Tickled Pink

World Premiere of Tickled Pink Starring Rita Rudner
by Anthony Small

Award-winning comedian Rita Rudner will return to her theatrical roots by joining the cast of The Laguna Playhouse’s production of Tickled Pink, making its world premiere on April 24th and running through May 20th. Written by Rudner and her longtime creative partner and husband, Martin Bergman, Tickled Pink is the stage adaptation of Rudner’s 2002 best-selling novel of the same name. Bergman, who has a thirty year track record of producing, writing and directing for stage, TV, and film, will direct the play. Rudner quips tongue-in-cheek, “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. After hanging out night after night in a comedy club where her boyfriend was working, Mindy gathered up enough nerve to take the stage herself. When she gets her first laugh from the audience, she is immediately hooked. Rudner elaborated, “The play is about becoming a comedian, female friendships and is a celebration of the 80’s and there are no bad words! When the novel was written, it was like a different planet. No internet, no Facebook…and no Kardashians.”

Rudner and Bergman have been married for 23 years and met 25 years ago when she was cast in a play he was producing. “He hired me, he paid me, I married him. Go figure, I slept with the producer after I already got the job! I do love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life,” says Rudner. They have written several screenplays together, including Peter’s Friends, in which Rudner also acted, and a play called Room 776 that premiered in Las Vegas in 2008.

Rudner is also the author of the best-selling I Still Have It…I Just Can’t Remember Where I Put It: Confessions of a Fiftysomething and Naked Beneath My Clothes. She’s also written two fiction novels: Tickled Pink and Turning The Tables.

This will be Rudner’s third artistic endeavor with The Laguna Playhouse which was founded in 1920 and is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2011-2012. Rudner has previously done stand up at the theatre the last two summers. Rudner shares, “It is the perfect little theatre and usually has only three or four characters on stage. This is quite an ambitious production for that theatre. Our cast has thirteen people…and most play three parts! I play three parts for which I am appropriately cast: an overbearing mother, an over the hill dancer and a lady who’s not too bright.” Karen Wood, The Laguna Playhouse’s Executive Director, says, “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.”

Since 2000, Rudner has sold over one million tickets to her Las Vegas performances and in 2011 moved to her own theatre at The Venetian. “I feel fortunate because I’m not a natural fit for Las Vegas. I’m quiet, remained clothed onstage and don’t drink, smoke or swear,” remarks Rudner. She was recognized with the Gracie Allen Award from the American Women in Television for her syndicated improvisational comedy, Ask Rita, and in May 2009 performed for President Obama at Caesars Palace along with Bette Midler and Sheryl Crow. PBS will air Rita Rudner: Live From Las Vegas on May 31st at 7 p.m. locally on KOCE. For more information on TV airdates, her Las Vegas show and other performances, visit her hilarious website at www.RitaFunny.com.

Tickets For Tickled Pink Are On Sale Now!
For more information about showtimes and to purchase tickets,
go to www.LagunaPlayhouse.com or call 949.497.ARTS (2787).