4 newportbeachindy . com DECEMBER 23 , 2022
STEPPING OUT Laguna Playhouse ’ s Holiday Panto ‘ Wonderful Winter of Oz ’ is Fun for All Ages
Olivia Sanabia stars as “ Dorothy and Dave stars as “ Toto ” in “ The Wonderful Winter of Oz ” at the Laguna Playhouse .
Andrew Metzger , Matthew Patrick Davis , Olivia Sanabia and Doran Butler star in “ The Wonderful Winter of Oz ” at the Laguna Playhouse .
By Eric Marchese | Special to the NB Indy
Laguna Playhouse is where the Lythgoe family creates an all-new family-oriented show each year at Christmastime , Americanizing the traditional British panto – a combination of theater and music hall .
And since each show gets its world premiere in Laguna , the original scripts always contain plenty of playful references to not just that beautiful city , but others in Orange County .
This time around it ’ s “ The Wonderful Winter of Oz ,” Lythgoe Family Panto ’ s version of L . Frank Baum ’ s classic “ The Wizard of Oz ” that runs at Laguna Playhouse through December 29 .
You might think , from the show ’ s title and “ A Holiday Panto ” subtitle , that the
Staff
EDITORIAL
EDITOR Christopher Trela christopher @ newportbeachindy . com
DESIGN / PRODUCTION
CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR Tracy Powell
JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ashley Littlefield new work would place the famed story ’ s beloved characters into a holiday scenario . Surprisingly , Kris Lythgoe ’ s script is essentially a faithful stage adaptation of “ Oz ,” so familiar to millions via the 1904 book and the renowned 1939 film version .
Yet , aside from references to the Wicked Witch of the West ’ s plans to cancel Christmas , and the performance of a couple of Christmas songs at the show ’ s tail end , the winter holidays don ’ t much figure in .
Now , here ’ s the good news : “ The Wonderful Winter of Oz ” is still a top-notch show , with the first-rate production elements we ’ ve come to expect from the Lythgoe company and ,
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SALES
ADVERTISING SALES TEAM Julie Coleman , Carol Josepher , Chris Mattingley
PRODUCTION MANAGER Tina Leydecker tina @ firebrandmediainc . com
SALES / MEDIA PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Taryn Metkovich
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MAILING ADDRESS : 900 Glenneyre Street , Suite B , Laguna Beach , CA 92651 | Tel : 949-715-4100 | Fax : 949-715-4106 | www . newportbeachindy . com
Matthew Patrick Davis , Doran Butler , Barry Pearl , Olivia Sanabia and Andrew Metzger star in “ The Wonderful Winter of Oz ” at the Laguna Playhouse .
PUBLISHER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Steve Zepezauer
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER / PUBLISHER Scott Sanchez
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Tiffany Thompson
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