DIAVOLO: TRUST AT SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

I think there is no easier theatre experience in all of Los Angeles than the Sierra Madre Playhouse! They have free parking, nice personnel, an interesting variety of very affordable offerings, and it’s in an adorable little town. So I try to go there whenever I can.

Diavolo in action. Photo by Karen Salkin.

To that end, I got up at the crack of dawn the other day to see one of their shows, the Diavolo acrobatic group, which turned-out to start at…11AM! (That is honestly the crack of dawn for me.) It was so special to see a stage show in the morning, so I’m glad I did it.

I first saw Diavolo on America’s Got Talent in 2017. It was a grand scale work, featuring a giant halfmoon-shaped structure that the dozens of performers jumped on and off in amazing choreography, so that’s what I was expecting here. And I could not imagine how they were going to do such a grandiose piece on such an intimate stage.

However, in this show at Sierra Madre Playhouse, there was a cast of only four with one “host” who explained it all as we went along. And they worked with doors, ladders, and an ottoman. Just as I wrote a note that this was “more of an educational presentation,” the host mentioned that what we were seeing was part of the company’s “educational program.” I love getting it right!

I did not know that distinction beforehand, or I honestly would have sat this one out. So I have to admit that my friend, Nina2, and I were not enthralled by what we were seeing, (as I was upon viewing them on AGT,) but we did appreciate it, anyway. It was great to see physical artists so up-close. We don’t get that opportunity in bigger venues.

If this quintet of talent is any indication, (which I know it is,) the Diavolo company is populated with daredevils. And the ones we saw all seem like good kids on top of that, which was good to witness.

An audience member on the ladder, about to do a trust fall with the troupe. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Speaking of kids, Nina2 said this is a fun show for children. There were several in the audience, and we didn’t hear any restlessness from them, (nor from anyone,) in the hour-long presentation. One boy even got to be among the half dozen audience members who were brought on stage to learn “trust falls.” (Perhaps that one bit is why the production is entitled “Trust.”)

The entire experience of attending a performance at the Sierra Madre Playhouse is so peaceful and pleasant. Both Nina2 and I love that town! We walked around after the show and checked-out every eatery, and then wound-up on the patio of the biggest one for lunch. Feel free to copy our plan anytime.

For the most up-to-date info on all of Sierra Madre Playhouse’s schedule: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org