THEATER:Trio of youth plays are due

Young, aspiring musical theater performers in the Laguna Beach area will stretch their talents in a trio of stage productions during the Laguna Playhouse’s 2007-08 season.

Three Youth Theater productions “” one classic, one modern and one geared toward teenage audiences “” have been selected to fill the upcoming season.

First up, from Oct. 26 through Nov. 4, will be “Disney High School Musical on Stage,” a show based on an original television movie from, you guessed it, the Disney Channel.

Donna Inglima, director of the youth program at the playhouse, will stage the production.

“While on a New Year’s vacation, high school hoop star Troy and brainy Gabriella meet,” Inglima said. “During a karaoke contest, they discover their love for singing and an interest in each other.

“After vacation, Troy finds out that Gabriella is a new girl at his school, and both happen to audition for the upcoming high school musical,” Inglima continues. This brings them into conflict with Ryan and Sharpay Evans, considered the school’s top theatrical talents.

The Youth Theater program resurfaces in May when “The Sleeping Beauty” takes the stage under the direction of Kelly Herman. This classic fairy tale deals with a deadly spell cast on a princess by an evil sorceress.

“Prince Elano vows to save his beloved princess,” Herman notes. “His bravery and devotion are challenged when he must confront the forces of evil conjured by the wicked Frytania.”

The show will play from May 9 to 18.

Scheduled between performances of “Sleeping Beauty” will be “Can’t Believe It,” a project of the Theater for a New Generation series.

This is a comic drama drawn from the real lives of students, teachers and parents.

“It offers an opportunity for teens to learn about taking responsibility for their actions and the consequences of making poor or inappropriate decisions,” said Inglima, who will direct the abbreviated (May 13 to 15) production.

The Youth Theater also will display its off-the-cuff performing skills in “Evenings of Improvisation” Jan. 21 to 23 at the Laguna Playhouse Production Center, 23402 South Point Drive, Laguna Hills.

Tickets for the two-play subscription series (“Musical” and “Beauty”) are $40 for adults and $32 for children. “Can’t Believe It” is $10 and $5. The improvisation show sells for $5 and $3.

Reservations and subscription information are available from the playhouse at (949) 497-2787 or at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.