FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE YOUTH THEATRE PRESENTS THE BROADWAY MUSICAL HIT GODSPELL
OCTOBER 24 – NOVEMBER 2, 2008
OPENING PRODUCTION OF THE YOUTH THEATRE SEASON FEATURES MUSIC AND LYRICS FROM GRAMMY AND ACADEMY AWARD WINNER STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
LAGUNA BEACH, CA – October 16, 2008 – The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre is ready to rock the roof off The Moulton Theatre when it presents the hit Broadway musical Godspell October 24 — November 2, 2008.
Featuring the music and lyrics of noted composer Stephen Schwartz, Godspell is a whimsical and contemporary view of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. This joyous and passionate celebration is full of music, mime and comedy, and speaks of teaching love and joy rather than hate and sadness. Using myriad modern musical influences including rock, gospel and ragtime, Godspell is an unforgettable theatrical experience not to be missed. Godspell includes the hits "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord" and "Day by Day."
“Godspell is a timeless musical that since 1971 has reached millions of theatergoers with its meaningful storytelling and uplifting musical numbers,” says Donna Inglima, The Playhouse’s Director of Youth Theatre, Education and Outreach. “I intentionally chose to do Godspell because it asks very important questions about leadership, self responsibility, compassion, and love. The text is based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, which some might consider a bit edgy for the Playhouse as this show is often seen as merely a ‘religious’ musical. However, our Youth Theatre audiences will be pleasantly surprised at how applicable the play is to their lives no matter their religious or non religious philosophies. I hope that after seeing Godspell, audiences will understand that we all have a responsibility to make this world a place in which to live.”
The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre was formed in the 1980’s, although since its early days The Playhouse has recognized the value of offering plays for young audiences. The current program offers a two-play subscription series primarily aimed at children of elementary and middle school age. These are usually existing plays or musicals based upon well-known books or stories, but occasionally new stage adaptations of such source material is commissioned by the Playhouse. Single ticket programs include evenings of improvisation and an annual issue-oriented play for teens and parents entitled Theatre for A New Generation.
The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre productions are directed and designed by theatre professionals and are fully-mounted with the Playhouse’s technical resources. The staff for each production is drawn principally from the Playhouse’s Youth Conservatory Program, giving children of all ages an opportunity to learn various aspects of stagecraft. Open casting is “age-appropriate,” which means that young people play young people in the plays. The content of the plays is similar to that of G-rated or PG-rated films.
Godspell- Performance & Ticket Information:
Ticket Prices:
Adults $25
Children $21
Previews $15
Performances
Previews
Oct. 22—23 at 7:30 p.m.
Regular run:
Oct. 24– Nov. 2
Fridays: 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sundays: 1:00 p.m. & 5:00p.m.
[NOTE: No performance on Oct. 31]
