Arts Briefs: Sandra Tsing Loh’s ‘Madwoman in the Volvo’ comes to the Pasadena Playhouse

The Pasadena Playhouse announced a new production for later this year written by and starring Sandra Tsing Loh. Her one-woman play, “Madwoman in the Volvo,” will open with preview performances on June 2. (The critically acclaimed production originates from the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, where it opened last month.)

The play is based on Loh’s memoir “The Madwoman in the Volvo: My Year of Raging Hormones,” which the New York Times praised as “hilarious, comforting and enlightening.” In the book, Loh calls herself a member of the “riple M Generation—menopausal, middle-aged and a mother.”

In a statement, Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse, said, “This particular play is not only exceedingly funny, but also moving, emotional and in the end joyously celebratory.”

The official opening is June 5. Tickets are $25 to $77, with premium seating at $125. The Pasadena Playhouse is at 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. More info at (626) 356-7529 and PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

Roots Rockin’

Musician Phil Lee isn’t from Nashville, but the singer-rocker-truck-driver ended up there in the early ‘90s and became an active player on anti-mainstream side of Music City. His songs are hard-edged and witty, and he’ll be performing Sunday, Feb. 7 at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.

Lee’s new album is a collection of ballads and folk-rock called “Some Gotta Lose” (Palookaville), which can be heard on various Americana radio outlets. Lee has warned listeners: “A lot of thinking did not go into this record.” The Associated Press said in a review that Lee combines “the social consciousness of Woody Guthrie with the twisted fury of Jerry Lee Lewis.”

Opening the show is folk singer Lucas Papenfusscline.

Tickets are $18. The Coffee Gallery Backstage is at 2029 N. Lake Ave. in Altadena. More info at (626) 398-7917 and coffeegallery.com.

Sounds of Youth

The Glendale Youth Orchestra will perform a concert of Mozart, Beethoven and other composers March 6 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Conducted by Brad Keimach, the ensemble was founded in 1989 and draws young musicians from grades 6-12 and colleges from across the region.

The soloists at this concert will be pianist Jacqueline Ching, 17, of Los Angeles; Crescenta Valley High School student Josephine Lee on flute/piccolo; and violinist Rachel Mugemancuro, 11, from Pasadena.

The program will include: Mozart’s Overture to “The Magic Flute”; Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 1, 1st movement, and Symphony No. 2; Reinecke, Flute Concerto in D, 3rd movement; and Sarasate, “Ziguenerweisen.”

Tickets are $12.50. The Alex Theatre is located at 216 N. Brand Blvd., in Glendale. More info at (818) 243-ALEX, or www.alextheatre.org and glendaleyouthorchestra.com.