The Laguna Playhouse presents the West Coast Premiere of
A MARVELOUS PARTY: THE NOËL COWARD CELEBRATION
November 18, 2006- December 17, 2006
October 20—The Laguna Playhouse continues in its 86th season with the West Coast Premiere of A Marvelous Party: The Noël Coward Celebration, words and music by Noël Coward, devised by David Ira Goldstein, Carl Danielsen, Mark Anders, Patricia Wilcox and Anna Lauris with musical arrangements by Carl Danielsen. Performances, which run November 18 – December 17, 2006, will be at The Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California. The press opening is on Saturday, November 18, 2006, at 7:30 p.m.
This West Coast premiere showcases the music of the enchanting Noël Coward in an exhilarating evening of song and sparkling repartee. A contemporary of Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers, Coward’s lyrics are witty, his ballads bittersweet and his melodies contagious. With music hall energy and cabaret class, Coward’s work stands the test of time. Add a charming cast and nimble choreography, and in the words of the man himself, “You’ll smile a little while” throughout this delightful revue.
A Marvelous Party: The Noël Coward Celebration is directed by David Ira Goldstein. The ensemble cast includes: Mark Anders, Carl Danielsen, Anna Lauris and a live band.
The music director is Carl Danielsen and Patricia Wilcox is the choreographer. The designers are Bill Forrester (scenic), David Kay Mickelsen (costume) Todd Hensley (lighting), and David Edwards (sound).
Noël Coward (author) was born in Teddington, England, on December 16, 1899. In 1911, Mr. Coward made his professional debut in The Goldfish, a children’s musical. By 1915 Mr. Coward played his first adult role in Charley’s Aunt and had written both the music and lyrics to his first song, Forbidden Fruit.
A Marvelous Party: The Noël Coward Celebration
By 1922 his first book, A Withered Nosegay, was published and the very next year he produced his first revue, London’s Calling! starring Gertrude Lawrence. In 1929 he completed and produced Bitter-Sweet and, while it was playing in Manchester, he wrote Private Lives, one of his most produced plays. In 1932 Mr. Coward won an Oscar for Best Picture for Cavalcade. He later formed Transatlantic Productions for the purpose of producing plays. In 1968 he was portrayed by Daniel Massey in a film about Gertrude Lawrence called Star!. He was knighted in 1970. In 1972 two compilations of his work, Oh, Coward! and Cowardly Custard, were produced in New York and London respectively. He died on March 26, 1973, in Jamaica.
David Ira Goldstein (director) has been Artistic Director of Arizona Theatre Company in Tucson and Phoenix since 1992, where he directed over 30 mainstage productions and produced over 125 other plays, workshops and presentations including two acclaimed appearances by the National Theatre of Great Britain. In 2003 he received the Governor’s Arts Award for his contributions to the arts in Arizona. He has been a frequent guest director at theaters across the country, including Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Rep, Seattle Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, The Empty Space Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Mixed Blood, and The Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis. In an association of over 20 years, he has directed many world premieres by playwright Steven Dietz including God’s Country, Private Eyes, and the upcoming Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure. Prior to his position in Arizona, he was associate artistic director of ACT in Seattle and he was co-founder of Minnesota Young Playwrights.
Mark Anders (ensemble) recently performed in Oh, Coward! for Arizona Theatre Company. He previously worked with director David Ira Goldstein in a production of Cowardly Custard 18 years ago and more recently he worked with fellow cast member Carl Danielsen in 2 Pianos, 4 Hands (US tour). In his native Seattle, he is known for his work at ACT, Intiman Theatre, The Empty Space Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre and Seattle Rep.
Carl Danielsen (ensemble/ music director) recently performed in Oh, Coward! for Arizona Theatre Company. His other credits include 2 Pianos, 4 Hands (US tour/Northlight), Singin’ in the Rain, King Lear, Mary Stuart, Major Barbara, A Dream Play, A Dybbuk, Cole!, World Goes ‘Round, and 1776, among others. He studied acting at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, UK, and has a BA in music from the University of California, Berkeley.
Anna Lauris (ensemble) recently performed in Oh, Coward! for Arizona Theatre Company. Among her many credits are The Tutor, Dick Danger, Oliver!, Dames at Sea, The Sound of Music and The Best Little Whore House in Texas. She has toured in Taiwan and Singapore with The Wedding Banquet and taught in Siberia, Russia.
Tickets for A Marvelous Party: The Noël Coward Celebration, which range in price from $25- $65, are available by phone, 949-497-2787 ext. 1, or online, www.lagunaplayhouse.com
A Marvelous Party: The Noël Coward Celebration
INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
CALL: 949.497-ARTS (2787) - GROUP SALES CALL 949.460-8676
THEATRE: 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California
For more information, press comps, photos or to set up press interviews, please contact Greg Patterson at 949-497-2787 ext. 216 or at gpatterson@lagunaplayhouse.com .
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