As a movie enthusiast with a deep-rooted affection for cinema history, I am absolutely thrilled about the revival of the Ojai Playhouse by David Berger. Having grown up working in local theaters myself, I can’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with this man who shares my passion for the silver screen.
The 110-year-old Ojai Playhouse, which had been closed for a decade, has been brought back to life by music industry trailblazer David Berger. He acquired the historical property, which first opened in the silent film era, following the sale of his VIP concert ticketing company to WME in 2018 and his relocation to the popular town of Ojai. Since then, Berger has poured over $10 million into transforming the theater into a cutting-edge facility.
Notable figures from Hollywood’s elite, such as Donna Langley, head of Universal Studios, and Eric Goode, the filmmaker known for “Tiger King” and “Chimp Crazy”, had also considered buying the Playhouse. “Being raised as a ticket-taker, usher, concession stand worker, and later, a projectionist in theaters near Boston,” he shares, “this was a place destined for me.
Berger’s version of the 200-seat Playhouse will merge first-run studio films, art house productions, classic cinema, and live small-scale performances. This establishment can be compared to a combination of the ArcLight Cinema, the New Beverly Cinema, and Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles. The grand opening is scheduled for November 22, featuring several screenings of the film Heat (due to the neighborhood’s persistent heat about the delay in opening). The upcoming schedule also includes a thematically fitting double feature of Werner Herzog’s films Fitzcarraldo and Burden of Dreams, as a tribute to the challenging task of reviving the Playhouse following severe water main damage. Additionally, the lineup includes the film Easy A set in Ojai and, on Christmas Eve, a double bill of Die Hard and Bad Santa.
During the time of awards ceremonies, Ojai and nearby Montecito are filled with Academy members. As a result, screenings for films such as “Anora, The Brutalist, Conclave, Sing Sing, Emilia Perez” and even a sneak peek at “Babygirl” will be held. “We’ve started establishing connections with studios,” Berger explains. “They are aware of who resides in this area.
Berger has lavishly equipped the Playhouse with high-end audio-visual tools: Dolby Atmos surround sound, a Simplex 35mm reel-to-reel projector, Barco 4K digital projection, state-of-the-art streaming capabilities. However, his most noteworthy accomplishment might be the custom quadratic diffusers on the theater’s ceiling, which not only enhance acoustics but also have lights that can mimic real-time sky colors.
He mentions that we have an outdoor camera, which offers views of the stunning Topatopa Mountains and catches the enchanting ‘pink moment’ at sunset, a sight adored by many. This captivating scene is later displayed in our theater. He describes this as a magical effect, drawing inspiration from the renowned conceptual artist James Turrell, a pioneer of the Light and Space movement.
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2024-11-15 21:27