July 7 - August 31, 2012,

Each night during the summer season at 8:30 the Festival of Arts presents its most famous attraction; the Pageant of the Masters.

What is it?

Ninety minutes of "living pictures" - incredibly faithful art re-creations of classical and contemporary works with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. An outdoor amphitheater, professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, sophisticated lighting, expert staff, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers have won recognition for the Pageant as the best presentation of its kind.

MISSION STATEMENT:
Our mission is to promote, produce, and sponsor events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study and performance of the arts.

The 2012 Pageant of the Masters Theme is:

Eureka! It'sThe Genius
As the Festival of Arts celebrates its 80th birthday, the Pageant of the Masters will pull back the curtain on The Genius. Acclaimed for its awe-inspiring theatrical celebration of tableaux vivants - "living pictures" - the 2012 Pageant will once again showcase classic works by some of the extraordinary masters who galvanized art history. In addition, it will also explore the fascinating and unpredictable relationship between art and technology with a cavalcade of masterpieces illustrating how breakthroughs in different fields have also altered the path of art history and the way we see the world. From the glories of the Italian Renaissance to the deeply personal imaginings of modern masters, The Genius will fill the Irvine Bowl with breathtaking theatrical recreations of memorable artworks. And, an acknowledged work of genius, Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," will return as our traditional finale. You won't need to be a rocket scientist to enjoy The Genius, which promises to be fun and inspiring.

Find out more about this season's Pageant Program.