Sierra Madre Playhouse’s Delightful Family Program, Baba the Storyteller: Road of Ash & Dust, Illuminates the Discovery of Self, 4/26/25

Baba the Storyteller, one of the few recognized American-born practitioners of the ancient West African storytelling craft called Jaliyaa, builds cultural bridges with his deeply intimate program, "Road of Ash and Dust: Awakening of a Soul in Africa," which illuminates a universal rite of passage – the discovery of self – on Saturday, April 26, 11 am, at Sierra Madre Playhouse. Drawing from traditional stories from the distant past, Baba weaves an engaging tale, revealing that many of the answers to our most troubling questions come from within. Baba explains, ““Sharing our stories helps to build bridges of compassion and tear down divisive walls.”

A folklorist, traditional harpist, and storyteller, Baba has shared his stories in thousands of schools and other institutions around the world. He is also a recipient of a California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition for his creative uses of storytelling. 

Tickets ($12) are on sale now. For tickets 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.

ABOUT SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

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), the performing arts center 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. 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.