Beethoven, As I Knew Him

Music to my ears? I think so. Hershey Felder returns to The Laguna Playhouse with the popular and critically acclaimed tour-de-force production of Beethoven, As I Knew Him May 11 - 23, 2010.

You don't have to play an instrument to appreciate Felder's performance of some of the most emotional and deeply moving music in history. Really, you don't even have to know classical music, the songs sing their own praises into the ears of any listener, no matter his background.

Felder's Beethoven, As I Knew Him is a dramatization of a little known true story as told in 1870 by the person who spent a good part of the maestro's last two years by his side.

Tickets to Hershey Felder's Beethoven, As I Knew Him are $40 to $70. For more information, call (949) 497-2787 or visit http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com/.

Performance Dates:

May 11 - 23, 2010

Tuesday - Saturday at 8 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m.

Thursday Matinees at 2 p.m.

The Boxcar Children

THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE YOUTH THEATRE PRESENTS

THE BOXCAR CHILDREN

APRIL 23 - 25 AT THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE

Get ready for fun and adventure as The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre brings the cherished children's book The Boxcar Children to life on stage April 23 - 25.

Originally written in 1924 by Gertrude Chandler Warner and adapted for the stage in 1999 by Barbara Field, The Boxcar Children tells the story of four orphaned children during the Great Depression. After their parents drown in a boating accident, the children - ages 5 to 14 - run away when they overhear talk of putting them in separate foster homes. With the motto, "we stick together like glue," the children find an abandoned railroad boxcar and turn it into their home.

"The play reiterates the feeling of community and family, and that family sometimes takes different shapes and forms than what we think it's supposed to be," explains director Kelly Herman.

The Boxcar Children also explores the themes of personal integrity, maturity, and making do with what you have. In tough economic times, people begin to appreciate the things in life that cannot be bought, like the generosity and kindness of friends, family and strangers.

"With our current economic situation, it's a reminder that we can make good things happen even when we don't have a lot," says Herman.

According to Herman, this production of The Boxcar Children is being staged as it would have been done in the great depression.

"The actors never leave the stage, and all the music and sound effects are done on stage," she says. "Back in the 1930s, people would say ‘let's do a play!' so that is exactly what we're doing."

Of the play, The Seattle Times said, "Though the central story is the same, Field's script amplifies the psychological and social dimensions of the book considerably. With all the added material, The Boxcar Children has grown into an extended, more instructive and informative tale."

Performance Dates
April 23: 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
April 24: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
April 25: 1 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Ticket Prices
Children: $18
Adults: $20

FOR INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
CALL: 949.497.ARTS (2787)
GROUP SALES: 949.497.2787 ext. 229
VISIT: http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com/

Insider's Map to The Second City History

By Ashley Shafer

Celebrating over 50 years of funny, Chicago-based improvisational comedy troupe, The Second City, is well known for stirring up snickers with its satirical sketches. It is compiled of 11 full time touring ensembles, performing short scenes, songs and improvisational sketches at venues across the nation.

The Second City has theatres in Chicago and Toronto, as well as training facilities in those cities and Hollywood. The Second City Training Center is the largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy in the world. The "Harvard of humor," as The New York Times calls it, offers acting classes to comedians of all experience levels.

The Second City gained admirable clout in the 1970's when it contributed well-known comedians and alumni Bill Murray and John Belushi to Saturday Night Live television. Today the legend continues with SNL starlets Tiny Fey and Amy Poehler, also former Second City Citizens. Overall, Second City has contributed over two-dozen actors and writers to SNL.

Last December the comedy troupe kicked off its 50th birthday bash with "The Second City Alumni: One Night Only," which featured panel discussions and a series of classic sketches including a piece by Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell.

The Second City: Can You be More Pacific? has been specially crafted for its debut at the Laguna Playhouse. This show promises to deliver an avalance of laughs that will highligh the most comedic and relevant elements of what it means to be behind the Orange Curtain.

Second City Citizens: Alumni of the Second City include...

• Bill Murray


• John Belushi


• Dan Aykroyd


• Tina Fey


• Stephen Colbert


• Alan Arkin


• Gilda Radner


• Steve Carell


• Chris Farley


• Bonnie Hunt


• Mike Meyers


• Amy Sedaris


• Sean Hayes


• Martin Short


• Joan Rivers


• Rachel Draft

For more information on The Second City and to watch videos of The Second City sketches visit http://www.secondcity.com/

Can You Be More Pacific? at the Laguna Playhouse

SECOND CITY COMES TO ORANGE COUNTY

WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
CAN YOU BE MORE PACIFIC?
THROUGH APRIL 11 AT THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE

LAGUNA BEACH, CA - March 5, 2010 - Get ready for an outrageous evening of laughter when internationally acclaimed sketch-comedy troupe, The Second City, comes to Orange County March 16 - April 11, 2010, with the World Premiere of Can You Be More Pacific?, a custom-crafted production for The Laguna Playhouse that lampoons Laguna Beach and Orange County.

This show promises to deliver an avalanche of laughs that highlight the most comedic and relevant elements of what it means to be behind the Orange Curtain. Whether you're a life-long OC resident or a recent transplant, you'll see yourself, your neighbor or your favorite plastic surgeon lampooned on stage. From real housewives to theme park mania, this California adventure is a wild comedy ride that doesn't require a toll road.

Two Second City writers - Andy Cobb and Marc Warzecha - spent four days in OC soaking up the culture and talking to local celebrities, journalists, newsmakers, and muckrackers about the good, the bad and the ugly in and around OC. They soared over Irvine in the Great Park Balloon, ate tacos from a taco truck in Santa Ana, peered among the pews of the Crystal Cathedral, scoured Surf City, toured Newport Coast and cruised the toll roads.

Now, armed with fresh fodder and a renewed sense of what makes OC such a funny county, Andy and Marc have concocted a crazy sketch comedy show called Can You Be More Pacific? that's guaranteed to keep audiences laughing all night long.

Can You Be More Pacific? is the sixth regional-specific show created by the Second City, and celebrates the comedic troupe's successful 50-year history of zany comedy that has fostered such talented legends as Joh Belushi, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Stephen Colbert, Mike Myers, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey.

Two Minutes of Theatre: The Secret Life of Girls

Our interns, Ashley and Janelle, have been busy creating new episodes of Two Minutes of Theatre with the Laguna Playhouse!

Exclusion, gossip, rumors and cliques are just some of the bullying issues explored in 'The Secret Life of Girls.' Our interns go behind the scenes and interviews the cast about their experiences with teen bullying.

The Boxcar Children Audition Notice

The Boxcar Children
Directed by Kelly Herman
Adapted by Barbara Field from the novels by Gertrude Chandler Warner
(For all ages)

One warm night four children stood in front of a bakery. No one knew them. No one knew where they had come from. Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny are orphaned and in danger of being sent to different foster homes. The four siblings run away and make their home in an abandoned railroad boxcar. Pursued by the authorities and a mysterious stranger, the children discover the rewards and perils of life on the run, as well as the joy of keeping their family together.

Youth & Mid-Teen Roles:
• Henry Alden (male) 14 - 16
• Jessie Alden (female) 14 - 16
• Violet Alden (female) 12 - 14
• Benny Alden (male) 10 - 12
• The Kid (male or female) 10 - 12
• Ensemble Children: homeless from Hooverville

Older Teen & Adult Roles:
• Mr. Alden (grandpa of children)/Officer Banning
• Sarah Calder
• Mrs. Alberts/Mrs. Truman (Sam's Mother)/Baker Woman
• Dr. Sam Truman/ Sheriff
• Cookie (male or female)
• Big Mike (male or female)

Prepare: A memorized 1 - 2 minute monologue & bring current photo, resume & conflicts

Schedule:
Auditions:
Friday March 12, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Saturday March 13, 11:00am - 5:00pm

Callbacks: Sunday March 14 (by invitation)
11:30 - 3:30pm Cold Readings

First Rehearsal:
Monday March 15, 7:00pm (Rehearses Eve & Sat)

Tech:
Tues & Wed, Thurs April 20-22 5:00pm - 11:00pm

Production Dates:
April 23 - 26 Weekend Performances & Matinees (7 Performances)

School Day Matinees:
April 23 - 26 Friday & Monday at 10:00am

ALL Auditions are appointment only!
Please call Wally Ziegler at (949)472-0061

Auditions are held at the Laguna Playhouse Production Center
23402 South Pointe Drive, Laguna Hills

March Madness at the Laguna Playhouse

That's right, you read it correctly- March Madness at the Laguna Playhouse. With 3 performances in the month of March, there's sure to be a little madness around the theater :)

Monsieur Chopin
Feb 25 - March 7
Performances Thurs- Sat 8pm, Sat & Sun 2pm, Sun 7pm
Did you enjoy George Gershwin Alone? Hershey Felder will be performing the 2nd piece in his 'Composer Sonata' at the Laguna Playhouse. Join us as Frederic Chopin teaches piano lessons from his Paris salon in 1848. With the success of George Gershwin Alone, this event is sure to be a hit. Move quickly- Monsieur Chopin is a limited engagement and is selling quickly!
http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com/onstage/special/monsieur-chopin/

The Secret Life of Girls
March 9 - 11
Performances Tuesday - Thursday 7:30pm
Did you know an estimated 160,000 children miss school every day out of fear of attack or intimidation by other students? Parents and teenagers can learn more about the solutions to emotional bullying in schools at a performance of The Secret Life of Girls, part of our Theatre for a New Generation. Aimed for children in middle school and high school, this would be a great opportunity for discussing issues that your young one may face at school.
http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com/education/new-generation/

The Second City: Can You be more Pacific?
March 16 - April 11
Performances Tues - Sat 8pm, Sat & Sun 2pm, Sun 7pm (exclud 4/4), Thur 2pm on 3/18 & 4/1
The internationally acclaimed sketch-comedy company, The Second City, has custom crafted a production for The Laguna Playhouse to lampoon our beloved Laguna Beach and Orange County. This show promises to deliver an avalanche of laughs that will highlight the most comedic and relevant elements of what it means to be behind the Orange Curtain.
If you have lived in Orange County for any length of time, you will see yourself, your neighbor or your favorite plastic surgeon highlighted on stage for a good ribbing. From real housewives to finding sand in all the wrong places, this California adventure is a comedy ride that can’t be missed and won’t require a toll road.
http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com/onstage/2010/tba/

Don't forget to add us on twitter @LagunaPlayhouse for daily updates about all our upcoming shows!

Hershey Felder brings his "Composer Sonata" to Laguna!

Due to the immense popularity of Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone and excitement surrounding Monsieur Chopin at the end of February, the Laguna Playhouse is pleased to announce that we will be adding the third piece of Felder's "Composer Sonata," Beethoven as I Knew Him in May.

Interested in seeing the "Composer Sonata"? We have a special deal for you! Purchase tickets to two or more of these performances, and we'll give you 20% off your tickets! We'll even wave our normal $4 per ticket processing fee for a one time $4 fee covering all the tickets in your order! That's a potential savings of up to $50 per person!

George Gershwin Alone
Jan 12 - Feb 21
Performances Tues - Sat at 8pm
Sat & Sun at 2pm

Monsieur Chopin
Feb 25 - March 7
Performances Thurs - Sat at 8pm
Sat & Sun at 2pm
Sun at 7pm

Beethoven As I Knew Him
May 11 - 23
Performances Tues - Satur at 8pm
Thurs, Sat & Sun at 2pm

Dining Out Tonight?

Make the most of your afternoon or evening with Hershey Felder as GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE by stopping by one of the restaurants in town! From BJs to Tivolli, there's something for everyone!

Two of our staff's favorite restaurants are offering discounts to our audiences as well!

The Lumberyard offers a complimentary dessert when you show them your ticket or ticket stub on the day of your performance! (limit one dessert per party of two) With the Lumberyard only a short walk away, it's a popular place for our audience to grab a bite or get drinks after the show.
http://lblumberyard.com/

Nirvana Grille is now offering 10% off your entire bill when you bring in your theater tickets before or after the show! Located down Broadway, Nirvana Grille is only 1 city block from the theater. Nightly Happy Hours and weekly dinner specials make this restaurant a favorite of locals and visitors!
http://www.nirvanagrille.com/

Spending more time in Laguna? Check out the Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau site for information about local events, hotels, and more!

Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone Press Release

INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED and AWARD WINNING HERSHEY FELDER as GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE

January 12- February 21, 2012

LAGUNA BEACH, CA - December 16, 2009 - The Laguna Playhouse presents the popular and critically acclaimed final movement of Hershey Felder's "Composer Sonata" trilogy, HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE, a musical play directed by Joel Zwick with Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by Hershey Felder. GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE runs January 12 through February 21, 2010. The "Composer Sonata" comprises BEETHOVEN, AS I KNEW HIM; MONSIER CHOPIN; and his final movement, GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE.

In George Gershwin Alone - which won Ovation Awards for Best Actor in a Musical (Hershey Felder) and Best Musical - the internationally acclaimed actor, playwright and Steinway concert artist renders an intimate portrait of the legendary composer 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 first popular composer to use jazz as the foremost musical element in the serious concert hall, George Gershwin absorbed the musical styles, rhythms and sophistication of the American spirit and created a musical language that made its mark on both the classical and popular music throughout the world. Hershey Felder brings to life the essence of the legendary composer and pianist, leading audiences through the fascinating rhythms of Gerswin's legendary songbook, while telling the tale of his tragically short life.

Critics across the country have raved about George Gershwin Alone. The Washington Post calls it "A heartfelt valentine wrapped up in stories and song." The Chicago Sun-Times said that "In an act of uncanny evocation that more often than not appears to verge on full-fledged channeling, the quadruple-threat performer Hershey Felder - an actor, singer, pianist and writer, and all of the first order - has brought the quintessential American composer back to life." USA Today enthused that "Felder effectively conveys the emotional roots and resonance of Gershwin's music. Performing gems such as 'An American in Paris' and 'Bess, You is My Woman Now,' he explains how the journeys taken by characters relevant to those works are reflected in the progression of notes, the chord changes, even the orchestrations." The New York Times stated that "George Gershwin Alone makes a great case for his subject as the American Mozart."

For more information on Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone, please visit the website www.gershwinalone.com

Performance Dates

January 12 - February 21, 2010
Tuesday - Saturday at 8 p.m. / Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m.
Thursday Matinees January 14 & 28 at 2 p.m.
Sunday Evening January 24 at 7 p.m.

Ticket Prices
Preview Performances: $35 to $55
Regular Performances: $40 to $70

(Dates and times subject to change)

FOR INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
CALL: (949)497-ARTS (2787)

GROUP SALES: (949)497-2787 ext 229

VISIT: www.LagunaPlayhouse.com

MOULTON THEATRE: 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California