Boston Court Pasadena will host its 2025 New Play Reading Festival on Saturday, Dec. 13, featuring staged readings of two new works with all‑star casts.
The festival will present Venus by Steve Yockey at 1 p.m. and Beautiful Blessed Child by Daria Miyeko Marinelli at 4:30 p.m. Both readings will take place at Boston Court’s Pasadena venue.
Boston Court said the festival reflects its mission to bring “risky, adventurous plays that you won’t find anywhere else in Southern California.”
Venus, directed by Jessica Kubzansky with dramaturgy by Sonia Desai, is described as a dark comedy tracing one relationship from a book club meet‑cute to stargazing, before spiraling into a cat‑and‑mouse dynamic. The play explores themes of fear and the need to be right in modern life. Cast members include Merle Dandridge as Nicole, Briana Cuoco as Beth, and Peter James Smith reading stage directions.
Later that afternoon, Beautiful Blessed Child will be directed by Margaret Shigeko Starbuck. The play follows Aimiko and Sharon on a mother‑child road trip that unfolds as an absurd, poetic, and harrowing journey westward until their car breaks down. Cast members include Reina Guthrie as Aimiko, Emily Kuroda as Sharon, and Sun Jin reading stage directions.
The festival underscores Boston Court’s role in Pasadena’s cultural landscape, highlighting new works and creative voices in contemporary theater.
Boston Court’s New Play Reading Festival will take place in Pasadena on Saturday, Dec. 13, with staged readings of Venus at 1 p.m. and Beautiful Blessed Child at 4:30 p.m. Both events will be held at Boston Court Pasadena. For more visit https://bostoncourtpasadena.
