What’s a theremin? Named after it’s Russian inventor Léon Theremin who patented the device in 1928, the theremin is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without contact from the player. The theremin is associated with an eerie sound, which has led to its use in movie soundtracks such as those in Spellbound, The Lost Weekend, The Day the Earth Stood Still and more recently Hellboy. The Beach Boys used it to great effect on their hit song Good Vibrations. Actor, writer and musician Barry Schwam fell in love with the theremin while recording sound effects for a show at Sierra Madre Playhouse (SMP). He was recently a featured guest solo artist, playing the theremin with the California Institute of Technology 70 piece Band at Band-O-Rama 2009. On Sunday, August 30 at 7:30 p.m. he will perform an evening of original music and comedy entitled Barry Schwam and his Theremin at SMP.
In addition to the theremin, Schwam will perform a variety of his original songs and humorous material on autoharp, harmonica, kazoo, jaws harp, and theremin. Along with his original folk-style songs on autoharp, Barry will do a few of his famous poems and some of the quirky surprises. Very often, percussionist Sid “Sticks” Javet has been known to “drop in” on Barry’s shows to add a little bounce and comedy. He promises an evening of fun for all ages.
Tickets are $12. Call 626-355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., in Sierra Madre
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Photo—Barry Schwam and Sidney Javet.
For more info: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.
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