At Pageant of the Masters, living pictures come to life — no, really

Some stood still, and others moved.

The Pageant of the Masters, the premier tableaux vivante, an Orange County institution where people whose ability to stand absolutely still for 90 seconds at a time are chosen to re-create classic works of art, was introducing movement.

Real movement, including a zip line. But more on that later.

It was an unexpected twist, revealed during the annual pageant’s preview performance Wednesday night.

In between the living pictures, professional dancers performed famous choreography from movies.

Picture Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, who were highlighted in a poster painting of “Top Hat,” which is among the nearly 40 pieces art pieces for this year’s production, whose theme is “Partners.”

(And there you have another unusual element: poster art added to the tradition of aping classic works.)

“Partners” celebrates similar dynamic duos, like artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, aviation pioneers the Wright brothers and explorers Lewis and Clark.

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For the Astaire-Rogers piece, after the models remained frozen inside the frame and the image faded, one dancer dressed in an ostrich feather gown and another in a suit — like the attire of the famous dancing duo — strutted on a separate stage and spun around, mimicking the choreography in the 1935 musical comedy.

Following the act were tableaux vivantes of Gene Kelly, the American dancer known for playing energetic and likeable characters on the silver screen.

Once the image disappeared and the amphitheater went dark, an actor strapped to a cable and mounted high above in the venue’s trees, took off on a zip line above the audience, showcasing Kelly’s performance in the 1948 film “The Pirate.”

Dance numbers continued as a performer re-created Kelly’s steps on a sidewalk à la “Singin’ in the Rain,” and three actors holding umbrellas and dressed in yellow raincoats marched beneath a panel dripping water.

The artworks that were re-created during the 90-minute presentation included an 1871 oil painting of Adam and Eve, sculptures of Lewis and Clark, works by artists Carl Larsson and David Hockney, and the 18th century oil painting “The Kiss on the Hand.”

But famous paintings and sculptures weren’t the only things re-created. People also dressed as art nouveau enamel brooches by Gaston Lafitte and 1930s crystal perfume bottles by H. Hoffman & Co.

The pageant, which opened Thursday and will run to Aug. 31, will end with the traditional finale, “The Last Supper.”

The inspiration for “Partners” came to pageant director Diane Challis Davy and her scriptwriter, Dan Duling, when the two discovered a portrait of the Lavoisiers, a husband and wife who underwent an awkward and hastily arranged marriage that led to the two conducting scientific discoveries in 18th century France.

“Whether it’s a lover, muse, comrade or ally, we hope to prove that it takes two, baby,” said Challis Davy at the Festival of Arts’ annual meeting in November.

Visitors attending Wednesday’s private preview also had access to the Festival Art Show. The show, also on the Festival of Arts grounds, features the paintings, photography, sculpture and mixed media of 140 award-winning local artists in the exhibitor’s gallery.

Gina Dostler of Costa Mesa attended Wednesday’s show with a friend and said she likes this year’s theme, and particularly appreciated learning about the different facets of partnerships.

“I’m in awe of it all,” said Dostler, who has seen three pageant productions. “This is the best one I’ve enjoyed so far. It’s inspired me to dance.”

Audience member Jeanette Contreras traveled from her home on Catalina Island with her 7-year-old daughter to see the pageant for the first time. She said she learned of the show after a friend suggested she see it.

“My mind is blown,” Contreras said. “I loved it.”

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What: Pageant of the Masters

When: 8:30 p.m. daily until Aug. 31

Where: Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

Cost: $15 to $230

Information: (800) 487-3378 or visit foapom.com.

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Kathleen Luppi, kathleen.luppi@latimes.com

Twitter: @KathleenLuppi