STAR-STUDDED SPECIAL EVENT

TO BENEFIT

OJAI PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE ON JANUARY 17, 2004

WHAT: “Troubled Love”, a  benefit for the Ojai Playwrights Conference. A reading of

            short plays on this popular subject.

WHO: Starring Lily Tomlin, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, David Hyde-Pierce,

            Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman and other surprise celebrity guests. Robert

            Egan directs.Celebrity auctioneer: Arte Johnson. Works included are written by

            Donald Margulies, Christopher Durang, Susan Miller, Steve Martin, and some

            surprises.

WHEN AND WHERE: Saturday, January 17, 2004 at 6 p.m. at Matilija Junior High

            School Auditorium, 708 El Paseo Rd., Ojai. Premium ticket holders will attend a

            gala dinner and celebrity auction at the nearby restaurant Azu at 8:30 following

            the reading.

ADMISSION: $50 general admission includes reading, hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

            $200 Premium ticket includes the preceding plus gourmet dinner with the cast

            and a live auction conducted by the celebrity cast.

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION: (805) 640-0400.

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            A cast of some of America’s most distinguished and admired actors reads short plays on the topic of Troubled Love just a few weeks prior to Valentine’s Day to benefit the non-profit Ojai Playwrights Conference. Founded in 1996, the OPC produces an annual summer retreat in which plays of significant quality are developed and prepared to take their place as important new contributions to the American Theatre. Playwrights whose new work was presented at the 2003 Conference included Jon Robin Baitz, Lee Blessing, Charlayne Woodard, Danny Hoch, Peter Morris and Joe Loya. There was also a workshop for teen writers.

             Ninety minutes away from L.A., near Ventura, the beautiful Ojai Valley provides a non-distractive environment conducive to creative freedom , experimentation and process.

            OPC artistic Director Robert Egan directs the January 17 celebrity reading. He is the recent former Producing Director of the Mark Taper Forum, where he served as Director of New Play Development and founding Producing Director of its New Work Festival.

            Premium ticket holders enjoy a sumptuous gourmet Moroccan-themed dinner at Azu restaurant in Ojai, not far from Matilija School. Famed comedy actor Arte Johnson will conduct an auction for wonderful articles.

            The Gala Event is co-chaired by Cynthia Stillwell and Pam Melone. Adrian Sweet is OPC General Manager.

            Donations are tax-deductible. Because this is a benefit, press comps will be available for the 6 p.m. performance only, but not for the dinner/auction. For press comps to the reading, please contact Philip Sokoloff at (626) 683-9205.

            This will be a memorable evening, to aid one of the region’s most valuable cultural resources.

            Items offered at the live auction include:

            Tuscan farmhouse package: One week in five-bedroom restored 15^th Century farmhouse near Lucca, Italy. Includes pool and 6-day maid service.

            Jackson Hole package: 4 days, 3 nights in 3-bedroom condo. Includes two 3-day ski lift tickets; dinner for two at Snake River Grill.

            Napa Valley weekend: 3 nights in an 1870 Calistoga farmhouse which sleeps eight.

            Sonoma stay: One weeknight at fabulous new Hotel Healdsburg; Healdsburg Bar & Grill gift certificate; shopping certificates for Susan Graf Ltd. And P.S. Italia.

            Two-night stay at any Ritz-Carlton Hotel, including American breakfast, excluding New York City, Georgetown and South Beach.

            Carmel Valley Golf Stay: One night at Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club; Golf for two.

            Two tickets to a taping of the Ellen DeGeneres Show, includes backstage tour with Betty DeGeneres (Ellen’s mom).

            Tour the Ojai garden of Peter Strauss and then bring him back to your home for a garden consultation.

            Dinner for two at The Grill in Beverly Hills.

            Four tickets to a taping of “Will & Grace”, plus autographed cast photo.

            An original Jules Feiffer cartoon, signed by the artist.

            Dinner for 4 at the Daily Grill (Universal City Walk or Studio City).

            Four box seats to a Dodger game, including 4 box suppers from Daily Grill.

            Attend a movie recording session with Bruce Botnick.

            Valuable first edition of Pulitzer Prize winning play “Dinner With Friends” signed by playwright Donald Margulies.