Laguna Beach Revives The ‘Living Painting’

“Is the tableau vivant passé? Not for the 155,000 fans who flock to this beachside town each summer for the pageant. For them, the two-month extravaganza — a $4.1 million production that includes sets and lighting for nearly 40 art pieces on eight staging areas with live narration and orchestra — weaves a magic that is a welcome palliative to the freneticism of modern-day entertainment… The pageant sells out all of its 61 shows and generates about $1.8 million for local arts programs, exhibitions and scholarships.”