Episodes

TOCA BACKSTAGE: A Conversation with Telephone Tag! Get ready for soaring harmonies, expressive violin, and heartfelt storytelling as TOCA Backstage welcomes Telephone Tag! In this episode, we sit down with the talented musical duo to talk about their creative journey, their unique blend of contemporary folk-pop, and the experiences that have taken them to stages around the world. Fresh off a major UK tour opening for 80s pop icons Johnny Hates Jazz (famous for their hit “Shattered Dreams”), T...

TOCA Backstage kicks off the new Studio Cabaret season with Jessica Hayes and Joseph Ott of Jess & Joe! Join us as Jessica and Joseph talk about their music, their creative partnership, and what audiences can expect when they take the stage for the opening performances of this season’s Studio Cabaret Series. With the intimate setting of the George Nakano Theatre, Studio Cabaret puts you up close to the performers for a one-of-a-kind evening of live music, great entertainment, and a true cabare...

TOCA Backstage: Unleashed – True Stories About the Animals We Love Join us backstage for a warm, funny, and heartfelt conversation with Wendy Hammers, Judy Carter, and Stephen Tobolowsky as they talk about Unleashed: True Stories About the Animals We Love. In this episode of TOCA Backstage, Wendy, Judy, and Stephen share what makes storytelling such a powerful way to connect with an audience, why the shared experience of live theatre continues to matter, and how our stories can bring us togeth...

Join TOCA Executive Director Christian Wolf for this episode of TOCA Backstage as he sits down with Peter and Paul Luongo of the internationally acclaimed Langley Ukulele Ensemble. Discover the remarkable story behind one of the world's premier ukulele ensembles, hear what audiences can expect from their high-energy performance, and learn how this extraordinary group has spent more than 45 years redefining what the ukulele can do. The Langley Ukulele Ensemble performs at the James Armstrong The...

Go behind the scenes with the leaders helping shape TOCA's future. In this special episode of TOCA Backstage, Executive & Artistic Director Christian Wolf sits down with members of the TOCA Executive Committee—President Camilla Seferian, Vice President Heidi Cunningham, Treasurer Winnie Seieroe, and Secretary Sara Baillie. Recorded through a series of individual conversations, they share their passion for the arts, what inspires them to serve, and their vision for the upcoming season and beyond.

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, hilarious antics, incredible athleticism, and heartwarming moments featuring some of the most talented...

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 love stories. Through timeless songs, unforgettable harmonies, and the spirit of two legendary per...

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 drives her electrifying performances — and why audiences around the world can’t get enough. If you lov...

????️ 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 powerful reminder of how theatre can help us understand one another just a little bit better. ????...

✨ 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, and learn how to own a personal style that actually fits their life. Whether you’re fashion-curious...

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’amore is a sparkling romantic comedy filled with unforgettable melodies, heartfelt emotion, and la...

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 rich vocal blend, genre-hopping sound, and deep musical chemistry—along with what audiences can expect fr...

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 conversation with a truly dynamic artist—so let’s head backstage and get started.

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 and groundbreaking contributions to jazz, pop, swing, vocalese, and harmony music. Together, Siege...

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! ????✨ ???? TorranceArts.org #TOCABackstage #IrishChristmasInAmerica #TorranceArts #HolidayConcert

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 more! Prepare for your national pride to swell, imagination to be inspired and your spirit to soar! A...

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 the music of Anita O’Day, June Christy, Julie London, and Chris Connor. With her velvety tone, r...

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 mandolin. The group’s repertoire includes traditional Chinese and Appalachian music as well as contem...

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 drumming, delivering a performance that captures the spirit of innovation and cultural fusion. UnitOne: Ba...

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 Mia), Katelyn, and Taiko drummer Alex Ito, will perform techno interpretations of traditional tai...

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 Lightfoot, James Taylor, and John Denver to form the Food Policy Center which monitored the Presid...

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 with many album credits, also serves as film editor for long-running animated series, “The Simpsons.”) fora...

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 Ireland, bring you on a fun-filled start to the holiday season of 2022. “Irish Christmas in America ...

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 for South Bay’s Got Talent. A truly giving artist and inspiring conversation. South Bay’s Got Tale...