Laguna Beach’s world-famous celebration of art in “living pictures” – tableaux vivants
(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - July 18th, 2014 - LAGUNA BEACH, CA – As the Pageant of the Masters – Laguna Beach’s world-famous celebration of art in “living pictures” – tableaux vivants – enters its ninth decade, Pageant director Diane Challis Davy was eager to field questions during a “third degree” about her 2014 theme, The Art Detective. To the question: Who is “the Art Detective”? Challis Davy replied, “Anyone who suffers from a case of curiosity, who’s driven to ask who, what, where, when and why.” She added, “Who doesn’t love to solve a mystery or enjoy a good scandal or a ‘ripping yarn’?”
The original inspiration for the theme, she said, came from television shows like “The History Detectives” and the “Connections” series, as well as from her love of Sherlock Holmes stories. But, as with all her Pageants, this one begins with great masterpieces of art. “We’ll feature Manet’s ‘Olympia,’ Rembrandt’s ‘The Night Watch,’ Botticelli’s ‘Primavera’ and ‘Madame X’ by John Singer Sargent,” Challis Davy noted, revealing just a few of the highlights from her list. “The Art Detective will be beautiful, fun, enlightening and mysterious. And through the art of storytelling, we’ll shed light on true and sensational art history.”
Speaking of storytelling, Challis Davy’s veteran scriptwriter Dan Duling expressed his own enthusiasm for the 2014 theme: “The history of art is filled with whodunits, unsolved mysteries and tales of discoveries that changed the way we look at the world. Behind every masterpiece, there are clues to many other mysteries. I can’t wait to explore these dramatic tales of art lost and found, and the amazing efforts to preserve and protect our artistic heritage.”
The 2014 Pageant will also revisit the world’s most costly, as yet unsolved, art heist. In 1990, thieves stole a Vermeer painting and several other priceless works from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. It’s a case that, after all these years, now seems on the verge of a breakthrough. That possibility prompted Challis Davy to wonder, “Will it be solved before our season ends?”
As with last year’s tribute to movies and masterpieces, The Art Detective will have its share of theatrical surprises and exciting revelations, and an all-new score written by its contributing composers and performed each night by the Pageant’s world-class orchestra under the direction of conductor John Elg. Returning to the narrator’s booth for his fourth year at the Pageant is Richard Doyle.
Everyone associated with the production gratefully understands the Pageant wouldn’t be possible without its volunteers, which also include Challis Davy’s research committee. Now numbering nearly 100 participants, the research committee members are amateur “art detectives” in their own right, presenting suggestions every year for consideration as Challis Davy begins the challenging process of choosing artworks for the Pageant’s new theme.
Finally, Challis Davy was asked if she could offer any other clues about what’s in store for audiences in 2014. With a conspiratorial smile, she said, “I want to keep them on the edge of their seats.”
ABOUT THE PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS
The Pageant of the Masters is the Festival of Arts’ crowning jewel and arguably one of the most unique productions in the entire world. Real people magically transformed into life-sized re-creations of famous works of arts. A live narrator guides the audience through the story of each living picture accompanied by the music of a professional orchestra. With an expert staff and hundreds of dedicated volunteers, the Pageant of the Masters has won recognition as the best presentation of its kind.
DATES & TIMES
July 9 – August 30, 2014
Performances Nightly at 8:30pm
TICKET INFORMATION
Advance Tickets: $15 - $220
A Pageant ticket also acts as a season pass to the Festival art show.
LOCATION
Festival of Arts Grounds| 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS
(800) 487-2787 or (949) 494-1145
www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Festival of Arts, a non-profit 501(c)(3), has always been a local leader that has helped with the growth and development of the community and the arts in Laguna Beach. Established in 1932, the Festival of Arts’ mission is to promote, produce and sponsor events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study and performance of the arts. For every summer for over 80 years, the Festival of Arts has produced two world-class events: The Festival of Arts- California’s Premier Fine Art Show and the Pageant of the Masters- where art comes to life. Together both shows attract more than 250,000 visitors into Laguna Beach.
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Media contact: Joe Haakenson, (714) 841 9600
joe@juvecreative.com
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