Ellen Richard News

The Donmar Warehouse is hard at work in rehearsal on Artistic Director Josie Rourke's farewell production, Sweet Charity.

From past to present, Laguna Playhouse marches towards its Centennial honoring Hershey Felder at this year's gala on May 18, 2019 at the Fashion Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents a co-production with the Rubicon Theatre Company, HEISENBERG, written by Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) directed by Katherine Farmer (South Pacific, Gulf View Drive) and starring Faline England (Valentine's Day) & Joe Spano (Hill Street Blues and NCIS).

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is excited to present the smash-hit, Wallis Annenberg Theatre production of BLUES IN THE NIGHT, with musical direction by Abdul Hamid Royal and conceived & directed by Sheldon Epps. Comments Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Executive Director Ellen Richard, 'We are delighted to have the opportunity to move the critically acclaimed Wallis Theatre production to the Laguna Playhouse. With Sheldon and Abdul leading our extraordinary cast and creative team, our subscribers and audiences should get ready to be knocked out by this roof-raising exciting new production!'

-LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is excited to present the smash-hit, Wallis Annenberg Theatre production of BLUES IN THE NIGHT, with musical direction by Abdul Hamid Royal and conceived & directed by Sheldon Epps. 

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the fourth show in its 98th season, four-time Emmy winner Michael Learned ("The Waltons") and Lance E. Nichols (HBO's "Treme") staring in the Pulitzer Prize award-winning play, DRIVING MISS DAISY, written by Alfred Uhry and directed by Michael Bloom.  

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the fourth show in its 98th season, four-time Emmy winner Michael Learned ('The Waltons') and Lance E. Nichols (HBO's 'Treme') staring in the Pulitzer Prize award-winning play, DRIVING MISS DAISY, written by Alfred Uhry and directed by Michael Bloom.  Executive Director Ellen Richard comments, 'We are thrilled to bring in 2019 with this powerful and still vitally important play.' Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, 'Michael Learned and Lance E. Nichols will ignite the stage with their critically acclaimed powerful portrayals of these iconic characters. Led by our brilliant director Michael Bloom, this is a not-to-be-missed production to start the new year.'  DRIVING MISS DAISY will begin previews on Wednesday, January 9; will open on Sunday, January 13 at 5:30pm and perform through Sunday, January 27, 2019 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to present Ashley Argota ('True Jackson VP,' 'Lab Rats'), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ('Hairspray Live,' Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas), Andrews Barnicle (Twelve Angry Men,  Fallen Angels), Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE.  

Sheffield Theatres presents Paul Foster's major revival of Kiss Me, Kate.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that Laguna Playhouse favorite Andrew Barnicle (Twelve Angry Men, Fallen Angels) will join Ashley Argota ("True Jackson VP," "Lab Rats"), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ("Hairspray Live," Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas) Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the third show in its 98th season with the perfect show for Halloween, the Tony Nominated Best Play, THE SEAFARER, written by Conor McPherson (The Weir) and directed by Ovation Award winner Michael Matthews (The Graduate).  Executive Director Ellen Richard comments, "I love the writing in this play so much and we are thrilled to be presenting it, especially at this time of year." Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, "I've looked forward to producing this play for 10 years and the moment has arrived.  An exceptional cast, an extraordinary director and a play that is funny, chilling and a perfectly spooky Irish ghost story for the season!" THE SEAFARER will begin previews on Wednesday, October 17; will open on Sunday, October 21 at 5:30pm and perform through Sunday, November 4, 2018 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that Ashley Argota ("True Jackson VP," "Lab Rats"), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ("Hairspray Live," Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas) Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) are set to star in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE. Written by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Sheldon Epps, choreography by Mandy Moore, musical direction by Keith Harrison and musical supervisor Michael Orland, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE will begin performances on Wednesday, December 5 and run through December 30, 2018 with a press opening on Friday, December 7 at 7:00pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.Casting is led by LFP Producer Becky Lythgoe, and the full cast will be announced at a later date.  

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the third show in its 98th season with the perfect show for Halloween, the Tony Nominated Best Play, THE SEAFARER

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to present the second show in its 98th season, Angela Ingersoll starring as Judy Garland in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of the critically acclaimed END OF THE RAINBOW, written by Peter Quilter, with musical direction by Jon Steinhagen and directed by Ovation Award winner Michael Matthews.  

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to present the second show in its 98th season, Angela Ingersoll starring as Judy Garland in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of the critically acclaimed END OF THE RAINBOW, written by Peter Quilter, with musical direction by Jon Steinhagen and directed by Ovation Award winner Michael Matthews.  

There'll be a whole lotta shakin' going on as Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to present the first show in its 98thseason, the Tony nominated Broadway musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, produced by Gershwin Entertainment, book by Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux, original concept and direction by Floyd Mutrux, musical direction by Jon Rossi and directed by Tim Seib. Executive Director Ellen Richard comments, 'What a way to start our 98thseason with a musical inspired by the electrifying true story of four legends in the same recording studio on one magical night.' Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, 'With our friends from Gershwin Entertainment, our subscribers and audiences are going to rock the night away with this amazing cast, amazing songs and we hope we can keep the roof from blowing off the Playhouse with this spectacular summertime musical event!'

There'll be a whole lotta shakin' going on as LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to present the first show in its 98thseason, the Tony nominated Broadway musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, produced by Gershwin Entertainment, book by Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux, original concept and direction by Floyd Mutrux, musical direction by Jon Rossi and directed by Tim Seib.

There'll be a whole lotta shakin' going on as LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to present the first show in its 98thseason, the Tony nominated Broadway musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, produced by Gershwin Entertainment, book by Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux, original concept and direction by Floyd Mutrux, musical direction by Jon Rossi and directed by Tim Seib.

The Laguna Playhouse raised $1.7 Million at their annual gala held on May 12, 2018 at Island Hotel in Newport Beach, California. Attended by 400 playhouse patrons, the sold-out event featured a VIP Sponsors Reception, an elegant dinner, live and silent auction, entertainment and a special performance by 'Phantom of the Opera' star Davis Gaines. Honored at the event were the Moulton Family and South Coast Plaza.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the final show in its 97th season, the critically acclaimed, Pulitzer and Tony award winner for Best Play, CLYBOURNE PARK, written by Bruce Norris and directed by Matt August. Executive Director Ellen Richard comments, 'What a privilege to close this extraordinary season with one of the most important plays of the past decade.' Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham. 'Under the direction of Matt August and with our exceptional cast, our subscribers and audiences are in for an unforgettable evening of thrilling and thought provoking theatre.' CLYBOURNE PARK will begin previews on Wednesday, June 6; will open on Sunday, June 10 at 5:30pm and perform through Sunday, June 24, 2018 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive in Laguna Beach.