Sound Designer

Two brothers struggle to form a meaningful bond, navigating a legacy of abandonment and betrayal, while in pursuit of the American Dream. In their desperate fight for upward mobility and agency over their own lives, they turn to the hustle of three card monte, attempting to close the gap between the haves and the have nots—the top dogs, and the underdogs.

EPSG:4326

Topdog/Underdog

Pasadena Playhouse

On Christmas Eve, Nora Helmer, whose world is built entirely around her domineering husband, must confront blackmail, financial ruin, the consequences of her past actions, and the unsettling truth about her life.

Legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 masterpiece, A Doll’s House distills the play down to its essential core. Director Cameron Watson (Top Girls, Picnic, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Little Foxes) explores the passion and heart of a woman — and a marriage — in crisis.

Nora

Antaeus Theatre Company

Experience the profound and passionate world of August Wilson's "King Hedley II" at A Noise Within, Pasadena's premier classical theatre company. This compelling production, directed by the acclaimed Gregg T. Daniel, runs from March 31 to April 28, 2024, at 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107.

"King Hedley II" delves into the tragic realities faced by Black men in 1980s Reagan-era Pittsburgh. After a seven-year prison sentence, King Hedley strives to rebuild his life through the ambitious dream of owning a video store, a journey marked by self-delusion and the harsh truths of his environment. This narrative continues the stories of characters first introduced in Wilson's "Seven Guitars," offering a rich, interconnected saga of life, struggle, and hope.

The production highlights the ongoing partnership between Director Gregg T. Daniel and A Noise Within, further exploring Wilson's American Century Cycle. It's an opportunity to witness the most passionate work of one of America's most astonishing playwrights, as praised by Variety for its unflinching examination of the human condition.

Special performances include "Pay What You Choose" nights on April 3 and 4, 2024, allowing attendees to purchase tickets at a price they can afford, and a "Sensory Friendly" performance on April 4, 2024, tailored for audiences with sensory processing differences. The "Opening Night" on April 6, 2024, invites guests to a free post-show cast party, and "Black Out Night" on April 11, 2024, creates a unique environment for Black-identifying audiences to experience the performance in community, followed by a reception.

Join the conversation and deepen your understanding of the play by participating in the INsiders discussion group on August Wilson, scheduled for April 7th, 2024, from 12:30-1:30 pm.

Don't miss this powerful production that promises not only to entertain but to provoke thought and dialogue about the complexities of the human spirit and societal challenges. Secure your tickets now and be part of a season that celebrates the balance of classic theatre and modern relevance at A Noise Within.

King Hedley II

A Noise Within Theatre

**Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at A Noise Within**

Join us for a thrilling journey into the dark and twisted world of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," a classic masterpiece by the legendary Stephen Sondheim. Directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, this heart-pounding thriller combines diabolical comedy, stunning terror, and razor-sharp wit in a tale of a murderous barber seeking revenge for his long-lost family. In partnership with a beastly baker, Sweeney Todd's quest for vengeance leads to a macabre chain of events filled with extraordinary music and suspense.

**Performance Details:**
- **Dates:** February 11 - March 17, 2024
- **Location:** A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107
- **Featuring:** Geoff Elliott as Sweeney Todd
- **Awards:** This production celebrates the original Broadway and West End shows that earned eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, nine Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical, and two Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical.

**Special Performances:**
- **Pay What You Choose:** February 14 & 15, 2024. Tickets available online for as low as $5, with the option to pay $5, $10, or $15 (excluding handling fee). Cash purchases available at the Box Office after 2pm on the day of the performance.
- **Sensory Friendly Performance:** February 15, 2024, at 7:30 pm. This performance includes a handout detailing intense moments and a visual indicator for abrupt or intense moments.
- **Opening Night:** February 17, 2024. Celebrate with a free post-show cast party after the 8pm performance.
- **Post-Show Conversations:** Engage in discussions with the actors after select performances on February 23, February 25, March 1, March 8, and March 15.

**Subscription and Ticket Information:**
- 2023-24 subscription packages are now available with the best pricing and benefits. Single show tickets go on sale July 11.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience a "ravishingly lovely" production (New York Times) that will leave you gasping. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit A Noise Within or call 626.356.3100.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

After receiving a rare opportunity to attend a prestigious boarding school 13-year old SHE is forced to face the harsh realities of adult life, discovering that the small town she was so desperate to escape is filled with the very people who give her wings to fly.

This uplifting, lyrical tale of a young woman finding her voice is written by Antaeus-commissioned playwright Marlow Wyatt and directed by Andi Chapman who brought Antaeus’ productions of “Native Son” and “The Abuelas” to vivid life.

Not everything is as it seems behind the ivy-covered walls of Yale, where an unlikely bond leads to an unthinkable favor. Writing professor Bella Baird is looking for answers, but a fateful encounter with a mysterious student could lead to life-changing consequences for both of them. Nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Play, Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Rapp’s haunting 90-minute thriller will leave you wondering who you can trust and remind you everyone has a story — the question is how it ends.

The Sound Inside

**Event: The Bluest Eye at A Noise Within**

**Date:** August 27 - September 24, 2023

**Location:** A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107

**Description:**
A Noise Within presents a heartrending adaptation of Toni Morrison’s debut novel, "The Bluest Eye," adapted by Lydia R. Diamond and directed by Andi Chapman. This profound story is set in the 1940s in Ohio and centers around Pecola Breedlove, a young Black girl who dreams of being loved and longs for the blue eyes of Shirley Temple. This stunning production explores themes of love, sisterhood, abuse, and hate through the experiences of three young Black girls. It's a gorgeously written and enthralling performance that promises to leave a lasting impact.

**Running Time:** 1 hour and 40 minutes without an intermission.

**Content Advisory:** Recommended for mature audiences, ages 14 and up.

**Special Performances:**
- **Pay What You Choose:** August 30 & 31, 2023. Tickets available online starting at $5 or at the Box Office on the day of the performance, cash only.
- **Sensory Friendly Performance:** August 31, 2023, at 7:30 pm. Includes a handout detailing intense moments and a visual indicator for abrupt moments.
- **Opening Night:** September 2, 2023, at 8 pm. Includes a free post-show cast party.
- **Black Out Night:** September 7, 2023. An environment for an audience self-identifying as Black to experience the performance in community, followed by a reception.
- **Post-Show Conversations:** After select performances, engage in a conversation with the actors. Dates include September 8, 10, 15, and 22.

**Tickets:** Available for purchase with options for season subscriptions, single tickets, and group sales. Special pricing and benefits are available for 2023-24 subscription packages.

**Contact:** For more information, call 626.356.3100 or visit A Noise Within at 3352 E. Foothill Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience a powerful adaptation of Toni Morrison’s "The Bluest Eye," a story that is guaranteed to resonate long after the curtain falls.

The Bluest Eye

With generous support from The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration and in partnership with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, UCSF Memory and Aging Center,  and the Global Brain Health Institute, Jake Broder, James Bonas, and Cath Brittan present UnRavelled, the story of Dr. Anne Adams and her obsession with Ravel’s Bolero. How she, through her diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), developed as a painter and became a remarkable artist. Through her story the play also uncovers the mystery of Ravel’s similar diagnosis almost 100 years earlier.

UnRavelled

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

The third production of the season will be William Shakespeare’s The Tempest in June 2023. We can’t wait to delve into this world of loss and redemption – themes we find particularly timely during the pandemic. We know that director Nike Doukas (The Hothouse) is the perfect person to bring this world of magical beasts and magnificent storms to life!

The Tempest

Set in an enchanted forest, The Changeling introduces us to estranged couple Ann and Daniel, who return to a deserted cabin on the anniversary of their daughter’s mysterious disappearance — the event that destroyed their marriage. As a storm moves in and the electricity goes out, a mysterious child appears. She looks exactly like Angelica at the age of eleven… but their Angelica would now be eighteen.

Sound Designer

Jeff Gardner

Events

Past events

Feb 26 - Mar 23, 2025

Topdog/Underdog · Pasadena Playhouse

11 - 26 May, 2024

Nora · Antaeus Theatre Company

About

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