Chamber Night at the Pageant of the Masters 2025

Pageant Pays Homage to California Art & Museums in 2025.

“Gold Coast” marks a new chapter for the Pageant, with a theme featuring a collection of masterpieces from California’s most prestigious museums and iconic monuments from the state’s most recognizable cities. This fresh perspective will re-imagine iconic works from around the Golden State, breathing new life into paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other works of art that capture the state’s diverse heritage and scenic beauty. Iconic pieces from the Getty, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Norton Simon Museum, and many other cultural institutions will be re-created with the Pageant’s blend of theatricality, storytelling, and visual artistry.

“California is home to exceptional art museums and landmarks, each one offering treasures that tell the story of our state,” shared Pageant Director Diane Challis Davy. Describing her inspiration for this year’s theme, she added “After visiting the Hilbert Museum, I felt inspired to celebrate California’s artistic contributions and to encourage audiences to explore the gems in their own backyard.” 

To select the works in next summer’s production, Challis Davy and her team of volunteer researchers spent hours exploring online collections and traveling around the state to view potential works of art in-person. As luck would have it, they didn’t need to look too far to find the perfect way to start the show. Susan Hoehn, a longtime Festival of Arts exhibitor and a California native, has been delighting Festival patrons for years with her series of paintings inspired by people-watching at museums. Challis Davy shared “As we were considering the many roles museums play, we thought Susan’s artwork was the perfect way to introduce our theme. It’ll be exciting to showcase her work on the Pageant stage!”
In addition to Hoehn’s paintings, “Gold Coast” will bring to life a variety of California’s most celebrated art and historical landmarks. Highlights include Claude Monet’s “In the Woods at Giverny” from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and Diego Rivera’s striking mural, “Allegory of California,” in San Francisco. The Norton Simon Museum will be represented with Edgar Degas’ famous bronze sculpture, “Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen.” From Hearst Castle, audiences will marvel at Emmanuel Fremiet’s gilt bronze “Chariot of Minerva” and the Roman Pool sculptures, designed by Julia Morgan. 

These iconic pieces are just part of the unforgettable experience awaiting audiences at the 2025 Pageant of the Masters. Set in the stunning 2,600-seat Irvine Bowl amphitheater, the production will unfold beneath Laguna Beach’s starry skies. Featuring live music, captivating narration, and breathtaking illusions, next summer’s Pageant will deliver a dynamic and visually stunning performance, bringing together California’s rich artistic history and the magic of live theater in a way never seen before.

Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is a 501 c (6) non-profit organization Tax ID#: 95-0918918

By attending this event, you hereby consent to having your photo/likeness/recordings posted publicly in advertising and on social media by the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and its partners.
 
Questions? Please reach out to us at info@lagunabeachchamber.org or 949-494-1018

The Festival of Arts complies with the ADA and therefore allows service animals. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals DO NOT qualify as service animals per the ADA and are not allowed. Anyone fraudulently representing themselves as a service animal owner will be prosecuted under CA Penal Code 365.7. It is the responsibility of the patron to adhere to the Festival of Arts "House Rules" found at https://www.foapom.com/plan-your-visit/house-rules/. We have taken enhanced health and safety measures for you, our other guests, staff, artists and volunteers. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting the Festival of Arts. Policies subject to change without notice.