Get set for art sale and drama festival

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The weekend was quite spectacular in Laguna Beach, including the

Memorial Day festivities and the second annual Hunks in Trunks event

to benefit Laguna Shanti. But never fear, there’s no shortage of arts

events on the horizon.

EXHIBIT

AND SALE

Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn. will have a juried exhibit and

sale of more than 100 paintings by world-class artists with an

opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday. The event will be

held at the association’s new studio in the canyon, 3251 Laguna

Canyon Road, Suite F3. For information, call 376-3635 or go online to

www.lpapa.org. The exhibit will run through June 15.

DRAMA FESTIVAL

Last week it was a pleasure to go to a rehearsal for the Park

Avenue Players second annual Drama Festival at Laguna Beach High

School. I found it particularly fascinating that all of the plays,

music and choreography are written, directed and performed by

students, except one play that is only directed by the students.

Katie Johnson, 18, who is directing “Baby with the Bathwater” with

Scott Brown has been accepted USC and is enjoying directing.

“I’ve done most of the shows here,” Johnson said. “It’s fun to see

what’s on the other side -- to watch the show and help the actors

find their character instead of someone trying to help you find your

character.”

The biggest challenge is that the play is so modern that there

were so many different paths she could have taken.

“It could go so many different ways because it’s such an abstract

play,” Johnson said.

She also wasn’t sure how co directing would work, but said it was

an amazing experience.

“I worried at first about co-directing with Scott, thinking we

would have two different visions,” Johnson said. “But that was the

best part, to discuss how would this be or would it work better like

that ... “

Johnson said she also was fortunate to work with the cast.

“It’s really talented, I couldn’t have asked for a more talented

group,” Johnson said. “Sometimes it’s like they direct themselves --

they have good instincts.”

Marisa Reisman, 16, explained that the festival is district-wide

with Thurston students participating as well. Mark Dressler wrote the

play “The Empty Chair” and has been working with the middle school on

the performances, which will be today, Saturday and Sunday at the

Thurston Drama Room.

“My sister Kimmie Reisman, 14, plays the lead, Tina,” Reisman

said. “Dressler calls it a teenage tragedy that teaches values. It

has a lot of good parts and is a good learning experience for them.”

Dylan Sachse, 15, plays Floyd in the musical written by Brown

called “The Last American Dream.”

The Park Avenue Player’s final Drama Festival performance is at 7

p.m. today at the Artists’ Theatre at the high school.

“This show is really more of an expression of our creativity,”

Reisman said. They will be performing ‘Footloose’ in the upcoming

competition called the MACY Awards on [Saturday], against other

Southern California high schools. “It’s basically the Oscars of high

school musicals in Orange County, we get a lot of awards,” Reisman

said.

Admission to the Drama Festival is $5. The Artists’ Theatre is at

625 Park Ave. For information, call 497-7769.

ART WALK

Don’t forget that 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday is Art Walk time. It’s a

definite highlight of the month. An unveiling of a public sculpture

by Paul Braslow at Heisler Park will serve as a pre-event at 5:30

p.m. It will be unveiled at the walkway at the Inn at Laguna, 211 N.

Coast Highway and will include an artist reception. For information

about the art walk, call 497-0716 or go online to

www.firstthursdaysartwalk.com.

FITZ AT THE RITZ

Laguna based and internationally acclaimed artist Fitz Maurice is

now on exhibit at The Gallery at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel.

Maurice’s newest painting “Destiny” will be exhibited there through

the summer. The Gallery is exhibiting art by invited renowned artists

and has been exhibiting some artists based in Laguna Beach, including

artist Michael Evans.

Maurice recently won the Jackson Pollock-Lee Krasner Foundation

Award, New York, where thousands of artists from 62 countries

submitted their art to compete. Her other more recent accomplishments

include representing the U.S. in the Florence Biennale in Italy and

in the Paris International Juried Exhibition at the Grande Arche

National Monument. For information, call Maurice at 497-2234 or go

online to www.fitzmauriceart.com.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.