Kander and Ebb going round at No Square

Tom Titus

Whatever happened to “Class”?

That’s what regular theatergoers were wondering when they saw the

otherwise excellent movie version of the Broadway musical “Chicago.”

One of the funniest songs in the stage version was excised from the

movie -- although it was reportedly originally filmed with Catherine

Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah trading musical punch lines.

Never fear, however, if you’re going to be at the Artists Theater

of Laguna Beach High School tonight or Saturday for the No Square

Theatre’s presentation of “The World Goes Round,” a tribute to the

show tunes of John Kander and Fred Ebb. You’ll get a rousing

rendition of “Class.”

Actually, the timing of the Laguna show couldn’t be better, what

with the movie version of “Chicago” drawing rave reviews and

generating Oscar vibes.

But “Chicago” isn’t the only item on No Square’s musical menu.

Director Adam Hemming -- who’s also handling the musical direction

and choreography -- has promised an evening of the best from Kander

and Ebb. That would include the musicals “Zorba,” “Kiss of the Spider

Woman,” “Funny Lady” and, oh yes, a little show called “Cabaret.”

If Kander and Ebb were known for nothing else, they’d go down in

showbiz history as the duo who created the show that won Liza

Minnelli and Joel Grey their Oscars -- even if the movie version

pales in comparison to the stage musical.

The cast of “The World Goes Round” are volunteer nonprofessionals,

mostly Lagunans, said Bree Burgess Rosen, artistic director of the No

Square troupe.

Rosen has drawn the enviable assignment of tickling the audience’s

funny bones with “Class,” along with stage manager Phoebe Ward.

Unfortunately, the show will be presented for only two

performances -- tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. in the high school

theater, 625 Park Ave.

It’s sponsored by the Business Improvement District of Laguna

Beach, an arm of the city’s Visitors and Conference Bureau, and

tickets are $20 for all seats.

If there are any tickets left, you can claim them by calling (949)

497-1950. Time, however, is of the essence.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.