On-Stage in the OC: Kathy Griffin, Rita Rudner, and more!

Here's a sampling of what's On-Stage this weekend in the O.C.

Rita Rudner RETURNS
August 26-29
Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach

Award-winning comedian and Las Vegas headliner Rita Rudner brings her sophisticated wit and clever one-liners back to The Laguna Playhouse for an exclusive engagement.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 949.497.2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com

Kathy Griffin
August 27
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa

Two-time Emmy® winner, New York Times bestselling author, Grammy® nominee and (yes!) Broadway darling Kathy Griffin returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts for two super-charged, not-to-be-missed performances on Saturday, August 27 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Griffin's rapid-fire wit targeted at Hollywood gossip and celebrity blunders has been making audiences laugh for years. For this very special engagement, Griffin will be in her true element—live—with more stories, more dish, more of what she shouldn't say but you know she will. Plus, the performances will be taped to air as her next special on Bravo! 

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 714.556.2787 or visit www.SCFTA.org

Duke Ellington ORCHESTRA
August 27
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Irvine

The legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra joins Pacific Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, for an evening of quintessential American music! Composer and bandleader Duke Ellington led one of the most iconic and self-defined orchestras in jazz for 50 years—and the orchestra continues to perform his music all over the world. "It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing," "Sophisticated Lady," "Mood Indigo," "Take the 'A' Train"—the songs are countless and memorable. The concert also includes music by two other major American composers: Leonard Bernstein ("Slava!" "Three Dance Episodes" from "On the Town") and George Gershwin ("An American in Paris").

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 714.755.5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

Continuing:

OC-CENTRIC: ORANGE COUNTY'S NEW PLAY FESTIVAL
Continues thru August 28
Chapman University, Orange  

Orange County's latest theatre festival with the eccentric name opens this Friday, August 19 at 8:00 pm at the Moulton Center Studio Theatre on the campus of Chapman University. Actors, playwrights and directors unite for a two-week celebration of OC playwriting - the start of an annual tradition that features new works by up-and-coming local talents.

For more information and a play schedule, call 714.902.5716 or visit occentric.weebly.com

BRIEFS
Continues thru August 28
Theatre Out, Santa Ana

They're short. They're sweet. They're hot. They're Briefs! Theatre Out's 2nd Annual Festival of Short Plays celebrates the LGBT community with the world premiere of six great works in one night. This year's plays include I Love Lezzie by Allison Fradkin, Write This Way by Donna Hoke, Officer Darling by HAl Corley, NIce To Meet You by Sean Peter Drohan, The Mission by Joe Godfrey, and Dyke Tracy, Detective by Dian MJ Perrin. Warning: Some plays may contain adult language and themes.

For more tickets/information, call 714.220.7069 or visit www.TheatreOut.com

CLAPTRAPP or, THE SOUND OF MUSICALS
Continues thru August 27
Theatre Out, Santa Ana
 
An audience favorite returns to Theatre Out! In this hilarious send-up of everyone's favorite movie musical, Maria's hiding more than just her love for a certain Captain in this gay romp through the Alps! The hour-long comedy plays latenight Friday and Saturday evenings right after performances of BRIEFS.

For more tickets/information, call 714.220.7069 or visit www.TheatreOut.com

HIGH FIDELITY
Continues thru August 28
Hunger Artists Theater, Fullerton

Based on the Nick Hornby novel and its film adaptation, High Fidelity tells the story of music snob and compulsive list-maker Rob, who struggles to manage both his love life and his failing record store.

For more information, call 714.680.6803 or visit www.hungerartists.com

DEATH OF A SALESMAN
Continues thru September 11th
Stages Theatre, Fullerton

Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece Death of a Salesman comes to STAGEStheatre. While chasing his elusive American Dream, Willy Loman has put unrelenting pressure on his sons to achieve at all costs. Faced with the end of his career, he's haunted by missed opportunities and a troubled past.

For more information, call 714.525.4484 or visit www.StagesOC.org

GET SMART!
Continues thru September 17
Maverick Theater, Fullerton

The folks at this black box theater company have reinvented the classic TV show "Get Smart!" for the stage under the direction of Brian Newell. Starring Shaun Mcnamara (Leo Bloom from the Maverick's production of The Producers) as Maxwell Smart.

For more information, call 714.526.7070 or visit www.mavericktheater.com

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Photo of Kathy Griffin courtesy of Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Follow me on Twitter: @cre8ivemlq

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