For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Black Angus
4718 Telephone Road
Music 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Thursdays: Mark David Undercover

Blue Agave
185 E. Santa Clara
Fridays: Mariachi Band; DJ
Saturdays: DJ

The Blue Room
Ventura Harbor Village
(Next to Comedy Club)
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band w/ Shawn Jones

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor Village
Monday-Thursday 6 pm, Friday & Saturday 7 pm
Mondays: Milo Sledge
Tuesdays: Jason Ho/Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Bluegrass Jam
Sun 5/26: Big Adventure Duo
Sun 6/2: Jon Gindick

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Thursdays, Friday & Saturdays: DJs

Café Fiore66 S. California Street
Fri 5/24: The Collectives
Sat 5/25: Little Alice
Sun 5/26: Jangala Roots
Tues 5/28: Jason Bourne
Wed 5/29: Kylie

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
5:30 – 8:30 pm
Weds & Saturdays: Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: Warren Takahashi

Concrete Jungle Brewing
4561 Market Street
Fri 5/24: Los Retros, Evolution Burger

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Music 7 pm; Sundays 4 pm
Mondays: Smokey & Friends
Tuesdays: The Jerry McWorter Trio
Wed 5/22: Al Macias Open Mic
Fri 5/24: Native Vibe
Sat 5/25: Ruben Estrada & The Martinez Brothers
Sat 6/1: Ruben Estrada & The Martinez Brothers

Dargan’s Irish Rub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
Sun 6/2: The Sunday Drivers (4 pm)

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Thurs 5/23: Sammy J, The Hooliganz
Fri 5/24: One Drop Redemption
Sat 5/25: Twisted Gypsy
Sun 5/26: Sgt. Pepper (brunch); Groove Session (5 pm)
Wed 5/29: Alborosie & the Shengen Clan, Herbal Rootz
Thurs 5/30: Heavy Petty
Fri 6/1: Cubensis

Duke’s Griddle n Grill
1124 S. Seaward
Wednesdays: Karaoke
El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: DJ
Saturdays: DJ

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Avenue
Music 6 – 8:30 pm
Fri 5/24: Jodi Farrell and Jim Rankin
Fri 5/31: Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson
Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Wed 5/22: Del Toros, The Young Barons
Fri 5/24: Ward, Four Day Beard
Sat 5/25: The Robot Uprising, Hymen Blasters, 900 Pound Gorilla, QMD
Wed 5/29: Dead Boys, Die Group

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week 9 pm
Tuesdays 7 pm: Open Mic

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed & Thurs 6 pm; Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm
Thurs 5/23: Ray Jaurique
Fri 5/24: Shawn Jones
Sat 5/25: Maria Calerie
Sun 5/26: Tex Pistols
Fri 5/31: Brandon Ragan Project

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Wed 5/22: Gemini B-Day Jam
Sat 5/25: Civil Conflict, Bootleg Brigade, Slum Brigade, Mulholland, Bare Minimum, Operation Oxnard
Sun 5/26: Del Franklin (4-7 pm)
Sun 6/2: Satin

Keynote Lounge
10245 E. Telephone Road
Tues, Wed and Sun: Karaoke
Thursdays: Open mic night
Fri 5/24: Red Rhythm
Sat 5/25: What the Funk
Fri 5/31: DJ AVG
Sat 6/1: Crosscut 805

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd.
Tues: Open Mic, The Listening Room
Sat 5/25: Teresa Russell & Tom Buenger
Thurs 5/30: DJ Rockingchair
Sat 6/1: Shawn Jones

Limon y Sal
598 E. Main Street
Fridays: DJ
Saturdays: DJ
Sundays: Instone (1-4 pm)

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs 6 pm; Sat 4 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 5/23: Hannah Jobus
Sat 5/25: Jeff Uzzel
Thurs 5/30: Ted Lennon

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor Village
Wed 5/22: Mark Masson
Fri 5/24: Corsican Brothers
Sat 5/25: Matt Clark
Sun 5/26: Doc Rogers Band
Mon 5/27: Misunderstood
Tues 5/28: Bob Bishop
Wed 5/29: Karen Eden
Fri 5/31: Whiskey Business
Sat 6/1: Sin Chonies
Sun 6/2: CRV

Namba
47 S. Oak Street
Sat 5/25: River Ripley, RyMi and the Martians, Tattered Angels
Sat 6/1: Flamenco
Sun 6/2: Hands On’Ensemble

Oak and Main
419 E. Main Street
Sundays: Sing Time Karoke
Tuesdays: Beers Brothers Open Mic
Wednesdays: Big Adventure
Thurs 5/23: Total Recluse
Fri 5/24: Seaside Band
Sat 5/25: Ric Ash (4 pm); Colette Lovejoy Band
Sun 5/26: Medicine Hat (11:30 am); The References (2 pm); Heart & Soul (6:30 pm)
Thurs 5/30: Beers Brothers Showcase
Fri 5/31: Dave Bowery
Sat 6/1: Ric Ash, The Might Cash Cats
Sun 6/2: Andrew Dr. Suico

Ojai Art Center
113 S. Montgomery Street
Ojai, CA
Sat 6/1: Ojai Blues Fest w/ Crooked Eye Tommy feat. Rae Gordon, Orphan Jon & the Abondoned, Kelly’s Lot, Laurie Morvan Band

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wed: Karaoke

Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs

Plan B Winery
3520 Arundell Circle
Sun 5/26: Yesterday & Today

Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Wed 5/22: Vicious Cycle, The Meat Beaters

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 6/1: No class
Sun 6/2: Nate Music

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke w/ Brian Parra
Tuesdays: DJ Nick Dean
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 5/24: Stevie Char
Sat 5/25: Raised on Vinyl
Fri 5/31: DJ Pistolero
Sat 6/1: DJ Pistolero

The Shores Restaurant
1031 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard
Fri 5/24: Jose Valdez Jazz Trio
Sat 5/25: 805 Allstarz
Sun 5/26: Ray Ray and the Rustlers
Fri 5/31: Dave Parsonage
Sat 6/1: Brandon Ragan Project

The Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Fri 5/24: CRV
Sat 5/25: Masters of the Past
Fri 5/31: Mini Driver Band

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Tuesdays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Get Right DJ
Fri 5/24: The Intelligence, The Spires, Vnlvx
Sat 5/25: The Black Stripes

Topa Mountain Winery
821 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai
Music 3-5 pm
Sat 5/25: Hunter & the Dirty Jacks
Sun 5/26: Joystix
Mon 5/27: Bryan Titus Trio

Ventura College Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road
Fri 5/24: El Bracero, a Mariachi Opera

Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor Blvd.
Fri 5/24: Liberacion, Industria del Amor, Bryndis y Mas

Winchester’s
632 E. Main Street
(805) 653-7446
Music at 7:00 pm; Sundays at 5 pm
Fri 5/24: Carlo Fontaine
Sat 5/25: Jon Gindick
Sun 5/26: CRV
Fri 5/31: Frank Barajas
Sat 6/1: The Swillys
Sun 6/2: Hot Cuppa Three

1901 Speakeasy
649 South B Street, Oxnard
Fri 5/24: Rich Sheldon
Sat 5/25: Carlo Fontaine
Fri 5/31: Bobby Campbell

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Music at 11 am – 1 pm Fri & Saturday
4-7 pm Saturday
Saturdays: Kenny Devoe
Sundays: Kenny Devoe

Movie Review by Cindy Summers

The Hustle

Breeze rating from 1 to 4 palm trees,
4 being best.

The Hustle is the 2019 remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), which was a remake of Bedtime Story (1964). Released by United Artists, Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Directed by Chris Addison, and Written by Stanley Shapiro, Paul Henning, Dale Launer, and Jac Schaeffer. Starring Anne Hathaway as Josephine Chesterfield, Rebel Wilson as Penny Rust, Alex Sharp as Thomas Westerburg, and Nicholas Woodeson as Albert.

Josephine and Penny are two con artists who swindle gullible, rich men in Beaumont-sur-Mer on the French Riviera. Josephine is a British woman who is glamorous and cultured, while Penny is a very erratic and fun-loving Australian, and after they meet they start to compete but eventually join forces. Josephine puts Penny through the paces in a quasi con training school in her nice French villa to get Penny’s con skills more refined so that they can jointly target men for luxurious jewelry and eventually work together to steal the riches of an internet billionaire.

I would be the first to admit I’m a huge Rebel Wilson fan, from her breakout role in Bridesmaids, to all 3 Pitch Perfect movies to her TV series Super Fun Night which she created, had the lead role and ran for 17 episodes ~ all filled me with bellyaching laughter from her comedic timing and physicality.

In The Hustle, in which Wilson also is as Producer, she unfortunately misses the mark as the gags are childish in nature, the cons are insultingly obvious, and the comedic timing seems off most of the movie. Wilson does shine with outrageous physical comedy throughout, which lessens the disappointment of what looks to be an outrageous comedy from the trailers.

Anne Hathaway is no stranger to comedy, and is cast well as the aristocratic opposite to Wilson’s less experienced and impulsive style. Hathaway’s physical comedy is surprisingly quite good throughout the movie and her dry wit plays well off Wilson’s seemingly oblivious nature.

Nicholas Woodeson (Albert the butler) is a stand-out in this comedy lineup for his perfect comedic timing, dry humor and his hilarious physicality.

Though there are a few shining moments of comedy, most of The Hustle falls flat leaving the audience feeling hustled by the promise of such a comedic pairing where the chemistry doesn’t ever seem to quite gel.

Rated PG – 93m

by Cindy Summers

Dumbo 
3 palm trees out of 4

Dumbo is the 2019 Walt Disney Pictures version of the animated Disney classic originally released 1941. Directed by Tim Burton, Music by Danny Elfman. and Written by Ehren Kruger. Starring Danny DeVito as Max Medici, Colin Farrell as Holt Farrier and Michael Keaton as V.A. Vandevere with great performances from child actors Nicole N. Parker as Milly Farrier & Finley Hobbins as Joe Farrier.

Set in 1919, it’s a reminder of a time when the circus traveled on trains. The Medici Circus traveled across the south and was plagued with loss from the influenza epidemic and declining crowds. Holt Farrier (Collin Farrell) returns from the war having lost an arm and discovering he also has lost his wife to influenza and his prize performing horses were sold to keep the circus going. There’s an obvious distance with his children Milly (Nicole N. Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) , who had to rely on each other having been left alone at the circus by circumstance.

Max Medici (Danny DeVito) buys Jumbo the elephant in hopes that a cute baby elephant can draw big crowd, only to have his dreams crushed by Dumbo’s seemingly deformed large ears. You can’t help but fall in love in an instant peering into Dumbo’s sweet blue eyes and extremely realistic looking CGI. Milly and Joe discover quite by chance that when Dumbo sniffs up a feather, he can fly. Feeling this will help the Medici circus, Dumbo get national exposure after flying in his first show.

This got the attention of a major investor, V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton) who offers to make Max a partner and give jobs to his troop in a giant permanent steampunk carnival venue, certainly a brilliant design that could only be created from the incredible imagination of Tim Burton. The music score also plays a big part in the emotion of the story, which is a testament to Burton’s continued project partnership with Danny Elfman.

Danny DeVito was perfect for his role as the crazy character running the circus, as he was hard not to love regardless of his morally questionable actions or intentions. It felt as though Keaton overacted the villain part at times but enjoyed the contrast of little Milly wanting to make scientific contributions to the world like Marie Curie. I found myself on the edge of my seat as the recently fired carnival crew set out to rescue Big Jumbo and Little Dumbo, and think the remake brings much reality and believability to this timeless Disney classic.

Dumbo is a movie for people of all ages and for those that think you remember the story line believe there’s much to see in this new release.

Rated PG – 112m

by Shirley Lorraine

Crimes of the Heart sizzles

Be prepared to laugh, to identify and to sympathize with the quirky characters in Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama, Crimes of the Heart, now onstage at Oxnard’s Elite Theatre. As their 2019 season themed “Family” continues, the production brings forward multiple areas of dysfunction while at the same time focuses on the importance and innate bonds of the family unit.

The scene is 1974, Hazlehurst, Mississippi. Three sisters with quite different viewpoints on life who are struggling through their own personal crises come together because granddaddy is in the hospital. Their troubled family history unites them at the core despite their differences.

Lenny (Genevieve Levin), a spinster of low self-esteem, is holding down the fort caring for granddaddy’s house and affairs. She is the logical one of the three. She anxiously awaits the arrival of sister Meg (Dawn Michelle), who had left the fold to seek a future as a singer. Alas, things didn’t quite work out for her. She copes by acting out, maintaining the hippie style of the 70’s with panache.

Both lament the fact that little sister Becky “Babe” (Samantha Netzen Bingham) has just blithely admitted to shooting her husband in the stomach (poor aim) because she didn’t like the sound of his voice. Now out on bail, Babe is handed legal representation by Barnette Lloyd (Patrick R. Rogers), a recent law school graduate clearly in over his head. He is smitten with Babe, which makes handling her case challenging.

Cousin Chick Boyle (Kimberly Prendergast) holds a consistently negative view of all the sisters but feels the need to be overtly involved for granddaddy’s sake. How the sisters each deal with Chick in their own way adds to the dimension of the character.

Doc Porter (Eric R. Umali, who also designed the set) reenters Meg’s life even though he is now married. Although their romance ended on a poor note years before, both harbor unresolved attraction destined to get them in trouble.

Many in the cast are new to the Elite Theatre stage, although the entire cast is certainly not new to many Ventura County theaters. Director Jolyn Johnson’s choice of this highly seasoned cast makes Crimes of the Heart sizzle with Southern flair.

The various life situations, as outrageous as they are, bear many similarities for everyone to identify with. How the sisters cope (or not) results in tears of recognition and laughter despite the underlying serious elements.

It is not unusual to dissolve into laughter as a method of coping with difficult times in our lives. One scene in the second act, when granddaddy falls into a coma, is contagiously hilarious.

The play does involve the use of herbal cigarettes so patrons who may be sensitive to that are encouraged to sit further back in the 70-seat theater. A fan and open doors at intermission help dispel the fragrance quickly. As the situations portrayed are decidedly “adult”, parental discretion is advised.

Crimes of the Heart continues through May 12 (bring mom on Mother’s Day!) with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 general admission, $17 for students, seniors and military, $12 for under 12. www.elitetheatre.org or (805) 483-5118.

by Shirley Lorraine

Coping and Compassion Help Heal

Getting older is not for sissies. Unfortunately, aging happens, if we’re lucky. When it does, often the entire family is pulled in to its sphere. Author Kate Hawley’s “Complications from a Fall” now playing at the Santa Paula Theatre Center recognizes and celebrates the trials, challenges and efforts required for families to weather the aging of loved ones.

The catalyst is Elizabeth, an older woman who has some dementia and is currently recovering from a recent fall. Nothing was broken, but the body doesn’t work as well as it used to. As a result, her daughter Helen has moved in to care for Elizabeth full time. Being a caregiver is hard work. Helen desperately needs a break.

She is slated to present a paper at a conference out of state, so she enlists the assistance of her brother Teddy. Teddy is not at all familiar with nor comfortable in taking on the role. It’s complicated. It’s uncomfortable. It’s outside his circle of knowledge.

Elizabeth has been relying not only on Helen, but also on Lucy, a hired caregiver whom Helen has recently fired for allegedly stealing from Elizabeth. Teddy calls on Lucy to bail him out when he doesn’t know how to cope with mother. Through these three tough days, Teddy learns a lot about realities of aging, dealing with dementia, and his own capabilities.

Helen checks in frequently with Teddy as she worries about his ability to cope with the situation while she gets a much-needed respite from it all.

Directed by Taylor Kasch, Jill Dolan as Elizabeth, Cynthia Killion as Helen, Sean Love Mason as Teddy and Julie Fergus as Lucy form a tight family unit which highlights the difficulties of their tasks.

The play, like real life, has moments of hilarity and moments that tug at our heartstrings. No doubt the author pulled from her own experiences to capture the coping mechanisms and subtleties so well. Dealing with dementia requires more patience than many realize – until they are faced with a loved one’s confusion, repetition and altered state of reality. The person is still there, they’re simply on a different mental stratum where logic and reason do not reside.

As a caregiver myself, I found the subject matter all too familiar. I recognized the humor, the pathos and the underlying sadness in seeing a loved one decline. Others in the audience did too. It’s a challenging subject to depict, one that many of my generation are learning to cope with and to accept.

If you aren’t faced with this yet, the play will offer valuable insights you can use later. If you’ve already been there or are there now, you will find it validating. I do feel the ending was a bit abrupt as the loose ends in the story were tied up quickly and no epilogue was offered. I’d love to see the play again with an additional scene to soften the rapid wrap-up. And life continues.

Complications from a Fall continues through May 19. Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $24, seniors and students $22, children $18. Subscription packages also available. www.santapaulatheatercenter.org, 805-525-4645.

By Shirley Lorraine
Rubicon’s Fuddy Meers is a wild ride

Several things can be expected from a Rubicon Theater production. High quality acting & production, and an opportunity to stretch your brain. The current production of Fuddy Meers, directed by Jenny Sullivan, running for just one more weekend, provides these things and more.

The fast-paced ride through life’s funhouse offers a roller coaster of events and emotions. With so much going on, by the end of the first act it is easy to be confused. Never fear, however, act two brings clarity in surprising ways. The play is high-strung and decidedly politically incorrect.

The central character is Claire (Precious Chong), a woman who lives with a severe case of amnesia. Each day she must be reminded of who she is and all details of her life. Her upbeat husband Richard (Joseph Fuqua) provides her with information and a scrapbook to reference. One morning, as Richard goes to shower, a man wearing a ski mask pops out from under Claire’s bed. He limps, lisps, and declares himself to be Claire’s brother, Zach (Stephen Caffrey) there to save her. From what is the question.

She takes him at face value, and they drive to Claire’s mother’s home in the country. Mother Gertie (Deedee Rescher) has had a stroke and is unable to put words in the correct order to form sentences. Her life is a different kind of funhouse.

At the window appears a foul-mouthed puppet named Binky, and his controller, Millet (Louis Lotorto). Millet and Zach have spent “time” together and are up to no good. When Richard discovers Claire is missing, he and rebellious son Kenny (Seryozha La Porte) head to Mother Gertie’s house. Along the way, a traffic stop by Policewoman Heidi (Tracy A. Leigh) results in her abduction as the two men decide she needs to accompany them to Gertie’s.

And that’s just the first act! It was amusing to listen to myriad audience comments at intermission – coming up with possible reasons for the chaos and making sense of the action.

Act two reveals that nothing is what it appears to be. Every character has a secret. Claire slowly begins to remember things from her past and as facts are unraveled, flashes of clarity come forth. We realize that everyone is searching for ways to become better people. Aren’t we all?

Wednesday’s talk-back with the actors revealed additional character insights from both actors and audience. The theme of the play, that life is a distorted and chaotic funhouse, during which we continually discover that there is always more under the surface, is a universal and timely one. We never have all the information we need to make sense of some things. And that’s okay. We just adjust what we consider to be normal in order to comprehend.

The actors are all outstanding. Each has created a definitively unique character with layers and layers of nuance. Director Sullivan allowed the actors to interpret their own journeys. As a result, each performance is slightly different. This is a wild ride worth taking.

Fuddy Meers concludes this weekend.

by Shirley Lorraine

Conejo’s Sweeny Todd delivers

In the mood for something dark, brooding, frightening and thoroughly captivating? The current production of the award-winning musical thriller Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Conejo Players Theater in Thousand Oaks will fill the bill nicely.

The evil character of Sweeny Todd was first introduced in a Victorian penny dreadful. He has continued to come to life via book by Christopher Bond and, perhaps best known, as a musical by Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim outdid himself with the operatic score.

The story of Sweeny Todd is a dark one from start to finish. Benjamin Barker, recently released from exile in Australia, returns to London hoping to reunite with his wife and daughter. He was sent away by an unscrupulous man, Judge Turpin, who raped Barker’s wife, Lucy, and took his daughter, Johanna, as his ward. Under the new name of Sweeny Todd, Barker seeks justice.

A young seaman, Anthony Hope, rescues and befriends him as he returns. Anthony becomes enamored by the beautiful Johanna, not knowing she is his friend’s daughter. The judge hopes to marry her himself and does all he can to prevent the two young lovers to meet.

A barber by trade, Todd sets up his tonsorial parlor above Mrs. Lovett’s Meat Pie Shop to try and begin again. Widow Lovett admits that her meat pies are the worst ever, using stray animals for filling. When Todd finds out the true fate of his family, he vows to exact revenge upon the Judge, the judge’s henchman, The Beadle, and others who wronged him.

Director Celeste Russi fully utilizes the intricate multi-story set by Aaron Van Etten to deliver new scenes, as well as the necessary functional tipping barber chair and chutes.

The vocally and musically challenging piece is superbly handled by the highly skilled large cast.

The cast does wear microphones for this production – a critical point to carry above the front and center orchestration led by David Fraley.

In the title role of Sweeny, John David Wallis knocks it out of the park, both vocally and in characterization. He manifests darkness inside and out without letup.

Dana Kolb as the Widow Lovett displays a fine voice and a cheeky, humorous contrast to the brooding Todd. Wallis and Kolb are a good match who deftly tackle Sondheim’s challenging score beautifully.

The ensemble creeps in and out of scenes throughout to add musical definition and context to the action. Collectively they embody their many mini-characters to full advantage. Veteran actors Steve Perren and Gary Saxer are particularly solid.

Mid-nineteenth century costumes add the right touches to the entire cast. Those worn by Judge Turpin (Kelly Green) and his servant The Beadle (Gabriel Gentile) convey the entitled attitude the characters require. Both are chillingly wonderful in their roles.

Vincent Perez is fresh and compelling as the seaman/suitor Anthony. He is complimented by Joanna Bert as Johanna.

Sweeny Todd at the Conejo Players Theater is a difficult Sondheim offering professionally presented.

Sweeny Todd Continues through March 24. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. www.conejoplayers.org or 805-495-3715 for tickets. Adults $20, Students, Seniors and Military $18.

Isn’t It Romantic
Review: 3.5 Palm Trees out of 4 Palm Trees

by: Victoria Usher

Isn’t It Romantic is a 2019 romantic comedy film that was directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson. It was produced by Rebel Wilson, Todd Garner, Gina Matthews, and Grant Scharbo. The story was by Erin Cardillo. The screenplay was by Erin Cardillo, Dana Fox, and Katie Silberman. The cinematography was by Simon Duggan. The music was by John Debney. It was edited by Andrew Marcus. The production design was done by Sharon Seymour. The film was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and released in cinemas on February 13^th, 2019. It was announced on January 30^th, 2019 that the film will be released on Netflix internationally on February 28^th, 2019. The stars of the film include Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam DeVine, Priyanka Chopra, Betty Gilpin, Jennifer Saunders, and Tom Ellis.

In the film, Natalie (Rebel Wilson) is an Australian architect living in New York City. Natalie wakes up after being knocked unconscious and mugged on the subway to find that her world has literally been turned into a PG-13 romantic comedy. In Natalie’s real-life romantic comedy, her tiny apartment is now a luxurious studio apartment, the grimy streets of New York City are now full of bright colors, regular stores have been replaced by beautiful flower shops, and there are pigeons flying up above in heart-shaped formation. Natalie’s best friend at work has now become her work enemy, and a gorgeous real estate investor (Liam Hemsworth) shows obvious interest in her. Natalie’s other best friend, Josh (Adam Devine) is the only one who appears to be exactly the same as before, and the only one who still notices all the good things in her the same exact way he did before.

There are a few moments throughout the film that are exciting in an unexpected way, referencing scenes from other well-known romantic comedies such as: When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, and 13 Going On 30. What really makes this film refreshingly different from other romantic comedies is that it makes fun of the romantic comedy genre while expressing the beauty and importance of real love at the same time. Isn’t It Romantic is a truly wild and entertaining ride.

(Rated: PG-13) (Running Time: 1h 28m)

by Shirley Lorraine
Ojai Theater relives opening

The Ojai Art Center is recognized state-wide as being the oldest continually operating non-profit Art Center. Let’s face it, 80 years is a long time to engage the community in all forms of art, music, theater, dance and more. To celebrate and honor this longevity, the Art Center Theater has mounted a reprise production of the first play ever to grace the Art Center stage – Night Must Fall by Emlyn Williams.

Set in the English countryside in 1939, the psychological thriller is at once understated and complex. In other words, typically British.
Opening the action with a monologue, the role of Lord Chief Justice is played by a different member of the community every performance. What a nice way to include community leaders in the anniversary celebration.

A woman goes missing which becomes the talk of the town. The Manor’s mistress, Mrs. Bramson, is a wheelchair-bound cranky busybody. Surrounding her are a snappy Cockney cook, a nurse, a naïve young maid and an unhappy poetry-writing niece and her suitor. Enter the maid’s paramour who enchants Mrs. Bramson and settles in, to the disdain of almost everyone.

All the while the murder is still to be solved and everyone is a suspect. When the body is found in the manor’s rubbish, the local inspector arrives to question each, and the fun really begins. All the characters who live in and enter the Manor are decidedly unique and definitive in their characters.

Mrs. Bramson, played by Sindy McKay, is a crafty, controlling old woman. McKay leads the audience into her world with aplomb. She is frequently confronted by her outspoken cook, Laura Ring. The innocent Dora, the maid, is given just the right touch by Brett Baxter. Stoic Nurse Libby is given dimension by Denise Heller. The wary niece, Olivia, played by Angelica Smith, is a study to watch as her emotions are subtle yet easily readable.

Stephen Shareaux does a nice turn as Hubert, Olivia’s consistently rejected suitor. Louis Graham as the formidable Inspector Belsize is just right in the role. The quirky character of Dan, the uninvited guest who stayed, is wonderfully manic. David Nelson Taylor takes on the role with fervor.

As the play unfolds, the audience is treated to many possibilities of how it happened and who did it. There are surprises along the way as well as twists and turns, as there should be in a good murder mystery. Director Richard Camp has assembled a strong cast to perform this memorable play.
Authentic period setting of the manor’s interior is enhanced by spot-on costuming by Tracey Williams Sutton.

As a well-needed bonus, the theater now has new theater seats, a new sound and light booth (no longer in the back of the audience seating) and other small but noticeable improvements. The Arts Center thanks the community for their generosity in making these alterations possible. What a terrific way to say thank you for the last 80 years, and a grand welcome to the next 80.

Night Must Fall runs through March 10. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., Sunday performances are at 2 p.m. General admission $25, senior and art center members, $20, under age 25 $10. Season tickets are now available for purchase. Ojai Art Center Theater, 113 S. Montgomery, Ojai. www.ojaiact.org or (805) 640-8797 for reservations.113Night Must Fall” runs through March 10. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2.m For tickets, call 805-640-8797 or go to OjaiAct.org. The Ojai Art Center Theater is at 113 S. Montgomery St.