THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE: Sinatra, Moonlight, Magnolias, Menopause, and Wonderettes highlight remainder of 2009.

LAGUNA BEACH, CA -- Even from its very humble beginnings almost 90 years ago, The Laguna Playhouse remains a stellar showcase of exciting plays and musicals year after year in the heart of beautiful downtown Laguna Beach. The remainder of 2009 is no exception, with four distinct productions that offer icons of music, sisterhood, film, and the holiday season.

MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO Frank Sinatra
Continuing through August 23, 2009

Orange County Premiere: From classic elegance to contemporary “fedora” casual, Frank Sinatra is the ultimate icon of cool. MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO Frank Sinatra celebrates the pivotal moments of Sinatra’s life which solidified his legendary status. This musical revue recalls the essence of the man through the glorious music he sang, beginning in the 1940s as a big band crooner, continuing on to the bright lights of Las Vegas with the Rat Pack in the 1960s, and to his final performances in the 1990s as “The Chairman of the Board.” Come hear the swingin’ songs that made Sinatra the cool prince of popular music.

MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO Frank Sinatra was conceived by David Grapes and Todd Olson. The book is by Todd Olson. The original production, as well as this production at the Laguna Playhouse, is directed by David Grapes.

MENOPAUSE: THE MUSICAL®
Special Engagement: September 1 – 27, 2009

Menopause: The Musical® is set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet by chance at a lingerie sale. The all-female cast makes fun of their woeful hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges. A sisterhood is created between these diverse women as they realize that menopause is no longer The Silent Passage! It is a stage in every woman’s life that is perfectly normal!

Since March 2001, the hilarious show has entertained and inspired women from coast-to-coast and internationally. This laughter-filled 90-minute production includes parodies from the classics of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.  Menopause The Musical® has launched a women’s movement that has superseded entertainment and has become a must-see event!

MENOPAUSE: THE MUSICAL® is written and produced by Jeanie Linders. The production is directed by Kathryn Conte. Choreography is by Patty Bender.

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS
October 6 – November 1, 2009

Orange County Premiere: Making movie history is not easy! Just ask film producer David O. Selznick, who stops the filming of Gone with the Wind three weeks into production because he wants a rewrite of the unwieldy script. He hires playwright Ben Hecht to do the job—in only five days! Only one problem: Hecht has never even read the novel. So, Selznick summons Hecht and Gone With the Wind director Victor Fleming to his office, locks the doors and closes the shades. Subsisting on a diet of bananas and peanuts, the three men spend five days crafting a screenplay that will become the blueprint for one of the most successful films of all time. This wildly funny and engaging tale illuminates the behind-the-scenes business of movie-making during the golden age of Hollywood.

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS is a co-production with McCoy Rigby Entertainment & La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. The play is written by Ron Hutchison and is directed by Andrew Barnicle.

WINTER WONDERETTES
November 24 – December 20, 2009

Orange County Premiere: The Wonderettes are back! Set six months after the end of The Marvelous Wonderettes, this seasonal sequel finds the girls returning to their hometown for a Holiday celebration with their family and friends, complete with great Wonderette renditions of ‘60s holiday tunes. Wonderette member Betty Jean is in charge of her  company’s Christmas party, so naturally the Wonderettes are the logical choice for the entertainment. But when Santa turns up missing, the girls must use their talent and creative ingenuity, plus some great holiday tunes such as “Santa Baby,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “It’s a Marshmallow World” to rectify their holiday party without the jolly big guy in red. The result is, of course, marvelous! This energetic and entertaining show is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.

WINTER WONDERETTES is created and directed by Roger Bean.

Tickets to any performance are available by purchasing tickets in person or by calling the box office at (949) 497-2787 ext. 1 (group tickets, dial ext. 229) or by visiting their web site at www.lagunaplayhouse.com. The Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach, CA.

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