Laguna’s own ‘Laugh-In’ readies 11th edition

Tom Titus

Back in 1992, Lagunan Bree Burgess Rosen came up with the idea of

poking fun at her fellow Art Colony citizens and helping out local

charities at the same time.

She had no idea what sort of monster she was creating.

“Lagunatics” has evolved into a hilarious and highly popular variety

show that sells out every year -- and thus far has raised over

$350,000 for a wide range of nonprofit organizations.

This year, Laguna’s home-grown version of “Laugh-in” has expanded

to an eight-day run, opening Oct. 10, at the Forum Theater on the

Festival of Arts grounds, with curtain at 8 p.m. nightly, except for

the two Sunday performances which begin at 7 p.m.

“The cast has featured local celebrities, including City Council

members, the chief of police and an amazing array of talent with

credits from Broadway to Las Vegas showrooms to Southern California’s

finest theaters,” she declares.

“There also are a few talentless bums who sneak in, but seem fit

to entertain all the same,” she adds, tongue firmly in cheek.

Five years after Lagunatics was born, Rosen founded the city’s

community theater group, dubbed No Square Theater. Earlier this year,

she left that group to devote her full attention to Lagunatics, which

has become a full-time project.

The No Square troupe, now under the artistic direction of Steve

Josephson, is one of the organizations which benefits annually from

Lagunatics. Others include Laguna Shanti, the Community Clinic,

Laguna Playhouse, Laguna High’s Artists Theater and Ballet Pacifica.

Lagunatics 2003 will feature a cast of local and civic

personalities such as Mayor Toni Iseman, City Councilman Steve

Dicterow and Police Chief Jim Spreine. The balance of the cast ranges

from young professionals to retired psychiatrists.

Along with the aforementioned city officials, the 2003 Lagunatics

lineup includes Judy Akin-Palmer, Gregg Barnette, Rick Breco, Yvonne

Browning, Margo Burgess, Philip Burkhardt, Rufino Cabang, Jim Hall,

Tom Hancock, Bill Harris, Deborah Harris, Adam Hemming, Peter Jones,

Darlene Krantz, Gary Krantz, Jasper Kump, Todd Leach, Michael

O’Malley, Linda Martin, Debbie Meeker, Tony Paoletta, Carol Robinson,

Karen Rymar, Beverly Tupy, Pat Warren and Rich Wordes.

Rosen herself also will perform, along with choreographers Autumn

Shumate and Richelle South.

Local and national issues will be attacked with gusto -- covering

subjects ranging from meter maids to Hillary Clinton’s new book, from

the Pageant of the Masters to China’s SARS virus. Even our local

newspapers (gulp) will come in for a little ribbing.

Lagunatics will be on the forum boards Oct. 10, 11, 12, 15, 16,

17, 18 and 19 and tickets range from $30 to $45, with the closing

night gala priced at $65. You can reserve tickets by contacting

Lagunatics at (949) 497-2584.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.