Latest news with #LagunaPlayhouse
Los Angeles Times
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
As Laguna Playhouse puts on ‘Peril,' artistic director sees promise in its future
Laguna Playhouse has catered to a crowd that croons for a classic over the past couple of weeks, the latest production doing exactly that with the return of an iconic literary character. Hercule Poirot has taken center stage once more with this month's performances of 'Peril in the Alps.' Director and playwright Steven Dietz has delivered a sequel to 'Murder on the Links,' which was staged at the venue two years ago. It's the last week for fans of the eccentric mystery solver, played by Omri Schein, to catch him in action. The audience of 'Peril in the Alps,' which runs through Sunday, spends the bulk of the show trying to figure out how to catch a suspected guilty party who is always a few steps ahead. David Ellenstein, who joined Laguna Playhouse as interim artistic director in September 2022 and had the interim tag removed in May 2023, has acknowledged the importance of giving the people what they want and doing it well. That mandate then earns equity with the patrons to expose them to new things. Laguna Playhouse's upcoming season will take those chances, with two world premieres among its six-show slate. Those include a Paul Slade Smith comedy in 'Bedside Myself' (Oct. 29-Nov. 16) and more mystery in Matthew Salazar-Thompson's 'The Maltese Falcon' (April 15-May 3). 'It's always exciting to birth a play,' Ellenstein said. 'It's something where you're not just trying to do a play that exists the best you can, but you're actually creating something that's going to exist forever. The way that you do it for that first time is not only completely invented by the company, but then as the play gets published, that's the production that is used to create the printed script. It's been, basically, initially stamped by that first production, and being part of those is always very exciting.' The curtain goes up on the 2025-26 season with 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' (Sept. 17 to Oct. 5). 'Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground,' featuring Tony Award winner John Rubinstein, runs from Jan. 14 to Feb. 1. 'Laughter on the 23rd Floor' (March 4 to 22) and 'Red' (June 10 to 28) round out the coming season's lineup. Ellenstein, who also has a history with Laguna Playhouse as an actor, is excited about the recent audience response. He said season ticket sales for next season are already in line with this year's, and the venue has opened its mezzanine level to accommodate demand on several occasions. 'My vision is to make it a thriving, full theater again, where the performances are packed and there's buzz about everyone, and we are moving in that direction,' said Ellenstein, who has also served as the artistic director of North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach since 2003. 'Since I've been [at Laguna Playhouse], we have increased the attendance,' he continued. 'We are re-staffing up because there were some staffing positions that needed to get refilled, and it's starting to happen there. I'm actually encouraged and optimistic about the future there and it coming back to its full glory.' An indication of that interest were the dozens of attendees who stayed behind to participate in a talkback with the cast following a performance last Friday evening. Discussion included line memorization, the actors' union status, evolving set changes due to stage size, plus the number of behind-the-scenes staff contributing to the six-actor play that features 29 characters. Valerie Larsen, who plays Captain Hastings, was asked about being cast in a male role. 'One thing that [Dietz] said to me when we were figuring things out, his mentality around that kind of thing is most classic literature characters are male,' Larsen said. 'The way he said it was, 'I think that everyone should have an opportunity to play the great characters.'' Schein's credits include writing the lyrics for 'The Remarkable Mister Holmes,' which was put on by Laguna Playhouse in March. He also played Poirot in 'Murder on the Links,' and describes the experience as 'intimidating' because of the public's familiarity with the character. 'So many people know [Poirot] because of the books, because of the TV show,' Schein said. 'Obviously, both 'Murder on the Links' and 'Peril in the Alps' are written by the same playwright and were directed by the same person, Steven Dietz. ''Murder on the Links' was actually based on the Agatha Christie novel, and he enjoyed the character so much that he wanted to live with the character somewhat. That's why he decided to write the sequel, 'Peril in the Alps.' It's interesting. I think this one is more comedic. Both were comic takes on the Hercule Poirot stories, but this one, I think, is more comical than the last one. We're getting more laughs, in general.' Gabbie Adner, Brian Mackey, Amanda Sitton and Christopher M. Williams team up to tackle the balance of the characters. 'Honky Tonk Angels' (July 30 to Aug. 17) will conclude the current season. There will also be a holiday special musical, 'A Snow White Christmas,' from Dec. 6 to 28.
Los Angeles Times
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Around Town: Laguna Playhouse to stage August Wilson's ‘Fences'
August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'Fences' begins previews April 30 at Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive and run through Sunday, May 18. The director is Yvette Freeman-Hartley. With two exceptions, performances are scheduled for Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 1 and 5:30 p.m. There will be no 1 p.m. performance on Sunday, May 4, nor will there be a 5:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, May 18. Tickets range from $51 to $105 and can be purchased online at or by calling (949) 497-2787. Group discounts are available by calling (949) 497-2787 ext. 229. The box office is open Tuesdays through Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. The annual town meeting hosted by the Corona del Mar Residents Assn. is set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6 at Sherman Library & Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar. The event brings together Corona del Mar residents, businesses, community organizations, and Newport Beach city officials to discuss issues, projects and opportunities that directly impact thel quality of life in Corona del Mar. From 5 to 6 p.m., attendees can participate in the Community Social and Expo. The speakers' program begins at 6:15 p.m., when Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Kleinman, provides an update on local projects and issues. Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles and Police Lt. Gary Clemente will provide public safety updates and Sherman Library & Gardens' executive director, Scott LaFleur will speak on the 'Grow the Gardens' campaign. The evening will include a silent auction and refreshments will be provided. For more information visit Reservations are appreciated. Inspired by a recent Daily Pilot story about a grassroots group calling itself the Grandma Brigade, which has protested the Trump administration and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency in front of a Tesla showroom in Costa Mesa, a corresponding group of men has been organized by Laguna Beach resident Denny Freidenrich. 'A friend in Spokane, Wash., told me about Raging Grannies several years ago. Little did I know an offshoot group would end up protesting in Costa Mesa,' Freidenrich, 76, stated in a news release. 'That's when I reached out to three of my senior friends in Laguna and launched the Grandpa Brigade.' The Grandpa Brigade is focusing on saving the rule of law in the U.S., Friedenrich said, and intends to stage a protest at the County Court House in Santa Ana at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. For more information about the Grandpa Brigade, email Freidenrich at Orange County Waste and Recycling will host free compost giveaways on Saturday, May 3, at their Irvine, Brea, and San Juan Capistrano landfill locations. Residents who are in need of nutrient-rich compost for their gardens are invited to bring a shovel and take home as much as they want. For more details visit The Packards International Motor Car Club, in celebration of its 62nd anniversary, presents a free All-Packard car show with dozens of high-quality models from the 1930s through the early 1950s at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Road, on May 3, from 8 a.m. to noon. Once the car of choice for presidents, kings, celebrities and industry titans, the Packard was the leading American luxury automobile built by the Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit from 1899 to 1956. Founded in 1963, the Packards International Motor Car Club is headquartered in Santa Ana. The city of Costa Mesa will host a free Community Preparedness Town Hall at the Estancia High School library on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., where participants can learn what to pack, how to plan and where to get up-to-date emergency information in the event of a disaster. Experts, including Costa Mesa Emergency Services Manager, Delcie Hynes, along with first responders from Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue and the Costa Mesa Police Department and representatives of Mesa Water District will impart key strategies to keep residents and their families safe. For more information, contact Hynes at (714) 754-5189 or The Susan G. Komen Orange County Board will host its Pink Tie Party at VEA Resort & Spa in Newport Beach on May 10. Funds raised in O.C. specifically support Susan G. Komen's Patient Care Center. The fundraiser will also honor several community and business leaders who are dedicated in the fight against breast cancer. 'Last year, Komen's Patient Care Center provided 2,578 services to 2,076 people living in California,' said Megan Klink, vice president of Susan G. Komen West Regio . 'The Orange County Pink Tie Partners stand up to lead others to share in our mission. We rely on community support to make a difference in those affected by breast cancer in OC, California and nationwide.' The Pink Tie Party on May 10 starts with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. with the party to follow at VEA Resort & Spa 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. Ticket prices vary. Visit the website to purchase.
