Lots of industries and organizations have suffered because of COVID but the only one we really care about is “Lagunatics.”
With satire and music temporarily on hold in Laguna Beach, we’ve had to create our own – perhaps in the shower – and it has not been pretty.
But fear not, “Lagunatics” is coming soon to No Square Theatre. According to founder Bree Burgess Rosen, there will be three live performances, Dec. 17-19. Which means they are rehearsing as we speak, staying safe and trying to harness an avalanche of material.
And, of course, they are drinking to stay sane.
“We are vaxxed, masked, mic’d, and hand sanitized, but oy, it’s still stressful,” Rosen said. “I am again rehearsing and taping in small groups of about eight. Masks off only when we’re actually recording.
“And alcohol. We’re not just cleaning our hands, music stands and mics with it, we’re drinking it. A fine domestic Syrah might not kill germs, but it makes us feel a lot better.”
For Rosen, the COVID delay has been excruciating. She’s been trying to fill the time with TV, music, and any other kind of legal escape.
“I’m beyond sick of flat screen entertainment,” she said. “I segued to books about eight months ago. And music of course. Always music. Cranky music. Angry music. Soothing music. Inspiring music. And mostly, stupid music. I am fully engaged in escapism at this point.”
On the stage, the performers have been equally impacted, dealing with the limitations and cancellations.
“Everyone really ran out of steam recording songs for streaming and such,” Rosen said. “Live theatre folk generally want nothing to do with screens. I am certainly in that column.”
So what can we expect from this year’s production? Well, it’s a secret that we only tell our friends.
First of all, there’s no official name yet because well, life continues to get in the way of art.
“The name of this year’s show? No idea,” she said. “We thought we’d settled on ‘Unmasked’ back in June, but that clearly doesn’t work anymore.”
What always works with “Lagunatics” is its self-effacing humor.
Year after year, the show is like a backhanded compliment, jovial but just a little bit prickly. The thing that makes it especially funny and rewarding, though, is not the great writing or musical talent or outlandish costumes; it’s the fact that Laguna has the show at all.
It’s another one of those underground gems in Laguna. In a town that’s famous for its insular, privileged handwringing, “Lagunatics” serves as a healthy, musical mirror on the city’s foibles.
And do we have foibles. Rosen said the challenge for this year’s show is largely one of volume. There are so many ripe topics but too little time. Here’s a partial sneak peek of the lineup, courtesy of Rosen:
In addition, there will be numbers about global warming, pickleball, the empty LBPD cars parked around town, a certain city councilmember, the “Nextdoor Witches,” and many more.
Unfortunately, the one creative influence that won’t be involved with this year’s production is longtime writer Chris Quilter, who says he’s retired. When we asked him about it, he demurred.
“After a mere 15 or 16 years, and to make more time for doomscrolling, I ‘retired’ from the show before last year’s COVID-focused, videotaped triumph,” he said. “I don’t even know if they are doing a number about multibillionaire Bill Gross set to the ‘Gilligan’s Island’ theme song. But I’m happy to sing the praises of the show, or hum along.”
Rosen and Under Laguna are trying to tease Quilter out of retirement, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, to keep track of the show’s progress, visit nosquare.org.
