No Square ponders future

Tom Titus

The customer, they say, is always right, and the people who operate

Laguna Beach’s No Square Theater are taking this maxim to heart.

The company is polling prospective audiences on its Web site

(www.NoSquare.org) not only on what show it should put on, but where

it should be staged.

No Square hasn’t been able to book a Laguna venue for a summer

show, since both the Artists Theater at Laguna Beach High School and

the Forum Theater on the Festival of Arts grounds -- where the

company generally performs -- are unavailable.

The troupe is posing two questions to its audiences. First: “We

haven’t been able to book a venue in Laguna for the summer. Would you

follow No Square Theater outside Laguna’s 92651 Zip code? And if so,

where? The choices are Laguna Woods or Corona del Mar.

Thus far, Corona del Mar enjoys a virtual 2-1 lead over Laguna

Woods, with two voters opting for neither. As they say in politics,

all the returns aren’t in yet.

As for what show to produce next November, Lagunans obviously are

enamored of the old Judy Garland movie “Meet Me in St. Louis.” That

show has taken a huge lead over both “Babes in Arms” and “Annie

Warbucks” (the sequel to “Annie”).

However, only 67 potential playgoers have cast their ballots, so

anything could happen between now and show time.

Meanwhile, the No Square Theater performers invite patrons to join

them the first Thursday of each month at their rehearsal studio,

located at 221 Broadway. The program includes complimentary wine,

entertainment and a glimpse of local artists’ newest works.

The fun runs from 6 to 9 p.m., admission is free and no RSVP is

required.

Laguna’s only non-professional theater group now is 10 years old

and fighting to stay active. Earlier this year, the troupe presented

Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and a Kander-Ebb songfest,

“And the World Goes Round.” The latter included a few pros (like home

town gal Teri Ralston, donating her vocal talents in the benefit

show).

There’s always room for more volunteer talent. If you’d like to

get involved, contact the No Square Theater at (949) 497-1950 or fax

them at (949) 497-2584.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.