STEVE GRUMETTE (Trotsky, Al, and Joe) An award-winning filmmaker, Steve served as Program Director of the Ojai Film Society for fifteen years and is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Ojai Film Festival. He has directed more than two dozen plays at the Ojai Art Center Theater and the Elite Theatre of Oxnard over the last 20 years and has acted in and done posters, lighting, sound and set design for many others. He’s very pleased to be able to bring these delightful comedies to life once again at the Ojai Art Center Theater.
ANNA KOTULA (Mrs. Trotsky, Betty, Waitress, and 2nd Woman) Anna is a mom, Doctor of Physical Therapy, financial advisor, performer, dance instructor/choreographer, and poet. She is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and received her Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. She has acted in numerous productions in Ventura County including Toad in “A Year with Frog and Toad,” Gooch in “Mame,” the Bogle in “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol,” Kyra in David Hare’s “Skylight,” George Bernard Shaw’s wife in “Engaging Shaw,” a witch in Director Michael Addison’s production of “Macbeth,” multiple characters in David Ives’ “All In The Timing,” Harpo in the Marx Brothers musical “Animal Crackers,” and Tanya in “Mamma Mia!” She has brought “Belle of Amherst,” a one woman show play based on the life of poet Emily Dickinson, to numerous stages in Ventura County. She has choreographed for many Art Center productions and at the Ojai Youth Entertainers Group. Anna is deeply grateful to all who came together to bring this production at the Ojai Art Center to fruition.
SHERRY OWEN (1st Woman) Sherry has been a member of the Ojai Film Festival tech team for over a decade. She has also been in hospitality, and a box office volunteer for the Ojai Art Center Theater Branch for as many years. Formerly a veteran international flight attendant, she appreciates the opportunity to appear on stage in this delightful production, and behind the scenes too! She was Stage Manager for “Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike” earlier this season and is doing double duty on and off stage for this play! She thanks everyone who gave her the encouragement and support to explore the world behind the curtain and onstage, and especially to you, the audience, for supporting our community theater. It’s just no fun without you!!
DANIEL RUARK (Bill, Ramon, Philip Glass, and Frank) Ojai’s vibrant theater scene has lured Daniel back to acting from a 30 year hiatus. He emerged in “Macbeth” at the OjaiACT, playing King Duncan and a nasty Murderer, and has now moved onto comedy. Credits from yesteryear include: “Love’s Labour’s Lost” – Berowne, “Macbeth” – Donalbain at the Globe Playhouse; “The Tempest” – Trinculo, The Seaside Shakespeare Festival; “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – Oberon, Morgan/Wixson Theater; “End of Summer” – Count Boris Mirsky at The Odyssey Theater Ensemble; “Find Your Way Home” – David Powell, Stage 2; “The Lover” – John, West Coast Ensemble. Film: “Private Investigations,” Nigel Dick – Director; “The Magic Box,” “Christine Noschese” – Dir; VCR, Azusa OhnoDir; “Yellow Fever,” Art Nomura – Dir. Television: “Cagney and Lacey,” “Hunter,” “Emerald Point N.A.S.,” “Another World,” “Divorce Court.”
LARRY SWARTZ (Mark, Baker, and Charlie) Larry acted professionally for over 40 years. He has played roles in the original “Benji” movie and television appearances with Sid Caesar, Hal Holbrook among many others. More recently, Larry performed numerous roles within the Ventura County’s 4 Star Theatre Alliance at Conejo Players “Cheaper By The Dozen;” “Social Security” Camarillo Skyway Playhouse “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Ojai Art Center Theater “Miracle on 34th Street” and The Elite Theatre where he portrayed the bodacious lustful carnivore Beaudricort in “The Lark.” Larry also writes and directs Corporate Business Theatre. His second love is cooking—he writes a cooking column for a local tabloid. He is very excited about being a part of this talented team of actors performing.