LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
announces its
2024-2025 SEASON OF SHOWS!
The Legendary Musical – “Lerner & Loewe’s CAMELOT,” (Bonus Option)
A Hilarious Classic Comedy – “DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER,”
An Unforgettable Drama – “A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE,”
An Evening with an Extraordinary First Lady – “ELEANOR,”
A Musical Comedy Whodunit – “THE REMARKABLE MISTER HOMES,”
The Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson’s “FENCES,”
A World Premiere Whodunit Mystery – “PERIL IN THE ALPS,”
& The Country Music Musical “HONKY TONK ANGELS”
March 12, 2024…Laguna Beach, Calif….LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to announce its 2024-2025 season of shows! This sensational season begins with a special bonus production of the legendary musical, Lerner & Loewe’s CAMELOT; followed by an uproarious comedy, DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER; next is one of Arthur Miller’s most powerful plays, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE; then spend some time with one of America’s greatest first ladies in the tour-de-force play, ELEANOR; followed by everyone’s favorite detective in a new musical comedy whodunit, THE REMARKABLE MISTER HOLMES; then the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning masterwork, August Wilson’s FENCES; a world premiere whodunit, PERIL IN THE ALPS, from Steven Dietz, the writer/director of the 2023 smash-hit Murder on the Links,; and the Playhouse will close the season with the heartfelt country music musical, HONKY TONK ANGELS! Other special bonus events this season include the annual holiday Panto with the world premiere of RAPUNZEL’S HOLIDAY WISH: A HAIR-LARIOUS TANGLED TALE; everyone’s favorite “Sister” will be back as we celebrate her Easter & Christmas “Catechisms;” the return of the wildly popular “Comedy Nights at the Playhouse;” two Youth and Education program productions, and so much more! Celebrate an exceptional new season of shows at your Laguna Playhouse. Comments Artistic Director David Ellenstein “This is going to be an unforgettable season of plays and musicals that our subscribers and audiences are not going to want to miss. We are so looking forward to welcoming you to what we truly believe is going to be our best season ever at the Playhouse!”
SPECIAL BONUS PRODUCTION!
Lerner & Loewe’s
CAMELOT
July 24 – August 11, 2024 (Press Opening July 28 at 5:30pm)
Book & Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Frederick Loewe
Original Production Directed and Staged by Moss Hart
Based on The Once and Future King by T.H. White
Book Adapted by David Lee
New Orchestrations by Steve Orich
Directed by Jeffrey B. Moss
Prepare for an evening of enchantment in Lerner & Loewe’s CAMELOT, brilliantly adapted for intimate theatres. This Tony Award-winning fairy-tale musical resounds with such memorable songs as, “I Loved You Once in Silence,” “If Ever I Would Leave You,” and the title song, “Camelot.” Based on the King Arthur legend, it features the iconic characters King Arthur, Guinevere, Sir Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table. This epic story centers on the quest for democracy, justice, and the tragic struggle between passion, aspiration, and kingdoms. Transport yourself to a world of romance, revelry, and magic.
Camelot is not included in 2024-2025 season subscription packages, but can be added by subscribers at a special discounted rate. This production is licensed by Music Theatre International.
THE HILARIOUS COMEDY…
DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER
September 4 – September 22, 2024 (Press Opening September 8 at 5:30pm)
Written by Marc Camoletti
Adapted by Robin Hawdon
Directed by Christopher Williams
This wildly successful comedy was first produced at Laguna Playhouse in 1997 and is back by popular demand! This outrageous farce has all the right ingredients for a delicious and sexy night of laughter. There’s a not-so-happily married couple, a cook mistaken for a mistress, a mistress who can’t cook, and enough mistaken identities and confused alibis to have audiences in stitches.
A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
October 30 – November 17, 2024 (Press Opening November 3 at 5:30pm)
Written by Arthur Miller
Directed by David Ellenstein
This stunning drama from one of America’s greatest playwrights is set in 1950’s Brooklyn where Eddie Carbone wrestles with the complexities of family, assimilation, and the American Dream. Ultimately, desire and jealousy collide in this modern classic, sure to be remembered as a powerful night of theatre.
A REMARKABLE LOOK AT AN EXTRAORDINARY FIRST LADY!
ELEANOR
January 15 – February 2, 2025 (Press Opening January 19 at 5:30pm)
Written by Mark St. Germain
Directed by David Ellenstein
A tour-de-force solo performance by Kandis Chappell brings to life the dynamic and iconic First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. Both strong and vulnerable, both public and private, Eleanor Roosevelt’s fascinating story will sweep you away. Learn more about the passionate and unforgettable woman at the heart of her husband’s presidency whose impact on history cannot be understated.
A MUSICAL COMEDY ABOUT THE WORLD’S GREATEST DETECTIVE!
THE REMARKABLE
MISTER HOLMES
March 5 – March 23, 2025 (Press Opening March 9 at 5:30pm)
Book by Omri Schein & David Ellenstein
Lyrics by Omri Schein
Music by Daniel Lincoln
Directed by David Ellenstein
Sherlock Holmes is back with an all-new madcap mystery to solve…and a new sidekick! In this fast-paced, wildly comedic musical. Holmes must solve a series of baffling crimes without the help of his trusted partner. Packed with wild wordplay, red herrings, and zany surprises, this over-the-top rollercoaster of musical mayhem is perfect for fans of Arthur Conan Doyle, Mel Brooks, musical theater, or anyone who loves a fun night out.
THE PULITZER PRIZE & TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAY!
August Wilson’s FENCES
April 30– May 18, 2025 (Press Opening May 4 at 5:30pm)
Troy Maxson was a star of the Negro baseball leagues, but now it’s 1957 and he’s a garbage man in Pittsburgh. In one of August Wilson’s best and most well-known plays, we see one man struggle with disappointment and the effect it has on his marriage and relationship with his sons. This powerful Pulitzer Prize-winning play is both epic and intimate and a must-see theatrical event.
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.
From the Writer/Director of the Smash-Hit Murder on the Links!
PERIL IN THE ALPS
A New Hercule Poirot Comic Mystery!
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June 11 – June 29, 2025 (Press Opening June 15 at 5:30pm)
Written and Directed by Steven Dietz
Based in part on “Poirot Investigates” by Agatha Christie
The thrilling follow-up to Murder on the Links makes its anticipated debut! This new Hercule Poirot story leads the famed Belgian detective on a thrilling journey into the treacherous snow-capped Alps to solve a kidnapping before it becomes a murder. Will he finally meet his match in the mountains? Fortunately for the audience, the journey to the satisfying conclusion is filled with clever twists and turns and plenty of laughter as Poirot encounters dozens of eccentric characters and clever suspects – all played by six actors!
A COUNTRY MUSIC MUSICAL!
HONKY TONK ANGELS
July 30– August 17, 2025 (Press Opening August 3 at 5:30pm)
Written by Ted Swindley
This feel-good, boot stompin’ musical celebrates the enduring power of music and friendship. Armed with only their dreams and a bus ticket, three sassy gals leave their thankless lives behind and head to Nashville to become country music singers. Revisit dozens of pop-country favorites like “Stand By Your Man,” “Ode To Billy Joe”, “Delta Dawn,” and many more.
Season subscriptions are now on sale. Seven-play season packages (with Lerner & Loewe’s CAMELOT as an add-on bonus option) start at $233 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Single tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Subscribers can save up to 30% and receive first access to seats and other exclusive benefits.
The box office is open Tuesdays – Sundays: 12pm to 4pm; Mondays open 2 hours prior to show time and until 15 minutes after curtain. Open until showtime on all 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.
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Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse (David Ellenstein, Artistic Director/Bill Kerlin, Managing Director) is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is proud to be an active participant in the celebrated Laguna Beach arts community. From classic plays and musical comedies to the current off-Broadway smash, cutting edge and traditional music exhibitions, dance festivals and stand-up comedy performances, Laguna Playhouse brings the magical experience of the performing arts direct to over 80,000 patrons each season.
Laguna Playhouse educational programming includes year-round classes, productions by and for children and teens (Youth Theatre) and is one of the few companies in the region that offer a curriculum-based professional theatre-touring program, TheatreReach, which aligns with the California State Standards for literature, history and performing arts curriculum.
Laguna Playhouse has been recognized in for the past five years as one of Orange County Register’s “Best of OC” in the category of Live Theatre. The Laguna Playhouse has featured many talented performers on stage, including Ed Asner, Leslie Caron, Hershey Felder, Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, Val Kilmer, Gregory Harrison, Dan Lauria, Hal Linden, Wendie Malick, Rita Rudner, Peter Strauss, Jobeth Williams, Joely Fisher, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart, Loretta Swit, and Bette Davis.
Learn What’s Going On at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
