In The Arts

Playhouse to premiere new show next week

The Laguna Playhouse will stage the world premiere of “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns,” a musical written and directed by Roger Bean.

The show will open Tuesday night and run through Aug. 12 at the Playhouse’s Moulton Theater, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

“We are thrilled to welcome back our four Wonderettes for this world premiere and latest installment of The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns,” Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham said in a prepared statement.

“Missy, Betty Jean, Suzy and Cindy Lou reunite not only to graduate from high school, but to take us into their futures as they learn about life and love, told through musical standards that you know and love. It’ll be a fun-filled musical summer here at the Laguna Playhouse.”

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, and at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays with Thursday afternoon matinees at 2 p.m. on July 5, 19 and 26. According to a news release from the Playhouse, tickets range from $30 to $70. To purchase tickets, call (949) 497-ARTS (2787) or visit https://www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

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Acting classes for kids coming in July

Also at the Playhouse, the two-week long Summer 2012 Youth Theatre Classes program will begin there on July 9.

The Kids on Broadway class, a workshop in musical theater for children aged 9 through 12, and the Teen Acting Workshop, for boys and girls aged 13 through 17, will end with public performances on July 20, according to a Playhouse news release.

It costs $300 to $500 to register a child per class, and class sizes are limited. To sign your child up for any of these classes, contact Donna Inglima at (949) 497-2787 ext. 202, or visit https://www.lagunaplayhouse.com for more information.

In other Playhouse news, Laguna’s 91-year-old theater is looking to recruit more members for its Playhouse Women’s group.

“Playhouse Women was established in 2007 to develop awareness of, and support for, The Laguna Playhouse, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit,” Elizabeth Pearson, the Playhouse’s development director who is a member of the Laguna Beach City Council, said in a prepared statement.

“The group is comprised of women with a variety of talents and interests, including business executives and owners, community leaders, moms, artists and others. All value the performing arts and want to ensure that the Playhouse continues to thrive.”

“We know women have many demands on their time,” she added. “We do not have monthly meetings, but, instead, work together to raise funds for specific projects that directly benefit the Laguna Playhouse. This allows flexibility in terms of participation – whether someone wishes to be on a committee or support each project in other ways.”

The tax-deductible annual membership fee is $125.

For more information, call Leslie Ann Mogul at (949) 497-2787 ext. 217 or email her at lamogul@lagunaplayhouse.com.

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Fundraiser to help Olympian’s family

Art Guevara, Simone Davis, and Mary and the Venus Pixies will host a fundraiser during the First Thursdays Art Walk in July to help the family of U.S. Olympian Jesse Ruiz cover travel costs, so they can travel from Orange County to England to see the wrestler compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

The benefit event, in which a portion of art sales will to Ruiz’s family, will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on July 5 at 484 North Gallery, 484 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach.

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Pato Banton to perform in Laguna

Grammy-nominated musician Pato Banton will headline a “Music Matters” concert at The Cliff’s Laguna Village on Sunday, July 15, to benefit the local nonprofit Blue Water Green Earth.

The show, from 4 to 8:30 p.m., will also feature Nick “I” of Common Sense, the Kenny Garcia Band and Kevin Miso. Proceeds will go toward the Blue Water Station Program, a seven-day per week community service program, according to a news release.

Presale tickets cost $20, or $25 at the door. To reserve a place, call (949) 573-8624 or send an email to tickets@bluewatergreenearth.org or to rick@bluewatergreenearth.org.

The Cliff’s Laguna Village is at 577 S. Coast Hwy.

—Imran Vittachi