The Sierra Madre Playhouse is jumping into the Lunar New Year with several shows planned during a multiweek series that will touch on comedy, film, theater, dance and music.
“With this particular series we wanted to touch on the different genres that we present here. You don’t have to be Asian American to enjoy these events, these are for everybody in the community,” said Berrie Tsang, company director for the Playhouse.
The Lunar New Year falls on Feb. 17 but is marked throughout the city with several celebrations before and after that day.
For the Sierra Madre Playhouse the Year of the Horse is meant to put a spotlight on Asian and Asian American voices and the special events launch with a laugh on Feb. 3 as the Playhouse invites comedians Kaycee Conlee, Leslie Liao and Ian Karmel to the stage.
And these are comedians with some serious credits.
Conlee has appeared on “The Tonight Show” and the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” while Liao, who is known for talking about experiences as a single Asian American woman living in Los Angeles, was recently selected as one of “Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch” at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival and is featured in the Netflix’s series “Verified Stand-Up.”
Karmel meanwhile is an Emmy Award-winning stand-up comedian, actor, and writer who was named to The New York Times’ Best Comedy of 2025 list and served as head writer for the Emmy Award-winning “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”
“These are comedians that are well known in the community,” Tsang said.
Other highlights of the Lunar New Year events include experimental pop artist Jett Kwong on Feb. 20 and the first public screening of “Earl,” Ty Kim’s award-winning documentary film chronicling the life and music of Korean-American composer Earl Kim on Feb. 21 and sketch troupe Cold Tofu, also on Feb. 21.
Here is the complete list of events.
When: 8 p.m. Feb. 3
Comedy with Kaycee Conlee, Leslie Liao and Ian Karmel.
When: 8 p.m. Feb. 20
Music with Jett Kwong, an experimental electronic pop artist who mixes Chinese Guzheng, which is traditional Chinese plucked zither, with vocal melodies and orchestral sounds.
When: 11 a.m. Feb. 21
Theater with East West Players’ production of “Tam Tran Goes to Washington,” a story about an undocumented UCLA Senior who fights for the DREAM Act.
When: 4 p.m. Feb. 21
Ty Kim’s award-winning documentary “Earl” chronicles the life and music of Korean-American composer Earl Kim.
When: 8:30 p.m. Feb. 21
Asian American improv and comedy troupe Cold Tofu perform sketch show.
When: 4 p.m. Feb. 22
The Thủy Vân Dance Company presents folk, regional, and other dances from across Vietnam.
When: 2 p.m. April 18
Author Kristina Wong hosts her book release event for “Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism.”
Ticket prices for events range from $12-$35. The Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Ticket prices for events are $12-$35 and can be purchased at sierramadreplayhouse.org.
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