Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that acclaimed TV and Broadway actor John O’Hurley (“Seinfeld,” “Dancing with the Stars,” Broadway’s Chicago) is set to star as “Captain Hook” and Ashley Argota (Laguna Playhouse Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose) will star as “Tinker Bell” in Lythgoe Family Panto’s upcoming PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL: A PIRATES’ CHRISTMAS.
Written by Kris Lythgoe, PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL: A PIRATES’ CHRISTMAS will begin performances on Wednesday, December 4 and run through Sunday, December 29, 2019, with a press opening on Thursday, December 5 at 7:00 pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday, July 25. Casting is led by LFP Producer Becky Lythgoe, and the full cast will be announced at a later date.
PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL: A PIRATES’ CHRISTMAS is a singing, swashbuckling adventure performed in the high-flying style of a British holiday Panto. Take off on a wild quest with Tinker Bell, Wendy and Peter Pan as they try to put a stop to the plot of some dastardly pirates who plan to kidnap Peter as a present to Captain Hook. Filled with big laughs, magic, dancers and contemporary songs by everyone from Taylor Swift to The Bee Gees, this family show has a little bit of something for everyone.
ABOUT JOHN O’HURLEY & ASHLEY ARGOTA
JOHN O’HURLEY is best known as J. Peterman on “Seinfeld,” the #1 syndicated television show in the world, for which he won a Screen Actor’s Guild Award. Most recently starring in the comedy feature “Swing Away,” John can also be seen on the ABC hit “Dancing with the Stars,” ABC’s “Dance-Off!” and as the host of “Family Feud.” He is one of the most recognizable voices on TV, appearing in dozens of animated productions including Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” and NBC’s “Father of the Pride.” O’Hurley’s first CD, “Peace of Our Minds,” a collaboration of his piano compositions with world-renowned cellist Marston Smith, debuted #13 on Billboard. His stage credits include starring roles in the national tours of Chicago, Spamalot, Pirates of Penzance, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Brigadoon. He is a New York Times bestselling author with three titles, including The Perfect Dog, which is becoming a stage musical. Most recently, John has recurred on the Lifetime series “Devious Maids,” opposite Susan Lucci.
ASHLEY ARGOTA (Tinker Bell) Best known for her roles on TV shows such as “True Jackson, VP,” “The Fosters,” “Lab Rats,” and “How To Build A Better Boy.” She toured nationally in The Lion King as Young Nala and became the youngest performer ever to win five times in a row at “Amateur Night at the Apollo,” which led to her becoming a “Star of Tomorrow” at “Showtime at the Apollo.” In addition to shooting films (“Cover Versions”) and TV shows (“Girl Meets World,” “Liberty Crossing”), she has starred as Juliet in Romeo & Juliet: Love Is A Battlefield, as multiple Disney Princesses in the Lythgoe Family Panto’s, and in the UMPO Series at Rockwell Table & Stage. She is currently playing Shelby in the Garry Marshall Theatre production of The Spitfire Grill, directed by Dimitri Toscas.
ABOUT LYTHGOE FAMILY PANTO
Lythgoe Family Panto produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairy tales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well-known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together.
PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL: A PIRATES’ CHRISTMAS marks Lythgoe Family Panto’s fifth production at the venerable Laguna Playhouse. Past Pantos at Laguna Playhouse include Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose starring Ashley Argota and Thomas Hobson, Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Kira Kosarin and Barry Pearl, Sleeping Beauty and her Winter Knight starring Cozi Zuehlsdorff and Joely Fisher & A Snow White Christmas starring Marina Sirtis and Lindsay Pearce. As part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to developing theatre for young audiences, Lythgoe Family Panto together with Laguna Playhouse will bring the magic of Panto to hundreds of underserved children who attend school in Orange County.
Photo Credits: Laguna Playhouse
ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND PRICING
PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL: A PIRATES’ CHRISTMAS previews on Wednesday, December 4; will open on Thursday, December 5 at 7:00 pm and runs through Sunday, December 29, 2019, at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday, July 25.
Tickets range from $41 – $76 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229. Prices subject to change. The box office is open Mondays – Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open until showtime on performance days); Sundays: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is proud to be an active participant in the celebrated Laguna Beach arts community. From classic plays and musical comedies to the current off-Broadway smash, cutting edge and traditional music exhibitions, dance festivals and stand-up comedy performances, Laguna Playhouse brings the magical experience of the performing arts direct to over 80,000 patrons each season.
Laguna Playhouse educational programming includes year-round classes, productions by and for children and teens (Youth Theatre) and is one of the few companies in the region that offer a curriculum-based professional theatre-touring program, TheatreReach, which aligns with the California State Standards for literature, history and performing arts curriculum.
Laguna Playhouse has been recognized in 2017, 2016 and 2015 as one of Orange County Register’s “Best of OC” in the category of Live Theatre, and has been recognized by OC Hotlist in their “Best Theatre Group” winning first place in 2017 and 2016. The Laguna Playhouse has featured many talented performers on stage, including Ed Asner, Leslie Caron, Hershey Felder, Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, Val Kilmer, Gregory Harrison, Dan Lauria, Hal Linden, Wendie Malick, Rita Rudner, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart, Loretta Swit, and Bette Davis.
Learn What’s Going On at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
