Karen Wood News

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the third show of their 2014-2015 season and the perfect confection for the Holiday season, the Orange County Premiere of STRIKING 12, with book music and lyrics by Brendan Milburn, Rachel Sheinkin and Valerie Vigoda and directed by Janet Roston.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present Ed Asner, recipient of seven Emmy Awards ('Mary Tyler Moore Show', 'Lou Grant') and 16 nominations, five Golden Globe Awards, and member of the TV Academy Hall of Fame, starring in the solo performance drama, FDR, based upon Dore Schary's Broadway hit 'Sunrise at Campobello', which ran 70 weeks on Broadway.

Subscribers, donors and supporters were completely engrossed and enraptured by the star turn performance Linda Purl delivered at the Opening Night Gala of the Laguna Playhouse's latest presentation, the second show of its 2014-2015 Season, THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING, directed by Jenny Sullivan based on the masterful book by Joan Didion. Scroll down for photos from the opening festivities!

Young People's Theatre will present the Canadian Premiere of a rollicking new musical version of the beloved children's classic James and the Giant Peach. Created by Tony Award-nominated songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, this wonderfully touching show has just been extended due to popular demand and will be presented on the Mainstage beginning November 24, running to December 28.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the second show of their 2014-2015 season, THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING by Joan Didion and directed by Jenny Sullivan (Steel Magnolias). 'To have Linda Purl on our stage with one of the more powerful pieces of theatre I have come across is just a triumph that our audiences and subscribers are going to treasure,' offers Wood. 'Jenny Sullivan is quite simply one of our best theatre directors working today and to have her bring her magic touch to the powerful words of Joan Didion is simply a dream realized,' adds Wareham. THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING will begin previews tonight, October 8 and will open on Saturday, October 11 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, November 2, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the second show of their 2014-2015 season, THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING by Joan Didion and directed by Jenny Sullivan (Steel Magnolias). 'To have Linda Purl on our stage with one of the more powerful pieces of theatre I have come across is just a triumph that our audiences and subscribers are going to treasure,' offers Wood. 'Jenny Sullivan is quite simply one of our best theatre directors working today and to have her bring her magic touch to the powerful words of Joan Didion is simply a dream realized,' adds Wareham. THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING will begin previews on Wednesday, October 8 and will open on Saturday, October 11 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, November 2, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Huron Country Playhouse has a heart-warming home run hit with Damn Yankees, now on the main stage. This little-known Broadway musical dates back to 1955, and while you might not be familiar with the show, you will certainly recognize some of the tunes. Based on the Faustian legend about a German scholar who makes a pact with the Devil in exchange for great knowledge and wisdom, this show is reminiscent of the great Canadian curling play, The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon, written by W. O. Mitchell in 1951.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham in association with Boebe Productions are thrilled to present the first show of their 2014-2015 season, BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, featuring over twenty of Buddy Holly's and rock & roll's greatest hits and directed by Steve Steiner (who directed last season's smash-hit production of RING OF FIRE). 'Oh Boy! To have our theatre rocking out to the songs of such greats as Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper is going to be music to the ears of our audiences and subscribers this Summer,' offers Wood. 'We are overjoyed to be partnering with Steve Steiner and Boebe Productions again and know they are going to blow the roof off the Playhouse with this spectacular telling of one of the most enduring stories in rock & roll history,' adds Wareham. BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY will begin previews today, July 9and will open on Saturday, July 12 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, August 10, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham in association with Boebe Productions are thrilled to present the first show of their 2014-2015 season, BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, featuring over twenty of Buddy Holly's and rock & roll's greatest hits and directed by Steve Steiner (who directed last season's smash-hit production of RING OF FIRE). "Oh Boy! To have our theatre rocking out to the songs of such greats as Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper is going to be music to the ears of our audiences and subscribers this Summer," offers Wood. "We are overjoyed to be partnering with Steve Steiner and Boebe Productions again and know they are going to blow the roof off the Playhouse with this spectacular telling of one of the most enduring stories in rock & roll history,' adds Wareham. BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY will begin previews on Wednesday, July 9and will open on Saturday, July 12 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, August 10, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors,Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham present screen legend Leslie Caron, in her first Southern California theatrical performance in over 25 years! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri, with choreography by Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS also features six-time Ovation Award-winning actor David Engel. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the stars in action below!

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present screen legend Leslie Caron, in her first Southern California theatrical performance in over 25 years! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri, with choreography by Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will also feature 6-time Ovation Award-winning actor David Engel. 'What an honor to have on our stage the incomparable Leslie Caron and the multi-talented David Engel,' remarks Wood. 'It's a dream cast and a dream come true. With Michael Arabian and Donna McKechnie directing and choreographing, this has to be one of the most anticipated productions in the Playhouse's storied history,' adds Wareham. SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews tonight, April 26 and will open on Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present screen legend Leslie Caron, in her first Southern California theatrical performance in over 25 years! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri, with choreography by Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will also feature 6-time Ovation Award-winning actor David Engel. "What an honor to have on our stage the incomparable Leslie Caron and the multi-talented David Engel," remarks Wood. "It's a dream cast and a dream come true. With Michael Arabian and Donna McKechnie directing and choreographing, this has to be one of the most anticipated productions in the Playhouse's storied history,' adds Wareham. SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews on Saturday, April 26 and will open on Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are delighted to bring back their favorite Sister in a return offering, SISTER'S EASTER CATECHISM: Will My Bunny Go To Heaven?, written and performed by Maripat Donovan (alternating with Nonie Newton-Breen) and directed by Mark Silvia. "Sister is back and as funny as ever. Our audiences are going to be Heaven-sent at this Easter delight," offers Wood. "Our audiences will be resurrected with laughter. What better way to begin the Spring than with an evening with Sister?," adds Wareham. SISTER'S EASTER CATECHISM will begin performances on Monday, April 7 and run through Monday, April 14, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham invite you to take 83 books, with three chameleon-like actors in 98 minutes, and mix it all up into one hilarious evening of ridiculous fun! It's the Reduced Shakespeare Company's production of ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (abridged), written and directed by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor with additional material by Matthew Croke and Michael Faulkner. ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (abridged) will begin previews today, March 4 and will open on Saturday, March 8 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the LagunaPlayhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham invite you to take 83 books, with three chameleon-like actors in 98 minutes, and mix it all up into one hilarious evening of ridiculous fun! It's the Reduced Shakespeare Company's production of ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (abridged), written and directed by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor with additional material by Matthew Croke and Michael Faulkner. ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (abridged) will begin previews on Tuesday, March 4 and will open on Saturday, March 8 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the LagunaPlayhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham kick off the New Year with the legendary songs of that legendary man in black, RING OF FIRE, The Music of Johnny Cash, with choreography by Paula Hammons Sloan and musical direction and direction by Steve Steiner. 'What better way to begin 2014 than to offer our subscribers and audiences a musical tribute to an American Icon,' offers Wood. 'Who doesn't love such classics as 'I've Been Everywhere,' 'I Walk The Line' and so many more! A fascinating look at a fascinating man.' 'With thirty extraordinary songs performed by a talented cast of 10, this 'Ring' starts our new year off 'On Fire,' adds Wareham. RING OF FIRE will begin previews onToday, January 7 and will open on Saturday, January 11 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, February 2, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham kick off the New Year with the legendary songs of that legendary man in black, RING OF FIRE, The Music of Johnny Cash, with choreography by Paula Hammons Sloan and musical direction and direction by Steve Steiner. 'What better way to begin 2014 than to offer our subscribers and audiences a musical tribute to an American Icon,' offers Wood. 'Who doesn't love such classics as 'I've Been Everywhere,' 'I Walk The Line' and so many more! A fascinating look at a fascinating man.' 'With thirty extraordinary songs performed by a talented cast of 10, this 'Ring' starts our new year off 'On Fire,' adds Wareham. RING OF FIRE will begin previews onTuesday, January 7 and will open on Saturday, January 11 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, February 2, 2014 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham will present a heartwarming new musical based on Truman Capote's classic short story, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, book by Duane Poole, music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Carol Hall, musical direction by Darryl Archibald and directed by Ovation Award-winner Nick DeGruccio.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham announced today that they are delighted to bring back their favorite Sister in LATE NITE CATECHISM LAS VEGAS: SISTER ROLLS THE DICE, written and performed by Maripat Donovan and directed by Mark Silvia.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham announced today that they are delighted to bring back their favorite Sister in LATE NITE CATECHISM LAS VEGAS: SISTER ROLLS THE DICE, written and performed by Maripat Donovan and directed by Mark Silvia.