

High Point Academy1720 Kinneloa Canyon RoadPasadena, Ca. 91107 
Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989 
website: www.highpointacademy.org 

La Salle College Preparatory3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 351-8951 website: www.lasallehs.org 
Principal Dr. Jamal Adams 
Monrovia High School325 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016

(626) 471-2800 Principal Darvin Jackson 
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! BILLIE! 
BACKSTAGE WITH LADY DAY RETURNS TO 
SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE FOR A LIMITED 
ENGAGEMENT; OPENS JANUARY 13 

Email: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.us 

Odyssey Charter School725 W. Altadena Dr. Altadena, Ca. 91001

(626) 229-0993 Head of School: Lauren O’Neillwebsite: www.odysseycharterschool.org 
Pasadena High School2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 396-5880 Principal: Mathew Kodama 
website: http://phs.pusd.us 
St. Rita Catholic School 
322 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024Principal: Adela Solis (626) 355-6114solis@st-ritaschool.orgWebsite: www.st-ritaschool.org 

Sierra Madre Elementary School141 W. Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-1428 Principal: Lindsay LUISE-mail address: LUIS.lindsay@pusd.us 
Sierra Madre Middle School 
160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 836-2947 Principal: Garrett NewsomE-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.us 
Walden School 
74 S San Gabriel Blvd 
Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166www.waldenschool.net 

Weizmann Day School1434 N. Altadena Dr. Pasadena, Ca. 91107(626) 797-0204Lisa Feldman: Head of School 

Wilson Middle School 
300 S. Madre St. Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 449-7390 Principal: Ruth EsselnE-mail address: resseln@pusd.us 
Pasadena Unified School District 
351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, Ca. 91109

(626) 396-3600 Website: www.pusd@pusd.us 
Arcadia Unified School District 
234 Campus Dr., Arcadia, Ca. 91007 

(626) 821-8300 Website: www.ausd.net 
Monrovia Unified School District 
325 E. Huntington Dr., Monrovia, Ca. 91016 
(626) 471-2000Website: www.monroviaschools.net 

Duarte Unified School District 
1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010 
(626)599-5000Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.us 

Arcadia Christian School 
1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue Arcadia, CA 91006Preschool - and TK - 8th Grade 
626-574-8229/626-574-0805Email: inquiry@acslions.comPrincipal: Cindy Harmonwebsite: www.acslions.com 

WHAT: Billie! Backstage with Lady Day. The 
award-winning show with music. 

WHO: Written and performed by Synthia L. 
Hardy. Directed by Bryan Rasmussen, Presented 
by Sierra Madre Playhouse. 

WHERE: Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra 
Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre , CA 91024. 
There is free parking available in lots behind the 
Playhouse and across the street, as well as street 
parking. There are several dining establishments 
just yards from the Playhouse. 

WHEN: January 13- January 22, 2023. Fri. & 
Sat. at 8 pm, Sun. at 2 pm. 

ADMISSION: $45. Seniors (65+) $40. Youth (21 
and under) $25. 

DISCOUNTS: Teen tickets (age 13-19) are available 
at $5 through the TeenTix Pass program. Go 
to our website to learn more. 

RESERVATIONS: (626) 355-4318. 

ONLINE TICKETING: http://sierramadreplayhouse.
org 

CONSUMER ADVISORY: Some profanity. 

Following its sold-out run in 2022, Billie! 
Backstage with Lady Day returns to Sierra 
Madre Playhouse. 

Billie Holiday (1915-1959) was a trail-blazing 
musical artist, known as perhaps the first female 
vocalist to use her voice in the style of jazz improvisation. 
Recording first with Benny Goodman, 
she became the first Black female vocalist 
to front a white band, that of Artie Shaw. She 
also performed with Count Basie and Duke Ellington. 
She had long professional associations 
with saxophonist Lester Young (who named her 
Lady Day; she called him Prez) and pianist Teddy 
Wilson. 

Born to poverty in Philadelphia, she was 
a victim of sexual assault while still a child and 
sentenced by the court to a Catholic correctional 
institution. It was only her first experience with 
the court, however. She was convicted at age 13 
(along with her mother) of prostitution. Subsequent 
arrests involved possession of narcotics 
and substance abuse. 

Despite a turbulent life, abusive relationships, 
and racism, she prevailed to become one of the 
greatest jazz and blues artists of her time, before 
her untimely demise at age 44 from cirrhosis of 
the liver. In addition to multiple hit recordings, 
she sold out Carnegie Hall three times. 

Actor-singer-playwright Synthia L. Hardy brings 
the story of Billie Holiday to vibrant life. In Billie! 
Backstage with Lady Day, Billie is being interviewed 
by unseen reporters as she unfolds the 
story of her turbulent life. Billie, accompanied by 
a live four-piece combo, sings her greatest hits, 
including God Bless the Child, Strange Fruit, 
Good Morning Heartache, Lover Man, many 

more. 

Synthia L. Hardy has appeared in film, on 
T.V., commercials (radio and T.V.) and on stages 
nationally and internationally. She was recently 
featured in the film, Sylvie’s Love .She won the 
NAACP Theatre Award for Billie! Backstage with 
Lady Day for Best One Person Show. She, also, 
won two Artistic Director Achievement Awards 
(A.D.A.) for the same show (Billie!...) for Best 
Actress in a Musical or Comedy and Best One 
Person Show. Synthia won an Emmy Award for 
the documentary, Precious Memories: A Stroll 
Down 47th Street and has received other awards 
and nominations for her work, including another 
NAACP Theatre Award, Dramalogue Critics 
Award (twice), LA Weekly Award (just to name 
a few). Some of Synthia’s work includes: Home; 
Merry Wives of Windsor; Flyin’ West; Rap Master 
Ronnie; The Little Dreamer: A Night in the 
Life of Bessie Smith; and A Corner of Gold. She 
has written and starred in her own cabaret show, 
Dinner Musicale with Synthia & Friends.. Synthia 
has toured with various singing groups doing 
tributes to Oldies and Doo Wop girl groups. 
Synthia is originally from Chicago. 

 Bryan Rasmussen directs. An award‐
winning actor as well as a director, producer, 
teacher, coach, and Artistic Director of the 
Whiteβire Theatre, he’s proud to be celebrating 
its’ 33rd anniversary season this year! Beside 
directing most all of the last year’s “Shorts” 
shows including Hollywood, Summer, Fall, and 
Spring Shorts, in the 10 years he has owned the 
Whiteβire, Bryan has produced well over 500 
shows, as well as over 50 world premiere productions 
including The Bellβlower Session, Love 
Like Blue, Mark Twain in the 20th Century, Seasons 
of Change and many others. He recently 
directed and acted in the world premiere of the 
critically acclaimed production of FIREHOUSE.. 
He directed and starred in the 50th Anniversary 
production of Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter 
as well as produced and directed Old School as 
part of his Young Actors School. Also, he directed 
the 35th anniversary production of Sam 
Shepard’s Buried Child. 

Ms. Hardy will be accompanied by a live, 
onstage four-piece combo. 

Billie! Backstage with Lady Day is the 
story of a legendary musical talent, performed by 
an extraordinary musical star with her ace musical 
combo. If you appreciate jazz and blues at all, 
you owe it to yourself to see this show. 

Billie! Backstage with Lady Day kicks off 
the Sierra Madre Playhouse Solo Shows Festival 
for 2023. For full information about upcoming 
events, go to http://sierramadreplayhouse.org 

Covid-19 safety protocols are being observed. As 
of this writing, this means that audience members 
will be required to wear masks inside the Playhouse 
auditorium. 

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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