Benefit Comedy Show! hosted by Frank Sriracha with Maria Bamford, Whitmer Thomas, Melissa Villaseñor, Cameron Esposito
Tue Feb 18, 2025 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM PST
Sierra Madre Playhouse, 91024
Description
Just added: Cameron Esposito!
In an extraordinary evening of comedy and community, Sierra Madre Playhouse is proud to host a star-studded comedy show to benefit Public Displays of Altadena (PDA), the beloved 35-seat micro-theater that was tragically lost in the Eaton Canyon Fire, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 8pm.
The powerhouse lineup for the one-night-only show, hosted by comedian Frank Sriracha (Max Charbonneau), features comedy legend Maria Bamford (Netflix’s Lady Dynamite, BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth); groundbreaking comedian Melissa Villaseñor (Saturday Night Live’s first Latina cast member, Netflix’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee); and actor/writer/comedian Whitmer Thomas (HBO’s Whitmer Thomas: The Golden One, FXX’s Stone Quackers); produced by Budd Anthony Diaz.
For 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.
With their and raw, heartfelt humor, these artists, noted for their fearless, unconventional performances, embody the spirit of PDA – embracing risk, finding truth in laughter, and forging deep human connection through performance.
All ticket sales and donations collected at the event will go directly to PDA to help restore the unique space celebrated for daring comedy, thought provoking experimental theater, and bold artistic innovation.
“PDA wasn’t just a venue—it was a movement,” says Matt Cook, Artistic and Executive Director of Sierra Madre Playhouse. “It was a place where performers could take risks, fail boldly, and create moments of true artistic brilliance. The loss of PDA is a loss for all of us in the theater community. We are deeply honored to stand beside them at this moment, helping to ensure that their vision for fearless, boundary-pushing performance will live on.”
PDA Co-Founders Claire Woolner and Kevin Krieger, both stage performers and clowns, state, “We are extremely grateful for the tremendous assistance of Sierra Madre Playhouse, for generously opening its doors to host this remarkable benefit performance. We hope you’ll join us for this evening of incredibly comedy.”
They continue, “When PDA was tragically destroyed in the fire, we lost an extraordinary, vibrant, inclusive space for everyone. We’re asking for your support as we navigate this difficult time and pick up the pieces. With your generosity, we pledge to rebuild PDA and come back stronger and more resilient so we can serve our community, once again. Your support will help us honor what PDA stood for and allow us to continue creating a home for artistry and belonging. Thank you for helping us keep the spirit of PDA alive.”
PDA: A Haven for Performers, Lost to the Eaton Fire Public Displays of Altadena, founded by Woolner and Krieger in a strip mall in Altadena in 2022, quickly became a revolutionary space for alternative performance. PDA provided a home for comedians, actors, musicians, and storytellers to experiment, connect, and push artistic limits. But on January 7, 2025, the Eaton wildfire tore through Altadena, reducing PDA to ashes. More than just a building, the fire consumed countless hours of creative labor, a thriving community of artists, and a stage where the unexpected became unforgettable. Despite the devastation, PDA’s founders and its community are committed to rebuilding stronger than ever, with support from fellow artists and theater lovers across Los Angeles.
Location
Sierra Madre Playhouse, 91024