Center Phans Enjoy the Movie of the Night!

Davis Gaines and Jonathan Vietze. Photo by Chris Emerick

A phan-tastic crowd of nearly 4,000 people gathered this past Monday to enjoy the movie, The Phantom of the Opera, which was selected for this summer's series in last year's Audience Fan Favorite poll. 

Many spirited audience members were found donning Phantom masks and period costumes while some had picnic tables adorned with mini-chandeliers and plates filled with delicious French fare. 

Birthday party for Peggy Anderson of Aliso Viejo. Photo by Chris Emerick

The popular pre-film games included a VERY special guest - the one and only Davis Gaines stopped by and co-hosted along with Movie Monday’s MC Jonathan Vietze. Gaines is currently starring in the musical I Do! I Do! now playing at The Laguna Playhouse. He performed the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera more than 2,000 times, during his run on Broadway, in Los Angeles (where he remains LA’s longest-running Phantom) and in San Francisco (where he received the Bay Area Critics’ Award for Best Actor). 

Dan Dominguez and Garrett Schmidt of Laguna Niguel. Photo by Chris Emerick

Fun facts and trivia questions about all-things The Phantom of the Opera were shared as winners received tickets for the Broadway shows SISTER ACT (coming to the Center August 6 - 18), ANYTHING GOES (also coming to the Center September 24 - 29) or to see Gaines in I Do! I Do! Thanks to him, a few lucky winners even took home autographed The Phantom of the Opera posters! All winners walked away with freshly baked croissants, courtesy of Corner Bakery. 

James Che and Annie Vuong. Photo by Chris Emerick

Movie Mondays 2013 concludes on August 5 with yet another fabulous Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, EVITA. Our 2013 - 2014 Broadway Season proudly presents EVITA December 10-22.

Now is the chance to vote for next year’s Movie Mondays Audience Fan Favorite as the online poll is open. Please visit www.scfta.org/mmpoll. 

Photo by Chris Emerick

Thousands Moved by Movie Mulan

Disney's Mulan drew a crowd of 4,000!

Number three in this summer’s Movie Mondays – Disney’s animated Mulan - drew a crowd of 4,000, the largest audience ever. Early arrivals enjoyed face painting and chalk drawing on the Arts Plaza. Patina offered Asian cuisine-themed dinners. 

No Movie Monday is complete without a pre-show warm-up contest. “Confucius or Confused” had people trying to decide if sayings were those of the great Chinese philosopher or other well known pundits – ladies, in honor of Mulan – including Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Dolly Parton, Margaret Thatcher, Mother Teresa and Coco Chanel. Participants received SISTER ACT fans (coming to the Center August 6 – 18) and Corner Bakery Cafe edamame salads; winners received Macy’s $15 gift cards. 

Next week will be the Audience Fan Favorite winner – (Phantom organ riff, please!) – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera! Francophiles, plan to sample Patina’s croque monsieur (grilled ham and cheese sandwich), charcuterie and cheese plates and crepe station.

To view more photos from Movie Mondays, please visit http://flic.kr/s/aHsjH3xo4J