Laguna Playhouse Gala Honors 50 Years Of Theatre

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — It is the 50th year of the Moulton Theatre, and the spotlight will shine bright at the Laguna Playhouse’ annual Gala, May 12, with special performances by “Phantom of the Opera Star” Davis Gaines, a tribute to the Moulton Theatre’s 50 th anniversary, and a host of highlights celebrated throughout the much-anticipated, elegant affair.

The nearly sold out 2018 Laguna Playhouse Gala will once again be held at Fashion Island Hotel, Newport Beach, featuring an elegant cocktail reception, fine dining, and live and silent auctions with exotic trips and Lugano Diamonds jewelry.

An intimate VIP experience with Davis Gaines, Los Angeles longest running Phantom, special performances by the talented Playhouse Youth Theatre Conservatory kids and Davis are some of the evening’s highlights, followed by dancing to the sounds of a nine-piece band.

“Honoring the Moulton family on the 50th Anniversary of the Moulton Theatre is such a wonderful time to share the story of Lewis and Nellie Gail Moulton. Nellie Gail Moulton generously contributed to building the Laguna
Moulton Playhouse in 1967,” said Event Co-chair and Season Producer Lisa Hale. “The Playhouse opened with its first performances in 1968 and the same structure continues today as The Laguna Playhouse and Moulton Theatre.”

“Nellie Gail loved Laguna and she loved The Playhouse. Our family helping to protect its history and secure its future is the right thing to do,” said great grandson and Playhouse Board Member, Jared Mathis.

“This wonderful season at the Playhouse is the result off a huge increase in underwriting. Executive Director Ellen Richard and Artistic Director Anne Wareham said if we can get $250,000 in underwriting we can produce
this season,” explained Hale. “I believed in them and the season, so I wrote the check.”

Popular actor Richard Burgi lauds the Moulton family and the Playhouse. He recently performed in back-to- back Laguna Playhouse’ hits, “The Graduate,” with Golden Globe winner Melanie Griffith, and “12 Angry Men.”

“Any family that puts their heart and resources into the arts I have a lot of admiration and gratitude for,” Burgi said. “I think there’s not enough of that in the world.”

Burgi added, “The resources at the theater; it’s just incredible. They put on incredible shows. I just encourage people to go out and support their local arts.”

The Gala is the Laguna Playhouse’s biggest fundraising event of the year.
“Last year’s Gala, under co-chairs Glenn Gray and Kathryn Burton Gray, grossed more than $600,000. It is a very large part of our annual fundraising number,” said Hale.

For more information, visit: www.lagunaplayhousegala.com