All In the Timing

What do you get when you cross five gifted actors with fifteen roles, and a ton of surreal humor? Find the answer at the Ojai Art Center Theater starting next week. “All In the Timing,” an award-winning collection of one-act comedic plays by American playwright David Ives, runs April 29 through May 15.

“All In the Timing” won the Outer Critics Circle Playwriting Award, was included in “The Best Plays of 1993-94,” and in the 1995-96 season was the most-performed play in the country after Shakespeare productions. The show entails a collection of farcical sketches that focus primarily on language, wordplay, existentialism, and the complications of romantic relationships. The New York Times called David Ives “One of the most intelligent and anarchically funny playwrights. His utterly delightful one-act plays percolate with comic brio.”

Director Steve Grumette has assembled five versatile actors, including himself, to play fifteen different roles. “I first became aware of ‘All in the Timing,’ David Ives’ brilliantly funny anthology of one-act plays, nearly 20 years ago when asked to perform one of the roles. I found the piece so hysterically funny I could barely hold the script in my hands while learning the lines,” Grumette said. “Since that time, I have been involved with no fewer than six separate productions of the show and find my enjoyment in bringing them to the stage has increased with each successive outing.”

“Bring your wits and prepare to laugh ‘til it hurts,” cast member Daniel Ruark said. “‘All in the Timing’ asks the audience and performers to release themselves into an intelligent world of delight.”

Join the fun and laugh-filled experience as the Art Center Theater presents this series of one-acts over three weekends beginning with the opening night performance on Friday, April 29th.