Artistic Director

Family and friends of George Woods gathered Friday at the Aliso Creek Inn to share memories of the actor and longtime Patriots Day Parade commentator, who died July 3. He was 75. "He was a wonderful man, full of personality and always a pleasure to have around," said Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Andrew Barnicle. "He was a great raconteur." Mr. Woods starred in four plays at the Playhouse after Barnicle joined the creative staff in 1991, and at least six others before that.

Playhouse gets a new artistic director The Laguna Playhouse has named Ann E. Wareham as its new artistic director. Wareham previously spent 27 years as a producing partner with the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles where she produced plays like "Sweeney Todd," "Spring Awakening" and "Pippin. " She has also produced plays at the Victory Theatre and the Met Theatre in Los Angeles. "I am thrilled to join [Executive Director] Karen Wood in the leadership of this great theater and look forward to being a part of the rich and vibrant arts community that is Laguna Beach," Wareham said in a statement.

Generally speaking, one art form rarely intersects with another, and on the occasion they do, the last pairing one might expect would be dance and photography. Yet that’s what Gallimaufry Performing Arts has in store Saturday when not only the two art forms but two venues will be in the spotlight. “Two Journeys — One Mission” will be offered, beginning at 6 p.m. in San Juan Capistrano and ending at 10:30 p.m. in Laguna Beach. Dancers from the Gallimaufry & Greene Dance Company will combine their talents with those of a pair of local Laguna artists.

OK, you've been watching "America's Got Talent," "Don't Forget the Lyrics" and "So You Think You Can Dance" and you're starting to think, "Maybe I could do that ? " Well, Laguna Beach's Gallimaufry Performing Arts is offering you the chance to find out. Prospective singers and actors are invited to sign up for one of the troupe's two community programs ? Lagunatunes Community Chorus or an acting class. Lagunatunes offers participants the experience of singing an eclectic mix of classical, contemporary and jazz numbers.

Following an extensive, six-month nationwide search, The Laguna Playhouse announced today that Karen Wood has been appointed as the Playhouse’s managing director. She succeeds Richard Stein, who resigned in June after many years as executive director. Wood, who was previously managing director of the San Diego Repertory Theatre for seven years, will assume her duties at The Playhouse on Feb. 4. The announcement was made by Andrew Donchak, president of the Laguna Playhouse board of directors.

Most of the Laguna Dance Festival is focused on professional performances and master classes, but festival artistic director Jodie Gates still found time to reach children with Dancing Hands on Wednesday. The two-hour workshop, conceived from scratch by the former Joffrey Ballet star, blended movement and painting. It was held in the middle of the weeklong festival, which concludes Sunday. About 30 grade school-age kids, mostly girls, attended Dancing Hands. “They were very creative and energetic,” Gates said.

Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Richard Stein has announced his resignation. Stein said he plans to pursue artistic projects. "We appreciate Rick's dedicated service to The Laguna Playhouse over the past 17 years," said Playhouse Board of Trustees President Andrew Donchak. "Naturally, we're sad to see him leave, but certainly wish him much success in his future endeavors." "I have longed to spend more time on the artistic side of theater, and that's difficult to do while meeting the demands of being an executive director.

Gallimaufry Performing Arts and Gallimaufry & Greene will present a duo of performances next weekend for audiences of all ages. Gallimaufry & Greene, the new professional dance company launched by Gallimaufry founder Steve Josephson and dancer Sean Greene, will have its first large stage show nightly at 8 p.m. on July 20 and 21 at the Artists' Theatre, 625 Park Ave. Tickets range from $5 to $20. The company will perform "A Night at the...

For the upcoming holiday season, the Laguna Playhouse is welcoming an old friend, Irish playwright Bernard Farrell, with its fourth American premiere of a Farrell script. This time around, it's "Many Happy Returns," opening Nov. 19 following a week of previews. Playhouse Artistic Director Andrew Barnicle, who staged the theater's most recent Farrell comedy, "Lovers at Versailles," will be staging this Christmas-themed comedy. "Irene and Arthur have their house festooned for the return of Declan, the self-made millionaire from New Zealand," Barnicle explained.