Flashes of Light, New Musical about Inventor Nikola Tesla, Premieres at Sierra Madre Playhouse, May 25-June 9

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse, noted for its eclectic programming and compelling theatrical productions, presents the world premiere of Flashes of Light, a new musical by Billy Larkin and Ron Boustead about visionary inventor Nikola Tesla and his muse, Electra, the powerful goddess of storm clouds. The production, directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera (founding artistic director of Playwrights’ Arena), runs from May 25 to June 9, 2025.  

Set against the backdrop of the industrial revolution in New York City in the late 1800s, the story follows inventor Nikola Tesla, guided by Electra, who sends him visions of groundbreaking inventions during lightning storms. Their connection amps up when Tesla’s rivalry with Thomas Edison intensifies during the “War of the Currents,” a battle that shaped the world’s electrical future. As Tesla and Electra become obsessed with pushing the envelope of scientific discovery, a star-crossed love story fraught with peril unfolds as the line between science and mythology begins to blur. 

The music’s heartfelt lyrics, soaring vocals, and haunting melodies blending jazz, pop, and rock, bring this fantastical story both tragic and divine to life. 

Flashes of Light, received First Prize in the prestigious international competition “Search for New Musicals” for 2024 presented by New Musicals Inc. 

The cast includes Devyn Rush as Electra and Thomas Winter as Nicola Tesla. Also featured are Sydney Endicott (Mother + Female Chorus Member/Coverage); Nina Kasuya (Athena); Daniel Krause (Robert Johnson + Father + Lab Worker); Amir Levi (Dionysus); Lauren Lorati (Katharine Johnson); Patrick Munoz (Prometheus + George Westinghouse); Guy Noland (Thomas Edison); Chima Rok (Mark Twain); Christopher Romero Sosa (Anton Szigeti); and Steven Wishnoff (Professor Brown + J.P. Morgan). 
 
The creative team for Flashes of Light includes choreographer Tania Possick; set designer Christopher Scott Murillo; projection and props designer Lily Bartenstein; costume designer Mylette Nora; lighting designer Wesley Charles Chew; sound designer John Zelewski; and stage manager Joshua Payuan-Cruz. Billy Larkin is the music director. 

For tickets ($12 - $45) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.  

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE 
Sunday, May 25, 4:00 PM – OPENING NIGHT 
Monday, May 26, 8:00 PM 
Friday, May 30, 8:00 PM  
Saturday, May 31, 2:00 PM  
Saturday, May 31, 8:00 PM  
Sunday, June 1, 4:00 PM  
Monday, June 2, 8:00 PM 
Thursday, June 5, 8:00 PM 
Friday, June 6, 8:00 PM  
Saturday, June 7, 2:00 PM  
Saturday, June 7, 8:00 PM 
Sunday, June 8, 4:00 PM  
Monday, June 9, 8:00 PM – CLOSING NIGHT

Date:
Venue:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Organization:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Genres:
Musical Theater
Categories:
Live Event
City: Sierra Madre
Price Range:
$12-$45
Email:
info@sierramadreplayhouse.org
Phone:
(626) 355-4318
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Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse

87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
United States

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Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions and captivating live performances. 

 

Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), it has garnered tremendous accolades for its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from the heart.” As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts center presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-friendly productions featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. 

 

The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics' Choice honors. In 2023, Rep. Judy Chu named the Sierra Madre Playhouse as a leading ‘Nonprofit of the Year’ in the San Gabriel Valley. The playhouse was given the honor during the 2023 Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards, which recognizes the leadership and volunteerism in the cities making up California’s 28th Congressional District. It is nestled into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. 

 

Retaining its distinctive movie theater façade and instantly recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theatre to the artistic institution that now stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit of shared understanding.