Laguna Playhouse Shines The Spotlight On The Moulton Theatre's Big 50th At Gala

The spotlight will shine bright at the Laguna Playhouse' annual gala, May 12, with special performances by "Phantom of the Opera Star" Davis Gaines, a tribute to the Moulton Theatre's 50th anniversary, and a host of highlights celebrated throughout the much-anticipated, elegant affair.

The nearly sold out 2018 Laguna Playhouse Gala will once again be held at Fashion Island Hotel, Newport Beach, featuring an elegant cocktail reception, fine dining, and live and silent auctions with exotic trips and Lugano Diamonds jewelry.

An intimate VIP experience with Davis Gaines, Los Angeles longest running Phantom, special performances by the talented Playhouse Youth Theatre Conservatory kids and Davis are some of the evening's highlights, followed by dancing to the sounds of a nine-piece band.

"Honoring the Moulton family on the 50th Anniversary of the Moulton Theatre is such a wonderful time to share the story of Lewis and Nellie Gail Moulton. Nellie Gail Moulton generously contributed to building the Laguna Moulton Playhouse in 1967," said Event Co-chair and Season Producer Lisa Hale. "The Playhouse opened with its first performances in 1968 and the same structure continues today as The Laguna Playhouse and Moulton Theatre."

"Nellie Gail loved Laguna and she loved The Playhouse. Our family helping to protect its history and secure its future is the right thing to do," said great grandson and Playhouse Board Member, Jared Mathis.

"This wonderful season at the Playhouse is the result off a huge increase in underwriting. Executive Director Ellen Richard and Artistic Director Anne Wareham said if we can get $250,000 in underwriting we can produce this season," explained Hale. "I believed in them and the season, so I wrote the check."

Popular actor Richard Burgi lauds the Moulton family and the Playhouse. He recently performed in back-to-back Laguna Playhouse' hits, "The Graduate," with Golden Globe winner Melanie Griffith, and "12 Angry Men."

"Any family that puts their heart and resources into the arts I have a lot of admiration and gratitude for," Burgi said. "I think there's not enough of that in the world."

Burgi added, "The resources at the theater; it's just incredible. They put on incredible shows. I just encourage people to go out and support their local arts."

The Gala is the Laguna Playhouse's biggest fundraising event of the year.

"Last year's Gala, under co-chairs Glenn Gray and Kathryn Burton Gray, grossed more than $600,000. It is a very large part of our annual fundraising number," said Hale.

For more information or to attend the 2018 Laguna Playhouse Gala, please call 949-715-3257 or visit https://www.lagunaplayhousegala.com/. The black-tie affair is Saturday, May 12, 6 p.m., at Fashion Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach , CA. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is proud to be an active participant in the celebrated Laguna Beach arts community. From classic plays and musical comedies to the current off-Broadway smash, cutting edge and traditional music exhibitions, dance festivals and stand-up comedy performances, Laguna Playhouse brings the magical experience of the performing arts direct to over 80,000 patrons each season. A member of the League of Resident Theatres, Laguna Playhouse is also home to the annual Laguna Dance Festival, Laguna Beach Music Festival and Laguna Beach Concert Band.

Laguna Playhouse educational programming, includes year-round classes, productions by and for children and teens (Youth Theatre) and is one of the few companies in the region that offer a curriculum-based professional theatre-touring program, TheatreReach, which aligns with the California State Standards for literature, history and performing arts curriculum.

Serving more than 80,000 patrons each season, Laguna Playhouse has been recognized in 2016 and 2015 as one of Orange County Register's "Best of OC" in the category of Live Theatre. The Playhouse has featured many talented performers on stage, including Melanie Griffith, Leslie Caron, Val Kilmer, Ed Asner, Hershey Felder, Donna McKechnie, Rita Rudner, violinist Joshua Bell, Lee Rocker, ballerina Misty Copeland, Harrison Ford, and Bette Davis. Learn What's Going On at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

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