Laguna theater tries to break a leg

Everyone loves live theater — but maybe not enough to help it survive.

Across the country, theaters are in crisis mode. Many have closed or are cutting back on productions. The 739-seat Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, known for its provocative plays, has canceled its 2023/24 season with no plans to reopen. The number of theaters that have closed or suspended operations is estimated in the hundreds.

According to a recent study by an L.A.-based group of arts organizations, audience attendance for regional theaters is down almost 50% — from pre-COVID levels.

All of which begs the question: What about Laguna Beach?

Well, it’s not great but there is always hope.

Bucking the trend, No Square Theater, previously known for its musicals, is launching its first play, “The Shape of Things,” running Oct. 6-15. No Square founder Bree Burgess Rosen brought in Rob Harryman as the new managing director, and Ella Wyatt as artistic director.

But filling the 85-seat No Square Theater is a lot different than the 420-seat Laguna Playhouse across town. The Playhouse has been fighting hard since COVID. Just last May, it brought on two new veterans from San Diego to help jumpstart the new season: Artistic Director David Ellenstein and Managing Director Bill Kerlin. Both come from North Coast Repertory Theatre and are somewhat on loan, as they will be pulling double duty.

The president of the North Coast Board of Directors, Marc Tayer, put a good spin on the partnership.

“We are excited to expand our relationship with the Laguna Playhouse, a storied theatre in an adjacent market,” Tayer said in a press release. “David and Bill are a superb team and will bring proven artistic and operational excellence to the Laguna area, while continuing to delight theatre audiences in San Diego.”

Some critics have privately weighed in that the Playhouse lineup for this year is not particularly innovative, but they’re willing to take a wait-and-see approach.

Whether it’s enough to fill seats remains the big question. Regardless, there will be generous benefactors in Laguna to help keep things afloat. How long those donations can keep the lights on is anyone’s guess.

For many regional theaters across the country, the show has ended.