Sierra Madre Playhouse presents Sugar Houses, an immersive and haunting retelling of Hansel and Gretel created by Rosanna Gamson/World Wide (RGWW). Blending contemporary dance, theater, music, and minimalistic set design, the full-length work will run for two nights only—Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Presented in RGWW’s distinctive interdisciplinary style, Sugar Houses transforms the stage into a nightmarish, evocative dreamscape, where performers create an entire environment out of an empty stage. The production uses hand-drawn chalk illustrations and handheld flashlights and lanterns as the sole light sources, immersing audiences in the eerie world of a reimagined fairytale.
A Visceral and Visual Experience
Inspired by the dark psychological elements of Hansel and Gretel, Sugar Houses explores themes of abandonment, survival, sibling rivalry, and the human capacity for transformation. Rosanna Gamson’s choreography is brought to life by a cast of multidisciplinary performers who merge powerful movement, live vocalization, and evocative storytelling into a unified stage experience.
Originally premiered at REDCAT in 2021, the production has been praised for its physicality, emotional impact, and innovative use of language. As LA Dance Chronicle describes, “There is such a cathartic release in seeing these individuals physically move through the space… they are the story itself.”
A Cast and Creative Team That Push Boundaries
The ensemble cast includes:
- Chris Louis as Father
- Clementine Gamson Levy as Mother
- Kayla Johnson as Gretel
- Brance William Souza as Hansel
- Dave X as Bird
- Mallory Fabian as Witch
Production credits feature:
- Choreography & Direction: Rosanna Gamson
- Original Music: Tomasz Krzyżanowski
- Sound Design: Dylan Marx
- Production Design: Tony Shayne
- Costumes: Lilia Lopez
- Vocal Coaching & Arrangements: Fahad Siadat
- Text Contributors: Brian Evenson, Rosanna Gamson, performers, historical sources, Anne Sexton, and the Brothers Grimm
- Dramaturg: Mona Heinze
- Stage Manager: Réchard François
Tickets and Venue Details
Performances take place at the historic Sierra Madre Playhouse, located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.
Tickets range from $12 to $35 and can be purchased at www.sierramadreplayhouse.org or by calling (626) 355-4318.
About the Presenters
Sierra Madre Playhouse is a cherished performing arts hub in the San Gabriel Valley, known for its intimate 99-seat venue and award-winning programming across theater, dance, music, and film. Housed in a landmark building dating back to 1910, it serves as a cultural beacon for the region.
Rosanna Gamson/World Wide (RGWW) creates sumptuous and provocative dance-theater that draws from global perspectives and diverse traditions, fostering dialogue through movement, sound, and performance.
Calendar Listing
What: Sugar Houses by Rosanna Gamson/World Wide
When: Saturday, June 28 & Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA
Tickets: $12–$35
Website: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org
Phone: (626) 355-4318
