Alisa Hayashida
Alisa Hayashida is an arts and culture columnist and critic for South Pasadenan News, covering the greater Pasadena Metro area and Los Angeles Metro area. She is a valuable arts advocate in South Pasadena, with an extensive background in theatre arts. She has been a proud South Pasadenan for over 27 years.
South Pasadenan, Gianna Mow, Set To Play “Rapunzel”
When local, soon to be middle schooler, Gianna Mow, found out she was cast as Rapunzel in Performing Arts Workshops’ youth adaptation of “Tangled”,...
A NEW DAY at Lineage Looks Back on the AIDS Epidemic
Hilary Thomas’ labor of love, “A New Day – Honoring 40 years of HIV/AIDS – A Love Letter To Those We Lost", had its...
Moulin Rouge! The Musical – A Decadent Delight
Walking into the storied Pantages Theatre on Thursday’s opening of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” theatergoers are transported to the debauchery of a smoky cabaret...
A Moving Presentation of “We, Too, Are America”
Inspired by a visit to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia last summer, South Pasadena Mayor, Michael Cacciotti, had the idea to...
Anthony Norman and Coleen Sexton Talk “Dear Evan Hansen”
“Dear Evan Hansen” returns to The Ahmanson this week for a five week run with Anthony Norman in the lead role of Evan and...
“Wired Differently” premieres Sunday at Pasadena International Film Festival
Director Brian Elerding of Lineage Performing Arts Center and Ensemble Shakespeare premieres his new documentary "Wired Differently" on Sunday June 26 at 2pm at...
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Pretty Woman: The Musical opened at The Dolby Theatre on Friday for its three week run here in Los Angeles followed by a two...
A Town South of Pasadena | Album Launch Party
On Saturday June 11, 2022 “A Town South of Pasadena” held an album release concert at Jeweled Universe in South Pasadena. It was a...
East West Players Premieres Bold, New Musical “Interstate”
Add to your list of things to see and do during Pride Month, the bold and celebratory new musical “Interstate” at East West Players....
A Stellar Production of “Our Country’s Good” at South Pasadena Theatre Workshop
South Pasadena Theatre Workshop is back with a stellar production of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s phenomenal 1988 play, “Our Country’s Good”, about the redemptive power of...
Joel Goldes Works His Magic as Dialect Coach for Broadway Musical “Come From Away”
There are 84 characters in the Broadway musical “Come From Away” played by just twelve actors and those characters speak in approximately 12-14 accents...
Sarit Swanborn | In Conversation with SPUSD Teacher of the Year
Ask any family in town whose children have gone through our public elementary schools and they will tell you how much art teacher Sarit...
Homegrown Album “A Town South of Pasadena”
Local Wine & Song long time regulars Pat Quinn and Ed Tree have co-produced an album comprised of local artists, many of whom have...
Drummer Anthony Ty Johnson Brings The Heat To “Hadestown”
In case you haven’t heard, the Tony-award winning Broadway smash, “Hadestown”, has rolled into town at the Ahmanson Theatre downtown and it is not...
Remembering Jack J. Bennett | Song and Dance Man Takes His Final Bow
Jack J. Bennett was in his happy place – on stage – the evening of April 22, 2022. It was the second weekend of...
SHREK The Musical Makes Us Believers
South Pasadena High School Drama made a spectacular return to the stage last weekend after a three year absence due to the pandemic. The...
2022 Pasadena Showcase House of Design Welcomes Back Interior Designer James Hernandez
James Hernandez is sitting in his newly finished sunroom at the 2022 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, held this year in the 1905 English...
YST’s “The Music Man” is Irresistible
The Wells Fargo Wagon done pulled in to Fremont Centre Theatre by way of Young Stars Theatre company on Friday April 15 and will...
Flower Moon Records Blooms in South Pasadena
Flower Moon Records is the brain child and dream of South Pasadenan couple Maria Taylor and Ryan Dwyer. They are recording, producing and representing...
SHREK The Musical Coming to a Swamp Near You Next Week!
It’s hard to believe but South Pasadena High School drama has not put on a spring musical since “Legally Blonde” in 2019, so it’s...
Preview Party Kicks Off The Eclectic Music Festival
Get ready, South Pasadena, the Eclectic Music Festival is BACK! When? April 30. Where? All over town! Sunday saw the neighborhood kickoff to the...
“Anna in the Tropics” Brings The Heat at A Noise Within
Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play gets a steamy, sultry and poetic production of “Anna in the Tropics” now on stage at A Noise Within....
South Pasadenan Dancer Kenneth Sweeney to Perform at LACHSA Spring Dance Concert “As One”
After two years of dark stages and zoom performances, the students and faculty at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts are thrilled...
Holland Taylor Inspires in “ANN” at Pasadena Playhouse
Holland Taylor was given a full-throated standing ovation after delivering her astonishing one-woman show, “ANN” at Pasadena Playhouse at the west coast premiere. “Ann”...
Student Advocates Hold Call-To-Action Picnic For Proposed BLM Mural
On Friday, March 18 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, students from SPHS hosted a call-to-action picnic for a proposed Black Lives Matter Mural. There...
TRAYF at Geffen Playhouse
Trayf means unfit to be eaten or used, according to Jewish religious laws. Not kosher. Forbidden. Lindsay Joelle’s play “Trayf”, a story of friendship,...
The Lehman Trilogy at Ahmanson Theatre
I was recently reflecting on how lucky we are in Los Angeles, not only to be blessed by our mild weather and beautiful beaches,...
The Story Behind Proposed Mural in Orange Grove Park Featuring Black Lives
In October of 2019 a group of 50 South Pasadena High School students participated in a seminar hosted by the Anti-Defamation League where they...
Power of Sail at Geffen Playhouse
Bryan Cranston is the rare actor one never sees acting. He is simply being the character. So it’s always a thrill and privilege to...
East West Players Triumphant Return With Killer “Assassins”
In March, 2020, East West Players production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Assasins” was on the eve of previews and about to open. We all know...
