"Unfortunately, what came out of his mouth was, 'It's a pleasure to see so many old faces,'" Barnicle said. "That's about how I feel now."
Wareham, who succeeded Barnicle as artistic director, introduced Jenny Sullivan, director of "Steel Magnolias," which is set for April 30 through May 6, 2013.
"I am really excited to revisit it," said Sullivan, who directed the show last year. "It has such heart and some of the most amazing one-liners. It's about friendship in a [beauty] salon, where everything takes place."
The title refers to the exterior fragility and interior strength of magnolias.
So that's the six-play lineup in the subscription series.
But wait, there's more.
"We have the student productions of the youth theater program and our cherished community collaborators returning; the Laguna Dance Festival plus Laguna Beach Live's festival and individual music presentations; and, of course, our own Laguna Concert Band," Wood said. "It is always a joy to welcome our community into the season.
"And you all remember our folk music hit, 'Lonesome Traveler?' Well, this year we're partnering with the wonderful Rubicon Theatre once again to bring you a special one-week engagement (Aug. 28 to Sept. 2) we call 'Lonesome Travelers in Concert.' Here to remind you of that all-American folk music is one of the Travelers, Justine Bennett."
Bennett, who had the Joan Baez role in "Travelers," sang "Turn, Turn, Turn" and was enthusiastically applauded by the audience of Playhouse supporters and guests.
"And, of course, we have our return smash-hit engagement of Rita Rudner's witty stand-up comedy in August for the third hilarious year, and so entitled 'Rita Rudner, Act Three,'" Wood said.
That show will run Aug. 24 to 26.
"Sister Catechism: Las Vegas" is the third of the special engagements, set for June 4 to 23, 2013.
