Sierra Madre Playhouse Screens Buster Keaton Silent Film Comedy Sherlock Jr. with Music from R.E.M. Hit Album New Adventures in Hi-Fi, 6/13

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse, in partnership with Silents Synced, pairs Buster Keaton’s hilarious 1924 silent comedy Sherlock Jr. with the atmospheric sounds of R.E.M.’s 1996 hit album "New Adventures in Hi-Fi,” merging vintage cinema and modern rock to create a compelling fusion of past and present. The one-night only screening takes place on Friday, June 13, 2025, 8 pm, at Sierra Madre Playhouse. 

“This innovative and immersive experience reimagines Buster Keaton’s masterful comedy through a contemporary musical lens,” says Matt Cook, Artistic and Executive Director of Sierra Madre Playhouse. “Mash ups of music and silent film breathe new life into classic motion pictures and also build upon Sierra Madre Playhouse’s roots as a silent film house.” 

Sherlock Jr. stars Buster Keaton as a well-intentioned film projectionist and would-be detective who plies his negligeable skills when he gets framed for stealing a pocketwatch from his sweetheart’s father. The Hollywood Reporter declares Keaton “the greatest of all silent film comedian-auteurs.” Sherlock Jr. was selected in 1991 by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry for its historical and cultural significance. 

R.E.M.’s "New Adventures in Hi-Fi,” released in 1996, was named it among the best albums of the year by Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Spin. Recorded after the bands’ challenging 1995 world tour, the evocative album reflects the ephemeral aspect of life on the road.  

For tickets ($20) 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:
New Music
Folk/Blues/Roots
Categories:
Live Event
City: Sierra Madre
Price Range:
$20
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.