History

Did you know that Laguna Playhouse was founded as a community theatre in 1920, making the Playhouse one of the oldest continuously operating, not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast. Laguna Playhouse presented its first production, “Suppressed Desires” in 1922. In the play, the character Henrietta discovers that her husband and sister have suppressed desires for each other. Critics declared it a hilarious send-up of Freudian psychoanalysis.

In 1942, Laguna Playhouse closed for the first time to help house USO soldiers during WWII. Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s Laguna Playhouse was rented out by independent producers who created shows featuring names such as Roddy MacDowell and Bette Davis! In 1965, young Harrison Ford even made an appearance in the show, “John Brown’s Body” produced by Stephen Vincent Benet.

In September of 1969, Laguna Playhouse was relocated to its current location, at 606 Laguna Canyon Road, just 2 blocks away from the Pacific Ocean. The original location is now Parking Lot #2 between Forest Avenue and Ocean Avenue, where an honorary call board displayed. Since then, Laguna Playhouse has continued to grow in productions, nominations, and awards!

Image from: ArtsOC

Today

Today, over one hundred years and countless plays and musicals later, Laguna Playhouse is a prestigious treasure and immensely vital to the culture of Laguna Beach. Now amid a renaissance due in part to the new artistic director David Ellenstein, the intimate professional theatre is preparing to launch a banner season marked by exceptional quality and wide variety. Laguna Playhouse is steps away from downtown shopping and dining and makes for a fun evening during your visit. Be sure to check out the upcoming shows and events this year!

Sources: Laguna Playhouse, Voice of OC, Orange Coast Magazine, Visit Laguna Beach