Ojai Performing Arts Theater

The Harvey cast thanks Ojai for a fantastic run. Harvey ran for 2 straight weekends in early April and was a huge success. Photo by Stephen Adams. Keep an eye on this space for OPAT's next production.
"Harvey is worth the wait as comic relief reigns," Sami Zahringer, Ojai Valley News. To read the full review, click here.
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"The comic antics of the supporting cast are laugh-out-loud entertaining as events pile on top of each other in perplexity and alarm, but at the heart of the play is calm, sweet, unflappable Elwood. James Halverson projects a gentle, winning innocence in the role (of Elwood) made famous by James Stewart in the movie version." 
Sami Zahringer, Ojai Valley News.

James Halverson as Elwood, pictured with sister Veta (Laurie Walters). Photo by Stephen Adams.
"Harvey is one of my favorite plays. One, because it's funny, and two, because it offers a heartfelt portrayal of what it is to be human in a world that sometimes tries to diminish one's humanity."
-- Joan Kemper, CEO of OPAT

Harvey Memorabilia to be Raffled Off!

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An original sketch by Jimmy Stewart of Harvey the rabbit will be raffled off to one lucky theater-goer.
Raffle tickets will be on sale at all 6 performances of Harvey, with the drawing to to be held on April 10th.
Raffle Ticket Prices:
$5 gets you 1-Ticket
$10 gets you 3-Tickets

Get Your Tickets Here
Performances 2 weekends only
April 1-3 & 8-10

PictureDr. Jim Halverson in costume as Elwood P. Dowd.
Harvey a Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, is the story of a perfect gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd and his best friend, Harvey -- a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit.

When Elwood introduces Harvey around town it causes quite a ruckus and his embarrassed sister, Veta Louise wants to commit him to a sanitarium. Starring our very own Dr. Jim Halverson as Elwood, Harvey promises to delight all audiences.

Performances run two weekends only,
April 1-3 & 8-10 at Matilija Auditorium.
Friday & Saturday showtimes at 7:30PM & Sunday Matinee at 2PM. 
Proof of vaccination required, masks optional. 
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Proceeds benefit Help of Ojai.
Click on video below to watch stagehands transforming the Harvey set.

Get ready—our favorite invisible rabbit is poised to once again hit the boards.
Have you spotted him on the street of Ojai yet?
Two years ago, the "HARVEY" opening on the Ojai stage was rudely interrupted by a pandemic. Maybe that was a good thing for theatergoers. Because "HARVEY" deals with a level of isolation issues we have all felt over the last two years. But the play is not as heavy as you'd expect. Instead, "HARVEY" brings hope with a comedic flair to our many ills with an imaginary giant rabbit center stage. Relieving the audience through laughter is the best medicine for everyone, especially after the last 24 months.
 
Ojai's own Dr. Jim Halverson plays Elwood P. Dowd, the central character of "HARVEY" (Harvey being the giant rabbit.) Dr. Halverson has a family practice and has been in the thick of the Covid fight, including his many articles updating the community. He wants to make sure that people feel comfortable and safe coming back to in-person theater events.
 
"Covid has disrupted so many facets of life over the last two years. Coming back to watching live theater is a great way to reconnect with the community. With positive tests way down to less than 3% tested, doors are opening. People are much safer now than almost any time over the last two years. I've been conservative in my approach to Covid safety, and now I feel safe going back into a theater," says Dr. Halverson.
 
"Large indoor spaces are the best for avoiding Covid," said Dr. Halverson. "Local live theaters require proof of full vaccination, which greatly decreases the risk if a large auditorium or space is full of the fully vaccinated. Another feature is a well-ventilated room. However, if a person has high-risk levels, wearing an N95 mask or a regular non-cloth mask adds a strong layer of protection."
 
"HARVEY" theme, its core message, is connection. The play talks about how being alone in dark times can make everything worse, but having support can ease a person back into the light. This message rings so true after the last two years.
 
"I feel 'HARVEY' is the perfect play to watch today. If there is a message coming out of the pandemic, it is how important it is not to be alone. Community and friends are a source of support for your life to be healthy," says Dr. Halverson. "In the play, Harvey is a source of support for Elwood, my character. He encourages Elwood to be optimistic and gracious in difficult situations. In the play, every character except Elwood has an agenda of trying to get him committed. But Elwood, through the support of his imaginary friend Harvey, cares for everybody."
 
Co-directing HARVEY is Craig Anderson, a Tony-award-winning Broadway director, and Richard Camp, Artistic Director of the Ojai Performing Arts Theater.
 
HARVEY runs April 1-3 and 8-10 at the Matilija Auditorium, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinee at 2 pm. Special VIP tickets are available for opening night and include a reception following the performance and reserved parking. Proceeds from the play benefit Help of Ojai. Click here for Tickets. All theatergoers must have proof of full vaccination before being admitted to the audience.

Click here to view Joan Kemper Way dedication ceremony.

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OPAT is very proud of our CEO, Joan Kemper, and we are not the only ones! The City of Ojai decided that her contributions to so many organizations in Ojai were so remarkable that she deserved a street named for her. Ojai now has a “Joan Kemper Way” in Libbey Park. On September 9, 2020, civic leaders conducted a ceremony to reveal the new name. Afterwards, the Ojai Music Festival hosted a socially distanced celebration of Joan’s accomplishments, with many friends Zooming in to offer their love and admiration for Joan.

We at OPAT turned the raw footage of both events into this 20-minute video as a tribute to our dear friend who has done so much for her hometown and for OPAT. Please click on the link and enjoy her big day with us
Looking for volunteers to usher or work will call  desk. If you would like to help, CLICK HERE 

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