THEATER PREVIEW:

While Vanguard University labors to expand the physical facilities of its Lyceum Theater, as well as mount a second season of its professional stage program, the enthusiastic Costa Mesa college has been mapping plans for its 2008-09 season.

The new slate of six plays has just been announced and the leadoff is the rock musical “Godspell.”

This modern retelling of the New Testament’s first four chapters from composer Stephen Schwartz and scripter Jon-Michael Tebelak has been around since 1974. Vanda Eggington will direct the Vanguard production, which will be staged from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.

Turning back the clock to 1813 will be Vanguard’s next show, the stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” Susan K. Berkompas, the college’s producing director, will helm this romantic comedy on stage from Oct. 31 through Nov. 9.

Last season, Vanguard brought the memorable characters of “It’s a Wonderful Life” to the forefront, and response was so positive there’ll be an encore this year. Myrona DeLaney will direct the holiday play, which will run from Dec. 4-14.

From Jan. 30 to Feb. 8, is a personal favorite, Larry Shue’s “The Foreigner,” about the comedic crises faced when a shy Brit pretends not to speak or understand English. Amick Byram is scheduled to direct this imaginative piece that will have you laughing at the Ku Klux Klan.

Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “The Skin of Our Teeth,” will occupy the Lyceum from Feb. 27 through March 8. Berkompas will return to direct the satiric story of the Antrobus family as they tackle flood, fire, pestilence, seven-year locusts, the ice age and other obstacles.

Winding up the 2008-09 Vanguard season will be the revival of a popular musical which won its first Tony award in 1951 — “Guys and Dolls,” to be directed by Eggington.

This “musical fable of Broadway” from Abe Burrows and Frank Loesser will bring Damon Runyon’s memorable characters to life from April 3-19.

While “Guys and Dolls” closes the regular season, Vanguard won’t be dark for the summer. Its American Coast Theater Company returns in July for a second season, this time offering a musical version of Victor Hugo’s classic “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Vanguard’s Lyceum Theater is located on the school’s Costa Mesa campus at 55 Fair Drive (best accessed off Newport Boulevard).

Ticket prices are $17 for general audiences and $14 for children and senior citizens. More information may be obtained by calling the college at (714) 668-6145.

Something’s (very) new at SCR

Spring is when new things begin blooming — flowers in many instances, new stage productions in the case of South Coast Repertory.

Late April and early May have, for the past 11 years, constituted the breeding season for new plays at SCR’s Pacific Playwrights Festival. These include world premiere productions, workshop presentations and staged readings.

The previous 10 festivals have unveiled 57 new plays, including many produced at South Coast Rep.

The Costa Mesa theater’s attention to new material has resulted in the awarding of the prestigious Margo Jones Medal to SCR founders David Emmes and Martin Benson. That prize will be presented on the eve of the festival, a week from tonight.

The 2008 PPF includes the world premieres currently either on stage (Kate Robin’s “What They Have”) on the Segerstrom Stage or in final stages of rehearsal on the Julianne Argyros Stage (Richard Greenberg’s “The Injured Party”).

Next weekend, SCR will present a workshop production of Sharr White’s “Sunlight,” in which a college president wreaks havoc on his own campus, with four performances planned from May 2-4.

The playwrights’ festival also includes staged readings of these new works:

  “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” by Lynn Nottage, May 2 at 1 p.m. This play deals with the emergence of African-Americans in 1930s movies.

  “Emilie” by Lauren Gunderson, May 2 at 3:30 p.m.. A Parisian noblewoman notes her romantic achievements, including an affair with Voltaire.

  “Goldfish” by John Kolvenbach, May 3 at 10:30 a.m. Lovers deal with eccentric parents.

  “You, Nero” by Amy Freed, May 4 at 10:30 a.m. The “back story” of the mad emperor’s Roman bonfire.

For more information call 714) 708-5555.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear Thursdays.