Starting March 3 and opening March 5 at the Laguna Playhouse in California is the musical comedy Inside Out, about an energetic, caring counselor and the five exceptional women who meet with her in group therapy. Then as now, the book is by Doug Haverty, the music by Adryan Russ, and the lyrics by Russ and Haverty.

The production is staged by Jules Aaron, with music direction by Diane King Vann.

Featured in the Laguna Playhouse production are Teri Ralston as the therapist, Grace; Kirsten Benton as singer/actress Dena; Eydie Alyson as Sage; Judy Walstrom as Molly; Beth Robins as Liz; and Lisa Richards as Chlo.

Inside Out was first developed in Southern California. Originally titled Roleplay, it was produced by the Lehman Engel Music Theatre Workshop in April 1988 -- and then later at the Group Repertory Theatre and the Colony Studio Theatre.

In 1992 an Off-Off-Broadway production was mounted at The Village Theatre Company, followed by another Lehman Engel workshop and a run at the Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota. "This is the first time Adryan and I can relax and enjoy an opening," said Haverty, "if only because we do not have to do any rewriting this time around. In New York [1994], for example, we tried out five different opening numbers, but it wasn't until we reached Florida that we came up with a song that stuck."

Haverty described some of the other ways the show has evolved over the years. "It's much more streamlined now and has several new songs to go with the opening number."

A recording of Inside Out was released in Feb. 1997 featuring the New York cast.

For ticket information on Inside Out, running at Laguna Playhouse to March 29, call (714) 497-ARTS.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
and David Lefkowitz