TOM TITUS:Gallimaufry celebrates Generation GAP

Laguna Beach’s Gallimaufry Performing Arts celebrates all facets of the theater (along with music, dance and visual arts) and, as the company is demonstrating this weekend, youth must be served as well.

An active part of the community theater group’s program is the Generation GAP, a troupe of teenage actors, directors designers and backstage workers which serves as a talented adjunct to the parent organization.

At the moment, the Generation GAP is staging a dramatic musical which might bring to mind Disney’s animated hit “The Little Mermaid,” particularly since the latter’s recent release on special edition on DVD. It’s a story of someone from the lower class who falls in love with a member of the wealthy elite.

“Once on This Island,” which concludes its brief run at the Festival of Arts Forum Theater this weekend, is an encore production much like the adult comedy that occupies the same stage during the evenings, “Sordid Lives.”

The show was performed successfully during the summer and is returning as part of Gallimaufry’s Fall Arts Festival, currently underway. A cast of 15 teens under the direction of Brian Drummy presents the story of Ti Moune, a Caribbean peasant girl who rescues, nurses and falls in love with Daniel, a boy from a wealthy family.

“We think this show demonstrates a different side to the story of how wealthy people live and love sometimes in disregard to their effect on the lives of those not of their own class,” commented Noah Plomgren, a Laguna Beach High School junior who’s serving as musical director for the show.

Plomgren noted that the Generation GAP selects, designs, produces and funds its productions with no outside assistance. It’s an experience that will prepare students like those putting “Island” together to live in the “real world,” according to Gallimaufry artistic director Steve Josephson.

“We create an environment where teenagers make their own choices and do the hard work it takes to pull off a successful production,” Josephson observed. “We’re on hand to help out if needed, but these producer-performers don’t really need it. They’re amazing.”

Noah’s sister Clara Plomgren also is part of the “Once on This Island” company, along with fellow Laguna Beach High School students Ericka Jones, Jack Major, Kami Henderson and Erika Tang.

The Fall Arts Festival is being conducted on the heels of the successful launch of Gallimaufry’s Family Festival in the spring when over 4,500 audience members attended the group’s various offerings.

The youth production is part of Gallimaufry’s celebration of theater, dance, music and educational performances. The theatrical portion of the event began with “Carousel” in September, continued with the current black comedy “Sordid Lives” and winds up with this weekend’s final performances of “Once on This Island.”