If you’ve read any of my posts, you’d know that I love theater and taking my family to as many shows as possible. It doesn’t matter the venue; I’m always up for a show. Last month one of my friends was talking about having a mom’s night out with our kids to see Sleeping Beauty at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach instead of a regular holiday dinner gift exchange. I loved the idea of making holiday memories that didn’t consist of food and gifts, instead of experiences.I was the first to say yes for two reasons; one I love Sleeping Beauty (seriously she was my favorite princess growing up) and two, I had always wanted to see a show at the Laguna Playhouse. I had driven by the venue for years on route to the beach but never went; seriously I have no clue why it had taken me so long to visit the playhouse. The Laguna Playhouse was founded as a community theatre in 1920 and is one of the oldest continuously-operating, not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast. Their variety of year round comedies, dramas, musicals, stand-up comedy and family fare won them the title of Best in OC” at Live Theatre in 2016 and 2015 by the OC Register. The playhouse is quaint, but their productions don’t feel like what you expect when you hear the words Community Theater. The team at the Playhouse is made up of dedicated artists who not only bring professionalism to the table but also talent, which was quite evident in Sleeping Beauty. My friend Jen organized our event and got tickets for our group.A few weeks later, my family was invited by the playhouse as guests so I was able to bring my husband and son to the show as well (they sat elsewhere so that us girls could still have our night out). At first, my husband was on the fence about going to the show but after seeing it, couldn’t stop raving about how much he enjoyed it. My son who told me he’d pass on a girls show was laughing and singing along to all the pop songs incorporated in the show. As I walked into the playhouse, I immediately fell in love with it. It is a small venue which means every seat is fantastic and that you feel like you are part of the show which regarding this Sleeping Beauty, you are (they encourage audience participation from your seats). If you’re like me, when you think of Sleeping Beauty, your mind naturally thinks of the Disney classic with Aurora being raised in the woods by the fairies. This production started off a bit differently than the traditional Sleeping Beauty. Aurora lives at home in the castle and is raised by Nany Tickles who was a mix between a southern Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee. She is also guarded by her loveable yet dimly lit bodyguard Silly Billy. The witty script mixed with modern pop songs has you laughing and singing throughout the show. The talented ensemble cast has Joely Fisher as the evil fairy Carabosse, Dolphin Tale’s Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Aurora, Barry Pearl as the King of Laguna, Vonzell Solomon as the good fairy and so much larger than life characters.Sleeping Beauty opens Friday, December 9th at 7:30 pm and runs through Friday, December 30th at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Performances will be Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 11:30am; 3:30pm & 7:30pm; Sundays at 11:30am & 3:30pm. There will be additional performances on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30; Friday, December 23 at 3:30pm & Thursday, December 27 at 11:30am; 3:30pm & 7:30pm. There will be no performance on Saturday, December 24 at 7:30pm or Sunday, December 25.
Ticket prices range from $30 – $70 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787).
The box office is open Mondays – Saturdays: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (open until showtime on performance days); Sundays: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
