BRIEFLY IN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Playhouse to cast ‘High School Musical’

The Laguna Playhouse will have vocal and monologue auditions for its production of the Disney hit “High School Musical” from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 4 to 6.

An all-call dance audition will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 8; callbacks will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 9.

The show will be directed by Donna Inglima, with musical direction by Roxanna Ward and choreography by Ellen Prince.

The playhouse will be casting youth and adult actor/singer/dancers (all three skills are required to audition). All ages and vocal ranges are needed. The style is contemporary pop/musical theater/Disney. Various types of movement are required; a technical dance background is a plus. An adult travel stipend will be available.

Participants are asked to bring a photo and resume, and printed piano/vocal music in correct key. They are asked to wear appropriate clothes for movement and dance, and bring appointment books for filling out a conflict sheet.

Auditioners will perform a memorized 1 1/2- to 2-minute monologue and a memorized 32-bar up tempo pop or musical theater song. No tapes or CD tracks will be accepted; an accompanist will be provided. Standard show tunes are acceptable.

The show’s first rehearsal will be the evening of Sept. 11; rehearsals will be weekday evenings and one weekend day.

Tech weekend will be Oct. 20 and 21, all day and evening on both days, and performances will be from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4, evenings and matinees plus mid-week shows. Student matinees will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 1 and 2; those cast will need to be absent from work or school.

Auditions are by appointment only. To make an appointment, call Wally Ziegler at (949) 472-0061. Auditions will be at the Laguna Playhouse Production Center, 23402 S. Pointe, Laguna Hills. For recorded directions, call (949) 497-2787, ext. 305.

Jazz series returns to Hotel Laguna

The Bruce Forman Trio will headline from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 5 in the Jazz @ the Beach summer series presented by Laguna Beach Live! in the outdoor Rose Garden of the Hotel Laguna, 425 S. Coast Highway. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Forman’s guitar style has been an important part of the international jazz scene for more than two decades. He has been featured as leader as well as sideman at most of the prestigious festivals and concert venues throughout the world.

His numerous recording and performing credits include the likes of Bobby Hutcherson, Ray Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Henderson, Barney Kessel, and others.

Known for bop-style phrasing and inventive harmonizations, his ability to work in a variety of settings keeps him in constant demand.

There is a $10 cover charge; food and beverages are available for purchase. For more information, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org or call (949) 715-9713.

College alumna debuts exhibit of original art

Laguna College of Art & Design alumna Heather Ritts will host a live painting demonstration and exhibit of original art and prints from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at San Clemente Art Supply, 1531 N. El Camino Real.

Admission is complimentary, and wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

The demonstration is the second of its kind hosted by the artist this summer and will allow guests to observe Ritts as she creates an original piece using paint pen on canvas. All works in the exhibit will also be available for purchase.

For more information on Ritts’ work, visit www.abovethereefs.com.

‘Art’ to start Sept. 11

The Laguna Playhouse will present the internationally acclaimed hit play “Art” from Sept. 11 to Oct. 14 at its Moulton Theatre, 606 Laguna Canyon Road.

Written by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, “Art” premiered in Paris in 1995 and went on to win numerous awards, including the 1996-1997 Laurence Olivier Award and the 1998 Tony Award. The Laguna Playhouse production is directed by Andrew Barnicle.

Art, like beauty, may be in the eye of the beholder, but that doesn’t stop the three men in Reza’s play from having strong opinions about it. Serge has paid a small fortune for a large canvas painted totally white.

His friend Marc is scornfully unimpressed, while Yvan tries to avoid taking sides.

What begins as a sparkling and funny debate about the nature of art soon morphs into a witty and often poignant examination of friendship itself.

“I thought this play was perfect for Laguna Playhouse,” says Playhouse Artistic Director Andrew Barnicle. “The most obvious reason is that the play is about art and we’re in Laguna Beach. But it’s also about three men and male bonding, and what the fabric of male friendship is. It’s also a very funny play, and it’s very streamlined. It doesn’t present a lot of production obstacles. You just need to get three really good actors and let them fly.”

Tickets are $25 to $65; previews will be at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 to 14 and 2 and 8 p.m. Sept. 13. The invitation-only opening night gala will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15. Regular performances will be Sept. 16 to Oct. 14.

For more information, call (949) 497-2787 or visit www.LagunaPlayhouse.com.