On March 12, 2020 Broadway put aside the industry adage “The show must go on,” and suspended all plays in the wake of the spreading coronavirus. At the Ojai Art Center Theater plans for the opening of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” on March 20 spun into limbo, landing on postponement until fall. That show never opened at OACT. Good news came after the theater sat dark for over a year when the one-woman play “The Belle Of Amherst” ran for six live performances in front of limited seating last month.
“Family Furniture,” the second in-person show staged at OACT in 2021 runs June 25 through July 18. Entertainment Weekly called “Family Furniture” by A.R. Gurney “…an old-fashioned, 1950s-set gin-on-the-rocks drama…a pure delight.” Brother and sister Nick and Peggy cope with their mother’s possible infidelity, their father’s apathy, and their own complicated love lives.
Putting on a show with five cast members, rather than only one, while COVID restrictions still loom seemed problematic. The cast and crew of “Family Furniture” rose to the challenge. Stage Manager Christina Colombo said, “We started rehearsals wearing masks, but after a while got comfortable without them. We’re all healthy and looked forward to opening.”
“I feel very comfortable with my cast because everyone has been vaccinated,” Buddy Wilds who plays the father, Russell, said. “It’s the unvaccinated I’m concerned about. I hope everyone acts responsibly and feels motivated to both get vaccinated AND wear masks when in questionable situations. I hope they realize it protects people other than themselves.”
Ashley Osler, in the role of the mother, Claire, agrees. “Theater is a life affirming experience. Though it feels daunting to perform while COVID remains active it’s personally a great experience to shift out of this past year’s energy. As theaters re-open I hope performers and audiences alike stay home if they don’t feel a hundred percent…so the doors can stay open.”
“I’m more than ready to be part of it,” Bill Spellman who produced the show said. “I missed performing or even attending live theater for the last year and a half. Zoom performing is not very satisfying since there’s no live audience.”
Amber Shea Hodge, who plays Nick’s girlfriend Betsy said, “Quarantine left us to be creative with how we approach our theater experience. We put on Zoom performances, pre-recorded shows, and outdoor theater so everyone still had entertainment. I believe we now know we can still create together through globally tough times.” Hodge spent the pandemic learning more about songwriting, choreography, and costume design, but feels grateful to return to the stage. “As we enter back into live performances I’m excited to see what we can bring to theater from this last year.
The show’s Director, Tom Eubanks, added his sentiments, “For me it feels like finally some sanity has returned to the minds of those who decided to scare the heck out of many Californians.”
“Family Furniture” runs Friday and Saturday at 7:30 on, and Sundays at 2 pm through July 18, no show on Fourth of July. Tickets are $20 general admission, $18 seniors and AC members, and $10 for those under 25. For more information call (805) 640-8797. Click here to buy tickets.
Will the audience members need to wear masks during the performance?