Segerstrom Center for the Arts is excited to present singer-songwriter Boz Scaggs in concert as part of his Rhythm Review 2025 tour. Best known for ’70s hits, Scaggs will make a stop at Segerstrom Center for one-night-only on Friday, October 24.

Long considered one of the great “blue-eyed soul” vocalists, Scaggs was an early member of the Steve Miller Band before launching a solo career and making his commercial breakthrough with the 1976 album Silk Degrees. The multiplatinum release rode the charts for 115 weeks and spawned three Top 40 singles: “It’s Over,” “Lido Shuffle” and the Grammy-winning “Lowdown.”

Scaggs spent much of the ’80s focusing on his family and his San Francisco nightclub, Slim’s, before returning full force in the ’90s with the critically lauded Some Change, Dig, the Grammy-nominated Come on Home, the unplugged Fade Into Light, the in-concert retrospective Greatest Hits Live and a stint touring with Donald Fagen’s New York Rock & Soul Review. He covered jazz standards on 2003’s But Beautiful and the 2008 chart-topper Speak Low, then returned to his blues and R&B roots for another string of albums, most recently 2018’s Out of the Blues.

Tickets for Boz Scaggs Rhythm Review 2025 tour are on sale Friday, May 16 at 10:00am PST. Tickets are available for purchase online at scfta.org, in person at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, and by phone at 714.556.2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts of 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at 714.755.0236.

BOZ SCAGGS is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. An early bandmate of Steve Miller in The Ardells and the Steve Miller Band, he began his solo career in 1969, though he lacked a major hit until his 1976 album Silk Degrees peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, and produced the hit singles “Lido Shuffle” and “Lowdown”. Scaggs produced two more platinum-certified albums in Down Two Then Left and Middle Man, the latter of which produced two top-40 singles “Breakdown Dead Ahead” and “Jojo”.

After a hiatus for most of the 1980s, he returned to recording and touring in 1988, joining The New York Rock and Soul Revue and opening the nightclub Slim’s, a popular San Francisco music venue until it closed in 2020. He has continued to record and tour throughout the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, with his most recent album being 2018’s Out of the Blues.

Scaggs is credited for helping the formation of Toto. For his 1976 album, Silk Degrees, he hand picked musicians after taking suggestions from several people. These musicians were David Paich, David Hungate, and Jeff Porcaro. The three were already friends and had frequently performed together on other albums, such as Steely Dan’s Pretzel Logic. By going on tour with Scaggs, it solidified the prospect of starting a band. Columbia picked up on this talent by offering the new group a contract “without audition”. Steve Porcaro described this as “a record deal thrown in our laps”. Paich stated “I’m not sure if Toto would have happened as soon, or quite the same way, without Silk Degrees”. Their friendship has continued throughout the decades shown by the varying collaborations and concerts performed together. Paich teamed up once more for Scaggs’ 2001 album, Dig, where he contributed to 6 out of the 11 songs.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts^® is an innovative nonprofit organization that champions artistic excellence and fosters a vibrant, inclusive community in Orange County through the transformative power of live performance. As the region’s leading cultural hub, the Center offers a diverse array of programming, featuring international dance companies, Broadway national tours, jazz and cabaret musicians, and an engaging speaker series. Its Education and Community Engagement departments present family-friendly events on the picturesque Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, including outdoor movie screenings, concerts, and lively festivals.

With six stunning venues nestled within a beautiful multi-disciplinary campus, the Center is home to the region’s most esteemed performing arts organizations, including the Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society of Orange County and Pacific Chorale as well as two independently acclaimed organizations: Tony Award^®-winning South Coast Repertory and Orange County Museum of Art. Segerstrom Center is also home to the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School and Studio D: Arts School for All Abilities.

The Center continues to uphold the vision of its founder, Henry Segerstrom, remaining true to its mission as the premier arts in Orange County since its inception in 1986 as Orange County Performing Arts Center^®.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts applauds its corporate partner Kaiser Permanente, Official Health Care Partner.

The information provided is accurate at the time of printing but is subject to change. Segerstrom Center for the Arts is a public, non-profit organization. “Segerstrom Center for the Arts” and “SCFTA” are registered trademarks.

Photo Credit: SCFTA/ Boz Scaggs Media

Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez
Book by Jennifer Lee

Originally directed on Broadway by Michael Grandage

Based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee
and directed by Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee

Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions

Musical Direction by Brad Gardner

Direction and Choreography by Dan Knechtges

THIS SUMMER, THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL “LET IT GO” 

STARTING FRIDAY, JUNE 6

AT LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS!

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are thrilled to announce initial casting for the Los Angeles regional theatre premiere of  Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical, music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, book by Jennifer Lee, originally directed on Broadway by Michael Grandage, based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee, originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions, with musical direction by Brad Gardner and direction and choreography by Dan Knechtges.  Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical will preview on Friday, June 6 at 8 pm and Saturday, June 7 at 2 pm, have its official Press Opening on Saturday, June 7 at 8 pm and run through Sunday, June 29, 2025 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.         

“For the first time in forever,” experience the musical phenomenon which has taken the world by storm!  Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s 

FROZEN The Broadway Musical includes all the film’s beloved songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, along with new music written exclusively for the stage.  In the beautiful, mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world, and increasingly distanced from each other.  When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she has desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains.  As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home, with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf.  Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love.

The initial cast of Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical features: 

 JENNA LEA ROSEN as “Princess Elsa.”  Her theater credits include: Frozen (“Elsa,” TUTS), Funny Girl (“Fanny Brice,” MSMT), Mack and Mabel (“Mabel Normand,” opposite Dermot Mulroney and Caroline O’Connor), Anne of Green Gables: The Musical (“Prissy”/ u/s “Anne,” Goodspeed), The Addams Family (“Wednesday Addams,” Sacramento Music Circus), Beauty and the Beast (“Belle,” Moonlight Stage Productions), Grease (“Sandy,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy-Rigby Entertainment). Voice over work includes: “Sofia the First,” “Elena of Avalor,” “Fancy Nancy,” “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery,” and many others. TV/Film credits include: “Descendants 3,” “Honey Girls,” “Call Me Kat,” and “Will Trent.”

 CAILEN FU as “Princess Anna.”  Cailen is an UC Irvine alumnus and NYC-based actor, singer, and voice over artist.  Broadway/National Tour of Mean Girls.  Her film credits include The Housemaid (upcoming) and Kinda Pregnant (Netflix).  Her TV credits include: “Elsbeth” and “Law & Order.”  Regional credits include: King Lear (“Cordelia,” Shakespeare Theater DC featuring. Patrick Page), The Devil Wears Prada (Chicago Pre Broadway), Frozen (“Princess Anna,” TUTS), Newsies (“Katherine Plumber,” TUTS), Shakespeare in Love (“Viola De Lesseps”). 

 MARK IVY as “Olaf.”  His theatre credits include: Frozen (“Olaf”), Sweeney Todd (“Beadle”), Newsies (“Wiesel/Jacobi/Mayor”), Cinderella (“Lionel”), The Little Mermaid (“Chef Louis/Pilot”), Seussical (“Horton”), All Shook Up (“Dennis”), Little Shop of Horrors (“Seymour,” “Mushnik”), James and the Giant Peach (“Centipede”), The Music Man, Oliver, First Date (“Reggie”), Reefer Madness (“Ralph”); Drag Wonderettes (“Suzy,” Stages Theatre), Spelling Bee (“Barfeé”), Five Course Love, Shear Madness (“Tony”), Xanadu (“Thalia”), Life Could Be a Dream (“Eugene”), Next to Normal (“Henry”),  Rabbit Hole (“Jason”), various Pantos, A Christmas Carol and Twelfth Night (“Fabian” at the Alley Theatre), and Godspell and The Sound of Music (at All New Festival, AD Players). 

  DAN KNECHTGES (Direction & Choreography) is a Tony-nominated director and choreographer who has been the Artistic Director at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) since 2017.  TUTS is where he most recently directed the 2024 Regional premiere of Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical.  In addition, he has directed and choreographed Sweeney Todd, The Secret of My Success, Sister Act, The Little Mermaid, Memphis, Mamma Mia andElf, and wrote and directed the world premiere of The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical.  Over the course of six years, Dan has won several Houston Press Awards for Best Season, Best Musical, and Best Choreography.

 He has many regional credits and awards/nominations, and you can also see his “Disney Jr. Dance Party” show at both Disney’s California Adventure and Disney World.  As an Educator, Dan has taught nationally and internationally with several groups, most notably, “Broadway Dreams” for 10 years.  As artistic director of Theatre Under The Stars, Dan is head of two schools that TUTS runs: “The Humphreys School of Musical Theatre” and “The River.”  “Humphreys” is an audition-based school where students come to train in musical theatre. “The River” is a school where students with disabilities train and express themselves in musical theatre. Students from both schools have been incorporated in mainstage productions getting peer-professional training that is unparalleled. 

 In addition to his artistic work, Dan is one of the executive officers of the national Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, has led the national theatre conversation and negotiations surrounding Directors and Choreographers, while also leading the financial policies of the Society by being the treasurer.  He has also served as a trustee and fundraiser for the foundation arm of the union, supporting the development and craft of young up-and-coming artists in the field.  Dan holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Otterbein College in Westerville, OH and hails from Cleveland, Ohio.  He is a member of Lincoln Center Director’s Lab.

BRAD GARDNER (Musical Direction) is regularly a part of the orchestra at the Pantages, Ahmanson, and Dolby Theatres including: Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga, Once Upon A Mattress starring Sutton Foster, Wicked, Back To The Future, Kimberly Akimbo, Funny Girl, and A Christmas Story.

  He was the associate conductor of the first national tours of Frozen, Aladdin, and An American in Paris, and was musical director of the Japanese language premiere of An American in Paris in Tokyo.  Other credits include: Mean Girls (Broadway), The Addams Family (Broadway), Little Shop of Horrors (Kennedy Center), Lyle, Lyle Crocodile (Pasadena Playhouse) and numerous productions at Arena Stage, Denver Center, and North Carolina Theatre.  Brad has been a music production executive on over forty Netflix original films and has been on the orchestra contracting team for John Williams since 2023.

The Design Team for Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical is as follows: Scenic Design by Timothy Mackabee; Lighting Design by Jason Lyons; Sound Design by Josh Bessom; Projection Design by Mike Tutaj; Costume Design by Colleen Grady; Wardrobe Supervisor is Donna MacNaughton; Hair/Wig Design by Kelley Jordan; Hair/Wigs/Make-Up Supervisor is Katie Yagen; Properties Coordination by Kevin Williams.  The Casting Director is Julia Flores.  The Production Stage Manager is Talia Krispel.      

This production is licensed by Musical Theatre International.

Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical will preview on Friday, June 6 at 8 pm and Saturday, June 7 at 2 pm, have its official Press Opening on Saturday, June 7 at 8 pm and run through Sunday, June 29, 2025 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.   

Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 pm; Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 2 pm & 8 pm; and Sundays at 1:30 pm & 6:30 pm.  There is no performance on Sunday, June 8 at 6:30 pm.                  

 There will be an Open-Captioned performance on Saturday, June 21 at 2:00 pm.  Talkbacks with the cast and creative team will be on Thursday, June 12 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, June 26 at 7:30 pm.   

 Tickets range from $39 – $139 (prices subject to change) and can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website www.LaMiradaTheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310.  Group, student, and military discounts are available.  Children under 3 will not be admitted into the theatre.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue where the 91 and 5 freeways meet.  Parking is FREE.                           

The Tony-nominated LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the best Broadway-style houses in Southern California.”  This beautiful state-of-the-art theatre has been presenting quality productions since 1977.  The theatre has produced several national tours and is the recipient of numerous accolades, including Tony, Emmy, and Ovation Award nominations and the L.A. Stage Alliance OVATION AWARD for “Best Season of the Year.”  The theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, California, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue.  Parking is theatre-adjacent and free. For further information call (562) 944-9801 or visit 

 www.LaMiradaTheatre.com.

Celebrating its 31^st season at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (MRE), is one of the world’s premier theatrical production companies and continues to be grateful to share a wildly successful collaboration with the City of La Mirada.  Headed by Executive Producers Tom McCoy and Cathy Rigby, MRE has produced over one hundred musicals, plays, and concerts featuring some of the biggest stars in the industry today and garnering many Emmy Awards, Tony nominations, and LA Ovation Awards.  

In addition, MRE has launched several Emmy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated Broadway, international, and national touring productions including: ASIA- Dreamgirls (Japan), Miss Saigon (China), Peter Pan (China), SAUDI ARABIA – Peter Pan (this was the first Broadway Musical to ever play in Saudi Arabia), USA- Seussical the Musical, and Annie Get Your Gun, starring Cathy Rigby; Jesus Christ Superstar starring Carl Anderson and Sebastian Bach, Camelot starring Michael York and Lou Diamond Phillips, Happy Days written by Gary Marshall and Paul Williams, BROADWAY – ‪Frank Wildhorn’s Jekyll and Hyde starring Grammy Award nominee Deborah Cox and “American Idol” and Tony Award nominee ‪Constantine Maroulis, and The Little Mermaid, the Musical.  Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby, has made four stops on Broadway and received four Tony Award nominations including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical.                                

The A&E TV network premiere of “Peter Pan” received one Emmy Award and four Emmy Award nominations.  La Mirada Theatre productions of A Night with Janis Joplin starring Mary Bridget Davies and Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby are now streaming on Broadway HD.                                                                             

PHOTO CREDIT: TUTS – Melissa Taylor

Jenna Lea Rosen stars in the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of “Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical.”

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT BEGINS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

AT THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE IN LAGUNA BEACH

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents one of August Wilson’s greatest triumphs focusing on the decade of the ‘50s, the Pulitzer Prize winning play FENCES, directed by Yvette Freeman-Hartley (Laguna Playhouse acclaimed production of Ain’t Misbehavin’). 

FENCES will begin previews on Wednesday, April 30 (with a press opening on Sunday, May 4 at 5:30pm) and will run through Sunday, May 18 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Dr. in Laguna Beach.

Troy Maxson was a star of the Negro baseball leagues, but now it’s 1957 and he’s a garbage man in Pittsburgh. In one of August Wilson’s best and most well-known plays, we see one man struggle with disappointment and the effect it has on his marriage and relationship with his sons. This powerful Pulitzer Prize-winning play is both epic and intimate, and a must-see theatrical event.

YVETTE FREEMAN-HARTLEY (Director) began her career in the first National and Broadway companies of Ain’t Misbehavin’.  She received an OBIE Award for her acclaimed performance as “Dinah Washington” in Dinah Was. Television audiences know her as Nurse Haleh Adams on NBC’s “ER,” a role she played for fifteen years, and as Irma in “Orange is the New Black.”                                                                                           

Yvette recently earned her master’s degree in creative writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Her award-winning short film Remember explores early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. She wrote and directed The Blessing Way for the AFI Directing Workshop for Women and has directed stage productions of Gee’s Bend, Blues in the Night, and Ain’t Misbehavin’, which she has helmed numerous times, most recently at Laguna Playhouse. 

AUGUST WILSON (Playwright) (April 27, 1945 – October 2, 2005) authored Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II, and Radio Golf. These works explore the heritage and experience of African-Americans, decade-by-decade, over the course of the twentieth century. His plays have been produced at regional theaters across the country and all over the world, as well as on Broadway.

 Mr. Wilson received many fellowships and awards, including Rockefeller and Guggenheim Fellowships in Playwrighting, the Whiting Writers Award, 2003 Heinz Award, was awarded a 1999 National Humanities Medal by the President of the United States, and received numerous honorary degrees from colleges and universities, as well as the only high school diploma ever issued by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. 

He was an alumnus of New Dramatists, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a 1995 inductee into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and on October 16, 2005, Broadway renamed the theater located at 245 West 52nd Street – The August Wilson Theatre. Additionally, Mr. Wilson was posthumously inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 2007. Mr. Wilson was born and raised in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and lived in Seattle, Washington at the time of his death. He is immediately survived by his two daughters, Sakina Ansari and Azula Carmen Wilson, and his wife, costume designer Constanza Romero.           

The cast of FENCES features (in alphabetical order):  Tamarra Graham (Bee-Luther-Hatchee, Pure Confidence) as “Rose Maxson,” Boise Holmes (Broadway; Wicked, Once On This Island) as “Jim Bono,” Corey Jones (A Few Good Men at La Mirada Theatre; The Color Purple at Celebration Theatre ) as “Troy Maxson,” Amari McCoy (“9-1-1,” & “Frasier”) as “Raynell Maxson,” Matt Orduna (Laguna Playhouse debut) as “Gabriel,” K.J. Powell (Double Vat ICT and Farragut North at Theatre 68) as “Cory Maxson,” and Sean Samuels (Cabaret at 5-Star Theatricals, “Quantum Leap”) as “Lyons Maxson.”  

The design team for FENCES is as follows: scenic design by Edward Haynes, Jr.; costume design by Dana Rebecca Woods; lighting design by Donny Jackson; sound design by Jesse Worley; original music composition by Lanny Hartley; casting by Michael Donovan Casting (Michael Donovan, CSA & Richie Ferris, CSA); props design by Kevin Williams; wig design by Danielle Richter; fight coordinator is Marc Antonio Pritchett.  The Production Stage Manager is Natalie Figaredo.                                    

FENCES will preview on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30pm; Thursday, May 1 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; Friday, May 2 at 7:30pm; Saturday, May 3 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; (with a press opening on Sunday, May 4 at 5:30pm) and run through Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Dr. in Laguna Beach.

 Performances are Wednesdays at 7:30pm; Thursdays at 2:00pm and 7:30pm; Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; Sundays at 1:00pm & 5:30pm. There will be no performance on Sunday, May 4 at 1:00pm or Sunday, May 18 at 5:30pm. There will be a post-show talkback following the Friday, May 16 performance.

Tickets range from $51 – $105 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-2787. Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229.  Prices subject to change. The box office is open Tuesdays – Sundays: 12pm to 4pm; Mondays open 2 hours prior to show time and until 15 minutes after curtain.  Open until showtime on all performance days.                                                                                        \

For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.  LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.   

Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse (David Ellenstein, Artistic Director) 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 for the past five years as one of Orange County Register’s “Best of OC” in the category of Live Theatre. 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, Peter Strauss, Jobeth Williams, Joely Fisher, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart, Loretta Swit, and Bette Davis. 

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS &

McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE FULL CASTING FOR

LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL

Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin

Book by Heather Hach

Based on the novel by Amanda Brown

and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture

Choreography by Dana Solimando

Musical Direction by Ryan O’Connell

Direction by Cynthia Ferrer

 Get ready to “Bend and Snap” as LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT announce full casting for their “pinkest” show of the season, LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL, music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, book by Heather Hach, based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture, with choreography by Dana Solimando, musical direction by Ryan O’Connell and direction by Cynthia Ferrer.  LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, April 25 at 8 pm and Saturday, April 26 at 2 pm, have its official Press Opening on Saturday, April 26 at 8 pm and run through Sunday, May 18, 2025 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada. 

A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the beloved movie, LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.  Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!            

              Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors, and her ex.  With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.

The Cast of LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL features Kathryn Brunner as“Elle Woods,” Michael Thomas Grant as “Emmett Forrest,” Nicholas James McDonough as “Warner Huntington, III,” Anna Mintzer as “Vivienne Kensington,” Anthea Neri Best as “Pauline,” Ed Staudenmayer as “Professor Callahan,” Jane Papageorge as “Brooke Wyndham,” Dahlya Glick as “Enid,” Grace Simmons as “Margot,” Bella Hicks as “Serena,” and Aurelia Michael as “Pilar.”  The Ensemble will feature (in alphabetical order) Cristyn Dang, Grant Hodges, Nathan Madden, Donovan Mendelovitz, Bailey Renee Miller, Taylor Mettra, Davon Rashawn, Anthony Sanchez, Callula Sawyer, Rochelle Scudder (“Bruiser” Handler), Jabari, Krystle Rose Simmons, Rodrigo Varandas, and Rianny Vasquez.  Swings are Emmy J. Lane and Ben Raanan.

CYNTHIA FERRER (Direction) has directed/choreographed major musicals around the country, including Singin’ in the Rain, 9 to 5, Damn Yankees, 42^nd Street, Peter Pan, Camelot, King and I and Louisiana Purchase.  She played leading roles in over one hundred musicals and in four Broadway/National Tours, including Singin’ in the Rain as the original “Kathy Selden.”  Cynthia appeared in the films Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Georgia Rule, and television shows “Cougartown,” “Crossing Jordan,” “General Hospital” (Dr. Rachael Ryan), and “B Positive” with Garry Marshall, Julia Roberts, Carol Burnett, Alec Baldwin, and Courtney Cox.

DANA SOLIMANDO (Choreography) has earned numerous awards including three Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, seven Ovation Award nominations, a NAACP award nomination, and three L.A. Drama Critics Circle nominations for her choreography.    

 International awards include the 2023 Koryfeusz award and 2022 Kiepura award nomination.  Credits include: World Premiere of IRENA – The Irena Sendler story for Teatr Muzyczny Poznan (2023 Koryfeusz award and 2022 Kiepura award nom), Cabaret (2019 Ovation and L.A. Drama Critics Circle nominations), Rebel Genius (2019 World Premiere), American Idiot (Ovation nomination), Jersey Boys (McCoy Rigby), Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (5th Ave. Theater), Parade (Ovation nomination), Spring Awakening (Ovation nomination), Billy Elliot (L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award nomination), Ragtime (Ovation nomination), Damn Yankees (Ovation nomination), Swing! (L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards – Best Choreography), Miss Saigon at Macau International Arts Festival/McCoy Rigby Ent. (Ovation nomination), and many more.

RYAN O’CONNELL (Musical Direction) has worked on more than 75 productions as a musical director, orchestrator, and composer.  Favorite credits: Ernest Shackleton Loves Me (2nd Stage NYC), Ragtime (First National Tour), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (La Mirada Theatre/McCoy Rigby Entertainment), Mary Poppins (Musical Theatre West) and Private Jones (Signature Theatre).  He has helped create music for NBC, CBS, Fox, Netflix, Cartoon Network, Disney World, and Disneyland, where he currently works as a music director and teaching artist. www.ryanomusic.com.

The Design Team for LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL is as follows: Scenery Rental Provided by Front Row Theatrical Rental; Lighting Design by Anne McMills; Sound Design by Josh Bessom; Costume Design by Adam Ramirez; Hair/Wig Design by Katie McCoy Yagen; Projection Design by Jon Infante; Prop Rental is by The Music and Theatre Company; Properties Coordination by Kevin Williams.  Animals by William Berloni Theatrical Animals.  The Casting Director is Julia Flores.  The Production Stage Manager is Bree Sherry.           

LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, April 25 at 8 pm and Saturday, April 26 at 2 pm, have its official Press Opening on Saturday, April 26 at 8 pm and run through Sunday, May 18, 2025 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada. 

 Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 pm; Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 2 pm & 8 pm; and Sundays at 1:30 pm & 6:30 pm.  There is no performance on Sunday, April 27 at 6:30 pm.                  

 There will be an Open-Captioned performance on Saturday, May 10at 2:00 pm.  Talkbacks with the cast and creative team will be on Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 pm.   

 Tickets range from $25 – $95 (prices subject to change) and can be purchased at La Mirada Theatre’s website www.LaMiradaTheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310.                                                                                    

Group, student, and military discounts are available.  Children under 3 will not be admitted into the theatre.                            

 LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue where the 91 and 5 freeways meet.  Parking is FREE.                                                                       

The Tony-nominated LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the best Broadway-style houses in Southern California.”  This beautiful state-of-the-art theatre has been presenting quality productions since 1977.  The theatre has produced several national tours and is the recipient of numerous accolades, including Tony, Emmy, and Ovation Award nominations and the L.A. Stage Alliance OVATION AWARD for “Best Season of the Year.”  The theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, California, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue.  Parking is theatre-adjacent and free. For further information call (562) 944-9801 or visit

 www.LaMiradaTheatre.com.

Celebrating its 31^st season at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (MRE), is one of the world’s premier theatrical production companies and continues to be grateful to share a wildly successful collaboration with the City of La Mirada.  Headed by Executive Producers Tom McCoy and Cathy Rigby, MRE has produced over one hundred musicals, plays, and concerts featuring some of the biggest stars in the industry today and garnering many Emmy Awards, Tony nominations, and LA Ovation Awards. 

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) is proud to present Memories of Now: LCAD MFA Exhibition, on view from April 15 through September 24, 2025. This exhibition highlights a selection of artwork from the 2025 Master of Fine Art graduates of Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD), offering an exclusive look into the innovative visions of emerging contemporary artists.

Artists are drawn to LCAD for its commitment to mastering time-honored artistic techniques while encouraging personal, contemporary expression. Memories of Now embodies this philosophy, featuring works that are both technically masterful and deeply relevant to today’s artistic landscape.

“We can’t wait to bring this dynamic exhibition to Laguna Art Museum, celebrating the next generation of artists,” said Julie Perlin Lee, Executive Director of Laguna Art Museum. “These emerging talents exemplify the strength of LCAD’s MFA program and we are thrilled to provide a platform for their work.”

Visitors will experience a diverse range of media, each piece reflecting the distinct artistic approaches of LCAD’s MFA graduates. This exhibition invites audiences to explore the innovative and passionate perspectives of these rising artists.

For more information about, Memories of Now: LCAD MFA Exhibition visit lagunaartmuseum.org. To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Founded by local artists in 1918, Laguna Art Museum has celebrated California art and culture at the heart of the community for over a century. The museum offers a welcoming space for artists, donors, members and visitors, each bringing unique energy that drives its mission forward. As “Your Museum,” Laguna Art Museum builds on a legacy of inspiring creativity, sustainability and reflection on California’s natural environment through exhibitions, events and educational programs.

The museum presents exhibitions that highlight the California experience and is home to the annual Art + Nature. With each visit, Laguna Art Museum invites people from near and far to join in its journey of community, art and environmental awareness. For more information, please visit LagunaArtMuseum.org and follow the museum on social media:

• Facebook: @LagunaArtMuseum
• Instagram: @LagunaArtMuseum
• X: @LagunaArtMuseum
• YouTube: Laguna Art Museum Channel

Location

Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach, on the corner of Coast Highway and Cliff Drive.

Hours

• Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Closed Mondays, except Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth and Labor Day.
• Holiday Closures: Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

 Photo Credit: Shenho Hshieh, Mother, acrylic ink on paper, 24 x 18 in.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE 

announces its

2025-2026 SEASON OF SHOWS!

The Tony Award-Winning Musical –

“A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER,” 

A World Premiere Play – “BESIDE MYSELF,” 

Spend An Extraordinary Evening with an Iconic President with 

“EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND,” 

A Neil Simon Classic – “LAUGHTER ON THE 23^rd FLOOR,” 

A Humorous, Hard-Boiled World Premiere Mystery – “THE MALTESE FALCON,” 

& The Award-Winning and Thought-Provoking “RED”

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to announce its 2025-2026 season of shows! An unforgettable season that opens with the Tony award-winning musical, 

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER; followed by a world premiere comedy from the writer of our audience favorite The Angel Next Door, BESIDE MYSELF; next, on the heels of our critically acclaimed production of Eleanor, we are thrilled to bring you the life of another historic political icon, Tony-Winner John Rubinstein starring in EISENHOWER:THIS PIECE OF GROUND; then enjoy an evening of hilarity with one of Neil Simon’s funniest plays, LAUGHTER ON THE 23^rd FLOOR; followed by a second world premiere as we invite you to spend an evening with detective Sam Spade as he searches for the mystery that is THE MALTESE FALCON; finally, we close the season with the award-winning play about artist Mark Rothko and an exploration on the art of making art in the award-winning and thought-provoking, RED. 

A special bonus event this season will be bringing back our annual holiday Panto, with the first holiday Panto we ever produced, the enchanting A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS; we’ll also have two Youth and Education program productions, and more to be announced!                                                                                                 

Comments Artistic Director David Ellenstein “I am so excited by our upcoming season. A lineup of productions filled with joy, laughter, pathos, history, and art! I am always a fan of presenting a wide variety of theatrical offerings, and our upcoming season will bring a new and different adventure for our subscribers and audiences each time they attend.”    

THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE 2025-2026 SEASON:

The Tony Award-Winning Musical of Love, Laughter, and Larceny!

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE

TO LOVE AND MURDER

September 17 – October 5, 2025 (Press Opening September 21 at 5:30pm)

Book by Robert L. Freedman

Music and Lyrics by Steven Lutvak

Based on a Novel By Roy Horniman

Directed by Noelle Marion

Experience the Tony Award-winning musical that’s a perfect blend of comedy, intrigue, and an unforgettable score! Follow the charming Monty Navarro on a hilariously dark journey to inherit a fortune—by eliminating his eight relatives who stand in his way. With music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak and book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman, this show features witty dialogue, surprising twists, and a cast of quirky characters. A tale of love, betrayal, and murder, this crowd-pleasing performance will keep you laughing, gasping, and thoroughly entertained!

A WORLD PREMIERE PLAY!

BESIDE MYSELF

October 29 – November 16, 2025 (Press Opening November 2 at 5:30pm)

By Paul Slade Smith

Directed by David Ellenstein

Gemma is at her breaking point – stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. A new medical procedure promises to change all that, giving her a fresh start. But when the “new” Gemma shows up, the original Gemma is still there. Now, with two versions of herself to contend with, Gemma must learn to navigate life, with all its messiness, while figuring out how to keep being herself. From the creator of The Angel Next Door, Paul Slade Smith’s latest comedy is an uproarious journey into the messy, hilarious, and sometimes painful process of trying to reinvent yourself while still being… well, you.

WHERE HISTORY MEETS THE HEART OF AMERICA…

EISENHOWER: 

THIS PIECE OF GROUND

January 14 –February 1, 2026 (Press Opening January 18, 2026 at 5:30pm)

Written by Richard Hellesen

Directed by Peter Ellenstein

This groundbreaking solo performance by Tony Award winner, John Rubinstein, brings the 34^thpresident, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s remarkable life to the stage in an extraordinary way. Through captivating storytelling and deep historical insight, the performance immerses audiences in Eisenhower’s personal reflections on leadership, war, and peace. With emotional depth and powerful nuance, it unpacks the complexities of a man who shaped the course of history during one of America’s most pivotal eras. A must-see theatrical experience!

BEHIND EVERY LAUGH IS A LITTLE CHAOS!

LAUGHTER ON THE 23^rd FLOOR

March 4 – March 22, 2026 (Press Opening March 8 at 5:30pm)  

By Neil Simon

Directed by Andrew Barnicle

From illustrious playwright Neil Simon, Laughter on the 23rd Floor is a boisterously merry and fast-paced comedy set behind the scenes of a 1950s television sitcom. Inspired by Simon’s own experiences as a writer for Sid Caeser’s Your Show of Shows, the play captures the chaos, creativity, and comedic genius of a group of writers. 

With unforgettable characters and a nostalgic look at the golden age of television, this uproarious production is a celebration of collaboration and the art of laughter. Don’t miss out on this hilarious behind-the-scenes journey!

A HUMOROUS HARD-BOILED WORLD PREMIERE MYSTERY!

THE MALTESE FALCON

April 15  – May 3, 2026 (Press Opening April 19 at 5:30pm)

By Matthew Salazar-Thompson

Directed by Todd Nielsen

Brace yourself for an unforgettable night with The Maltese Falcon! This stage adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s iconic noir novel brings the classic tale of intrigue, betrayal, and danger to life. Detective Sam Spade is once again thrust into a high stakes search for the priceless statue, navigating a web of lies, shifting alliances, and unexpected twists. With clever banter and fast-paced action, this production perfectly balances suspense and mystery, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

ART, PASSION, AND THE PRICE OF CREATION… 

RED

June 10 – June 28, 2026 (Press Opening June 14 at 5:30pm)

By John Logan

Directed by David Ellenstein

In this gripping and thought-provoking play, a famed artist confronts the price of artistic genius and personal sacrifice. Set in the studio of abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, the story follows his turbulent relationship with a young assistant, as they clash over the meaning of art, ambition, and legacy. Ever wondered what it truly takes to create a masterpiece? 

“An extremely intelligent play of ideas, dealing with such lofty concepts as the purpose of art, cultural trendiness, commerce versus aesthetics and much more.” – NY1

Season subscriptions are now on sale.  Six show early bird season packages range from $245.00 – $483.00 (prior to April 25); Six show season packages range from $258.00 – $519.00 (on sale April 25, not including opening night subsciptions) and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-2787. Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229.  Prices subject to change. The box office is open Tuesdays – Sundays: 12pm to 4pm; Mondays open 2 hours prior to show time and until 15 minutes after curtain.  Open until showtime on all performance days.              

For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.  LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.   

Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse (David Ellenstein, Artistic Director) 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 for the past five years as one of Orange County Register’s “Best of OC” in the category of Live Theatre. 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, Peter Strauss, Jobeth Williams, Joely Fisher, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart, Loretta Swit, and Bette Davis.

Learn What’s Going On at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.