How to resolve AdBlock issue? 'Harvey' hops into Ojai
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 10:53
Photo by Alexander Schottky
Dr. Jim Halverson of Ojai plays Elwood P. Dowd in “Harvey.”
A whimsical imaginary friend, a man with substance problems, a family who doesn’t understand and wish to lock away their delusional brother – all create the backdrop for the thought-provoking first of the 2020 productions by the Ojai Performing Arts Theater, “Harvey,” opening March 27 at Matilija Auditorium for two weekends.
OPAT Artistic Director Richard Camp continues to bring plays to Ojai that contain a timeless relevance. He has done this again as he directs "Harvey" with Director Craig Anderson. Working together in 2018 with “On Golden Pond,” the two have teamed again and cast a talented group of actors for this adaptation.
"Craig Anderson and I are very excited to have found these dynamic actors to fill out the cast,” Camp said. “Each of them has the talent and creative drive to bring this American classic to new life in the compelling and vigorously spirited manner that we intend... and may even make you believe that invisible rabbits do exist!
“‘Harvey’ is not just a "little, lighthearted comedy," said Camp, “but one that has been compared to ‘Cuckoo's Nest’ in its handling of mental illness and alcoholism, without losing its delightful sense of humor. It won the Pulitzer Prize over Tennessee's ‘The Glass Menagerie’ in 1945 … quite an achievement.”
Cast members are:
Brittany Danyel Schottky as Myrtle Mae Simmons.
Lee Ann Manley as Veta Louise Simmons.
Jim Halverson as Elwood P. Dowd.
Susan Kelejian as Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet.
Angelica Smith as Ruth Kelly, R.N.
Alexander Schottky as Duane Wilson.
Michael Holden as Dr. Sanderson.
Paul Sulzman as Dr. Chumley.
Sindy McKay as Betty Chumley.
David Newcomer as Judge Gaffney.
Louis Graham as E. J. Lofgren.
The production will run weekends March 27 to 29, April 3 to 5, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Matilija Auditorium, 703 El Paseo Road, Ojai. This season, all tickets will be assigned seating so it’s best to order online to reserve seats. Opening night will have special VIP tickets that include a post-show, meet-the-actors reception. Tickets go on sale Monday, Feb. 17 at OjaiTheater.org. or call 805-646-5433.
Ojai Music Fest seeks interns
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 10:52
The Ojai Music Festival's arts management internship program is accepting applications for the 74th Ojai Music Festival from June 11 to 14 with composer/conductor Matthias Pintscher as music director.
Eagles captured at photography meeting
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 10:49
Image submitted
Eagle photo by Bob Massey
The Ojai Photography Community opens its 2020 season of monthly events with “The Bald Eagles of Lake Casitas,” presented by wildlife photographers Sally Carless and Bob Massey on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. in Help of Ojai’s Kent Hall, 111 Santa Ana Road, Ojai. The event is free and the general public is invited to attend.
Husband-and-wife team is bringing 'Love Letters' to Ojai
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 10:44
“Love Letters” will be performed Feb, 23 at the Jewish Community of Ojai, 530 W. El Roblar, Meiners Oaks.
“Love Letters” is a drama originally nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, with two characters. The play involves the reading of letters by the couple to each other, spanning their lifetimes. In the letters, they discuss their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, and victories and defeats through the years.
Ojai Performing Arts Theater Foundation announces 4 new board members
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- Published: Saturday, 01 February 2020 17:11
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Clockwise, OPAT board members are Michael Addison, Richard Camp, Stuart Crowner and Kathleen Kaiser.
The Ojai Performing Arts Theater Foundation announces that four new members have been added to its board: Stuart Crowner, secretary; Richard Camp, artistic director; and Michael Addison and Kathleen Kaiser, board members. Crowner has been an OPAT producer for several years; Camp has been artistic director; Kaiser assisted with marketing; and Addison has directed Shakespeare plays for OPAT in the past.
'An Evening of Oscar-Winning Songs'
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- Published: Friday, 31 January 2020 11:43
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From left: American Songbook Today founder Michael Estwanik, Nichole Riffenburgh, Brett Ryback, Meredith Patterson, and Dustin Brayley.
American Songbook Today will present “An Evening of Oscar-Winning Songs” on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 East Ojai Ave., in Ojai.
This concert will celebrate American songwriters and the great songs they wrote that won the coveted Oscar, such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Moon River,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “The Last Time I Saw Paris,” “All the Way,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” “You’ll Never Know,” “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” and many more.
'Shirley Valentine' life beyond the humdrum
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- Published: Friday, 31 January 2020 11:40
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Anna Kotula as Shirley Valentine
Ojai Art Center Theater presents the Tony Award-winning Willy Russell play through Feb. 16 at the center, 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. The one-woman show stars Anna Kotula. General admission is $25; seniors $20; $10 for those under 25; https://www.ojaiact.org.
By Rita Moran, Theater critic
“Shirley Valentine” offers a tempting psychological boost for any woman considering a life-changing moment from irritatingly dull to dramatically vibrant.
'22 Miles' of landscape between artists: Exhibit opens Feb. 1
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- Published: Friday, 31 January 2020 11:38
The Ojai Valley Museum is hosting the opening of a landscape exhibition called “22 Miles” on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.. Curated by Jennifer Moses and Gail Pidduck, the title refers to the distance between their two studios in Ojai and Santa Paula, respectively. They asked their favorite Southern California artists to paint scenes from around the valley, in both small and large sizes.
Four new members join OPAT board
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- Published: Friday, 31 January 2020 11:36
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Clockwise, OPAT board members are Michael Addison, Richard Camp, Stuart Crowner and Kathleen Kaiser.
The Ojai Performing Arts Theater Foundation announces that four new members have been added to its board: Stuart Crowner, secretary; Richard Camp, artistic director; and Michael Addison and Kathleen Kaiser, board members. Crowner has been an OPAT producer for several years; Camp has been artistic director; Kaiser assisted with marketing; and Addison has directed Shakespeare plays for OPAT in the past.
Tiger cast roars onto OYES stage
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- Published: Friday, 31 January 2020 11:33
Photo by Tom Moore
The Tigers cast roars onto the stage today and this weekend (Jan. 31 to Feb. 2) for the Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio performance of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” The play is at the Ojai Valley Community Church, 907 El Centro. The Beast in the Tigers cast is played by Konrad Hartmann, left. Belle, not pictured, is played by Tuesday Aucoin.
On each weekend, performances are Fridays at 6 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m.
The Lions cast will perform the play Feb. 7 to 9. A special Tot cast performance will be on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. Tickets are $10 for general seating. Tickets for this event are available for purchase at www.oyespresents.org/events and at the door based on availability.
Ojai Institute podcast event Feb. 1
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- Published: Friday, 31 January 2020 11:31
Jonathan Herrera Soto, a printmaker based in Minneapolis, Minn., will participate in an Ojai Institute podcast event on
Saturday, Feb. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the
Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation
, 248 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. A paid event will follow.