ON THEATER: Many irons in Gallimaufry’s fire

Ask someone at Gallimaufry Performing Arts “What’s new?” and they’re liable to run off a whole litany of events on tap for the Laguna Beach artistic group.

First up — tonight, in fact — is the “Rhythms of Life” concert by the Lagunatunes Community Chorus, its annual spring concert at the Artists Theatre at Laguna Beach High School, 625 Park Ave., starting at 8 p.m.

This 40-member chorus has an eclectic mix of classical, jazz and Broadway music on tap to celebrate rhythms throughout the ages — and general seating is free at the door 15 minutes before the event. If you want a reserved seat, that’ll be five bucks.

Featured on the program will be songs from Vaughn Williams to Fats Waller, madrigals and hymns to the musical “Hairspray.” And as a special event, the evening will offer a “four-hands-for-one-piano” accompaniment to Waller’s “Handful of Keys” and a special rendition of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”

The company’s Chamber Singers and the Laguna Community Concert Band’s “Swing Set” also will entertain at tonight’s show.

Gallimaufry also is offering summer musical theater workshops for junior and senior high school students and holding open auditions for the musical “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”

The “Willie Wonka” tryouts are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road. Noah Plomgren is directing and choreographing, with Amy Hitchcock as musical director.

All roles are open and auditions are by appointment only — call (949) 499-5060 for details. Those trying out should come prepared with a short two-minute song in the Broadway musical theater genre. They also should have a short monologue or be prepared to read from the script.

The production is scheduled for July 17-19 at the Artists Theatre.

Two sessions of musical theater workshops are scheduled, with acting, singing and dance technique instruction on the agenda, as well as auditioning and improvisation tips.

Instructors include TV and Broadway star Jonelle Allen, Amy Hitchcock, Karen McBride and Ellen Prince. Grades five through eight will meet Mondays through Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. and grades nine to 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost ranges from $400 to $590 and all classes will be at the Boys & Girls Club.

Additional information on “Willie Wonka” or the musical theater workshops is available at the company’s website, www.gallimaufry.info.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.