ROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION: A HOLIDAY PANTO at Laguna Playhouse

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE and BONNIE LYTHGOE PRODUCTIONS benefiting GiveKidsPanto announce the cast of THE WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OFROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION:A HOLIDAY PANTOWritten by Kris LythgoeChoreography by Mason TruebloodDirected by Bonnie LythgoeThe Swash-Buckling Begins Friday, December 3rd at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach!Welcome to the 70sthe 1170s!Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Ellen Richard, Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham and Bonnie Lythgoe Productions benefiting GiveKidsPanto are thrilled to announce that Michael James Ryan (Blood Rock, Into The Woods) will star as Robin Hood, Sohm Kapila (The Morning Show) will star as Maid Marion, Andrew Lynford will star as the Sheriff of Nottingham,Jo Osmond (Dumbo, Snow White and the Huntsman) will star as Sherwood Sprite and Jared Machado (Spring Awakening, Sister Act) will star as Will Scarlett in the world premiere production of ROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION: A HOLIDAY PANTO, written by Kris Lythgoe, choreography by Mason Trueblood and directed by Bonnie Lythgoe. ROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION: A HOLIDAY PANTO will begin performances on Friday, December 3 (with a press opening on Sunday, December 5 at 4pm) and run through Sunday, December 29, 2021 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. ROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION: A HOLIDAY PANTOhas the ultimate adventure getting a modern makeover twist in this years Panto! Join our heroic outlaw defending the people as he robs from the rich and gives back to the poor. Its a show packed full of boogie, comedy, action, audience participation and set to a soundtrack of Disco hits and dance anthems from the 70s (the 1170s), including such disco favorites as Donna Summers Bad Girls, The Bee Gees Jive Talkin, Hes the Greatest Dancer by Sister Sledge and many more! Book your tickets now for this sheriff-busting, tights-wearing extravaganza! ABOUT THE CAST MICHAEL JAMES RYAN (Robin Hood) Past stage credits include Carnoli inBlood Rock(Odyssey Theatre), Rapunzels Prince inInto the Woods(Cupcake Theatre), and Garry inNoises Off. (Academy Theatre).He graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2016.SOHM KAPILA (Maid Marion) Her past year has included Mindy Kaling's Never Have I Ever, filming on season two of The Morning Show, guest- starring on S.W.A.T., 911, Greys Anatomy, working on the feature film Untitled Horror Movie and co-producing the film Ashes on the Highway. ANDREW LYNFORD (Sheriff of Nottingham) has worked as an actor, producer, director, writer, TV & radio presenter and choreographer, both here in Los Angeles and in his native UK. TYLER SHILSTONE (Little John) is an Actor/Comedian/Musician/Television Producer and has studied at Second City, The Groundlings, UCB and San Francisco State Universitys Theater program. Upcoming are the feature films Whiskey Dixie and the Big Wet Country and Axe Grinder parts 4&5, as well as the upcoming short film Trying. You can also find him doing sketches and live musical improv as one half of the comedy duo Dewey & Shilstone. DANIEL KIM (Friar Tuck) is an LA-based actor and is excited to have Robin Hood as his debut at Laguna Playhouse! An alumni of ABCs 2019 Diversity Showcase, some of his recent credits include Hollywood Stargirl, Titus Andronicus and Death of a Salesman. JO OSMOND (Sherwood Sprite) has over 20 years of experience in the TV/Film industry. She specializes in creature work and has appeared in many popular movie franchises including Star Wars, Dr Who and Harry Potter. Her credits include Disneys Dumbo and Universal Pictures Snow White and the Huntsman. JARED MACHADO (Will Scarlett) Previous credits include The Merchant of Venice, The Cherry Orchard, Spring Awakening, and Sister Act. Jared started his training at the Orange County School of the Arts training under professionals such as Krysta Rodriguez, Susan Egan and Ali Stroker. The Ensemble will feature: Donte Essien, Bryce Moyer, Jordyn Waldo, Annika Akiko Alejo and Arielle Dettmer.ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAMBONNIE LYTHGOE (Director) With a career spanning more than 30 years, Bonnies achievements as a dancer, choreographer, director, TV presenter, TV producer and Broadway producer are second to none. Starting her dancing career in the feature filmTo Sir, With Lovestarring Sidney Poitier, she followed up with a variety of choreography and directing roles includingSnow White, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Grease, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Full Monty, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aladdin, West Side StoryandRoyal Varietyfor HRH Queen Elizabeth. With ongoing success in musical theatre, Bonnie served as a judge for a BBC singing reality seriesS Club Juniorscreated by Simon Fuller. She joined the next Simon Fuller venture, American Idol,where she served as a producer on the first three series before moving on to another new project, So You Think You Can Dance,for which she was both a judge and a producer for the first two series. Bonnie then headed Down Under for So You Think You Can Dance Australia. In 2011, Bonnie created Lythgoe Family Productions in Los Angeles with her son Kristopher. Together they have brought musical Panto to Los Angeles. The first production wasCinderella, followed bySnow Whitewith Neil Patrick Harris. Well-known for her creativity and involvement in global television hits, Bonnie is dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across the world through fun, laughter and music. www.ozpanto.com.MASON TRUEBLOOD (Choreographer) was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. He received his BFA in Dance Performances and his BA in Film & Media Studies from UCI. Mason has toured the world with the international revival of the Broadway hit Bring It On: The Musical and with The Muppet Show: LIVE. His credits include "DC's Legends of Tomorrow," "Dear White People," "Penny Dreadful: City of Angels," "Hairspray LIVE," "Glee," "2 Broke Girls," and several more. Laguna Audiences know him as Pirate Lennon in 2019'sPeter Pan and Tinker Bell, A Pirate's Christmas.ABOUT BONNIE LYTHGOE PRODUCTIONSBonnie Lythgoe Productions produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairy tales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well-known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together. ROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION: A HOLIDAY PANTO marks Lythgoe Family Pantos sixth production at the historic Laguna Playhouse. Past Pantos at Laguna Playhouse include Peter Pan & Tinker Bell: A Pirates Christmas, starring John OHurley, Lincoln Klauss and Ashley Argota; Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose starring Ashley Argota and Thomas Hobson; Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Kira Kosarin and Barry Pearl; Sleeping Beauty and her Winter Knight starring Cozi Zuehlsdorff and Joely Fisher & A Snow White Christmas starring Marina Sirtis and Lindsay Pearce. As part of the organizations ongoing commitment to develop theatre for young audiences, Lythgoe Family Panto together with Laguna Playhouse will bring the magic of Panto to hundreds of underserved children who attend school in Orange County. ABOUT GiveKidsPantoFor the past 8 years, GiveKidsPanto has worked with generous grants to give children the opportunity to see live theatre. Panto is based on fairy tales the kids know and love, with Pop songs interwoven into the script, which the kids know and love. A British tradition thats 350 years old, Panto is the catalyst for kids to be introduced to the Arts. Previous Panto shows have starred Ariana Grande, Neil Patrick Harris, Ben Vereen, Sabrina Carpenter and many more.Go towww.givekidspanto.orgor more information.ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND PRICINGROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION: A HOLIDAY PANTO will begin performances on Friday, December 3 (with a press opening on Sunday, December 5 at 4:00 pm) and run through Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. Performances will be Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:00 pm; Saturdays at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm (except for Saturday, December 18 at 11:00 am; 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm) and Sundays at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm. There will no performance on Wednesday, December 8; Wednesday, December 15; Thursday, December 23; Friday, December 24 or Wednesday, December 29 at 7:00 pm.There will be added performances on Wednesday, December 22 at 3:00 pm & Thursday, December 23 at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm; Friday, December 24 at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm; Monday, December 27 at 12:00 pm & 4 pm; Tuesday, December 28 at 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm and Wednesday, December 29 at 12:00 pm and 4:00pm. Tickets range from $36 - $71; $26 - $61 (for children 2- 14), and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229. Prices subject to change. The box office is open Mondays Saturdays: 12 pm. to 4 pm; Sundays open 2 hours prior to show time until 15 minutes after curtain. Open until showtime on all performance days.COVID PROTOCOLS for the LAGUNA PLAYHOUSEAll Youth Theatre shows, including the Annual Holiday Panto, will require masks for all attendees, but will not require proof of vaccination. Laguna Playhouse prioritizes the health and safety of our audience, artists, crew and staff.Please visithttps://lagunaplayhouse.com/health-and-safety-policy/for additional details.For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com. LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. # # #To schedule press interviews, photos or press comps, please contact David Elzer/DEMAND PR at 818/508-1754 or by e-mail at davidelzer@me.com. Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is proud to be an active participant in the celebrated Laguna Beach arts community.From classic plays and musical comedies to the current off-Broadway smash, cutting edge and traditional music exhibitions, dance festivals and stand-up comedy performances, Laguna Playhouse brings the magical experience of the performing arts direct to over80,000 patrons each season.Laguna Playhouse educational programming includes year-round classes, productions by and for children and teens (Youth Theatre) and is one of thefew companies in the region that offer a curriculum-based professional theatre-touring program, TheatreReach, which aligns with the California State Standards for literature, history and performing arts curriculum.Laguna Playhouse has been recognized in for the past five years as one ofOrange County RegistersBest of OC in the category of Live Theatre. The Laguna Playhouse has featured many talented performers on stage, including Ed Asner, Leslie Caron, Hershey Felder, Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, Val Kilmer, Gregory Harrison, Dan Lauria, Hal Linden, Wendie Malick, Rita Rudner, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart, Loretta Swit, and Bette Davis.Learn Whats Going On atwww.lagunaplayhouse.comCalendar Listing:ROBIN HOOD & MAID MARION:A HOLIDAY PANTOWritten by Kris LythgoeChoreography by Mason TruebloodDirected by Bonnie LythgoePreviews: Friday, December 3 at 7:00pm; Saturday, December 4 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm and Sunday, December 5 at 12:00pmOpens: Sunday, December 5 at 4:00pmRuns: Sunday, December 5 Sunday, December 29, 2021Performances will be Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:00 pm; Saturdays at or 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm (except for Saturday, December 18 at 11:00 am; 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm); Sundays at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm There will no performance on Wednesday, December 8; Wednesday, December 15; Thursday, December 23; Friday, December 24 or Wednesday, December 29 at 7:00 pm.There will be added performances on Wednesday, December 22 at 3:00 pm & Thursday, December 23 at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm & Friday, December 24 at 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm; Monday, December 27 at 12:00 pm & 4 pm; Tuesday, December 28 at 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm and Wednesday, December 29 at 12:00 pm and 4:00pm. LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE606 Laguna Canyon Rd. in Laguna Beach, CA Tickets range from $36 - $71 & $26 - $61 (for children 2 14). For tickets visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com or call 949-497-2787