JACK LEMMON RETURNS to Opens Tonight at Laguna Playhouse

The Laguna Playhouse in association with Hershey Felder, Samantha F. Voxakis and Susan & Moses Libitzky will present Hershey Felder's newest production, the West Coast premiere of Chris Lemmon starring as his father Jack Lemmon in JACK LEMMON RETURNS, a play with music about a world famous dad and his son, written and directed by audience favorite Hershey Felder. JACK LEMMON RETURNS will perform for two weeks only, with a press opening scheduled for tonight, June 12, and run through Sunday, June 22 at the Laguna Playhouse, Moulton Theatre, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd. in Laguna Beach.

Jack Lemmon's lifelong dream was to be an actor, head to New York from his hometown of Newton, Mass. and "Save Broadway." At the urging of a show-biz minded mother, but a serious business-minded father, Jack pursued his dream and, due to a remarkable set of events, became one of the world's all-time great movie stars. Believing that no actor should ever be pigeonholed into being either a comedian or a serious dramatic artist, Jack Lemmon broke barriers, and played everything. As the first actor to win Academy Awards as both Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor, Jack Lemmon's talents knew no bounds. But with every blessing there can also be a curse, and Jack's son Chris was witness to it all.

"This remarkable story told by Chris Lemmon in the voice of his father is performed in the style of musical storytelling that audiences have come to know from me," said playwright/director Hershey Felder. "Being able to work with Chris to present this piece has been an incredible joy both because of Chris' skill as an actor in the tradition of his father, and as a musician given that music was such an important part of his father's life. Having an insider's view into Hollywood and the craft of one of its prodigal sons makes for an extremely satisfying event."

The Scenic Design is by Hershey Felder and Emma Hay and Trevor Hay. The Lighting Design is by Chris Rynne. The Sound Design is by Erik Carstensen.

JACK LEMMON RETURNS will perform from Wednesday, June 11 (with a press opening scheduled for Thursday, June 12) and run through Sunday, June 22 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. Performances are Tuesday thru Friday evenings at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2pm & 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm & 7pm (with a special added performance on Thursday, June 19 at 2pm).

Ticket prices range from $30 - $45 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787) x 1. Group tickets are available by calling Kathy Bonner at (949) 497-ARTS (2787) x 229.The box office is open Mondays - Sundays: Noon to 5 p.m. (open until 7:30pm on performance days).