MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, STUART LITTLE: A MUSICAL FANTASY, And WINTER WONDERETTES Among Laguna Playhouse's Upcoming Events

The following are Laguna Playhouse's upcoming events through February 2010.

Orange County premiere of Moonlight and Magnolias

October 6 - November 1 (Previews October 6 - 9)
Written by Ron Hutchinson and directed by Andrew Barnicle

Performances:
Tuesday – Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday matinees October 8 & 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday evening October 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets:
Preview performances: $30 to $50
Gala Opening Night performance: $115
Regular performances: $35 to $65
Student Tickets (except Fri and Sat eves): $10 to $15

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. The Dallas Morning News calls the play “movie magic on stage,” while Nashville City News says “whether you’re a fan of GWTW or simply enjoy good farce, you’ll want to check out Moonlight and Magnolias. Frankly my dear…it’s pretty damn funny.” Co-production with McCoy Rigby Entertainment & La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre presents Stuart Little: A Musical Fantasy

November 6 - 15
Based on the book by E.B. White; Adapted by Joseph Robinette; Music by Ronna Frank; Lyrics by Joseph Robinette and Ronna Frank; Directed by Donna Inglima

Performances:
Fridays: 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sundays: 1:00 p.m. & 5:00p.m.
Student Matinees: November 12 & 13 at 10 a.m.

Tickets:
Single tickets for all performances: $18 to $20

This musical version of E.B. White's classic tells the tale about a little mouse, Stuart, born into the Fredrick C Little family living in New York. He is just 2" tall but has the stature of a giant and accordingly goes on some big adventures! The charming story is of a determined underdog trying to survive in a real people's world. From melodic ballads to exciting chorus numbers, it features such delightful songs as "Paddle Your Own Canoe," "Feed Him Up," "Size," "Stuart Little," "I'm Headed in the Right Direction" and "Nighttime in New York" (sung by a quartet of cats!).
 
Orange County premiere of Winter Wonderettes

November 24 – December 30
Created and Directed by Roger Bean
Previews: November 24 – 27   
Regular Run: November 29 – December 30

Performances:
Tuesday – Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday Matinee November 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday matinees December 10 and 24 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday evenings November 29, December 6 & 27 at 7:00 p.m.
(Note: No performances on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, or Christmas Day, December 25)

Tickets:
Preview performances: $35 to $55
Gala Opening Night performance: $120
Regular performances: $40 to $70
Student Tickets (except Fri and Sat eves): $15 to $20

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. The LA Weekly calls The Winter Wonderettes “the perfect Christmas revue…the musical numbers crackle with energy and joy,” while the LA Times raves “everything about this production is first-rate...if you’re looking for festive entertainment this holiday season, turn yourself over to the wonderful Wonderettes.” 

Orange County premiere of Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone

January 12 – February 21
Music and Lyrics By George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin
Book by Hershey Felder; directed by Joel Zwick

Previews: January 12 – 15    
Regular Run: January 17 – February 21

Performances:

Tuesday – Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday matinees January 14 & 28 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday evening January 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets:
Preview performances: $35 to $55
Gala Opening Night performance: $120
Regular performances: $40 to $70
Student Tickets (except Fri and Sat eves): $15 to $20

Internationally acclaimed actor and musician Hershey Felder renders an intimate portrait of legendary composer George Gershwin in this award-winning production that provides a personal glimpse into Gershwin’s early years, his personal life and his artistic genius. The evening is packed with many of Gershwin’s most famous pieces, including “I Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and of course, “Rhapsody in Blue.” The Los Angeles Tribune says that “Felder's pianistic pyrotechnics and his singing voice are powerful tools…for lovers of George Gershwin’s music, it doesn’t get much better than this.” With sold out runs throughout the world, George Gershwin Alone is a musical sensation not to be missed!

Special non-subscription engagement:
Hershey Felder as Monsieur Chopin

February 25 – March 7
Music by Frédéric Chopin; book by Hershey Felder; directed by Joel Zwick

Regular Run:
February 25 – March 7

Performances:
Thursday – Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets:
Regular performances: $40 to $70
Student Tickets (except Fri and Sat eves): $15 to $20

Created by the same team that brought George Gershwin Alone to life, Monsieur Chopin begins at Frédéric Chopin’s salon at 9 Square d’Orléans in Paris. Monsieur Chopin will teach a piano lesson that actually took place just days after the February 1848 French revolution. As the piano lesson unfolds, Chopin reveals secrets about the art of the piano and composition, as well as secrets about himself.  Considered by his contemporaries, and now by history, as the true “Poet of the Piano,” Monsieur Chopin features some of the pianist-composer’s most beautiful and enduring music.
 
For ticket information, phone 949-497-2787 ext. 1 (group tickets ext. 229).

In Person: Tuesday – Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open until 8 pm on performance days).

Visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com for more information.
 
Laguna Beach is a popular destination year round. On weekends and holidays we encourage theatre patrons to allow plenty of time for parking. Limited parking is available behind The Laguna Playhouse (not available during July and August). A modest fee applies. Additional parking is available across the street in a municipal parking lot.

Full time students may purchase tickets at a reduced rate: $15 to $20 for musicals and world premieres, and $10 to $15 for non-musicals. These prices are available for all performances except Friday and Saturday evenings. Student ID must be presented at the box offIce To receive this discount.

Photo taken from http://www.lilesnet.com/onthego/sawdust2008/sawdust_festival_2008_034.jpg.

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