Theater 150 upstages itself
By Jesse Phelps

When Jason DeLane finished his opening monologue in Theater 150's recent production of "Sizwe Bansi is Dead," a quick scan of the audience revealed an awakening, a revelation. So this is what local theater can be, said the faces of the viewers. This is special.

In a town with a respected Shakespeare festival, a world-famous music festival and the oldest public performing arts center in the state, the presence of the small theater tucked inconspicuously between a thrift store and a sandwich shop might tend to be overlooked.
But for those savvy enough to realize the quality of what's going on there, consistently bright, professional theatrical experiences are the reward.

Last season began a trend for Theater 150, according to artistic director Elizabeth C. (Rosie) Rosengren. Mixed in with undervalued classics like "Sizwe Bansi" were some newer works, one by Ojai local Deb Norton entitled "The Whole Banana."

Now "Banana" has been picked up for production in Los Angeles, with some big names behind it.

Father and son team Matthew Perry (of NBC's hit sitcom "Friends") and John Bennett Perry will present the world premiere, which
workshopped last Spring at Theater 150, at the Court Theatre in West Hollywood, on Saturday, Oct. 4. Preview shows begin on Oct. 2.

A "Banana Bus" leaving from Ojai will take locals to see the Los Angeles production. The first bus, which will require 47 signups, will travel for the Sunday, Oct. 5 matinee production at 2 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.

The show's publicist said the producers will be making some appearances in support of the show, beginning with a slot on the Fox morning show "Good Day LA" in the next couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, the beat goes on at Theater 150. Rosengren, noting the success of "The Whole Banana," said she feels it's time to further explore local talent and newer works.

"Last year I decided I really had a bent toward doing new works, hopefully particularly local playwrights, because there's an incredible amount of talent in the Ojai Valley," she said. "We need to nurture ourselves up here."

This year, the theater will present two new works. "The Monkey's Paw" by Kevin Crowley, a member of Theater 150's extended ensemble. "It's completely wacky and deranged and it's hilarious," said Rosengren. "It's really about a father's worst fears of being a terrible father."

Rosengren thinks the play will speak to an Ojai audience that contains many folks who have selected the community because it's a nice place to raise their kids.

The second of the newer works, "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea," was written by John Patrick Shanley in the 1980s but hasn't been performed much. "It's a very edgy, rather dark but very romantic, play," said Rosengren. "When I first read the play," she said, "I had a hard time dealing with just how much (the lead characters, a pair of lovers) have to deal with in their lives. But in the end, John Patrick Shanley always comes back to the theme of how love will conquer everything."

Theater 150's managing director, Chris Nottoli, with something of a sly smile, explained it this way: "It's a violent romantic comedy."

The show will be directed by Larry Johnson, a local ensemble member who worked with Shanley on an original production of another of his works.

"He knows the neighborhood it was set in," said Rosengren. "It's really cool that he's going to bring that world to Ojai."

The Spring production will again feature a local playwright. Catherine Ann Jones' play On the Edge: The Final years of Virginia Wolf focuses on World War II and its effect on the famously acerbic writer.
Said Rosengren, "It's really about trying to maintain sanity in a world gone mad."

In addition to its apropos mainstage selections, the theater will also continue host its usual array of classes and workshops for writers and actors. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact Rosengren or other theater staff.

"People are working here because it's a place they can explore their passion without going all the way to L.A.," said Rosengren.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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