TOCA Backstage

Welcome to TOCA Backstage, the official podcast of the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, where we take you behind the curtain and into the stories behind the artists, performances, and unforgettable experiences coming to our stages. In this episode, we’re going to the dogs—in the best possible way—as we spotlight the wildly entertaining Stunt Dog Experience. Get ready for jaw-dropping tricks, hil...

Welcome to TOCA Backstage, the official podcast of the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, where we take you behind the curtain and into the stories behind the artists, performances, and experiences lighting up our stages. In this episode, we’re shining a spotlight on Because You’re Mine – The Music of June Carter and Johnny Cash—a heartfelt and high-energy celebration of one of music’s most iconic...

Get an inside look at the artistry, passion, and powerhouse talent of jazz pianist Yuko Mabuchi before she takes the stage in TOCA’s intimate Studio Cabaret! In this episode of TOCA Backstage, Yuko shares her musical journey, her inspirations, and what makes performing in an up-close cabaret setting such a thrilling experience. From high-energy swing to soulful originals, you’ll discover what driv...

????️ New TOCA Backstage Episode! In our latest episode, Megan Dolan, writer and performer of Not the Right Mom—opens up about the deeply personal journey behind creating her show. She shares what it took to tell an honest, funny, and heartfelt story about becoming the mother of an autistic son, and why putting that experience on stage mattered so much. It’s raw, real, and incredibly moving and a...

✨ New TOCA Backstage Episode ✨ What if a “fashion show” wasn’t about trends or rules—but about you? On the latest episode of TOCA Backstage, host Christian Wolf chats with renowned stylist Erin Stoll, creator of the Style Thief Fashion Show. Erin shares why this isn’t your typical runway event—it’s an interactive, empowering experience where audiences get real-world fashion tips, ask questions,...

Go backstage with the artists bringing one of opera’s most beloved comedies to life! In this episode of TOCA Backstage, host Christian Wolf sits down with members of Angels Lyric Opera to talk about their upcoming production of L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love), coming to the James R. Armstrong Theatre on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1, 2026. Written by Gaetano Donizetti, L’elisir d...

TOCA Backstage | Honey Whiskey Trio – Studio Cabaret Preview In this episode of TOCA Backstage, TOCA Executive Director Christian Wolf sits down with Courtney Gasque Politano and Ann Louise Jeffries Thaiss of the Honey Whiskey Trio for an intimate conversation ahead of their upcoming Studio Cabaret performances on February 6 & 7. The pair of the trio shares the story behind Honey Whiskey’s ric...

Welcome back to TOCA Backstage, where we sit down with the artists who bring our stages to life. I’m Christian Wolf, Executive Director of the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, and today I’m thrilled to be joined by Amanda Castro of the Amanda Castro Band. We talk about her musical journey, the stories behind her songs, and what audiences can expect when her band takes the stage. It’s a great con...

Broad Appeal Saturday January 10, 2026 – 8:00pm Get ready to be captivated by the combined brilliance of two vocal powerhouses, Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne, in an unforgettable night of musical mastery—BROAD APPEAL. Longtime partners from The Manhattan Transfer, “Broad Appeal" highlights the extraordinary talents of these 10x GRAMMY winning artists, each revered for their distinctive voices an...

 New TOCA Backstage episode! Join us as we chat with Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, founder of Irish Christmas in America — a heartwarming celebration of music, dance, and storytelling that brings the spirit of the Emerald Isle to Torrance! ☘️???? Don’t miss the show Friday, December 5th at the Armstrong Theatre. Listen now on the TOCA Backstage podcast and get in the holiday spirit early! ????...

TOCA's Executive Director, Chris Wolf talks with retro pop culture humorist, Charles Phoenix. With his keen expertise, unbridled enthusiasm, and eagle-eye for oddball detail, Charles unleashes the stories and glories of his madcap adventures in search of vintage space-age style, mid-century marvels, local landmarks, roadside wonders, fun foods, classic car culture, futuristic transportation and mo...

Kathy Kosins To the Ladies of Cool Friday October 24, 2025 – 7:00pm Saturday October 25, 2025 – 7:00pm An Unforgettable Tribute to the Women Who Defined West Coast Jazz Step into a world of smoky lounges and cinematic elegance as acclaimed vocalist Kathy Kosins brings the golden age of West Coast Cool to vivid life. Ladies of Cool is more than a concert—it’s a lush, soul-stirring journey through t...

From China to Appalachia Sunday September 21, 2025 – 2:00pm GRAMMY Award winning American Roots artists Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer join with Chinese classical hammered dulcimer player Chao Tian in this folk infused world music exploration. Chinese and American songs are accompanied on yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), gourd banjo, five-string banjo, ukulele, guitars, dumbek, cello-banjo and...

Unit One Artistic Director Young Kang is joined by the creators of Tsuchigumo Daiko, the Scottish Taiko group. Both groups will be performing in the upcoming show Synergy on Sept. 27 & 28, 2025. This groundbreaking show that merges the awe-inspiring talents of US-based UnitOne and Scotland's Tsuchigumo Daiko. This collaboration showcases the explosive power and rhythmic precision of Taiko drum...

Celebrating 50 years of friendship with Torrance’s sister city, Kashiwa, Japan, this evening will highlight some of the talented past delegates who have gone on to professional careers in the performing arts. You will be treated to the likes of master storyteller Takekawa Shinoharu (Ittetsu Kojima) from Japan, MacIntyre Family Singers featuring Carol William (South High School alumni), Todd (Mama...

Multi instrumentalist Alex Wersen talks about his new project, "Remember When the Music: The Songs of Harry Chapin". Harry Chapin’s short, but impactful life is celebrated in this world premier show. A master storyteller, his songs were full of heart and soul and included the hits “Cats in the Cradle,” “WOLD” and “Taxi.” Chapin was also a lifelong philanthropist and joined fellow musicians Gordon...

Montana natives turned Angelenos, Joselyn & Don’s intoxicating music feels like a walk through mountain wildflowers and Southern California Joshua trees. Enter their wild garden - where blues, folk and jazz form an understory illuminated with lyrical truth. Joselyn Wilkinson (the founder of women’s global fusion band, ADAAWE ) and Don Barrozo (a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer wit...

This family-friendly performance features lively instrumental tunes on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes and harp, along with thrilling Irish old-style dancing from Samantha Harvey. In addition, evocative photographic images provide a backdrop to some of the rich historical traditions of Ireland. Take a memorable glimpse into the enchanting spirit of Christmas, as the finest traditional artists from I...

Ayline Artin is a well-known South Bay vocal coach who is also a very talented singer/songwriter. She may be familiar to some from accompanying her students during previous South Bay’s Got Talent competitions or from the streaming concert she did for TOCA during the pandemic shut down of the theatre. TOCA Executive Director talks with Ayline about her music and her words of wisdom for auditioning...

Ali Angel Friday and Saturday November 18 & 19, 2022 LA-native musician Ali Angel’s retro-soul production and classic songwriting style emanate a 1970’s influence, giving lovers of classic rock, indie, soul, and country music all something they can gravitate towards. Full of surprises, she keeps listeners intrigued by effortlessly shifting from sweet, daydreamy twang and gentle vocals to gritt...

Perla Batalla - Songs and Sundries Variety Hour (and a half) Part 2 Friday and Saturday October 21 & 22, 2022 Perla’s return to our cabaret will feature hand-picked selections from Batalla’s vast repertoire, including songs from her original Mestiza song cycle, Perla’s inspired arrangements of Spanish language classics, The Great American Songbook, and of course, personal favorites from her me...

Musician/actor Scot Bruce celebrates what made Elvis not only the king of rock & roll...but the king of cool! See the magic that made a generation swoon in the 1950’s and 60’s, before the white jumpsuit, sunglasses and the glitter of Vegas. Along with his rockin’ 4-piece band, Bruce meticulously and respectfully recreates the electrifying musical excitement of Elvis in his prime...right down t...

UnitOne, a professional taiko group based under the umbrella of Asano Taiko U.S., presents their long awaited full length concert.   SHIKI (“four seasons” in Japanese) draws from intimate memories of the four seasons in Japan. From the fiery heat of summer to the frigid depths of winter, Shiki is a look inside UnitOne's memory of a distant place. Artistic Director Young Kang intertwines some of Un...

Question: What happens when you invite veteran comedy writers and character actors to tell tales of their love able friends with tails? Answer: you get MY DOG IS BETTER THAN YOUR DOG, a hilarious and heartwarming evening of stories about our four-legged friends.    This story driven show features comedian Carol Leifer (Writer/Producer Hacks, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld), Humorist and novelis...

Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience is the nation’s most innovative and unique show utilizing the works of the Beatles. This amazing group, anchored by brothers Billy, Ryan and Matthew McGuigan, does away the worn out “tribute” format of bad wigs and fake accents. Instead, they perform as themselves and leave the song choices completely in the hands of the audience. This is don...