Rita Rudner to join ensemble of Tickled Pink at Laguna Playhouse

Award-winning comedian Rita Rudner began her show business career on stage in the national company of Zorba with Chita Rivera and John Raitt at the tender age of fifteen. After appearing in several Broadway shows, including Follies and Mack and Mabel, Rita made her last pre-comedian Broadway appearance in 1980 as Lily St. Regis in Annie.

This Spring Rita will return to her roots by joining the 13 member ensemble cast of The Laguna Playhouse's production of Tickled Pink, scheduled to make its World Premiere in April 2012 as the theatre's final production in its 2011-2012 season.

Written by Rudner and her longtime creative partner and husband, Martin Bergman, Tickled Pink is the stage adaptation of Rudner's 2002 well-received and best-selling novel. Bergman, who has a thirty year track record of producing, writing and directing for stage, TV and film, will direct the play and has already been actively involved in the early casting phases of the production.

Rudner quips with tongue-in-cheek per usual, "I'm so looking forward to acting in a play again. It's been a long time since I've been paid such little money."

Tickled Pink tracks the journey of a youthfully spirited and Broadway bound Mindy Solomon who moves from Florida to New York dreaming of a dancing career. Unexpected events force her to rethink her grand plan. Spending way too much time in the comedy club where her future ex-boyfriend works, Mindy nervously goes up on stage one night. People laugh. Not in the places where Mindy thought they'd laugh, but hey, it's a start.

Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Karen Wood states "We are extremely fortunate to call Rita and Martin neighbors and creative collaborators. They are delightful and savvy professionals and we couldn't be more thrilled to offer their world class talent to the Orange County community."

Tickled Pink is set to run April 24 - May 20, 2012 with single tickets being made available to the general public beginning December 1, 2011. Subscriptions that include Tickled Pink with premium seating options are available now. Single ticket prices range from $30 - $70 based on performance day and time.

"This is an exciting time in our artistic development and we are proud to continue our relationship with such a globally recognized and venerable team. No doubt this Spring will be theatrically special in Laguna Beach," exclaims Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham.