I went for a stand up comedy show. loved neon sign out front, the small theatre setting, and kind…read moreemployees.

Sierra Madre Playhouse is an intimate theatre house in SM. It is one of SGV's cultural performing…read morearts. It may not be the Lincoln Center but it can hold its own. Folding seats were comfortable. Atmosphere was vibrant. I got a Nutcracker ticket show at an affordable price. Its perfect for kids and the entire family. It's my first time watching a puppet holiday show, so I was curious enough to see it as a bday gift. For a playhouse this size, it's enough to garner four stars. Playhouse staff were cordial and professional. The performance show is only an hour long. Parking was easy. Overall, it's a nice holiday kid show.

I went to watch one of my fav books, Death of a Salesman, and it was AMAZING!! This was my first…read moretime at A Noise Within and it did not disappoint. It's a beautiful performing center. The staff was diverse and super kind. I don't believe there's any bad seats in there. i was on the far right. I like that this place is very intimate so you are close enough to the actors and it was great. There's free parking, next door that you walk on over.

Wow what a place. It's a small but big and spacious plus intimate setting. The outside doesn't…read morelook anything I would expected, just deco style and flat. But once you get closer, you can see there is a water pond upon entrance. Inside it was long and spacious with show customs displace and couches. You go downstairs in order to get into the show room, which is a huge room with round stage. Comfy chairs and POV, from anyone angle is good angle to see the performers. Really enjoy the space, the theater, the warm and welcoming staff.

Very nice venue, comfortable although the seats are a bit older and the space to get past others to…read moreget to your seat if others are already seated is tight. The acoustics were fine for the event we attended; band, choir, horns, strings and lead vocalists on mics. Clean and easy to access restrooms. Street parking with a short walk.

Cal Tech is a truely tree laden campus with Jacaranda's and some decent (actually brilliant works…read moreof art). This prestigious university is under the careful direction of Dr. Thomas A. Rosenbaum, Physicist. "The orange light was fleeting" as I made my way for the eight o'clock lecture by Dr. Don Pettit being held in a building that looked like "Braut Kuchen mit Mozartkugeln" German for: Bride cake with chocolate covered marzipan balls (an Austrian specialty). He stressed the varied ways one may view a "Space Photo" and showed us live examples of how linear thinking does not always apply. In space "Off the Planet" and "far out of the box" thinking as "no answers at the back of the book" and problems must be solved in real time. Dr. Don Pettit kept interest for over an hour on his adventures in space. Delightful! Funded by Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS). Well organized and helpful staff on site sporting smiles and water. PS: Einstein lived on this campus for three winters---initially in a bungalow located at 707 South Oakland Avenue.

I really miss this. I hope they bring it back. I went for many years. It was always entertaining…read moreand fun to go with friends.

Wicked Lit! Went…read morelast year for the first time and then twice this year to see both Production A (The Unnameable, the Chimes, and Cask of Amontillado) and Production B **new** (Casting the Runes, A Ghost Story, and The Body Snatcher). I brought a bunch of people with me to see Production A this year. It was amazing as always... Note to newcomers - if you are meeting people at the event, make sure that all members of your group receive the same color sticker on their program. You want to stay together in the same group. Also note that they have coffee, hot apple juice (which they insist on calling cider), and a few candy bars. $2 each or 2 items for $3. Bring cash, a jacket as you will be outside for a time, and comfortable shoes for walking and standing for short periods. The plays are immersive as you walk following the characters and story progression through the creepy and eeriliy lit long hallways of the mausoleum... and through the cemetery across the street. Most of the acting is great. Last night was unusual because they had BOTH productions going on at the same time. I was concerned that we would be running into each other in the corridors and we would lose the integrity of the individual plays with competing noise in the background. They actually handled it really well and there was only about 5 minutes when I was distracted by noise from another play. Production B was very good for the most part. I will not forget the images from Casting the Runes and The Body Snatcher. The Ghost Story however, started out GREAT but then the second half was kind of ridiculous. What annoyed me most was the fact that because it wasn't as long as the other plays and they all had to end at the same time, the guide read us "The Raven" as we walked back. Now, I take my Poe seriously and want it done right or not at all. This guy read it from the folder, lost his place a few times, used a voice that I assume was supposed to be funny (and wasn't). It just wasn't done well. If they HAD to fill up that time, (and I hope they read this review) they should have the poem read at the original site and read seriously by someone who can do it properly... by candlelight... with some thunder, rain, and lightning in the background. I was not only disappointed, but mad that it had been done so poorly. I could have read it better (and not from a folder). All in all, it's still a Halloween favorite and the location is fantastic and used well.

I came for a free event in front of the Pasadena city hall. The orchestra played classic broadway…read moresongs and even sang. The music was beautiful and transitions were great.

I think I'm entering some sort of mid-life crisis stage and want to start "living my life" and…read moredoing things I enjoy, I don't think most would include going to the symphony on their list, but I enjoy it and haven't been in ages. I decided to purchase a pair of tickets to a Vivaldi performance, since I used to replay "Winter" again and again in my youth. I was a nerd, yes. Actually, I still am. The friend I took fell asleep in the first five minutes, so this definitely isn't for everyone. However, he woke up later and said he had a good time, so who knows. The musicians did an amazing job, and I'm glad that I dipped my toes back in the symphony scene. The crowd was much, much older, and I think they should install some handrails for the stairs to the seats. It was a challenge for many. I also didn't see a ramp for walkers, etc., but there had to have been one, right? Anyway, it's a good time. Bring your partner, bring your friend (after he/she has been caffeinated), bring your grandma...but careful with your kids, because the lady next to us got real onerous when a kid behind us was rustling some plastic bag. Good on the mom for exposing her kids to the finer things, and shame on the lady for being so sensitive and judgmental, ugh. If she got agro again I was ready to step in. Luckily, that wasn't necessary. See! There was some excitement and drama after all.

Our family were able to visit Casa 0101 a couple weekends ago to watch their Prince of Egypt…read moremusical. Seating is first come first serve but the setting is so small and and intimate that there is probably not a bad seat in the house. Despite the size of the place, the production quality and talent was amazing. It was a privilege to be able to watch this 2.5 hour show with all these singers and dancers giving their all to entertain such a small group of viewers. Bravo!

We love coming to Casa 101, I've been here on several occasions but recently came to see A Woman…read moreNamed Gloria. The location is not only a beautiful fully functional theatre but also an art gallery displaying beautiful art from local Artist. Casa 101 is a great community venue with an amazing staff and stunning interior design. We'll definitely be back and will recommend family and friends.

The talent, care and passion that goes into the productions and growth of the Altadena Music…read moreTheater group is very impressive. While I wasn't able to see their first season/start with a production of Hair in Summer of 2022, I have instantly become a fan during this 2023 kick-off with a brilliant performance of Cabaret. From start to finish the lighting, sound, quality, directing and amazing cast and equally amazing live band (to back them up the entire show as well as entertain the audience with their skill) was one show I shan't forget. Cruz St James regaling us all with a beautiful opening number and leading great numbers such as Two Ladies, Money and If You Could See Her really elevates the word outstanding. Emily Lopez as thee Sally Bowles was terrific and her performance of the ballad of all ballads was moving very unique. Michael Thomas Grant as Clifford Bradshaw, fun, and quirky. Ursula Gueringer (Fraulein Schneider) and Craig Wright (Heir Schultz) really moved me. The Kit Kat Gals and Guys were all great especially my friend who turned me onto this show Avery Bass who sailored, kicked, flipped, moved, and often had some great one-liners. It was really cool to see the entire cast moving set pieces in and out and working together in sync not just like performers, but like a family. Absolutely hope to support more productions down the line and make the journey to their mainstage at the local Altadena Amphitheater. Q Tip: They do offer concessions and it's reasonable-ish, $40 for a bottle of wine, $10 for a glass, $5 for most snacks and other refreshments. They also seem to be great at getting local vendors to pair up with them but it's TBD show to show. Outside food is permitted and non-alcoholic beverages.

Long overdue review: we have been enjoying Free Shakespeare at the Park for a few years now. It has…read morebecome a must for our family to come, support the arts, and see these stories on stage. Indy Shakes does an incredible job making the stories relatable, easy to follow, and enjoyable. Currently playing Love's Labour's Lost - which was absolutely comedic and so well done. The actors are incredible! The interactions off stage are also fun to watch. We are actually planning to see them in December as well at their theater. Please go see them! Support the arts and make donations!! Take cash, buy their merch, you can even use the QR code to donate. Free Shakespeare at the Park can only stay alive if we continue to support. And truly, they deserve all the donations, praise, and support because what they do is incredible, especially for those who have never been exposed to theater growing up.

I really appreciate Independent Shakespeare Co. for making Shakespeare accessible through free…read moreperformances in Griffith Park, and I admire the ambition of choosing Coriolanus, one of Shakespeare's more challenging plays. Unfortunately, this production didn't connect with me. The cast clearly had potential, but I never felt the actors were fully connected to the text or to one another. Many of the performances felt more like reciting the lines than living them. There was also a great deal of yelling throughout the production, with very little variation in pacing or emotional intensity. Because there were so few quiet moments or pauses, the dramatic scenes lost their impact. I found myself wishing for more restraint and nuance, allowing the language and relationships to carry the emotion. I've seen other outdoor Shakespeare productions, including Shakespeare by the Sea in Lake Tahoe, where the performances felt grounded, emotionally truthful, and deeply engaging. That experience showed me that Shakespeare doesn't need to be loud to be powerful. I hope Independent Shakespeare Co. continues taking on ambitious works like this, and I look forward to seeing future productions. I believe this cast had the talent to create something memorable with more nuanced direction.