FOOTLOOSE, BUYER & CELLAR, Rita Rudner and More Set for Laguna Playhouse's 2015-16 Season

The Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to announce its 2015- 2016 season of shows!

This summer, The Playhouse invites you to "Get Loose," FOOTLOOSE, as we kick off our season with a musical that will have the whole family dancing; followed by a to-be-announced Artistic Director's choice; then we ring in the New Year with the World Premiere of Rita Rudner starring in ACT 3; Hershey Felder brings a fresh look at Tony Winner Anthony Crivello and Vanessa Stewart starring in LOUIS AND KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA, directed by Taylor Hackford; then get a hilarious and explicit lesson in SEX AND EDUCATION, directed by Andrew Barnicle; and we complete our season with a look into a "Funny Girl's" basement in BUYER AND CELLAR. Add in three bonus options for our audiences and subscribers including THE BLUES BROTHERS, Lythgoe Family Productions A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS Panto and the Sinfully Funny MARIPAT DONOVON and you have a season that truly is as diverse and spectacular as any in our 95-year history!

The 2015/2016 LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE season:

THIS SUMMER, GET "LOOSE"!

FOOTLOOSE

July 8 - August 9, 2015 (Press Opening July 11)

Stage Adaption By
Dean Pitchford
&Walter Bobbie

Based On The
Original Screenplay By
Dean Pitchford

Music By Tom Snow
Lyrics By Dean Pitchford
Additional Music By Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar. Kenny Loggins & Jim Steinman

Kick Off Your Sunday Shoes at one of the most explosive movie musicals to hit the stage! This is a heartwarming musical tale about a big-city boy who finds himself living in a small town where dancing is forbidden. Featuring a Top 40 score including "Footloose," "Holding Out for a Hero," "Let's Hear it For the Boy," and "Almost Paradise," this high energy show is a must see for the whole family!

TO BE ANNOUNCED!

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR'S CHOICE

October 7 - November 11, 2015 (Press Opening October 10)

Stay tuned for an exciting announcement you won't want to miss. We promise the Artistic Director's Choice will be something exciting and fun. Previous Artistic Director Choice productions have included Leslie Caron and David Engel in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, and A Christmas Memory, based on Truman Capote's short story of the same name. This season is more than just celebrating our 95 years as a exciting regional theatre in the United States. It's about bringing you the quality productions you know and love!

A WORLD PREMIERE!

RITA RUDNER starring in ACT 3

January 6 - January 31, 2016 (Press Opening January 9)

Written by David Ambrose and Claudia Nellens

Performed by Rita Rudner

Directed by Martin Bergmann

Old enough to know better? But still young enough to want more? That's a dangerous combination for a couple of a certain age. They've been together for longer than most marriages. She thought she understood him. He, of course, was quite sure she didn't. Because he had a secret. But she had a secret too. An even bigger one than his. What happens when secrets collide? Act 3...

HERSHEY FELDER presents

Tony Award-Winner Anthony Crivello & Vanessa Stewart starring in

LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA

February 24 - March 27, 2016 (Press Opening Febraury 27)

Directed by Taylor Hackford

Written by Vanessa Stewart, Taylor Hackford & Jake Broder

Louis Prima and Keely Smith were an American musical sensation in the 50s and 60s, pioneering the Lounge Act in Las Vegas. Featuring many of the duo's greatest hits including "That Ol' Black Magic," "Hey Boy Hey Girl," "What is This Thing Called Love," even Frank Sinatra appears in this new American musical play, featuring a hot seven-piece live band that is guaranteed to bring down the house.

THE ORANGE COUNTY PREMIERE!

SEX AND EDUCATION

April 27 - May 22, 2016 (Press Opening March 8)

Written by Lissa Levin

Directed by Andrew Barnicle

Meet Joe Marks, a basketball star whose college scholarship is suddenly in jeopardy when his poorly-written, sexually-charged note to his girlfriend is intercepted during a final exam. Meet Miss Edwards, his high school English teacher on her last day of teaching. In this hilarious homage to educators everywhere, Miss Edwards uses the note to teach Joe a lesson - on life, love, and the power of words.

HELLO GORGEOUS! EMERSON COLLINS stars in

BUYER & CELLAR

June 1 - June 26, 2016 (Press Opening June 4)

Written by Jonathan Tolins

Directed by Larry Raben

Alex takes a job working in the Malibu basement "shopping mall" of a beloved "Funny Girl" megastar. One day, the Lady herself comes downstairs to play. It feels like real bonding in the basement, but will their relationship ever make it upstairs? Buyer & Cellar is an outrageous comedy about the price of fame, the cost of things, and the oddest of odd jobs.

2015/2016 BONUS OPTIONS:

DAN AYKROYD, JUDY BELUSHI & MUSICAL DIRECTOR

PAUL SHAFFER present

THE OFFICIAL BLUES BROTHERS REVUE

August 12 - August 30, 2015

This live concert show combines the comedy and hits from the original movie and pays homage to Chicago's rich history of blues, gospel and soul music. Hear all of The Blues Brothers classics as Jake, Elwood and the band hit the right balance of humor, music and mayhem. Backed by a powerhouse band, they'll give you a show to remember! Fun for all ages.

LYTHGOE FAMILY PRODUCTIONS present

A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS

December 2 - 27, 2015

A Panto is known for its interactive style and humor that appeals to fairytale fans of all ages. This British holiday tradition dating to the 1700s mixes classic fairy tales, family-friendly magic and modern pop songs. Ask about the GOLDEN TICKET for children 12 and under, and special FAMILY 4PACKS.

MARIPAT DONOVAN stars in

A NUN FOR ALL SEASONS

Audiences of all religions will laugh at these uproariously funny shows where members of the audience become members of Sister's class. Classroom participation is a must, so bring along your sense of humor for a session with the country's feistiest Sister!

SISTER'S SUMMER SCHOOL CATECHISM

God Never Takes Vacation

August 17 & 24, 2015

SISTER'S BACK TO SCHOOL CATECHISM

The Holy Ghost and Other Terrifying Tales

October 19 & 26, 2015

SISTER'S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM

The Mystery of the Magi's Gold

December 14 & 21, 2015

LATE NITE CATECHISM LAS VEGAS

Sister Rolls the Dice

April 11 & 18, 2016

'TIL DEATH DO US PART

Late Nite Catechism 3

June 13 & 20, 2016

Subscriptions to our 95th Anniversary season are now available by calling the Box Office at 949-497-2787 (ARTS) or online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com. Season Tickets range from $201 - $351.

Single Tickets will range from $36 - $66 and can be purchased online or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229. The box office is open Mondays - Sundays: 12p.m. to 5 p.m. (open until 7:30pm on 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.

Laguna Playhouse is your "go to" for a great night out -- be it plays, musicals, concerts, dance, stand-up comedy, author panels, family entertainment and more. No matter what your entertainment tastes, we're what's going on!

Founded in 1920, the Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is noted for its artistic excellence, wide-ranging performing arts programming, award-winning youth education offerings and community partnerships. A member of the League of Resident Theatres, the Laguna Playhouse is also home to the annual Laguna Dance Festival, the Laguna Beach Music Festival and the Laguna Beach Concert Band. The Laguna Playhouse has been recognized for excellence by the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, LA Drama Critics Circle, OC Weekly and more.

Because of its longstanding commitment to the arts, The Laguna Playhouse has been recognized for excellence by the LA Drama Critics Circle, NAACP, Backstage, ArtsOC, OC Weekly, Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and more. Laguna Playhouse's educational programming, which includes classes, productions by and for children and teens (Youth Theatre) and a school tour, has been honored by the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, Arts Orange County and the Orange County Department of Education.

Serving more than 100,000 patrons each season, the Laguna Playhouse has featured many talented performers on stage, including Leslie Caron, Val Kilmer, Ed Asner, Hershey Felder, Linda Purl, Davis Gaines, Donna McKechnie, Rita Rudner, violinist Joshua Bell, Lee Rocker, ballerina Misty Copeland, Harrison Ford, and Bette Davis.