Orange County Theatre Reviews

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August 10, 2022 | Laguna beach, Laguna Playhouse, Musical, Review, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on Xanadu @ The Laguna Playhouse – Review |

Xanadu @ The Laguna Playhouse – Review

(Photo credit: Matthew Saville)

Written by Daniella Litvak

Xanadu began life as a film. The film is remembered for a few things. It was a notorious flop – to the point of inspiring the Razzies. The soundtrack was a worldwide smash. The film starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, who turned in good performances in spite of everything, and it was Gene Kelly’s final film role.   In the 2000s, Xanadu was adapted into a successful Broadway musical and scored several Tony nominations. Now it is closing out the Laguna Playhouse’s historic 100th anniversary season. Continue Reading

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March 7, 2019 | Laguna beach, Laguna Playhouse, Musical, Review, Uncategorized Comments Off on Blues in the Night @ Laguna Playhouse – Review |

Blues in the Night @ Laguna Playhouse – Review

(PHOTO CREDIT:  Ed Krieger)

Written by Alina Mae Wilson 

Make of this what you will, but to me, the “blues” was only something that plays in the background while at restaurants (quietly of course so as not to distract from the table chatter).  I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed at the prospect of spending an evening attending a show called Blues In The Night.  Yet once the show began, my biases were proven completely unfounded. Almost against my will, I was lured into the music and into the lives of the characters onstage.  Though I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as ‘riveting’ all the way through, Blues In The Night varies in range, tempo, and soul.  It is one of the most pleasant surprises I have had in a while. Continue Reading

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December 16, 2018 | Laguna beach, Laguna Playhouse, Musical, Review, Uncategorized Comments Off on Beauty And The Beast: A Christmas Rose @ Laguna Playhouse – Review |

Beauty And The Beast: A Christmas Rose @ Laguna Playhouse – Review

Photo Credit: Cathy Cunningham Photography

Written by Daniella Litvak 

Seeing a Lythogoe Family Panto (a fairy tale with told with musical numbers, lots of jokes and audience participation) at the Laguna Playhouse during the holiday season has become an Orange County tradition.  Over the past few years, Lythoge Family Productions has staged Aladdin and His Winter Wish, A Snow White Christmas, and Sleeping Beauty and her Winter Knight.  This year’s production is Beauty And The Beast: A Christmas Rose (hereinafter “Beauty”). Continue Reading

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July 11, 2017 | Laguna beach, Laguna Playhouse, Musical, Review, Uncategorized Comments Off on Hairspray is Dated : Hairspray @ Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach – Review |

Hairspray is Dated : Hairspray @ Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach – Review

(photos by Ed Krieger)

Written by Alina Mae Wilson 

Good news everyone, obesity cures racism.  We’ve done it.  All this time we thought racism was a result of historical and societal pressures placed on individuals and cultures in masse to keep the power hierarchy in check, but it turns out it was just one or two bad people the whole time.  All you need is one fat hero to step in and save the day, and everything else will just fall in place.  As if you needed to be told, I am talking about the musical Hairspray, currently playing in all its creamy and gelatinous glory over at the Laguna Playhouse. Continue Reading

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May 2, 2017 | Laguna beach, Laguna Playhouse, Musical, Review, Uncategorized Comments Off on Who is Roger Miller? : King of the Road The Roger Miller Story @ The Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach – Review |

Who is Roger Miller? : King of the Road The Roger Miller Story @ The Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach – Review

(Photo by Ed Krieger)

Written by Alina Mae Wilson 

I recently went over to the Laguna Playhouse and saw King of the Road, the Roger Miller Story.  Last week if someone asked me to tell them about Roger Miller, I might have responded he has a familiar name, and that would have been it.  Since then I have been educated and can inform you that Roger Miller was a famous songwriter, musician, and actor.  Although I can now spout a few soundbites about the man, I have not been transformed into a passionate fan nor have I been passionately enlightened.  King of the Road  tries to tell us Roger Miller’s story but its more successful at bombarding us with trivia instead of telling us (what should be) a rich and fulfilling story.  Consider me educated –not moved. Continue Reading

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December 12, 2016 | Laguna beach, Laguna Playhouse, Review, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight @ Laguna Playhouse – Review |

Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight @ Laguna Playhouse – Review

(PHOTO CREDIT: Cathy Cunningham Photography)

Written by Daniella Litvak 

“A panto is a traditional fairy tale complete with songs, dances, jokes, exaggerated characters and lots of audience participation.”[1] Panto is the word being used to describe Laguna Playhouse’s Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight, and it is apt. Continue Reading

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