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

It’s Drew, It’s Drew! Movie Mondays 2013 Is Finally Here!

Mark Phillips, Jake Eyerman, Alan Sullivan, Ed Eyerman
and Tim Woods at Movie Mondays

The summer season’s beloved Movie Mondays opened last night with a great turnout of nearly 2,500 fans who came to enjoy the ‘80s-inspired romantic comedy The Wedding Singer. The Arts Plaza was filled with totally awesome ‘80s music as guests were enjoying their picnic dinners. New this year, Patina Catering is providing themed-menu dinners, and last night’s included rockin’ sliders, grilled cheese sandwiches and, of course, wedding cake for dessert! Also, the fabulous new Segerstrom Center t-shirts made their debut last night and will be available every Monday for $18 each.

Wedding cake from Patina Restaurant Group catering

Segerstrom Center for the Arts t-shirts

Acura, the Official Automotive Sponsor of the Center, parked in Arts Plaza

The popular pre-film contests paid homage to the film’s stars: Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler and included a rousing game of “Drew or False” along with “Tongue Twisters.” Grand Prize winners received either passes to visit the beautiful and historic Mission San Juan Capistrano or tickets to attend the Center’s next divine Broadway musical, SISTER ACT arriving August 6. All participants received blueberry pies (something borrowed, something blue) courtesy of Corner Bakery Cafe.

Gary and Sue Mammen at Movie Mondays

Movie Mondays continues on July 15 with the acclaimed music documentary Buena Vista Social Club in anticipation of the September 17 opening of the Center’s 2013 – 2014 Season with Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Project Bandaloop readies for OC Premiere

We are excited to welcome the return of the incredily talented Project Bandaloop for FREE performances on our plaza.  They will be premiering a new work performed on the side of Segerstrom Hall September 30, October 1 and 2.  Here are a couple of shots from a rehearsal of the work.