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“In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.” “Doctor I’ve wrestled with reality for 40 years and I’m happy to say that I’ve finally won out over it.” “I always have a wonderful time, wherever I...

Affable, affectionate and charming, the 1988 play “Driving Miss Daisy” by American playwright Alfred Uhry, about the relationship of an elderly white Southern Jewish woman (Daisy) and her African-American chauffeur (Hoke) is one of those character-driving plays that requires...

South Coast Rep has its “Christmas Carol” and Segerstrom Center has its “Nutcracker,” but Laguna Playhouse has established a holiday tradition of its own with its annual presentation of an elaborate “panto” courtesy of Lythgoe Family Panto. Panto, short for Pantomime, is a...

The Laguna Playhouse raised $1.7 Million at their annual gala held on May 12, 2018 at Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach. Attended by 400 playhouse patrons, the sold-out event featured a VIP Sponsors Reception, an elegant dinner, live and silent auction, entertainment and a...

By Christopher Trela & Shelly Zavala | NB Indy “Plastics.” Just that word alone conjures images of the classic 1967 film “The Graduate” starring a young Dustin Hoffman as a naïve college student who allows himself to be seduced by the wife of his father’s best friend—played...

Attending a play or concert with a friend is always fun, but what happens when you get nine neighbors together and make a group trip to Laguna Playhouse to watch a weekend matinee performance of “Twelve Angry Men?” Last Saturday, nine neighbors (including me) who frequently meet...

Between Pageant of the Masters, Laguna Playhouse, myriad arts festivals and Laguna Art Museum, there’s plenty to see and do this month. We’ve already experienced Pageant of the Masters, which we agreed is one of the best we’ve seen (and we go every year). “I loved how this year’s...

Pianist and actor Hershey Felder has been keeping busy—very busy. He’s played over 4,500 performances of his self-created solo productions around the world, breaking box office records and drawing critical acclaim for his one-man shows that revolve around noted composers. Up to...

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy     We’re always looking for good spots to dine before seeing a play at Laguna Playhouse, especially some place we can get in and out of quickly, since we’re often on a tight schedule. We finally found the perfect spot:...

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy Earlier this year, Ten Nightclub on MacArthur Blvd. near John Wayne Airport closed its doors to make way for a new concept: Envy Lounge, a roaring 20s speakeasy featuring craft cocktails, bottled craft microbrews, and...

By Daniella Walsh | NB Indy  It’s three days before graduation and Roosevelt High School basketball star Joe Marks is not only beset by senioritis, but horniness that addles his senses. He jeopardizes a college scholarship and an NBA fantasy during a final English exam by passing...

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy  One theater plus two actors equals “Act 3,” the comedy-drama that kicks off the New Year at The Laguna Playhouse through January 31. The play stars comedienne Rita Rudner, who has performed her stand-up act at the...

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy Pre-theater dining is almost mandatory for us before we go see a play, concert or ballet because it adds to the experience. In Laguna Beach, dining options abound due to how many restaurants are within a short walk of...

The holidays are a time for tradition, which means it’s time for a traditional holiday show. This year, holiday offerings range from SCR’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol” to ABT’s “The Nutcracker” at Segerstrom Center to a new holiday-themed show...

“Biophony” describes the myriad sounds made by animals, from roaring lions to humming bees, to a sea anemone munching or a river otter pining for its lost mate. Introduced by musician, composer, ecologist and author Bernie Krause, he also coined “anthrophony,” defined as human...

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy Two entertaining coastal traditions you can count on every year: Pageant of the Masters and a summer musical from Laguna Playhouse (this year it’s “Footloose”). We love dining out before seeing a show. Since both of these...

He’s created one-man shows about George Gershwin, Chopin, Beethoven, Bernstein, and Liszt. Now, musician, actor and playwright Hershey Felder returns to Laguna Playhouse with his latest solo show, “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin,” written by and starring Felder, and directed by...

Laguna Playhouse went back in time for its annual Gala last month, which pleased supporters so much that the gala brought in a record $196,500. Dubbed “A Night at the Cocoanut Grove,” the Big Band Gala was held at the Island Hotel in Fashion Island and chaired by Michelle...

By Christopher Trela & Catherine Del Casale | NB Indy Orange County’s two largest theaters – South Coast Rep and Laguna Playhouse – are staging holiday-themed shows, but they’re about as different as you can get. So are the restaurants we dined at prior to seeing the play...

Small cast plays can offer big theatrical rewards, especially when the plays are from the pens of noted writers. Such is the case with the current productions at OC’s two largest theater companies. Laguna Playhouse One-person plays have become all too common, so it’s refreshing...