Opening the season, January 27 – Feb 19, will be Becky’s New Car, by Steven Dietz. Becky is a middle-aged woman in a middle-aged marriage with humdrum job and a humdrum adult son living at home. Then she meets a mixed-up millionaire who makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Or can she? The audience are her new best friends on this quirky adventure so prepare yourself to listen. It’s definitely worth the ride. Directed by Rosie Gordon, Produced by Taylor Kasch. Performances are Fri & Sat at 7:30 p.m., Sun at 2 p.m. Tickets at ojaiact.org or 805 640-8797. 

Sunday, Feb 26, 7 p.m. MAYHEM IN MAYVILLE, A WHODUNIT IN TWO ACTS. A STAGED READING WITH AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY. Directed by Gai Jones. The play takes place in Connie’s Restaurant where a murder has happened. Selected audience members will have a chance to interview some of the characters.
Characters: Police Chief Cooper, Ben Davis-farmer; Buc Delaney-local hero, the victim; Frank Delaney- brother of the deceased; Marge Delaney-proud Mother of Buc and Frank; LuEtte Jones-former high school cheerleader; Harv Loomis-truck dealership salesman; Connie Marshall-owner of Connie’s Cup O’ Coffee, engaged to marry Buc; Gina Meyers-piano teacher, composer of elevator music; Lola Meyers-librarian, writing a novel with characters based on Mayville people; Jordan O’Toole-works at an all-night gas station; Rona O’Toole-postal worker, stock car racer; Horace Rogers-inventor; Douglas (Shorty) Stein-mayor of Mayville; Mildred McBride-inspector of the murder. 
You are invited to come help solve the mystery.

Auditions… Peter Fox will hold auditions for Disappearing Act on: February 18^th 2-4 p.m., February 19th 2-4 p.m., February 20th 7-9 p.m. Cast: One female mid-20s, One male mid to late 20s, One male 60s. Story: A female graduate student is writing her thesis on magicians. After a rocky start and several magic acts later, their relationship sparks until a third character arrives and changes everything forcing the three of them to face their deepest secrets. Magic, mystery, humor, and redemption. For more information go to Ojaiact.org. Disappearing Act will run May 5-May 28.

 

Calling all artists -- It's time to apply for Art in the Park! If you are a fine artist and would like to exhibit your work in the Ojai Art Center's 46th Annual Art in the Park taking place Sat., May 27th and Sun., May 28th Memorial Weekend in Libbey Park, it's time to apply. Fine artists should apply online or download the application. There is a $25 jurying application fee which will apply to all applicants. This year spaces are limited to 75 booths.

Saturday, Feb 4, 3 p.m. The Argentine dictator Juan Peron and his wife Evita were larger-than-life characters who continue to fascinate historians -- and artists too. Evita, of course, inspired the hit Broadway musical "Evita," with a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Now it's her husband's turn for the fictional treatment. Ojai novelist Ron Phillips has taken a real-life event involving the late dictator and turned it into a historical thriller, "The Hands of Juan Peron." It seems that someone has broken into Peron's tomb, cut off his hands, and spirited them away. Why? The answer involves a neo-Nazi plot to set up a Fourth Reich, and a reporter's dogged attempts to uncover the truth. Join us as Art Center Literary Branch Chair Mark Lewis discusses the book with Phillips, an award-winning director of TV commercials and a former newspaper and magazine writer, who first turned to writing fiction in 2010 with his coming-of-age novel "Donnyboy." Signed copies of Ron's latest novel will be available for purchase. A $5 suggested donation will be requested at the door.