The Pasadena Playhouse presents South Coast Repertory's production of THE MADWOMAN IN THE VOLVO written by and starring Sandra Tsing Loh and directed by Lisa Peterson as the final production of the 2015-2016 season. The critically acclaimed production comes to The Pasadena Playhouse after its smash World Premiere at South Coast Repertory last month.
Preview performances begin at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena) June 2, 2016 with the official press opening on June 5, 2016 at 7 p.m. THE MADWOMAN IN THE VOLVO will play through June 26, 2016.
Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of The
Pasadena Playhouse says, "I have long been a fan of Sandra and her wonderfully truthful and humorous work. We were already in conversation about having her with us here at
The Playhouse. When I went down to see the SCR production of Madwoman, I decided right away to bring this show to our theatre for audiences in our community. This particular play is not only exceedingly funny, but also moving, emotional and in the end joyously celebratory. It will be a pleasure to have this fine work on our stage to end a season that has been so rich and rewarding in a number of ways."
In the throes of her own mid-life change, Loh wrote an essay for the Atlantic Monthly, which later became the basis for her memoir, THE MADWOMAN IN THE VOLVO: My Year of Raging Hormones. She identified herself as someone who is from the "Triple M Generation-menopausal, middle-aged and a mother." The New York Times selected Madwoman as one of the paper's 100 Notable Books of 2014. Booklist called it "hilarious, comforting and enlightening."
The memoir's three-character stage adaptation is a bumper-car ride through mid-life madness, all sparked by an unlikely trip to Burning Man.
Loh is a writer/performer whose solo theatre shows include Aliens in America and Bad Sex With Bud Kemp (both off-Broadway at
Second Stage Theatre), Sugar Plum Fairy (
Geffen Playhouse,
Seattle Repertory Theatre), I Worry (The Kennedy Center, Actors Theatre of Louisville) and, most recently, The Bitch Is Back (Broad Stage). Her bestselling New York Times Notable Book, Mother on Fire, was inspired by her hit solo show in 2005, during which time Variety named her one of America's 50 most influential comedians. Her memoir, THE MADWOMAN IN THE VOLVO: My Year of Raging Hormones, was selected as one of The New York Times' 100 Most Notable Books, and was inspired by her Best American Essay in The Atlantic, for which she is a contributing editor. The play version of Madwoman received development support from
Sundance Theatre Lab and Ojai Playwrights Conference. Loh has been a regular commentator on NPR's "Morning Edition," and on PRI's "This American Life" and "Marketplace"; her weekly segment, "The Loh Life," is heard on KPCC, and her syndicated radio minute, "The Loh Down on Science," is heard weekly by 4 million people. Loh is currently an adjunct professor at UC Irvine in drama and science communication.
Peterson has earned numerous directing honors including Obie and Lucile Lortel awards and multiple Drama Desk nominations. She is a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop, a member of Ensemble Studio Theater and serves on the executive board of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
In addition to playwright Loh, the cast for THE MADWOMAN IN THE VOLVO includes
Caroline Aaron and
Shannon Holt.
Caroline Aaron made her Broadway debut in
Robert Altman's Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean and later appeared in the film. She also starred in a Broadway revival of The Iceman Cometh. Aaron has worked extensively with director
Mike Nichols (on Broadway, Social Security; in film, "Working Girl," "Primary Colors" and "What Planet Are You From?"). She headlined the West Coast premiere of
Wendy Wasserstein's The Sisters Rosensweig. She recently starred on Broadway in
Woody Allen's comedy, Honeymoon Hotel. In other work with Allen, she appeared in "Crimes and Misdemeanors," "Alice," "Bullets Over Broadway," "Husbands and Wives" and "Deconstructing Harry". Her work with
Nora Ephron includes Sleepless in Seattle, This Is My Life, Lucky Numbers and Love, Loss, and What I Wore. Last season, she starred in Lincoln Center's award-winning play A Kid Like Jake. Her film and television credits include recurring roles in "Episodes," "Transparent," "Beyond the Sea," "Edward Scissorhands" and "Bounce." Among her numerous honors are
Helen Hayes and Drama-Logue awards (The Sisters Rosensweig) and a Blockbuster Award for Best Supporting Actress ("Bounce").
Shannon Holt was previously seen at
South Coast Repertory in Dead Man's Cell Phone and Ben and The Magic Paintbrush. She most recently appeared as Rosemary in Picnic at The Antaeus Company, where she is a company member. She also has appeared at
Laguna Playhouse,
Center Theatre Group/
Mark Taper Forum,
Trinity Repertory Company,
Indiana Repertory Theatre,
The Public Theater in New York and Actors Theatre of Louisville. In Los Angeles, she has worked on many stages including Evidence Room, Rogue Machine Theatre, The Theatre @ Boston Court, The Actors' Gang,
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, The
Matrix Theatre Company, Los Angeles Theatre Center and East West Players. She has received nominations and awards from LA Weekly, Stage Raw, LA
Stage Alliance Ovation and Backstage West. Her film and television credits include "The Marc Pease Experience," "Elsewhere," "The Suite Life On Deck," "Seinfeld," "That 70's Show" and "ER" among others.
The creative team for THE MADWOMAN IN THE VOLVO includes
Rachel Hauck (Scenic Design),
Candice Cain (Costume Designer),
Geoff Korf (Lighting Design), and
Lindsay Jones (Original Music/Sound Design).
The
Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets, priced from $25.00 to $87.00, are available online at
PasadenaPlayhouse.org; by calling The
Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529; or visiting The
Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday - Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. during non-performance dates. On performance dates the Box Office is open Tuesday - Saturday from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.
