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David Ellenstein

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David Ellenstein ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Born into a theatrical family, David has worked in theatres across the country. Before joining North Coast Rep in 2003 he served as Artistic Director for the Los Angeles Repertory Company and the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company (AJTC). A veteran of over 250 theatrical productions, directorial favorites include: North Coast Rep ? All in the Timing, Holmes & Watson, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Father, This Random World, Travels with My Aunt, The Illusion, Hedda Gabler (World Premiere Translation), Way Downriver; William Faulkner?s ?Old Man? (West Coast Premiere), Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Great Nome Gold Rush (World Premiere), Side By Side By Sondheim, Chapter Two, Freud?s Last Session (San Diego Premiere), Faded Glory (World Premiere), Mandate Memories (World Premiere), Becoming Cuba (World Premiere), Time Stands Still, Words by: Ira Gershwin and the Great American Songbook (World Premiere), Two by Pinter: The Lover and The Dumb Waiter, HENRY IV Part 1, Heroes, My Name is Asher Lev, The Drawer Boy, Becky?s New Car, Ghosts, The Tempest, Talley?s Folly, Over the Tavern, Old Wicked Songs, The Dresser, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Madagascar, A Shayna Maidel, The Honky-Tonk Angels, Rashomon, A Moon for the Misbegotten; Tuesdays With Morrie; Collected Stories; Halpern and Johnson; Romeo and Juliet; Amy?s View; Einstein Comes Through (also co-author); The Chosen; A Life in the Theatre; Story Theatre and Charley?s Aunt. Coconut Grove Playhouse - Sonia Flew starring Lucie Arnaz; Halpern and Johnson starring Hal Linden and Brian Murray. Papermill Playhouse - The Chosen starring Theodore Bikel and John Lloyd Young. 59E59 - His Royal Hipness Lord Buckley. Park Square & Colony Theatre ? Words By. Portland Stage - Halpern and Johnson. Renaissance Theatre - Long Day?s Journey Into Night. Actor?s Theatre of Phoenix - Rabbit Hole. Alabama Shakespeare Festival - The Glass Menagerie, Rocket City (World Premiere) and Honky-Tonk Angels. Laguna Playhouse - Chapatti, Alexandros (World Premiere). Southwest Shakespeare Company - Cyrano de Bergerac. AJTC - Awake and Sing. Meadow Brook Theatre - A Christmas Carol. Portland Rep - Conversations With My Father and Gaslamp Quarter Theatre - A Shayna Maidel Favorite roles as an actor include Max Prince from Laughter? on the 23rd Floor, Matt in Talley?s Folly at North Coast Rep, title roles in Hamlet at Los Angeles Theatre Center and Los Angeles Repertory Company; Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at Moonlight Stage, Richard III at California Shakespeare Festival; Einstein in Picasso at the Lapin Agile at Laguna Playhouse; Calisto in?The Illusion at the Arizona Theatre Company; Jonathan in Sight Unseen at North Coast Rep and Portland Repertory Theatre. Film and television credits include over three dozen roles including ?Star Trek IV,? ?The Practice,? ?Foul Play,? ?Christine Cromwell,? ?Renegade,? ?Eight is Enough? and ?General Hospital.? David has also been guest faculty for numerous universities including California State Northridge, Cal Arts, and Shakespeare workshops privately.

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Laguna Playhouse to Present HOLMES & WATSON This Month


Laguna Playhouse will present HOLMES & WATSON, written by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Laguna Playhouse artistic director David Ellenstein. Learn how to purchase tickets.

North Coast Repertory Theatre Reveals 2024-25 Season


North Coast Repertory Theatre has announced its Season 43 (2024-2025). This season’s roster includes a World Premiere comic mystery, three San Diego premieres, a Tony Award-winning musical, a searing classic drama, an inspiring autobiographical piece, a family comedy, a new and hilarious Hercule Poirot mystery, a unique look at the Asian immigration experience, and one century-old cake. 

SENSE OF DECENCY To Have World Premiere At North Coast Repertory Theatre


SENSE OF DECENCY will have its world premiere at North Coast Repertory Theatre this spring.

Laguna Playhouse Raises $370,000 at Annual Gala


Laguna Playhouse announced that they raised $370,000 at its annual gala “Oh What a Night! Celebrating Songs from Jersey Boys & The Sensational 60s” that was held on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at the Laguna Playhouse.

Review: A SHAYNA MAIDEL at Laguna Playhouse


This acclaimed play by Barbara Lebow is beautifully produced by the award-winning creative team at the Laguna Playhouse, with great sensitivity, rich texture, and mature brilliance in the direction by David Ellenstein.

Photos: First Look at A SHAYNA MAIDEL at Laguna Playhouse


Laguna Playhouse is now presenting A SHAYNA MAIDEL, written by Barbara Lebow and directed by Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director David Ellenstein. Check out all new photos here!

Laguna Playhouse To Present CAMELOT, FENCES, And More For 2024-2025 Season


Discover the 2024-2025 season of shows at LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE, featuring performances like CAMELOT, August Wilson's FENCES, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, and more.

Laguna Playhouse Presents A SHAYNA MAIDEL By Barbara Lebow This March


Laguna Playhouse will present A Shayna Maidel, written by Barbara Lebow and directed by Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director David Ellenstein. A Shayna Maidel will begin previews on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 and run through Sunday, March 31, 2024 at the Laguna Playhouse.

Frank Ferrante to Star in AN EVENING WITH GROUCHO at Laguna Playhouse


LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE will present Frank Ferrante starring in his critically acclaimed one-man show, AN EVENING WITH GROUCHO.

Laguna Playhouse Appoints Michael G. Murphy as Director of Advancement and Karyn Philippsen as Community Relations Liaison


LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE has announced the appointment of Michael G. Murphy as the new Director of Advancement and Karyn Philippsen as the Community Relations Liaison.

Review: THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR at Laguna Playhouse


The Angel Next Door is a glittering, effervescent hit romantic comedy by Paul Slade Smith at the historic Laguna Playhouse. It’s an elegant, sweet-dry glass of champagne, bubbling over with non-stop laughs, merriment, glamor, and high-spirited hijinks. It’s hard to think of more fun you could have at the theatre right now, or really, more fun anywhere.

Photos: First Look at THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR at Laguna Playhouse


LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the third show of its 2023-2024 season, a transfer of the world premiere production from North Coast Rep of the irresistible comedy, THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR. Check out all new photos here!

Academy Award-Winner Richard Dreyfuss to Take Part in Exclusive Conversation at Laguna Playhouse


Join in for a special evening at Laguna Playhouse featuring a conversation with Academy Award-winner Richard Dreyfuss. Don't miss this exciting event on Sunday, January 7 at 4:30pm.

North Coast Repertory Theatre to Present ROCKET CITY This Month


North Coast Repertory Theatre will present a staged reading of Rocket City by Mark Saltzman, directed by David Ellenstein, on October 23, 2023 at 7:30pm.

DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE to Play North Coast Repertory Theatre Beginning This Month


Experience the Halloween spirit with North Coast Repertory Theatre's production of 'DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE,' adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's novella. Directed by Shana Wride, performances run from Oct. 18 to Nov. 12, 2023.

Laguna Playhouse Presents World Premiere Transfer Production Of THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR By Paul Slade Smith


LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE will present the third show of its 2023-2024 season, a transfer of the world premiere production from North Coast Rep of the irresistible comedy, THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR, written by Paul Slade Smith, adapted from Play at the Castle by Ferenc Molnár, and directed by Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director David Ellenstein. 

Review: THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR at North Coast Repertory


Two of Smith’s previous plays have been mounted at the Solana Beach company, and the company commissioned Smith to create a new work to kick off NCR’s 42nd season. That play, THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR, directed by Artistic Director David Ellenstein, is a kick and a hoot. Maybe that makes it a kick-oot.

Review: THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR at North Coast Repertory Theatre


THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR, the world premiere comedy now playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre through October 8th is like an angel food cake; light, fluffy, and leaves you feeling like you had a sweet treat at the end.

North Coast Repertory Theatre to Present THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR Beginning in September


Capturing the sheer joy, sophistication, and wit of 1940s screwball comedies, playwright Paul Slade Smith (The Outsider; Unnecessary Farce) has brilliantly adapted Ferenc Molnár's classic farce, Play at the Castle. THE ANGEL NEXT DOOR is making its world premiere debut at North Coast Repertory Theatre, and will transfer to Laguna Playhouse.

 North Coast Repertory Theatre Reveals Lineup For Season 42


 North Coast Repertory Theatre has announced Season 42, featuring a host of plays that include two world premieres, a beloved musical masterpiece, side-splitting comedies, an eerie Gothic thriller, a poignant drama, and a taut psychological study.  

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