As the weather gets cooler, the theater scene is heating up.
This fall, stages across Pasadena and Glendale are showcasing first-class shows with stories that will make audiences laugh, cry and reflect on their own lives through media like dance, performance theater, music and inspirational lectures.
So, grab a warm drink, wrap up in your coziest sweaters and scarves, and prepare yourself for the best entertainment the area has to offer this fall.
Pasadena Playhouse
Pasadena Playhouse has been a hub for creativity in the performing arts world for more than 100 years, and has no plans to slow down. The next century for the theater will bring about many changes. Perhaps the most notable is Pasadena Playhouse’s vision of its purpose, as it transitions from a place of entertainment to a destination of enlightenment through theater. Shows are held at the theater, 39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena.
Info: 626-356-7529 or pasadenaplayhouse.org
The fall series includes: “Little Shop of Horrors,” now to October 20; “A Kid Like Jake,” now through to November 3; and “The Great Leap” from November 6 to December 1.
A Noise Within
A Noise Within’s 2019-20 season features three classic plays that fall under the theme, “They Played with Fire.” They demonstrate the trials, tribulations and, ultimately, the power of change through characters who are willing to give their lives to make a difference in the world around them.
Guests will enjoy each robust show in a massive theater erected in 2011 that boasts 324 seats.
A Noise Within is located at 3352 E. Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena.
Info: 626-356-3100 or anoisewithin.org
The fall lineup for 2019-20 includes: “Gem of the Ocean” through November 16; ‘Buried Child’ from October 13 to November 23; and “A Christmas Carol” from December 4 to December 23.
Boston Court Pasadena
Boston Court Pasadena impeccably blends the drama of theater, movement of music, and an exhibition’s ability to spark one’s curiosity in a single location. Over the next few months, there are seemingly endless opportunities to partake in varied experiences.
Fall will bring about the show “How the Light Gets In,” which highlights the lives of four strangers from drastically different backgrounds, who connect through their loneliness and change each other’s lives entirely when one of them falls apart.
In the auditorium’s lobby, the show will be paired with an art exhibition that plays on the performance’s showcase of vegetation typically seen in Japanese gardens. Both shows are running through October 27.
The theater also offers music performances of varying types including the conductor-less Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra that was scheduled to perform September 21 and the Grammy-nominated Los Angeles Percussion Quartet set to hit the stage October 17.
Info: 626-683-6891 or bostoncourtpasadena.org
Remaining performances this season include:
• Piano Spheres: Mark Robson, October 4
• Brightwork NewMusic, October 5
• The Viano String Quartet, October 6
• Synchromy, October 12
• Rod Gilfry in Concert, October 18
• Bridge to Everywhere, October 19
• Alexander Miller: To… Oblivion, October 25
• Josh Nelson: Après Un Rêve, October 26
Parson’s Nose Theater
Parson’s Nose Theater believes the classics have withstood the test of time because of the truth they speak to each generation, but also thinks the truth can sometimes be funny.
This season, the theater is featuring “full-out” comedy shows while prematurely celebrating the upcoming centennial year of women’s suffrage. Unlike a large portion of classic plays, in each of the theater’s productions it’s the woman who saves the day.
“Our American Cousin,” the play Lincoln was watching when he was assassinated, will be showcased from October 18 to November 11. The show highlights the story of an awkward and honest American, and her adventures to English relatives as she tries to save her fortune. As per the theater’s culture, the show will include a song and dance or two.
From December 14 to December 22, the Parson’s Nose will also feature a rendition of “A Christmas Carol.” The production is what Parson’s calls “theater unplugged.” During the show, the actors sit along the back of the stage, and present themselves only when needed. In this casual setting they hold their scripts, yet are typically familiar enough with content they’re barely looked over. The actors sing their own carols and create the show’s sound effects by hand and with the help of the audience.
All shows are hosted at Parson’s Nose Theater located at 95 N. Marengo Avenue, Suite 110.
Info: 626-403-7667 or parsonsnose.org
The Rose
The Rose is an intimate live music venue that serves dinner and also manages to have room for a massive dancefloor. Though the inside is a large space that accommodates all types of music shows each month, the location is comfortably tucked away at 245 E. Green Street, Pasadena. It serves as a focal point for music lovers of all types in the area, and a great place to test out dance moves judgment free.
Remaining shows this season include:
• L.A. Guns, opening sets by Wikkid Starr and Six Gun Sal, October 4
• Jim Messina, October 6
• Brian Howe, opening set by Ampage, October 10
• Jon B, opening set by H’atina, October 12
• A Night with Janis Joplin, October 17
• Todrick: Haus Party Tour, October 19
• Sir Mix-A-Lot, October 26
• Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, November 2
• Judy Collins, November 10
• Los Lonely Boys, November 16
• Queen Nation, opening by Slow Burning Car, November 22
• The Association, opening set by Nick Marechal, November 23
• Jonny Lang, December 7
• DSB Journey Tribute, December 27
• Led Zeppelin Tribute by Led Zepagain, December 28
Info: 888-625-5006 or wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com
Fremont Centre Theatre
Since Fremont Centre Theatre’s start in 1997, Co-Artistic Directors James and Lissa Reynolds have worked to produce shows that promote diversity in society, as well as attract diverse audiences from far and wide.
The theater, located at 1000 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena, will be showcasing the musical “Annie Jr.” from October 4 to October 27.
The show will bring generations together as the story of orphan Annie walks the audience through her struggle after being abandoned on the doorsteps of a rundown orphanage where she is mistreated. Annie will set out to find her birth parents, but along the way she will adopt an entirely new family—one better than in her dreams.
Info: 626-269-3609 or fremontcentretheatre.com
Alex Theatre
The performing arts and entertainment center, Alex Theatre, has been hosting robust events for more than 80 years and has only increased the quality and quantity of events since its doors opened.
Now serving more than 130,000 people per year, the theater located at 216 N Brand Boulevard, Glendale, hosts events including classical, contemporary and world music concerts, film screenings, live theater, stand-up comedy, dance recitals and musicals.
Remaining shows include:
• Live Talks Los Angeles in association with
Glendale Arts presents: An Evening with Bob Iger, October 1
• AEG presents: Yanni, October 3
• Symphonic Concert Management Ltd presents:
Havasi Pure Piano Concert, October 5
• Boundaryless Productions presents:
Where Is Your Groom II?, October 6
• Los Angeles Times Ideas Exchange presents: Patti Smith, October 9
• Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre presents:
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre Goes Broadway, October 13
• Center for Inquiry presents: An Evening with
Richard Dawkins and Ann Druyan, October 20
• Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra presents:
McGegan and Denk, October 26
• Right Angle Entertainment presents: Raffi, October 27
• Alex Film Society presents:
Halloween Classics! “The Old Dark House” (1932) and “The Raven”
(1935) October 27
• Musical Theatre Guild presents: “The Goodbye Girl,” November 10
• Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra presents:
Pulcinella and Prokofiev, November 16
• Los Angeles Ballet presents:
The Nutcracker, December 7 and December 8
Info: 818-243-2539 or alextheatre.org
Antaeus Theatre Company
The Antaeus Theatre Company has recently announced its two fall shows, which both share the underlying theme of defying the odds as the past comes back to haunt the present.
The story “Eight Nights,” which the theater will be showing from October 31 to December 16, features the journey of a resilient German Jewish refugee and her family set in a single apartment. From October 3 to November 25, the stage will be absorbed by the cast of “The Abuelas,” a story of an Argentinian concert cellist living in Chicago who will have to face the harsh truths of Argentina’s “Dirty War.”
The theater is located at 110 E Broadway, Glendale.
Info: 818-506-5436 or antaeus.org