In The Arts

Bradbury musical to premiere in Laguna

Gallimaufry Performing Arts will be presenting the world premiere of a brand new musical by Ray Bradbury, “Ray Bradbury’s Merry Christmas 2116,” Nov. 5 through 15 at the Festival of Arts Forum Theatre, 650 Laguna Canyon Road.

Bradbury, 89, penned the book and lyrics to the new musical.

The musical has been developed and created by Gallimaufry Artistic Director Steve Josephson, who will direct and choreograph, and has a score by composer John Hoke.

The musical follows Mr. and Mrs. Wycherly as they celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

It seems they are both disillusioned with their reflections in the mirror and wish they could do something to help their spouses as they age. Mr. Marionette arrives just in time to help the aging Wycherlys find the perfect Christmas gift for each other.

Told entirely through song and dance, this new musical is perfect for Halloween and Christmas.

“Ray Bradbury’s Merry Christmas 2116” had its origins in the 1950s, when Hollywood actor Charles Laughton asked if Bradbury could perhaps write a musical for him and his wife, actress Elsa Lanchester. Bradbury told them he would be delighted to and had been toying with an idea of a husband and wife story.

At this point Laughton brought in the eccentric director James Whale, who designed the sets and began working on developing the project with Bradbury and a composer.

Before it could be completed, Whale died.

In spring 2009, the story idea was brought to Josephson, who found a composer and agreed to stage the work. Bradbury will be appearing at the opening Nov. 5 and will give an introduction.

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 to $15 for students, $15 to $20 for seniors and $20 to $25 for general reserved.

Tickets can be purchased at www.gallimaufry.org/buytickets.html or (949) 499-5060.

Nonprofits sought for fundraiser

The Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau is presenting the “Unity through Art” project for the benefit of multiple nonprofits in Laguna Beach. This year, the bureau invited artists in Laguna to create an ornament for a 9-foot holiday tree to be exhibited at the Laguna Art Museum throughout the holiday season.

Participation will be for a maximum of 30 Laguna Beach nonprofits (first-come, first-served with proof of nonprofit status as of Oct. 16) who will offer opportunity drawing tickets for a $10 donation for a chance to own this holiday tree. Deadline for organization sign-up is Oct. 30.

Each participating organization will receive as many as 250 tickets that they can provide to friends, family and business associates, with 100% of the proceeds from their ticket efforts going to their organization.

Only 7,500 tickets will be offered.

As part of the Unity through Art project, the nonprofits will be listed on the Visitors Bureau holiday website.

The organization responsible for the winning ticket will have their name incorporated into a mention in the local media when the winner is announced.

Each participating organization’s representative will receive an invitation to a holiday reception at the museum to celebrate the drawing of the winner’s name.

E-mail lbvb@lagunabeachinfo.com or call (949) 497-9229.

College art show, sale at Fairhaven

Laguna College of Art & Design and Fairhaven Memorial Park will present the fourth annual alumni and graduate student exhibition from Nov. 12 to 15 at the Fairhaven Mausoleum, 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana.

The hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Suggested $5 donation per person.

Fifty-four pieces of realistic and representational artworks by master’s of fine arts students and alumni will be featured in this juried group installation. This year’s panel of jurors includes Director of the California Art Club and owner of Legacy Fine Arts Elaine Adams, museum and gallery curator Chip Tom, and owner of Glass Garage Fine Art Gallery Henry Lien.

Spanning four days, the exhibition opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 12 where artwork will be viewed by candlelight, as it was in Europe centuries ago. This evening will also feature a wine and cheese tasting and a slide presentation.

The exhibition concludes with an artists’ reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 15 where guests will enjoy refreshments and live entertainment from Duo Absinthe.

Artist duo return to Tosti Studios

LCAD alumni Orion Fisher and James Miller will present a two-man show, “Futureproof: Orion Fisher & James Miller,” at Tosti Studios, 210 N. Coast Hwy.

Guests are invited to attend the opening reception in conjunction with First Thursday’s Art Walk, 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 5. The closing reception will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 21.

Both events will afford guests the opportunity to meet the artists and interact with them in this distinctively intimate setting.

Fisher and Miller are two young painters who, by virtue of a kindred spirit for experimentation, developed an artistic dialogue as students.

Last February they made their debut to rave reviews.

Tour of L.A. public art on tap

Community Art Project (CAP) is hosting a train tour of public art at Los Angeles Metrolink stations Saturday. The day includes round-trip Amtrak fare from Irvine to Union Station and a private docent-guided tour of the Gold Line’s art.

The cost is $30 for CAP members, $40 for non-members and $50 for new members, including 2010 membership fees.

For more information, call (949) 533-7507.

Human rights experts speak

Two leading human rights experts will be speaking on the progress being made in prosecuting human rights violators at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive.

Theresa Harris, executive director of Human Rights USA, and Paul Van Zyl of the International Center for Transitional Justice, will be the guests speakers at this event, sponsored by Laguna Beach-based Townhall Foundation, dedicated to educating and building awareness on the progress of human rights around the world.

Space is limited at this free event, so contact Kelley Martin at kelleymartin7@cox.net or (949) 923-8280.