By JACKIE MOE
Most New Year’s Eve plans involve crowds, chaos, and staying up far later than anyone actually wants to. Rita Rudner has a better idea.
The legendary comedian and Dana Point resident returns to Laguna Playhouse on Wednesday, December 31 at 7 p.m. with Yearly Departed, her sparkling, early-evening New Year’s Eve celebration that delivers comedy, live music, champagne, and a festive countdown, all wrapped up in time to be home before midnight.
The evening begins with a musical set from the Molly Bergman Band, followed by a full stand-up performance from Rudner, whose razor-sharp wit and timeless charm have made her one of comedy’s most enduring stars.
Guests will enjoy a champagne toast, desserts, and an East Coast–style countdown as the ball drops in Times Square at 9 p.m., making it the perfect celebration for those who want to ring in 2026 in style without sacrificing sleep.
I chatted with Rudner to talk about her favorite way to celebrate the New Year, her deep ties to Laguna Playhouse, and why comedy rooted in everyday life never goes out of style.
You’re celebrating New Year’s Eve at Laguna Playhouse again this year. Tell me about the show.
Rita Rudner:
It’s my very, very favorite way to celebrate New Year’s Eve. We celebrate with New York City, on East Coast time. The show starts at 7 p.m., and by about 8:30, everyone goes out for champagne, little sandwiches, chocolates, all the important things, and then they put on their New Year’s Eve gear.
There’s a big screen, and we celebrate when the ball drops in Times Square. That’s our New Year, 9 p.m. Then there’s live music, dancing if you want, and after that, everyone goes home. You can have what you want to drink, what you want to eat, watch fireworks, and you don’t have to be out on the streets. It’s perfect.
This year’s show is called Yearly Departed. How did that title come about?
Rudner:
It gets harder every year to think of a new title. We’ve exhausted so many of them; one year it was Home by 10. This year, Martin came downstairs while I was having breakfast, threw his arms up and said, “Yearly Departed.” I said, “Yes.” And that was it.
You’re a Dana Point local. How does it feel to bring such a personal, festive show so close to home?
Rudner:
Traveling doesn’t get any easier. I’ve just been to Florida and Phoenix doing shows, and even when it’s close, you’re still at the airport, still dealing with delays and missing tires on planes.
Driving instead of flying is very special. That’s actually why I loved my long residency in Las Vegas, the audience flew to see me, and I drove to the show.
You always make Laguna Playhouse feel so cozy, like a living room.
Rudner:
It is like a living room. I’ve done plays there, stand-up there, and my daughter’s band plays there. It’s our local hang.
I see familiar faces everywhere; the library ladies, restaurant neighbors. Someone once knocked on the window while I was eating dinner and mouthed, “I’m coming New Year’s Eve.” It feels like a reunion every year.
You’re often described as a “timeless” comedian, which is rare. What do you think makes your comedy timeless?
Rudner:
I talk about things that happen to me every day: relationships, frustrations, technology, things everyone deals with. And I only use jokes that work 100% of the time.
I stay away from politics because it changes too fast. By the time you craft the perfect joke, it’s already outdated. I want my comedy to unite people, not divide them.
Technology, though? That’s forever. Passwords, QR codes, AI assistants calling you the wrong name, everyone relates to that. You lose your phone and your whole life is gone. It used to be you just couldn’t call your friend.
You’ve worked creatively with your husband, Martin, for decades. What’s the secret to surviving both marriage and collaboration?
Rudner:
That’s how we met: he produced comedy shows, hired me, and I slept with him. So there were no surprises.
We’ve always worked together. Even early on, we had a gorgeous penthouse in Australia. We rented a typewriter and tried to write a movie script together. That’s just who we are.
We respect each other. If he says something’s not funny, I listen. If I feel strongly, I push back. Nothing’s written in stone.
You’ve accomplished so much in your life, from writing books, to film, to standup. Do you ever think, “I’m good,” or are you always thinking about what’s next?
Rudner:
I still love stand-up. We’ve also been developing a project with my friend, who is a very very funny drag queen, Bianca Del Rio, who’s incredibly funny, and we have a project we want to work on together. He’s in New York right now, but when he gets back in January, we’ll see where that goes together. There are so many ways to get work out into the world now. We might do something on YouTube too.
Are you active on social media?
Rudner:
No. That’s not my thing, I don’t really do it. I do Facebook, mostly because Martin knows which buttons to push. If I really wanted to learn, I would learn, but my audience already knows me. I am doing a late night show in January, so we’ll see what happens with that. But I just don’t want to have to post everything. I just want to eat my food. I don’t want to celebrate it.
If I wanted to I would, but I love that I haven’t been doing it, and it hasn’t made much of a difference.
As you look ahead to the New Year, what excites you most?
Rudner:
My daughter. She works very hard, and I want success for her. Her band is opening for me on New Year’s Eve, and she has showcases coming up. Watching her create and put her work out into the world excites me.
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Yearly Departed: A New Year’s Eve with Rita Rudner
When: Wednesday, December 31
Show begins at 7:00 p.m.
East Coast ball drop and New Year’s celebration at 9:00 p.m.
Where:
Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
More info: lagunaplayhouse.com
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