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LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the World Premiere of
RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH
Produced by LYTHGOE FAMILY PRODUCTIONS
FULL CASTING announced for its Ninth Holiday “Panto at the Playhouse”
Written by Kris Lythgoe
Directed by Becky Lythgoe
Supervising Director, Bonnie Lythgoe
Musical Direction by Andy Street
Choreography by Becca Sweitzer
Laguna Playhouse presents Lythgoe Family Productions ninth “Panto at the Playhouse” with Darcy Rose Byrnes as “Rapunzel,” L.J. Benet as “Prince Sebastian,” and Larry Saperstein as “Simple Simon,” joining the previously announced Sally Struthers (“All In The Family”) as “Madame Gothel,” in the world premiere of RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH, produced by Lythgoe Family Productions, written by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Becky Lythgoe, supervising director
Bonnie Lythgoe, choreography by Becca Sweitzer and musical direction by Andy Street. RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH will begin performances on Saturday, December 7; (with a press opening on Sunday, December 8 at 5:30 pm); and runs through Sunday, December 29 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Prepare for a spellbinding journey as Rapunzel tries to escape from her tower and the wicked Madame Gothel with the help of Prince Sebastian of Newport Beach, all the while learning her true identity and making her way to the Kingdom of Laguna for the Festival of Lights. Get set for Laguna’s favorite holiday event, filled with laughter, pop music from Taylor Swift to Stevie Wonder and of course snow!
The Full Cast of RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH is as follows: Darcy Rose Byrnes (Reefer Madness, “Sofia The First”) as “Rapunzel,” L.J. Benet (Ring of Fire at Ensemble Theatre Company, National Tour of Million Dollar Quartet) as “Prince Sebastian,” Larry Saperstein (High School Musical: The Musical) as “Simple Simon,” Douglas Ladnier (Jekyll & Hyde) as “Sniville,” and Ralph Cole, Jr. (“NCIS,” “Scrubs”) as “B. Bouffant.” The Ensemble will feature (in alphabetical order): Isabella Childers, Sydney Kinney, Elisha Nealy, and Andrii Strelkivskyi.
SALLY STRUTHERS (“Madame Gothel”) is a two-time Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner for her performance in the groundbreaking TV series “All In The Family.” She starred in CBS’ spinoff “Gloria” and “9 to 5” (FOX), and played recurring roles on “Still Standing” (CBS), as well as “The Gilmore Girls” (CW) and Netflix’s four movie revival, and guest starred in “Maron” (IFC).
Sally was named Best Actress by the Los Angeles Artistic Director Theatre Awards for her role as Louise Seger in the musical Always… Patsy Cline; won the Ovation Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Agnes Gooch in the LA production of Mame, a second Ovation Award for Cinderella, and also won a plaque for ‘Best Actress’ in her 7th Grade Class Play.
BECKY LYTHGOE (Director) Most recently directed Rodgers & Hammerstein‘s Cinderella (TACFA). Associate director for LFP on numerous Panto productions over the past decade. As a producer, Becky is one of the founders of Lythgoe Family Productions which has received congressional recognition for their contribution to the arts. She also serves as casting director which has seen everyone from Ariana Grande to Alex Newell, Sabrina Carpenter to Shoshana Bean tread the boards in a Panto.
KRISTOPHER LYTHGOE (Writer/Producer) is so grateful to be back with Panto in Laguna. TV credits include: “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox), “Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes” (Fox Reality), “Who Are You” (Fox), “On The Nose” (Tvg), “My Beautiful Game” (Fox Soccer), “Soccer Superstar” (Nickelodeon), “Ellen’s Game Of Games” and “True Story” (NBC). Theatre credits: Footloose, The Wedding Singer and many American Pantos across the country.
BONNIE LYTHGOE (Supervising Director) With a career spanning more than 30 years, Bonnie’s achievements as a dancer, choreographer, director, TV presenter, TV producer and Broadway producer are second to none.
ANDY STREET (Musical Direction) Television programs featuring his music are watched in over 100 countries throughout our world. His compositions, arrangements, and musical direction have won many major industry awards in England, Europe and the United States.
BECCA SWEITZER (Choreography) is a three time World Choreography Award nominee whose choreography has appeared on the TV shows “Jessie”, “Bunk’d”, “Code Black”, “AGT”, Fox’s “Alter Ego” and HBO’s Emmy nominated “We’re Here”. Commercial credits include Ugg, Chrysler, Beats By Dre and Sensa, and music video credits include Scissor Sisters, Passenger, Raphael Saadiq, and Cher Lloyd. She’s worked with many high-profile drag queens on videos, television, tours, and notably, at Dolce & Gabbana’s Fashion Week party in Milan.
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.
RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH marks Lythgoe Family Panto’s ninth Panto production at the historic Laguna Playhouse. Past Pantos at Laguna Playhouse include A Cinderella Christmas starring Veronica Dunne; the world premiere of The Wonderful Winter of Oz starring Olivia Sanabia and Barry Pearl; Robin Hood & Maid Marion: A Holiday Panto starring Michael James Ryan and Sohm Kapila; Peter Pan & Tinker Bell: A Pirates’ Christmas, starring John O’Hurley, Lincoln Klauss and Ashley Argota; 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 develop 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.
RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH will preview on Saturday, December 7 at 12:00pm & 4:00pm (with a press opening on Sunday, December 8 at 5:30 pm) and runs through Sunday, December 29 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Performances will be Wednesdays at 6:00pm; Thursdays & Fridays at 7:00pm; Saturdays & Sundays at 12:00pm & 4:00pm (Saturday, December 21 will perform at 11:00am: 3:00pm & 7:00pm). There will no performances on Weds., Dec, 25 or Friday, December 27 at 7:00pm. There will be added performances on Monday, December 23 at 12:00 pm & 4:00pm; Thursday, December 26 at 3:00PM & Friday, December 27 at 12:00 pm & 4:00pm.
Tickets range from $44 – $84 for adult tickets; $37 – $69 (for children 2 – 14). There is a $50 “Golden Ticket” add-on available for children ages 4-12 that includes a special onstage sing-along experience during the performance and a gift bag with special surprises! Tickets 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 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/Bill Kerlin, Managing 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.
