Laguna Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Panto Present BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE
By: A.A. Cristi Oct. 18, 2018
Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that Ashley Argota ("True Jackson VP," "Lab Rats"), Thomas Hobson (Ain't Misbehavin', Recorded in Hollywood), Heath Calvert (Amelie, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Riley Costello ("Hairspray Live," Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas) Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera) and David Engel (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, La Cage Aux Folles) are set to star in Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE. Written by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Sheldon Epps, choreography by Mandy Moore, musical direction by Keith Harrison and musical supervisor Michael Orland, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE will begin performances on Wednesday, December 5 and run through December 30, 2018 with a press opening on Friday, December 7 at 7:00pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.Casting is led by LFP Producer Becky Lythgoe, and the full cast will be announced at a later date.
"Families, our audiences and our subscribers are in for a romantically glorious (and hilarious) holiday experience as we present our fourth Panto spectacle, the truly magical BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE!" comments Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Executive Director Ellen Richard. Remarks Becky Lythgoe, "We are overjoyed to be bringing BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE to the Laguna Playhouse this year and are delighted to announce this fantastic cast and creative team that will be sure to make all your family holiday's dreams come true!"
This modern version of the classic fairytale, Lythgoe Family Panto's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE brings all the magic of the traditional British family Holiday Panto to American audiences. In this interactive experience, the audience is encouraged to CHEER for Belle, BOO for Gus and sing along with popular songs such as The Bee Gees' "Staying Alive," The Chainsmokers & Coldplay's "Something Just Like This," and Edith Piaf's "La Vie En Rose." Directed by Tony-nominated Sheldon Epps, and choreographed by "La La Land's" Mandy Moore, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE is sure to delight children of all ages!
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.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A CHRISTMAS ROSE marks Lythgoe Family Panto's fourth production at the venerable Laguna Playhouse. Past Pantos at Laguna Playhouse includeAladdin and His Winter Wish starring Kira Kosarin and Barry Pearl, A Snow White Christmas starring Marina Sirtis and Lindsay Pearce & Sleeping Beauty and her Winter Knightstarring Cozi Zuehlsdorff and Joely Fisher.
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. Lythgoe Family Panto is grateful to their partnersand friends at Golden State Foods for generously providing school buses for the student matinees.
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