If you know anything about Laguna Beach, you know that the Pageant of the Masters is a “Must Attend” event each summer. It’s truly one of the most innovative 90-minute shows on the planet, and brings art alive in exactly THAT way – real humans posing at artistic creations in a vast number of artistic masterpieces. I’ve heard rumor that there’s a similar show like this in Italy (???), but Laguna Beach has the “trademark” on the yearly change up of invention and innovation for 85 years.
This year, “The Time Machine” plays from July 7th through Aug. 31 nightly at 8:30 p.m. If you’re worried about buying tickets and being rained out, worry no further – the Pageant has only rained out three times in its entire history. Tickets are still available, from $15 to $260 here
Blessed by gods and Mother Nature to boot, the Pageant chooses at least 500 volunteer cast or behind-the-scenes artisans each year to produce this amazing show. The cast is comprised of every age, from 4 year olds to people in their late 80s. While there are two casts that rotate through the weeks, the total cast contributes more than 60,000 hours each season to the production.
In The Time Machine, audiences travel around the globe in past, present and future in search of great art and amazing stories. Taking its cue from science fiction and steampunk fantasies, The Time Machine might even address Marty McFly’s “Back to the Future” time machine … but that’s my personal guess.
While you really can’t miss the Pageant’s show, remember that the Festival of Arts is something of a “surround sound” to the amphitheater’s nightly attraction. The Festival is an attraction all its own, a moving, living happy beast of art, music and happy summer festivity. Check out my article here on what I think are “Don’t Miss” opportunities at this summer’s Festival grounds.