Splashback back in Laguna

“Splashback to Beaver High,” the 23rd annual production in the Splash series of musical revues that date back to “The Big Splash” in 1985, is coming to the Festival of Arts grounds Sept. 26 and 27.

The first Big Splash ran nine minutes, raised $33,000 and provided the initial funding for AIDS Services Foundation.

Subsequent productions have raised more than $8 million to help people with HIV/AIDS in Orange County. Over the years, Bea Arthur, Cher, Whoopi Goldberg, Penny Marshall, Dolly Parton, Phyllis Diller, Frankie Avalon, Lauren Bacall, Tom Bosley, Connie Stevens, Carrie Fisher, Jack Lemmon and more have been Big Splash volunteers with their character voices.

This year’s production again brings together the talent of board member Ken Jillson as writer/producer/director with scores of cast members, makeup artists, scenery and lighting people.

“Splashback to Beaver High” transports the audience back to 1959. The location is Beaver High School in a tight-knit small town. After 10 years of losses by the hometown football team, the Beaver High Trappers, school spirit is about as near to the ground as a Beaver’s tail. Coach Wolf is out of ideas. But the Beaver High senior class is determined to make its graduating year memorable. They decide new uniforms for the football team and cheerleaders will boost morale and lead the Trappers to a homecoming victory. Off they go on a gambit of talent shows, musical plays and high school high jinks that bring down the house (but not the high school).

Original music includes the Beaver High Fight Song.

The main event will take place Sept. 27 on the grounds of the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach. Guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dinner under the stars, along with the Beaver High silent auction, casino games and an evening of surprises. Reserved seating is $250 per person, with major donor programs beginning at $1,200. Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 8. The curtain goes up at 9 sharp.

The opening night performance will be presented Sept. 26, with tickets at $110 for reserved seating and $60 for general admission. Complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are included. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the curtain goes up at 8.

For more information, call Diana Pahl at (949) 809-8760 or e-mail DPahl@ocasf.org.