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“Welcome to the ‘70s…the 1170’s!”
Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Ellen Richard, Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Bonnie Lythgoe Productions benefiting GiveKidsPanto are thrilled to announce that Michael James Ryan (Blood Rock, Into The Woods) will star as “Robin Hood,” Sohm Kapila (“The Morning Show”) will star as “Maid Marion, ” Andrew Lynford will star as the “Sheriff of Nottingham,” Jo Osmond (“Dumbo,” “Snow White and the Huntsman”) will star as “Sherwood Sprite” and Jared Machado (Spring Awakening, Sister Act) will star as “Will Scarlett” in the world premiere production of ROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION: A HOLIDAY PANTO, written by Kris Lythgoe, choreography by Mason Trueblood and directed by Bonnie Lythgoe. ROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION: A HOLIDAY PANTO will begin performances on Friday, December 3 (with a press opening on Sunday, December 5 at 4:00 pm) and run through Sunday, December 29, 2021 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
ROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION: A HOLIDAY PANTO has the ultimate adventure getting a modern makeover twist in this year’s Panto! Join our heroic outlaw defending the people as he robs from the rich and gives back to the poor.
It’s a show packed full of boogie, comedy, action, audience participation and set to a soundtrack of Disco hits and dance anthems from the ‘70s (the 1170’s), including such disco favorites as Donna Summer’s “Bad Girls,” The Bee Gees’ “Jive Talkin’”, “He’s the Greatest Dancer” by Sister Sledge and many more! Book your tickets now for this sheriff-busting, tights-wearing extravaganza!
THE CAST
MICHAEL JAMES RYAN (Robin Hood) Past stage credits include Carnoli in Blood Rock (Odyssey Theatre), Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods (Cupcake Theatre), and Garry in Noises Off. (Academy Theatre). He graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2016.
SOHM KAPILA (Maid Marion) Her past year has included Mindy Kaling’s “Never Have I Ever,” filming on season two of “The Morning Show,” guest- starring on “S.W.A.T.,” “ 911,” “Greys Anatomy,” working on the feature film “Untitled Horror Movie” and co-producing the film “Ashes on the Highway.”
ANDREW LYNFORD (Sheriff of Nottingham) has worked as an actor, producer, director, writer, TV & radio presenter and choreographer, both here in Los Angeles and in his native UK.
TYLER SHILSTONE (Little John) is an Actor/Comedian/Musician/Television Producer and has studied at Second City, The Groundlings, UCB and San Francisco State University’s Theater program. Upcoming are the feature films “Whiskey Dixie and the Big Wet Country” and “Axe Grinder parts 4&5,” as well as the upcoming short film “Trying.” You can also find him doing sketches and live musical improv as one half of the comedy duo Dewey & Shilstone.
DANIEL KIM (Friar Tuck) is an LA-based actor and is excited to have Robin Hood as his debut at Laguna Playhouse! An alumni of ABC’s “2019 Diversity Showcase,” some of his recent credits include “Hollywood Stargirl,” Titus Andronicus and Death of a Salesman.
JO OSMOND (Sherwood Sprite) has over 20 years of experience in the TV/Film industry. She specializes in creature work and has appeared in many popular movie franchises including “Star Wars,” “Dr Who” and “Harry Potter.” Her credits include Disney’s “Dumbo” and Universal Pictures “Snow White and the Huntsman.”
JARED MACHADO (Will Scarlett) Previous credits include The Merchant of Venice, The Cherry Orchard, Spring Awakening, and Sister Act. Jared started his training at the Orange County School of the Arts training under professionals such as Krysta Rodriguez, Susan Egan and Ali Stroker.
The Ensemble will feature: Donte Essien, Bryce Moyer, Jordyn Waldo, Annika Akiko Alejo and Arielle Dettmer.
BONNIE LYTHGOE PRODUCTIONS
Bonnie Lythgoe Productions 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.
“GiveKidsPanto”
For the past 8 years, GiveKidsPanto has worked with generous grants to give children the opportunity to see live theatre. Panto is based on fairy tales the kids know and love, with Pop songs interwoven into the script, which the kids know and love. A British tradition that’s 350 years old, Panto is the catalyst for kids to be introduced to the Arts. Previous Panto shows have starred Ariana Grande, Neil Patrick Harris, Ben Vereen, Sabrina Carpenter and many more. Go to www.givekidspanto.org or more information.
SCHEDULE AND PRICING
ROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION: A HOLIDAY PANTO will begin performances on Friday, December 3 and run through Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Performances will be Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:00 pm; Saturdays at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm (except for Saturday, December 18 at 11:00 am; 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm) and Sundays at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm. There will no performance on Wednesday, December 8; Wednesday, December 15; Thursday, December 23; Friday, December 24 or Wednesday, December 29 at 7:00 pm.
There will be added performances on Wednesday, December 22 at 3:00 pm & Thursday, December 23 at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm; Friday, December 24 at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm; Monday, December 27 at 12:00 pm & 4 pm; Tuesday, December 28 at 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm and Wednesday, December 29 at 12:00 pm and 4:00pm.
Tickets range from $36 – $71; $26 – $61 (for children 2- 14), 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: 12 pm. to 4 pm; Sundays open 2 hours prior to show time until 15 minutes after curtain. Open until showtime on all performance days.
COVID PROTOCOLS for the LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
All Youth Theatre shows, including the Annual Holiday Panto, will require masks for all attendees, but will not require proof of vaccination. Laguna Playhouse prioritizes the health and safety of our audience, artists, crew and staff. Please visit
https://lagunaplayhouse.com/health-and-safety-policy/ for additional details.
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 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.
