Arts & Entertainment

The Piano Lesson

At Long Beach Playhouse Feb. 22 to Mar. 22.

August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, The Piano Lesson is part of the playwright’s Pittsburg Series of ten shows set in that town. In addition to a Pulitzer, the play received several Tony Awards nominations and awards.

Set during the Great Depression, in 1936, the play offers opposing viewpoints. Is the piano simply a piano, or is it a vessel of history that must be kept to honor the Charles’ family’s past? Or does the piano, and the history it bears, need to be released to move forward?

For Berniece, history is deep in her being. The carvings of the family’s enslaved ancestors were carved into it by their great-grandfather. She remembers the way her mother polished the piano until her hands bled and her blood became part its finish. Boy Willie wants to sell the piano and use the money to buy the property where their relatives worked the land as slaves; to him, that is redemption.

Rovin Jay, a veteran of the theater scene with more than 20 years’ experience is the show’s director. He is a graduate of CSU Fullerton’s theater arts program and his work can be seen in shows throughout the area. He is also a live entertainment show director at Knott’s Berry Farm, America’s oldest theme park. In 2019, Jay directed Wilson’s Seven Guitars, another of the Pittsburg Series, at the Playhouse. He also serves on the Playhouse Board of Directors.

Sean Gray, artistic director for the Playhouse, was confident Jay was the right director for the show. Gray, said, “It’s a story that straddles the past and the present with elements of history and spirituality. It’s a complicated story, and I knew Rovin would do it justice.”

Madison Mooney, Playhouse executive director, said, “Rovin always brings special touches to his work. One of the most breathtakingly beautiful shows the Playhouse has ever done was in 2018, when Rovin directed Charlayne Woodard’s play Flight. It was set on plantation and spoke to the cruelty of family separation. In The Piano Lesson, the instrument holds the secret of the price paid by the enslavers – and those they enslaved – to buy the piano. Just like he did for Flight, Rovin makes the story haunting, truthful and memorable.”

The show’s eight-member cast is a mix of returning and debuting actors. Returning are Ben Pettis and Danielle Davis. Making their debuts are Maurice G. Smith, Keenan Carver, Kalia, Johnson, Keven Benbrow, Landon Moss and Rhyver White.

“This show will remind us all that the past lives on in the family we know and the family we never knew,” said Mooney. “It’s a great show, don’t miss it.”

This production is sponsored by The Port of Long Beach.

Tickets ($20-$30) are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday 3-8 p.m. and Sundays 1-2 p.m. on scheduled matinees.

Jersey Boys at MTW

Southern California’s premier theatre company, Musical Theatre West (MTW) has launched its 2025 season with the Tony Award-winning sensation, Jersey Boys! Opening Feb. 14 and running through March 2 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, this smash-hit musical takes audiences behind the music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, bringing their legendary rise, struggles and triumphs to life on stage.

The show is packed with chart-topping hits, from the high-energy rhythms of “Sherry” and “Walk Like a Man” to the swoon-worthy ballad “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” Paired with an unforgettable true story of ambition, loyalty and music history, MTW’s production of Jersey Boys offers a night of pure entertainment that will have audiences singing along and reliving the magic of rock and roll’s golden era.

“This show is more than just great music, it’s a journey through the highs and lows of fame, friendship and perseverance,” shared Paul Garman, executive director of Musical Theatre West. “We can’t wait for audiences to experience these legendary songs in a whole new way.”

Directed by TJ Dawson, Musical Theatre West’s production of Jersey Boys stars Nicholas Alexander as Frankie Valli, Anthony Carro as Tommy DeVito, Taubert Nadalini as Bob Gaudio and Grant Hodges as Nick Massi. This dynamic cast, paired with stunning choreography by Dana Solimando and music direction by Lyndon Pugeda, ensures an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase by phone at (562) 856-1999 or online at musical.org. Fees may apply. Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the Box Office one hour prior to showtime, with a valid student ID. More information, a full line-up of performances and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.

New Youth Chorus Artistic Director

When the curtain rises on the Long Beach Youth Chorus Cabaret, a new director will make his debut. According to founder Stan DeWitt, “Harlee Balajadia has been a fantastic addition to the chorus.” Although it’s Balajadia’s first appearance with the chorus, he is already a rising star locally.

The concert, comprised of solo and duet performances by the young singers, will be March 1, 7 p.m., at Grace First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach. The performance will be followed by dessert.

Harlee Castro Balajadia is a Long Beach native with a well-regarded reputation as a tenor vocalist, music educator and arts administrator. He graduated from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University of Long Beach with dual degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral/Vocal Music Education. In his role as director of Choral/Vocal/Music Appreciation Activities at Charles Evans Hughes Middle School in the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) since 2020, Balajadia has been instrumental in nurturing young talent and enhancing the school’s music department. Additionally, he directs social equity programs through music as the LB program director and directing manager for Voices for Social Justice.

Balajadia continues to be an active performer with groups like the Long Beach Camerata Singers, Catalyst, Choral Arts Initiative and The Filharmonic. His unwavering passion for music and his ability to lead and inspire makes him a respected figure in the arts community.

He is excited to follow to build on the groundwork that Long Beach Youth Chorus has established here in his hometown and is looking forward to seeing the vision and the choral art making that will blossom.

Founded in 2017, the Long Beach Youth Chorus aims to provide a wide range of growth experience for children ages 7-18. They form several ensembles, divided by age, and learn to read music and perform in a variety of venues. For more information about the performance, Balajadia or the chorus, visit www.longbeachchorus.org.