A celebrity gossip magazine publisher on a rush-hour race through L.A. kidnaps a homeless woman in order to use the car pool lane in Who's Hot, Who's Not, a world premiere comedy by Sherwood Kiraly, taking its opening bow Feb. 24 at Laguna Playhouse. This special commission by the theatre company for their 80th anniversary season runs through March 25. Playhouse artistic director Andrew Barnicle directs.

After racing with the lady bum, publisher Harry Poe finds himself a changed man, inspired to help the people around him. He sells his magazine and throws the staff into chaos, resulting in attempts on his life by the many enemies he's made as a journalist. For Who's Hot, Who's Not, Kiraly adapted his novel of the same name to the stage. A former Improv actor, newspapers paper syndicate editor and television writer, Kirlay is the author of three other books, "California Rush," "Diminished Capacity" and "Big Babies."

Who's Hot, Who's Not features John Ross Clark, Finn Curtin, Patrick Munoz, Barbara Passolt, Forbes Riley and Tom Shelton.

Designing the show are Dwight Richard Odle (sets and costumes), Paulie Jenkins (lighting) and David Edwards (sound).

Tickets are $34-$43. The Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. For reservations, call (949) 497-ARTS. The Laguna Playhouse is on the web at http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com. — By Christine Ehren