Laguna Playhouse announced this week that their virtual gala, held August 29, 2020, brought in over $320,000. The live stream of the event will be online to view through Tuesday, September 29 at lagunaplayhouse.com.
The star-studded virtual gala launched “Keeping Live Theatre Alive,” a program of never before seen original vignettes, written and performed by some of today’s hottest actors. Also featured were two songs by world-class opera and musical theatre performer Nathan Gunn, a performance by the NY based musical-comedy duo “The Skivvies” featuring Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley, and a number from last year’s sold-out hit show, Mamma Mia!. The evening was hosted by “The Benefit Auction Guy,” Orange County’s own Jim Nye.
Comments Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Executive Director Ellen Richard, “Thank you to the Laguna Playhouse community for showing your support during these unprecedented times. Every single cent of your contributions helps our 100 year-old theatre ensure we can return to live performances as soon as possible.”
“Keeping Live Theatre Alive” is the brainchild of actor Dan Lauria (“The Wonder Years,” Lombardi), who called upon friends in the industry to create videos of themselves reading works they’ve written. Lauria, who has been on the Playhouse stage multiple times, developed this program as a way to assist smaller theaters during this difficult period. “With so much of Laguna Playhouse’s revenue dependent on ticket sales, we have to do what we can to help keep these struggling theatres afloat during this time.” The inaugural program included pieces from Kim Brockington (“Guiding Light”), Jodi Long (Flower Drum Song), Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”), Alfred Molina (Fiddler on the Roof, “Frida”), James Pickens Jr. (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Tony Shalhoub (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” The Band’s Visit).
Sponsors of the event include Haskell & White, Irvine BMW, Lugano Diamonds and Nolet’s Silver Gin.
The live stream of the event will be on view through Tuesday, September 29. To watch or to donate to Laguna Playhouse, or to view other celebrity vignettes, please visit lagunaplayhouse.com. For more information on “Keeping Live Theatre Alive” and the #theatre5alliance, the group of the five theatres chosen to lead this unique program, visit any of these theatre websites: Berkshire Playwrights Lab, Durango PlayFest, Laguna Playhouse, New Jersey Repertory, or Seven Angels Theatre.
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 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, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart, Loretta Swit, and Bette Davis.
Learn What’s Going On at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
