Suzanne Mellor News

In an effort to inspire more youth to attend the theatre, longtime supporters of Laguna Playhouse and the arts, Suzanne and James Mellor have created The Suzanne and James Mellor Laguna Playhouse Tribute Fund, which will provide free tickets to young audiences 21 and under for select shows during the subscription season.

381 guests filled the Island Hotel in Newport Beach for Laguna Playhouse's annual fundraising gala. This year's event, themed Theatre Changes Lives, raised a record $600,000 in support of the Playhouse's mission to enrich lives through the magic of live theatre, to provide educational opportunities for children and adults, and to create experiences that stimulate cultural and social interaction and inspire our community. Proceeds from the event help cover the operating costs of the 96-year old icon, one of the oldest continuing operating theaters west of the Mississippi.  Within the funds raised that evening, $90,000 was raised for the Suzanne and James Mellor Laguna Playhouse Tribute Fund, which will provide theatre experiences for youth by providing tickets to performances and to cover the cost of transporting youth groups to the theatre.

On Saturday, April 29, 2017 Laguna Playhouse will host its annual Gala at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach honoring longtime supporters of Laguna Playhouse and the arts, Suzanne and James Mellor.

Subscribers, donors and supporters were completely engrossed and enraptured by the star turn performance Linda Purl delivered at the Opening Night Gala of the Laguna Playhouse's latest presentation, the second show of its 2014-2015 Season, THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING, directed by Jenny Sullivan based on the masterful book by Joan Didion. Scroll down for photos from the opening festivities!