<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith this particular series we wanted to touch on the different genres that we present here. You don\u2019t have to\u00a0 be Asian American to enjoy these events, these are for everybody in the community,\u201d said Berrie Tsang, company director for the Playhouse.<\/p>\n
The Lunar New Year falls on Feb. 17 but is marked throughout the city with several celebrations before and after that day.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
And these are comedians with some serious credits.<\/p>\n
Conlee has appeared on \u201cThe Tonight Show\u201d and the \u201cThe Ellen DeGeneres Show,\u201d 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 \u201cVariety\u2019s Top 10 Comics to Watch\u201d at Montreal\u2019s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival and is featured in the Netflix\u2019s series \u201cVerified Stand-Up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karmel meanwhile is an Emmy Award-winning stand-up comedian, actor, and writer who was named to The New York Times\u2019 Best Comedy of 2025 list and served as head writer for the Emmy Award-winning \u201cThe Late Late Show with James Corden.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are comedians that are well known in the community,\u201d Tsang said.<\/p>\n
Other highlights of the Lunar New Year events include experimental pop artist Jett Kwong on Feb. 20 and the first public screening of \u201cEarl,\u201d Ty Kim\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Here is the complete list of events.<\/p>\n When: 8 p.m. Feb. 3<\/strong><\/p>\n Comedy with Kaycee Conlee, Leslie Liao and Ian Karmel.<\/p>\n When: 8 p.m. Feb. 20<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n When: 11 a.m. Feb. 21<\/strong><\/p>\n Theater with East West Players\u2019 production of \u201cTam Tran Goes to Washington,\u201d a story about an undocumented UCLA Senior who fights for the DREAM Act.<\/p>\n When: 4 p.m. Feb. 21<\/strong><\/p>\n Ty Kim\u2019s award-winning documentary \u201cEarl\u201d chronicles the life and music of Korean-American composer Earl Kim.<\/p>\n When: 8:30 p.m. Feb. 21<\/strong><\/p>\n Asian American improv and comedy troupe Cold Tofu perform sketch show.<\/p>\n When: 4 p.m. Feb. 22<\/strong><\/p>\n The Th\u1ee7y V\u00e2n Dance Company presents folk, regional, and other dances from across Vietnam.<\/p>\n When: 2 p.m. April 18<\/strong><\/p>\n Author Kristina Wong hosts her book release event for \u201cAuntie Kristina\u2019s Guide to Asian American Activism.\u201d<\/p>\n