Laguna Playhouse & Lythgoe Family Productions to Present A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham and Lythgoe Family Productions are thrilled to announce a very special Holiday event, A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS, featuring Lindsay Pearce ("Glee") as Snow White, Marina Sirtis ("Star Trek: The Next Generation") as the Wicked Queen and an on-screen appearance by Tony award-winner Neil Patrick Harris as the Magic Mirror ("Best Thing Ever with Neil Patrick Harris). This "Panto at The Playhouse" production of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will be directed by Chris Baldock with choreography by Spencer Liff (Emmy nominee "So You Think You Can Dance") and musical supervision by Michael Orland ("American Idol"). "What a Holiday treat to welcome the highly-acclaimed and creative Lythgoe Family Panto Productions to our stage in a relationship we hope to continue for many years," comments Karen Wood & Ann E. Wareham. Remarks Becky Lythgoe, "We are so excited to be bringing Panto to the families of Orange County. The Laguna Playhouse is a very special theatre surrounded by a community that champions the arts. It is a Privilege to be working alongside Karen, Ann and their team."

A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will begin performances on Wednesday, December 2; will open on Friday, December 4 and will run through Sunday, December 27, 2015 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

An updated version of the classic tale, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMASfeatures family-friendly magic, with a comedic twist, dancing (with "So You Think You Can Dance" alumni), a live miniature pony and contemporary music from Katy Perry's "Firework" to Huey Lewis and the News' "Power of Love" to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and more. A Panto is known for its interactive style and humor that appeals to everyone from ages 2 - 102!

Lythgoe Family Productions produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance," the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together. Past Panto at The Playhouse productions include:Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight starring Olivia Holt and Lucy Lawless, A Snow White Christmas starring Ariana Grande and Neil Patrick Harris and Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Ben Vereen, Bruce Vilanch, and Ashley Argota.

Golden State Foods Foundation is sponsoring a student matinee that will allow under-served youth, including students from various Santa Ana elementary schools with at-risk children, to see the production for free. Buses provided by Ovation TV Network. Arts Education as part of a student's curriculum is proven to promote self-directed learning, increase overall academic success, and is essential to increased social and emotional development.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST:

The full cast for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS features:

Neil Patrick Harris - onscreen "Magic Mirror", ("Best Thing Ever with Neil Patrick Harris," "How I Met Your Mother," Broadway: Hedwig and the Angry Inch)

Marina Sirtis - "Wicked Queen", (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Lindsay Pearce - "Snow White", (Glee, ABC Family's "Recovery Road")

Jonathan Meza - "Muddles", ("The Jumpitz" on Nickelodeon, A Snow White Christmas at The Pasadena Playhouse)

Neil Dale - "Herman the Huntsman", (West End Les Miserables and UK Tour of Miss Saigon)

James Royce Edwards - "Prince Harry", (Broadway and National Tours of Hairspray).

Additionally, the "Seven Dwarfs" have been cast from local children.

The creative team for A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS includes scenic and costume design by Lythgoe Family Productions creative department with additional costume design by designer Julia Clancy, Donna Maas and Kleev Guessford, additional scenic design by J.J. Wickham (LFP producers include Kris Lythgoe, Bonnie Lythgoe, Becky Baeling and Jason Haigh-Ellery).

A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS will begin previews on Wednesday, December 2; will open on Friday, December 4 at 7:30pm and runs through Sunday, December 27, 2015 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Performances will be Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 12pm; 4pm & 7:30pm; Sundays at 12pm & 4:00pm. There will be additional performances on Tuesday, December 15 at 7:30; Thursday, December 17 at 2:00pm & Thursday, December 24 at 12:00pm & 4:00pm. There will be no performance on Wednesday, December 16.

Tickets range from $41 - $66 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229.

Pictured: Ariana Grande, Neil Patrick Harris and Charlene Tilton star in the 2012 production of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS. Photo by F. Scott Schafer.

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