THEATER REVIEW: New festival opens this month

Webster’s dictionary defines “gallimaufry” as a hash or stew — a mixed-up jumble or hodgepodge. Laguna Beach’s Gallimaufry Performing Arts group will be justifying its moniker this month and next with its newly organized Gallimaufry Arts Festival, opening Sept. 20 and continuing through mid-October.

Energized by its successful Family Festival last spring — which attracted more than 4,500 audience members — Gallimaufry has planned for a plethora of theater, dance and musical performances for this month and next.

The festival will kick off Sept. 20 with a stated concert presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “Carousel,” featuring a 20-piece orchestra. This show will be presented Sept. 20 and 21 at the Clubhouse Three Auditorium in Laguna Woods at 7:30 p.m. both days at $15 and $19.50.

Singers from this presentation will reconvene Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. at The Cobblestones on Laguna’s Main Beach.

“This is a free performance,” noted Gallimaufry artistic director Steve Josephson, “and audience members are encouraged to bring blankets and enjoy the sun, sand and songs.”

A black comedy about white trash, Del Shores’ “Sordid Lives” will be reprised by the group for three weekends, from Sept. 28 through Oct. 14. This production is scheduled for the Forum theater on the Festival of Arts grounds. Tickets are $20. Talented tootsies will rule the day Sept. 30 with a day-long celebration of dance. Gallimaufry’s popular Dance Day performance will feature a mix of new and emerging talent — topped by free master classes and a free dance concert on Main Beach.

The latter project will be highlighted by the Lula Washington Dance Theater. The dancing begins at 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Forest Avenue and South Coast Highway.

Preceding the concert will be a series of free master classes, beginning at 10 a.m. These will include Latin jazz, modern dance, hip hop and Afro/modern. Classes will be held at the Legion Hall, 384 Legion St.

Performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. from Oct. 7 through Oct. 15; tickets are $8 and $12. The “Island” cast members also will host a special Caribbean-themed gala benefit show Oct. 7 to raise funds for the performing arts program at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach.

Tickets may be obtained by calling (949) 499-5060 or visiting the Gallimaufry website at www.gallimaufry.info.