Laguna Playhouse launches youth theater season

Joe Lauderdale retired as director of the Laguna Playhouse’s Youth Theater after last season, but he didn’t get far away.

When the playhouse opens its 2005-06 Youth Theater season this weekend, it’ll be Lauderdale once more in the director’s chair.

The show, “Wiley and the Hairy Man,” was a perfect fit for Lauderdale -- he directed a highly successful production of the classic American folk tale when he first came to the playhouse 17 years ago.

The story, adapted for the stage by Suzan Zeder, focuses on life within the mysterious Tombigee Swamp, where a young boy named Wiley is haunted by a frightening creature called the Hairy Man.

Wiley’s “conjure-woman” mother tells the boy that he no longer will be tormented by the Hairy Man if he can outwit him three times. So Wiley ventures into the swamp, along with his faithful hound dog (because everyone knows that the Hairy Man can’t stand hound dogs), and prepares for the confrontation.

“With the magic of the earth and the mud of the swamp, Wiley learns to rely on his own resources and conquers two villains -- the Hairy Man and his own fear,” Lauderdale said.

The show, which runs through Nov. 6, will be presented tonight and Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 and Sundays at 1 and 5 p.m. at the playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road.

The other offering in the Youth Theater season will be “Honk,” a musical version of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic children’s story of the Ugly Duckling. New Youth Theater director Donna Inglima is staging this show.

“Honk” is the story of Ugly, whose odd, gawky looks instantly incite prejudice from his family and neighbors, but who eventually discovers his true beauty. The show’s book and lyrics were written by Anthony Drewe, with music by George Stiles.

The show won the 2000 Olivier award as the best new musical in London. Laguna audiences will get the chance to experience it from March 31 to April 9.