Ellen Richard News

In an effort to inspire more youth to attend the theatre, longtime supporters of Laguna Playhouse and the arts, Suzanne and James Mellor have created The Suzanne and James Mellor Laguna Playhouse Tribute Fund, which will provide free tickets to young audiences 21 and under for select shows during the subscription season.

Laguna Playhouse has announced the sixth and final show in the Laguna Playhouse 2016-2017 season, THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, written and performed by James Lecesne with music by Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) and directed by Tony Speciale.

381 guests filled the Island Hotel in Newport Beach for Laguna Playhouse's annual fundraising gala. This year's event, themed Theatre Changes Lives, raised a record $600,000 in support of the Playhouse's mission to enrich lives through the magic of live theatre, to provide educational opportunities for children and adults, and to create experiences that stimulate cultural and social interaction and inspire our community. Proceeds from the event help cover the operating costs of the 96-year old icon, one of the oldest continuing operating theaters west of the Mississippi.  Within the funds raised that evening, $90,000 was raised for the Suzanne and James Mellor Laguna Playhouse Tribute Fund, which will provide theatre experiences for youth by providing tickets to performances and to cover the cost of transporting youth groups to the theatre.

Laguna Playhouse has announced a very special theatrical event, Bruce Davison, Gregory Harrison, Dan Lauria, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart & Vanessa Stewart starring in TESLA: A RADIO PLAY FOR THE STAGE, written by Dan Duling and directed by Michael Arabian.

Donors, VIPs, subscribers and Hollywood celebrities were captivated by the musical genius and complex personality of Roger Miller during the opening night of King of the Road, the Roger Miller Story. Scroll down for photos from the star-studded evening!

Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to announce the fifth show in the Laguna Playhouse 2016-2017 season, a world premiere musical KING OF THE ROAD: THE ROGER MILLER STORY, written by Cort Casady & Mary Arnold Miller, music by Roger Miller, musical direction by Omar D. Brancato and directed by Andrew Barnicle.

Laguna Playhouse has announced the final announced production of its 2017-2018 season of shows, written and directed by Hershey Felder, NATHAN GUNN, FLYING SOLO.

Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to announce the fifth show in the Laguna Playhouse 2016-2017 season, a world premiere musical KING OF THE ROAD: THE ROGER MILLER STORY, written by Cort Casady & Mary Arnold Miller, music by Roger Miller, musical direction by Omar D. Brancato and directed by Andrew Barnicle. "We are delighted to be bringing our subscribers and audiences this world premiere musical based on the life of one of country's most iconic characters, Roger Miller," comments Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Ellen Richard. 

After 25 years at the helm, Carey Perloff, artistic director at American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), announced today that she will be departing the Bay Area's premier nonprofit theater organization following the conclusion of the 2017-18 season.

Laguna Playhouse has announced its 2017-2018 season of shows.

Donna Inglima, Director of The Youth Theatre, Education & Outreach at The Laguna Playhouse, will be the recipient of 2017 LBAA (Laguna Beach Arts Alliance) Lifetime Achievement Award and Playhouse Board members Betsy and Gary Jenkins will receive the LBAA Individual Arts Patron Award on April 2, 2017, at the 11th Annual Art Star Awards.

Laguna Playhouse Board Of Directors, Executive Director Ellen Richard And Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham Announced Today That Doug Vogel Has Joined Laguna Playhouse As Its New Director Of Development. Comments Wareham, "we Are So Honored To Have Doug Vogel Join Our Playhouse Family As Its New Director Of Development.  In These Challenging Times For Theatre, The Director Of Development Is Such A Vital Position For Any Institution And We Are So Fortunate To Have Doug Join The Team Here At The Playhouse." 

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) released the findings from the Women's Leadership in Residential Theaters research study conducted by the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW).

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the Master of Ceremonies, entertainment, and Gala Committee Members for their upcoming gala honoring playwright and actress Danai Gurira, producers Stephen C. Byrd and Alia Jones-Harvey, and the Vilcek Foundation and Rick Kinsel.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, announces Kevin Moriarty, artistic director of Dallas Theater Center, as its new board chair, taking over the position from Diane Rodriguez, associate artistic director of Center Theatre Group.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Artistic Director Carey Perloff announced today that the Women's Leadership Conferencewill be held on Monday, August 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at A.C.T.'s Strand Theater. The Conference emerged from a partnership with Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW), one of the largest gender-focused research-and-action organizations in the world, and will speak to the practices of the workplace in relation to women employees and leadership. 

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced that its 2016 gala will honor Tony-nominated and OBIE-winning playwright and acclaimed 'The Walking Dead' actress Danai Gurira.

Subscribers, donors, supporters and celebrities attended the standing room only Opening Night Gala of the Laguna Playhouse's first show of its 2016-2017 Season, ALL SHOOK UP. This perfect family summertime, fun-time musical features a book by Joe DiPietro, musical direction by Jeff Biering, choreography by Paula Hammons Sloan and is directed by Steve Steiner. ALL SHOOK UP presents the fabulous music of Elvis Presley, along a story inspired by William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Scroll down for photos from the opening festivities!

Laguna Playhouse Board of Directors announced today that, later this month, Ellen Richard will be joining Laguna Playhouse as its Interim Executive Director. The Playhouse announced late last year that it was undertaking a national search guided by Arts Consulting Group (ACG) for an Executive Director to succeed Karen Wood who had held this position for the past eight years.

Who wouldn't want to see this? BroadwayWorld has learned that Nathan Lane will read a love letter to Brian Dennehy onstage at Threatre Communications Group's gala this coming Monday, November 9, 2015 at The Edison Ballroom.