Laguna Playhouse Presents PLAID TIDINGS, Now thru 12/30

Laguna Playhouse presents the third show of their 2012-2013 season, PLAID TIDINGS, written and directed by Stuart Ross. The cast of PLAID TIDINGS will feature William Martinez as Frankie, Scott Dreier as Smudge, David Brannen as Sparky and Ciaran McCarthy as Jinx. PLAID TIDINGS will preview tonight, November 27; Wednesday, November 28; Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30 at 8:00pm and will open on Saturday, December 1 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, December 30, 2012 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

On February 9, 1964, the semi-professional harmony group ‘Forever Plaid’ was tragically killed en route to their first big gig, but Frankie, Sparky, Smudge and Jinx are back on The Laguna Playhouse stage this December in the heart-warming holiday musical, Plaid Tidings. The only problem for this quartet of confused doo-wop wanna-be’s is that they have no idea why they’ve been sent to Laguna Beach or why they all have the overwhelming urge to sing Christmas classics such as “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “ Let It Snow,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Audiences are encouraged to help the Plaids find their way once again to the spirit of joy and community that sustains them and all of us during the holiday season.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST

Stuart Ross (Writer/Director) Author/Director) In addition to directing the original New York production, Ross has directed PLAID TIDINGS and FOREVER PLAID in major cities in the US (including Los Angeles and San Diego) and around the world. In addition to PLAID TIDINGS, Ross created the ‘GLEE CLUB’ Version - THE SOUND OF PLAID (a 24-cast co-ed edition). Ross also wrote and directed FOREVER PLAID: THE MOVIE.

In New York last season, Ross directed the highly acclaimed STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS. He co-produced the show in Los Angeles with the late Joan Stein, for which they received the LOS ANGELES DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD.

Other New York credits: Director, ENTER LAUGHING: THE MUSICAL at the YORK and Bay Street Theatre (Drama Desk, Lortel, Outer Critics Circle nominations), which is currently in pre-production for Broadway. Also for the YORK THEATRE, he directed IT’S A BIRD IT’S A PLANE IT’S SUPERMAN, BAJOUR, MINNIE’S BOYS, and COMPOSE YOURSELF. Ross wrote the script and co-wrote the lyrics for The Public Theatre's production of RADIANT BABY (directed by George C. Wolfe). This musical, based on the life of artist KEITH HARING, received Drama Desk Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel award nominations for Best Musical. Ross adapTed Gilbert and Sullivan's THE GONDOLIERS, which was presented in workshop for THE ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY in New York. On Broadway, Ross co-wrote the book (with Barry Keating) to the Tony-nominated musical STARMITES, as well as THE RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL EASTER SHOW. Off-Broadway, he wrote A LEAP OF FAITH (a one-woman show for Faith Prince), THE HEEBIE JEEBIES, NOT-SO-NEW FACES, TEA WITH BEA and FUN WITH DICK AND JANE: THE MUSICAL.

In California, Ross directed reprise productions of PROMISES PROMISES (starring Jason Alexander, Jean Smart, Fred Willard and Allan Thicke) and BRIGADOON (starring Marin Mazzie, Jason Daniely, DEB GIBSON and Orson Bean), IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (starring Alfred Molina, Michael Richards, Tony Shaloub, Sharon Lawrence, and Orson Bean), SILK STOCKINGS(also adaptation), THE BOSWELL SISTERS and BREAKING UP.

Ross has written countless sketches for stage and has created many industrial shows and nightclub performances both as writer and director. In this field, he has worked with such great performers as Mary Martin, Diahann Carroll, Joan Rivers, Faith Prince, Jason Alexander, and Jaye P. Morgan. Ross created the one-person show Diahann Carroll: LIFE AND TIME, which played to sell-out crowds in NYC and on tour. For television, he directed episodes of FRASIER and VERONICA'S CLOSET. He also staged and created special material for the PBS GREAT PERFORMANCES, 'AN EVENING AT THE POPS' starring Jason Alexander.

For nine seasons, Ross worked as a Director/Dramaturg and/or writer at the NATIONAL MUSIC THEATRE CONFERENCE, Eugene O'Neill THEATRE CENTER. For the past nine years, he has been a panelist for the ASCAP/DISNEY musical workshop.

Ross is Artistic Director for THE GARAGE (for Music Theatre Development program, a company for the nurturing and guidance of creators of Musical Theatre). He is the recipient of the JOSEPHE JEFFERSON AWARD, the NBC NEW PLAYWRIGHTS GRANT, and THE STATE DEPARTMENT GRANT FOR CULTURAL EXCHANGE.

The cast of PLAID TIDINGS will feature: will feature William Martinez as Frankie, Scott Dreier as Smudge, David Brannen as Sparky and Ciaran McCarthy as Jinx.

The design team for PLAID TIDINGS will feature: Scenic and Lighting design by D. Martyn Bookwalter. The Sound Design is by Corinne Carrillo. The Costume Design is by Deb Stein.

PLAID TIDINGS will preview tonight, November 27; Wednesday, November 28; Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30 at 8:00pm and will open on Saturday, December 1 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, December 30, 2012 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Performances will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays; Fridays at 8pm Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm; Sundays at 2pm. There will be additional performances on Sunday, December 9 at 7pm and Thursday, December 13 at 2pm.

Tickets range from $40 - $70 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Student discounts are available at the Box Office. Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229. The box office is open Tuesdays – Sundays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open until 8 pm on performance days).

For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com. Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Founded in 1920, The Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating theatres on the West Coast. In 2011, The Laguna Playhouse was honored at the Laguna Spirit Awards and received The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Premiere Business of the Year award. More than 100,000 theatergoers annually attend performances at the Laguna Playhouse. Its continued artistic excellence, audience popularity and critical acclaim have helped make The Playhouse one of Southern California's most important nonprofit theatre companies. The Playhouse has produced national tours of The Belle of Amherst (with Julie Harris) and Copenhagen, and has presented many world, national and regional premieres.

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