Melanie Griffith Stars In The Graduate At Laguna Playhouse

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Starting Thursday, Feb. 22, Melanie Griffith will star in an adaptation of "The Graduate" at the Laguna Playhouse. The Golden Globe winning and Academy Award nominated actress plays the roll of Mrs. Robinson, a time honored seductress in the play adapted for stage by Terry Johnson, screenplay by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham, based upon the novel by Charles Webb and directed by Michael Matthews.

Melanie Griffith was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe award for her role as Tess McGill in Mike Nichol's "Working Girl." Griffith's performance opposite Liev Schreiber, John Malkovich and James Cromwell in the HBO movie "RKO 281" earned her both an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination. In 2003, she debuted on Broadway in the musical "Chicago" as the fame-hungry Roxie Hart.

Director Michael Matthews is returning to Laguna Playhouse on the heels of "Twelve Angry Men." Cast members include Nick Tag as Benjamin (Sex and Education at Laguna Playhouse; "My Crazy Ex," "Brothers in Arms"), Geoffrey Lower as Mr. Robinson, Martha Magruder as Elaine Robinson, Richard Burgi as Mr. Braddock, Valerie Perri as Mrs. Braddock and the ensemble will feature John Massey, Greg Butler, Joey Fabrizi and Taylor Rene LaBarbera.

The Scenic Design is by Stephen Gifford. The Lighting Design is by Tim Swiss. The Costume Design is by Kate Bergh. The Production Stage Manager is Vernon Willett.

In the story, "The Graduate," young Benjamin has excellent grades, proud parents and has no idea what to do with his life. An unexpected diversion crops up when he is seduced by Mrs. Robinson, and even more unexpected, he finds himself falling in love with the one person Mrs. Robinson demanded he stay away from, her upbeat and optimistic daughter, Elaine.

"Terry Johnson’s stage adaptation of The Graduate, based on the novel and the iconic 1967 film," the Playhouse said. "It is a bitterly hilarious dark comedy, full of rapid-fire dialogue between fascinating characters boldly celebrating a May-December romance in 1960’s California, in which the future can be summed up in one word: Plastics."

The production runs through March 25.

The Laguna Playhouse is located: 606 Laguna Canyon Road.

Performances will be Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Thursdays and Saturdays at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Sundays at 1 pm. There will no Thursday performances on Thursday, March 1; Thursday, March 15 & Thursday, March 22 at 2 pm. There will be additional Sunday performances on Sunday, February 25; Sunday, March 18 & Sunday, March 25 at 5:30 pm.

Tickets range from $86 - $101 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.

Photo, courtesy Laguna Playhouse