House on Fire, a Contemporary Music Trio, Gives World Premiere at Sierra Madre Playhouse, 8/17

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

House on Fire, a bold and adventurous new music ensemble formed by pianists and composers Wells Leng, Richard An, and Andrew Anderson, spins its musical magic with a vibrant mix of contemporary works for toy pianos, speaker cones, twigs, and more on Sunday, August 17, 2025, 7:30 pm, at Sierra Madre Playhouse. The ensemble incorporates intimate chamber textures and theatrical, tech-forward experiments with layered keyboards, fixed media, click tracks, and unexpected objects like turntables and wooden frog instruments—all staged with thoughtful lighting and visual design to enhance the immersive experience.

Concert highlights include the world premiere of Carolyn Chen’s Light a Lamp, commissioned by House on Fire; Thomas Meadowcroft’s large-scale work Walkman Antiquarian; pieces written by ensemble members Leng and An; and performances by guest musicians Élise Roy on flute and Kevin Good on percussion. Tristan Perich’s qsqsqsqsqqqqqqqqq, composed in 2009 for three toy pianos and 9-channel 1-bit tones, opens the program.

Some pieces invite tight synchronization between live players and electronic elements; others unfold in visually playful configurations. One moment might center on a dramatic solo gesture, the next might invite audience participation with trinkets, bells, or chirping frogs.

For tickets ($12-$35) 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.

Date:
Venue:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Organization:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Genres:
Chamber Music
New Music
Categories:
Live Event
City: Sierra Madre
Price Range:
$12-$35
Email:
info@sierramadreplayhouse.org
Phone:
(626) 355-4318
Buy Tickets
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Performers

Richard An composer/performer
Andrew Anderson composer/performer
Wells Leng composer/performer
Élise Ming Chu Roy composer/performer
Carolyn Chen composer/performer
Kevin Good composer/performer

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.