The Week on Stage in Pasadena

“A Feast from the East” — A charming anthology of interactive folktales drawn from the rich storytelling traditions of Japan, China, and India brings young audiences into the heart of Asian folklore. Three enchanting stories unfold: a contemplative Japanese tale of a stonecutter’s journey to self-acceptance, a spirited Chinese fable chronicling the origins of the rabbit’s distinctive ears, and an ethereal Indian narrative following neighbors on their celestial expedition atop a mystical elephant. This participatory theatre experience invites children to become part of these timeless narratives, weaving together wisdom and whimsy in equal measure. At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre. Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Tickets: $12. Visit app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=260006

Amadeus — Runs November 19 to December 14. Tues.-Sat. at 8, Wed. and Sat. at 2, Sun. at 3. Peter Shaffer’s electrifying 1979 Tony and Oscar-winning masterpiece explores the toxic rivalry between Antonio Salieri, the court’s celebrated musician, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a vulgar prodigy whose transcendent genius becomes a source of profound artistic torment. A biting examination of ambition, envy, and the capricious nature of artistic brilliance that transforms musical history into a searing psychological drama. At Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Avenue. (626) 356-7529. Runs November 19 to December 14. Tues.-Sat. at 8, Wed. and Sat. at 2, Sun. at 3. Tickets $35-$95. Visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.org

Bob Baker’s “Nutcracker” — Runs from November 29, 2025, to January 4, 2026. A whimsical marionette reimagining of the classic ballet, first crafted in 1969, this enchanting production transforms the traditional tale into a dreamlike spectacle of large-scale puppetry and imaginative storytelling. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater ensemble brings to life the beloved characters of Clara, the Nutcracker, and the Sugarplum Fairy through intricate marionettes and magical staging. Meticulously preserved and lovingly adapted over decades, this production offers a unique theatrical experience that bridges generations of holiday wonder. At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W Sierra Madre Blvd. (626) TICKETS. Runs from November 29, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Performances include multiple daily shows on weekends and select weekday evenings, with times varying. Tickets $25. Visit sierramadreplayhouse.org.

“Earth Tales” — Runs Sat, Oct 11, 2025 at 11:00AM. A whimsical, culturally rich environmental pageant by We Tell Stories that transforms Indigenous narratives into an interactive theatrical experience for young audiences. This innovative production weaves together three folkloric tales—”Coyote,” “Rainbow Bridge,” and “The Invisible Hunters”—inviting children to become active participants in storytelling that celebrates ecological wisdom and cultural diversity. Blending performance art with environmental education, the show turns folklore into a vivid lesson of respect for nature and human interconnectedness. Performers include ensemble cast members playing Coyote, Magic Plants, Wari Pig, and Miskito Hunter. Directed by the creative team at We Tell Stories. At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W Sierra Madre Blvd. (626) INFO. Runs Sat, Oct 11, 2025 at 11:00AM. Tickets $12. Visit sierramadreplayhouse.org https://sierramadreplayhouse.org

Eureka Day — Runs from September 10 to October 5. Tues.-Sat. at 8, Wed. and Sat. at 2, Sun. at 3.  In this razor-sharp satirical exploration of contemporary social dynamics, Jonathan Spector’s 2025 Tony Award-winning play delves into the combustible world of a Berkeley private school during a mumps outbreak. As the well-meaning PTA attempts to craft an “inclusive” vaccination policy, passive-aggressive tensions escalate into a hilarious and pointed examination of modern tribalism. A comic dissection of progressive idealism that spirals into full-blown chaos, the play earned Spector nominations for the Drama League and Drama Desk Awards, and was hailed by The New York Times as “comic gold.” Directed by [Director to be announced]. At Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Avenue. (626) 356-7529. Runs from September 10 to October 5. Tues.-Sat. at 8, Wed. and Sat. at 2, Sun. at 3. Tickets from $35 to $95. Visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.org

Fractured Fairytales pt. 2 — Oct 25, 2025 at 11:00AM. A whimsical deconstruction of folklore that gleefully subverts canonical narratives, this ingenious theatrical romp reimagines beloved stories with sardonic wit and gleeful irreverence. Alison Kalmus’s creation transforms well-worn tales into a kaleidoscope of comic misadventure, featuring a Snow White of questionable intellect, sugar-obsessed Hansel and Gretel, and witches whose cunning falls decidedly short of legendary. Directed by Alison Kalmus. At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W Sierra Madre Blvd. (626) 355-4318. Sat, Oct 25, 2025 at 11:00AM. Tickets $12. Visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.

Looking for Emilia — Runs Sept. 8-14. A bold excavation of historical silence, Farah Merani’s provocative new play resurrects Emilia Bassano, the forgotten poet who flickered at the edges of Elizabethan literary consciousness. This work-in-progress, developed through the Sundance Episodic Lab, confronts the systemic erasure of women’s voices with surgical precision and poetic rage. Tracing Bassano’s remarkable journey through a world determined to marginalize her genius, the play promises a layered meditation on gender, artistic resistance, and the persistent echoes of untold stories. Cast to be announced. Directed by Farah Merani, in creative collaboration with Sierra Madre Playhouse ensemble. At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W Sierra Madre Blvd. (626) 355-4318. Runs Sept. 8-14. Performances Thurs.-Sat. at 8, with special development workshop performances. Tickets $25-$45. Visit sierramadreplayhouse.org  https://sierramadreplayhouse.org

MARIOLOGY — Runs from November 5 to December 7, 2025. Nancy Keystone’s probing new work (2025), developed with Critical Mass Performance Group, explores the complex iconography of the Virgin Mary through the lens of a fifth-grade classroom, where religious instruction morphs into a theatrical examination of faith, control, and feminine power. In this West Coast premiere, Keystone weaves together questions of gender dynamics, institutional authority, and personal autonomy, creating what promises to be a form-defying theatrical experience. Written and directed by Nancy Keystone for Critical Mass Performance Group, who also serves as scenic designer and artistic director, in collaboration with Critical Mass Performance Group.  At Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. (626) 683-6801. Visit bostoncourtpasadena.org

Music from the Movies — Runs Aug. 23-24, 2025. A kaleidoscopic journey through cinematic soundscapes, this electrifying multimedia performance marries the explosive big band arrangements of British-born composer Paul McDonald with the dynamic choreography of Lineage Performing Arts Center’s dancers and singers. Tracing the musical evolution of Hollywood from the Academy Awards’ inception in 1929 to the present, the show promises a symphonic time machine that transforms silver screen memories into living, breathing art. Featuring the Paul McDonald 17-piece Big Band alongside Lineage’s renowned performers, including artists from the innovative Dance for Joy program. Directed by Hilary Thomas, Artistic Director of Lineage Performing Arts Center. At Lineage Performing Arts Center, 89 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena. (626) 799-5225. Runs Aug. 23-24, 2025. Performances Fri.-Sat. at 8. Tickets $40-$65, with student and senior discounts available. Visit www.lineagearts.org.

Silent Sundays: Harold Lloyd Shorts —  Oct. 5 at 2:30 pm only. A delightful conclusion to the season’s silent film series, featuring two uproarious 1920 comedic gems starring the rubber-faced maestro of physical comedy, Harold Lloyd, and his soon-to-be bride Mildred Davis. “Number, Please?” and “High and Dizzy” capture the zany, improvisational spirit of early Hollywood, with Lloyd’s trademark everyman charm and death-defying stunts that presage the modern action comedy. Accompanied by Mark Herman, an American Theatre Organ Society Organist of the Year, whose Mighty Wurlitzer will transport audiences back to the golden age of silent cinema. At Playhouse, box office opens at 1:30 pm. Ticket Link: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36849/production/1241365 . Performers Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis. Organ accompaniment by Mark Herman. At Playhouse. Oct. 5 at 2:30 pm only. Tickets $12. Visit https://missionplayhouse.org/event/silent-sundays-series-number-please-and-high-dizzy

The General — Runs September 7th at 2:30 p.m. A breathtaking silent film masterpiece from 1926 that transforms the Civil War into a canvas of comedic brilliance and cinematic daring. Buster Keaton’s tour de force follows Johnnie Gray, a Southern railroad engineer whose locomotive is stolen by Union spies, setting off a spectacular chase that showcases Keaton’s legendary physical comedy and unprecedented stunt work. Starring Buster Keaton as Johnnie Gray, with Marion Mack as Annabelle Lee. Directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman. At Playhouse, 626 308 2865. Runs September 7th at 2:30 p.m. Tickets $12. Accompanied by Mark Herman on the Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. Visit https://missionplayhouse.org/event/silent-sundays-series-the-general

THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA — Runs from September 12 to October 19, 2025. Tennessee Williams’s drama follows Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon, a defrocked minister turned tour guide in Mexico, as he grapples with spiritual crisis and human connection on the edge of breakdown. Set against the backdrop of impending world war at the Costa Verde hotel, this rarely staged work explores themes of salvation, human imperfection, and the eternal struggle between flesh and spirit as two women offer him contrasting paths to redemption – one through sensuality, the other through spirituality. Directed by Jessica Kubzansky. At Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. (626) 683-6801. Visit bostoncourtpasadena.org