THEATER REVIEW:Playhouse pursues comedy

When and if Richard Dresser’s “The Pursuit of Happiness” wins a few Tony awards in its Broadway production, local theatergoers may read the news and observe, “Yeah, I saw that play in Laguna.”

They’d be correct. “The Pursuit of Happiness” is making its world premiere right here in the Art Colony next week, opening Tuesday for a month-long engagement at the Laguna Playhouse.

It’s not the first association between Dresser and the playhouse, although it is the first time one of his plays has seen its initial audiences in Laguna.

The playhouse produced the Southern California premiere of Dresser’s “Gun-Shy” in 2000, the West Coast premiere of his “Wonderful World” in 2001 and another West Coast premiere, “Rounding Third,” in 2003.

“The Pursuit of Happiness” focuses on Annie, a suburban mother obsessed with sending her daughter to college, and her husband, Neil, who’s also obsessed — with his work, along with his fascination for a new and dangerous hobby.

Their daughter, Jodi, meanwhile, couldn’t care less about higher education, arguing that it didn’t make either of her parents happy — and why should they live vicariously through her in the first place?

Dresser’s play is the second in a trilogy. The first, “Augusta,” made its debut last summer in West Virginia and has several upcoming regional productions scheduled. The third play, “A View of the Harbor,” has just been completed.

Directing “The Pursuit of Happiness” will be the playhouse’s artistic director, Andrew Barnicle, who’s quite familiar with Dresser’s work, having also staged “Wonderful World” and “Rounding Third.”

Barnicle, who’s been with the playhouse since 1991, has helmed more than 30 productions on the Laguna stage.

Backstage, Tom Buderwitz is designing the setting and Paulie Jenkins is in charge of lighting.

Julie Keen is creating the costumes and sound designer David Edwards will be adding the auditory effects.