Nellie Bly, an American journalist, who in the 1890s tried to travel around the world in less than 80 days challenging the Jules Verne fictional record, will be among those featured in the 2022 Pageant of the Masters.
“We will be researching her travel logs, diaries and ephemera related to her ambitious solo journey,” said Diane Challis Day, now in her 26th season as the pageant’s director. “Did she accomplish her mission?”
Those who want to find out, will have to see the show that typically plays to 200,000 audience members a year. Tickets go on sale on Dec. 1, and production is already underway.
Next year’s theme, “Wonderful World,” was released this week by pageant officials. It will feature international art that becomes a sort of “passport to distant lands.”
The popular living picture show, where cast members freeze for 90 seconds to depict famed images, will feature cultural celebrations and history through artwork, sculptures and other fun mixed-media entertainment. Challis Day will again partner with longtime pageant scriptwriter Dan Dueling and narrator Richard Doyle.
The cast is divided into two groups of 150 people who rotate each week. The volunteers, wearing costumes, makeup and headpieces, pose in the artworks as Doyle provides the story, backed by an orchestra.
Since the 1930s, the show has been a popular tradition in Laguna Beach. Besides the pandemic-induced hiatus last year, it has only gone dark one other time during World War II.
Some of the featured international artists next year will include Swedish painter Carl Larsson, Italian painter Tiepolo, French painter Jean Beraud, Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen and Japanese woodblock artist Chikananobu.
Among Challis Day’s favorite pieces chosen are selections of African art and works by Larsson.
“There is a beautiful painting of a Venice canal with carnival revelers by Tiepolo,” she added. “And we’ll end the first act with a fantastic world dance party.”
The show will visit 17 countries in 90 minutes.
“I hope world travel and experiencing life in other countries will become easy again,” she said. “In the meantime, we are going to celebrate – through living pictures, music, and dance – here in the Irvine Bowl. And our professional composers and orchestra will fill the Bowl with original and authentic music from around the world.”
“Wonderful World” opens on July 7 and runs through Sept. 3. More information: foapom.com
