Strict COVID restrictions made staging new shows at the Ojai Art Center Theater a challenge. The Theater Branch Executive Committee addressed this issue by finding plays with smaller casts. The 2021 season opened with the one-woman production of “The Belle Of Amherst,” followed by “Family Furniture” with five cast members. Now “Tiny Beautiful Things” with only four actors will run October 1 through 24, Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays 2 p.m..
After OACT secured rights to “Tiny Beautiful Things” they ran into another problem. They found actors and crew leery of public performances. OACT kept the faith. After all the play deals with reaching when you’re stuck, healing when you’re broken, and finding the courage to take on questions with no answers. The theater gods came through when Robert Blough agreed to come from Mountain View to spend the month of September in Ojai to direct the show.
Blough commented on the uniqueness of the story based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, co-conceived by Marshall Heyman and Thomas Kail. Various letter writers contact an advice columnist, Sugar, and she offers her wisdom. “It could be just talking heads,” Blough said. “It could be done with no interaction since it all happens through email. But the play is about connections, no matter how they’re made.”
Sugar shares her own major struggles online for all to read, opening the door for others to ask about deep, personal things. Her house becomes a metaphor for all the people who write her. “Sometimes they don’t see each other, other times as they grow more cohesive as a group they do, again all in their minds,” Blough said. “Their minds and hearts intertwine even though they never see each other. Putting all that onstage is a challenge I hope to convey.”
Blough grew up in a rural Pennsylvania town and received a Drama degree from Syracuse University. He joined the Christian repertory company the Covenant Players based in Encino. With that group he performed throughout the US and Canada, working as an actor and director for thirty years. He’s performed in Australia, China, Germany and other countries, including two years in Norway. While living in Oxnard he got involved with OACT, and in 2013 he directed “Miracle on 34th Street.” Since moving to the Bay Area he’s directed a few one acts for various festivals. “Tiny Beautiful Things” is the first full production he’s directed in over four years.
“We’ve already accomplished great things so I know they’re up to the task,” Blough said of the small ensemble. “We laugh a lot, and we care about each other. As all the best directing projects go, we’re a family for this month.”
“Tiny Beautiful Things” stars Lynn Van Emmerik as Sugar. Ashley Osler, Elektra Cohen, and Isobel Roth play letter writers. Osler is also producer and Dyane Landis serves as Stage Manager.
Tickets for performances October 1 through 24 are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors and Art Center members, available at https://ojaiact.org/tbt. In compliance with the Ojai Art Center, CDC and County of Ventura MASKS & PROOF OF VACCINATIONS are required of all audience members.
“TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS”
Based on the book by Cheryl Strayed
Adapted for the Stage by Nia Vardalos
Co-cnceived by: Marshall Heyman,Thomas Kail and Nia Vardalos
“Tiny Beautiful Things” is a play about reaching when you’re stuck, healing when you’re broken, and finding the courage to take on the questions which have no answers.
Reservations 805-640-8797 or OJAIACT.ORG
Tickets: Gen. $20 Students/Art Center Members $15
This play includes adult content and is for mature audiences.
“Tiny Beautiful Things” is presented by arrangement with
CONCORD THEATRICALS on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.