Pasadena’s “A Noise Within” Announces 2025-26 “Songs from the Volcano” Season

A Noise Within Theatre in Pasadena (Photo – anoisewithin.org)

A Noise Within (ANW), one of the leading regional theater companies in Southern California, is set to ignite the stage with its highly anticipated 2025-26 season, titled Songs from the Volcano.

By News Desk

Co-artistic directors Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott describe the season as one defined by “voices of people living in pressurized situations,” with stories that reflect the current global landscape of political and economic shifts. Despite being classic works, these plays resonate with modern audiences, capturing the urgency of voices demanding to be heard.

A Season of Laughter and Reflection

The season kicks off in September with Richard Bean’s One Man, Two Guvnors, a zany and hilarious adaptation of Goldoni’s 1783 farce The Servant of Two Masters. Set in 1960s Brighton, England, the Tony Award-winning comedy follows Francis Henshall, a down-on-his-luck musician juggling two bosses who are unaware of each other. Full of physical comedy, mayhem, and a live skiffle band, this riotous romp promises to be a crowd-pleaser. One Man, Two Guvnors runs from September 6 to September 28, with previews beginning August 31.

In October, ANW will welcome back director Gregg T. Daniel for Joe Turner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to Wilson’s “American Century Cycle,” this marks the sixth production of his plays at ANW. Set in a Pittsburgh boarding house in 1911, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone explores the lives of African Americans during the Great Migration, focusing on themes of identity, family, and the search for purpose in a post-slavery world. Performances will run from October 18 to November 9, with previews from October 12 to October 17.

Holiday Tradition and Dark Drama

Returning for the holidays, A Noise Within will stage its beloved and faithful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, a whimsical, musical production that has become a Los Angeles holiday tradition. Audiences can enjoy the heartwarming tale of Scrooge’s transformation from November 29 to December 24.

In February, ANW will present Shakespeare’s Richard III, directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos. The infamous story of Richard, the Machiavellian villain who seeks to claim the throne through treachery, will be brought to life with intensity and dark intrigue. Performances are set for February 14 to March 8, with previews beginning February 8.

The season continues with one of the most iconic American plays, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. Set to open in March, this Pulitzer Prize-winning work explores the tragic unraveling of Willy Loman, a man chasing the elusive American Dream. With its powerful portrayal of delusion, failure, and the pursuit of success, Death of a Salesman will run from March 28 to April 19, with previews from March 22 to March 27.

A Bold Finale

Closing the season in May is Exit the King by Eugène Ionesco, directed by Michael Michetti. In this absurdist and thought-provoking play, King Bérenger refuses to accept the inevitable end of his reign and his life. As his kingdom crumbles around him, Bérenger’s desperate clinging to power leads to both poignant and absurd moments. Performances will run from May 9 to May 31, with previews from May 3 to May 8.

A Noise Within has been called “an oasis for those who love classic stories” by the Los Angeles Times and is a leading regional producer based in Pasadena, California. ANW’s award-winning resident company is committed to representing the entire community at its state-of-the-art, 324-seat performance space. In addition to producing world-class performances of classic theater, the organization runs robust education programs with the goal of inspiring diverse audiences of all ages. ANW believes in working hard on its anti-racist practice across the whole organization. By interpreting its mission to fully engage audiences through community and artist-centered work in multiple creative disciplines, ANW is striving to be a theater that better serves the entire community.

For more information about A Noise Within’s Songs from the Volcano season or to purchase season subscriptions (with savings of up to 28%), call (626) 356-3100 or visit anoisewithin.org. Single tickets go on sale beginning June 10.