|
a unique cinema destination & events venue
that combines
the best viewing technologies with classic hollywood charm
By Ventura LIFE Magazine's, Amy Jones
There's nothing like the movie-theater experience:
the overflowing tub of buttery popcorn, an ice-cold soda,
awesome surround sound, and the big screen flickering to life
in comforting darkness with the stories that make us laugh,
cry and contemplate the condition of our world. And, now the
restored vintage Ojai Theatre offers the beloved moving-going
experience in the tradition of yesteryear.
Mark & Kathy Hartley have a passion for
restoring old buildings to preserve local Ojai/Ventura historical
architecture while making improvements that enhance the inherent
grace and charm. To their credit, they have the Lavender Inn
& Culinary School, the Star Lounge, and Watermark Restaurant
among other exemplary building restoration projects. Working
with the best artisans and craftspeople, they have brought
color, quality and a sense of place to each of their projects
– each of which represents a unique partnership with
the community for events, the arts and sensitive while sensible
business development.
So when they caught word that the vintage
Ojai Theatre was being sold and in danger of being remodeled
completely as another retail space, they approached the Alawar
Family, who had owned the building for over 25-years and detailed
their plan to purchase and restore the Ojai Playhouse; the
Alawar’s were delighted. Prior to the Alawr ownership,
the Ojai Theatre had what Proprietor, Kathy Hartley calls
“a colorful past.” An initial walk-through revealed
that the Ojai Theatre was in need of help. “We felt
strongly that the town needed a theater as well as a quality
intimate events venue, “said Kathy. The Hartleys started
the project in the spring of 2008 and completed it in just
over 3-months. Their son, Jamie Hartley now runs the theatre
along with projectionist, John Grant.
Kathy is not exactly sure just how old the
building is, but when they opened up a few of the walls during
construction, she found a paper secreted away within them
penned by the Braxton Builders with a 1910 date wishing the
business prosperity.
Improvements to the Ojai Theatre included
extending the stage for concerts, gutting and constructing
new bathrooms, redoing the doorways, lobby and hall floors
for ADA among other structural work. New comfortable theater
seats were installed, easily accessed handicapped seating
area, complete with comfortable companion seating and a lush
couch for VIP seating. The area also serves as a sound engineer’s
cock-pit for concerts and events.
As they embarked on the ceiling demolition,
the Hartleys discovered the original embossed tin ceiling
panels, many of which they were able to restore and finish
in bronze for stately look that accentuates the classic Hollywood
feel they desired for the space.
Every original artifact they discovered at
the space that could be restored has become part of the authentic
ambiance that is now the Ojai Theatre. Vintage Deco-style
chandeliers, movie posters, an old movie projector, curtains
and even ancient fire extinguishers are part of the ambiance.
Various sizes of classic movie reels are displayed on some
of the walls.
But, when it came to the technology of the
space, only state-of-the-art would do. The theater utilizes
a new projector, Blue Ray DVD player, THX Cinema Surround
Speakers with digital processors, a direct-plug-in event sound
system and stage lighting. And, even as the Hartleys stood
back to admire the magical gem they’d created, they
were already planning on all the creative ways the Ojai Theatre
could be shared with the community while running a sustainable
1st-run neighborhood blockbuster cinema that is worth the
drive just for the experience. The Ojai Film Society presents
weekly independent films. During the annual fall Ojai Film
Festival, the Ojai Theatre will be a center-piece venue, screening
rare and ground-breaking films from around the world. A documentary
series ran for 6-weeks shortly after opening, and plans are
underway to present a special weekend kids movie series as
well as a speaker series. As the Hartleys are committed to
community awareness of today’s critical issues, movies
such as AIR, The Day After Peace, and Spiritual Warrior are
often presented.
The Ojai Theatre is physically connected
to the Village Jester – an eclectic pub that is partnering
with the Hartleys to offer a Wednesday-nite Dinner & a
Movie special. Theater-goers can also enjoy Saturday &
Sunday matinees, 6-Dollar-Mondays, and Senior Citizen Specials
among a wide range of cultural offerings that occur year-round.
“Film as dream, film as music. No
art passes our conscience in the way film does,
and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark
rooms of our souls.”
- Ingmar Bergman, Film Writer & Director
|
