LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF.: The Laguna Playhouse has announced its 95th season with six productions and three additional shows for subscribers, including a new play, classic musicals and a live concert.
The stage adaptation of Footloose (July 8–Aug. 9) will kick off the season. The musical about a big-city boy who brings the love of dancing to a small town is written by Dean Pitchford (author of the original screenplay) and Walter Bobbie, with music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Pitchford.
Following will be an “artistic director’s choice production,” yet to be announced (Oct. 7–Nov. 11).
Next is the world premiere of Act 3 (Jan. 6–31, 2016) written by David Ambrose and Claudia Nellens. Rita Rudner will star in this play, about a long marriage that quickly unravels after hidden secrets are revealed. Martin Bergmann will direct.
Following will be Louis & Keely Live at the Sahara (Feb. 24–March 27, 2016). The music-driven play is about the Rat Pack-era singing duo Louis Prima and Keely Smith, and stars Anthony Crivello and Vanessa Stewart. Stewart is the show’s author along with Taylor Hackford and Jake Broder. Hackford will also direct.
The Orange County premiere of Lissa Levin’s Sex and Education (April 27–May 22, 2016) will follow. Andrew Barnicle will direct this play, about a basketball star whose college scholarship is in jeopardy after his teacher intercepts a sexually charged note to his girlfriend.
Emerson Collins will star in Buyer & Cellar (June 1–26, 2016) by Jonathan Tolins, about an unemployed actor who takes the odd job of managing Barbra Streisand’s basement shopping mall. Larry Raben will direct.
Three additional bonus shows will be available to subscribers: The live concert show Blues Brothers Revue (Aug. 12–30), featuring hits from the original movie; the panto of A Snow White Christmas (Dec. 2–27); and Maripat Donovan’s interactive series A Nun for All Seasons, which includes Sister’s Summer School Catechism: God Never Takes Vacation (Aug. 17 & 24), Sister’s Back to School Catechism: The Holy Ghost and Other Terrifying Tales (Oct. 19 & 26), Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold (Dec. 14 & 21), Late Nite Catechism in Vegas: Sister Rolls the Dice (April 11 & 18, 2016) and ‘Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3 (June 13 & 20, 2016).
