Rubicon Theatre Welcomes The Perry Brothers in Concert Tonight, 10/6

The Perry Brothers, the ever-popular family duo from Ojai, return to their Ventura home at Rubicon Theatre Company for a one-night-only benefit concert tonight, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. John and Tony Perry will be backed onstage by a band of talented artists on guitar, bass, fiddle, flute, dobro, ukulele and vocals, performing a mix of folk, country, jazz and blues favorites such as "Ventura Highway" by America, "What in the World" by David Bowie, "Lyin' Eyes" by the Eagles and "These are the Days" by Van Morrison.

The performance is staged by Rubicon Theatre Artistic Associate Jenny Sullivan, and will feature comedian Cary Odes as emcee as well as numerous special guests, including Rubicon favorites Stephanie Zimbalist and Jeff Kober, who appeared together in both The Rainmaker and Defying Gravity and Justine Bennett of Lonesome Traveler. This evening of music and merriment will be in keeping with the Perry Brothers motto – "There will be fun!"

Proceeds from The Perry Brothers in Concert will benefit Rubicon's Education and Outreach program, which has provided more than 45,000 talented youth with a nurturing environment to grow and explore through acting classes; technical instruction; and performances of Shakespeare's classics, American dramas and popular musicals. The Education and Outreach program recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary this summer with productions of As You Like It, Captain Louie, and a special anniversary revival of Once on this Island.
During intermission, audience members will have the opportunity to bid on a number of auction items, generously donated by local Ventura businesses and community members. Audience members also have the option to attend an after-party with the Perry Brothers and have their name listed in the program with the purchase of a VIP Patron ticket. This party with a folksy Western flair will give attendees the opportunity to meet and mingle with the Perry Brothers and their special guests.

Currently residents of Ojai, John and Tony Perry have been a part of the Rubicon Theatre extended family since the early days, when they appeared in the theatre's landmark production of The Rainmaker together.

John Perry is familiar face to Rubicon audiences, having also appeared in Defying Gravity, The Little Foxes and other Rubicon productions. John's Broadway appearances include Mother Earth, Show Me Where the Good Times Are and Leonard Bernstein's Mass. He also appeared off-Broadway in The Baby Dance and in Los Angeles in Ad Wars, opposite Stephanie Zimbalist and directed by Jenny Sullivan in both productions. He has also appeared in several productions at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. John has been featured in the films "George of the Jungle," "Fools Rush In," "Independence Day" and "The Sweetest Thing." On television, John was a series regular on "Falcon Crest" and has appeared in numerous Movies of the Week and guest starred on shows such as "Jag," "Third Rock from the Sun" and "Friends."

Tony Perry studied drama at St. Laurence University and Florida State University before setting his sights on singing the standards of jazz and blues. He appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" with his brother John and the Serendipity Singers in the brothers' early days; multimedia footage of their performance will be featured during the concert at Rubicon. Tony has returned to California after spending many years honing his singing style in County Kerry, Ireland.

Jenny Sullivan most recently directed the Ovation-nominated production of The Mystery of IRMA VEP and Nazi Hunter – Simon Wiesenthal this season at Rubicon; other directing credits at Rubicon include Steel Magnolias, Trying, Spit Like a Big Girl, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, You Can't Take It With You (Indie Award), Hamlet (Indie award), as well as Defying Gravity and The Rainmaker (both featuring Stephanie Zimbalist and John and Tony Perry). Jenny has directed numerous productions for regional theatres across the country and Canada. Her World Premiere production of The Baby Dance began at Pasadena Playhouse and then moved to Williamstown Theatre Festival, Long Wharf Theatre (CT Critics' Directing Award) and the Lucille Lortel Theatre Off-Broadway. In six seasons at Williamstown, Jenny directed MACS (A Macaroni Requiem), Defying Gravity, Hotel Oubliette, Dirt and The Ferry Back. Jenny's film credits include "Access All Areas" and "The Next Best Thing" (in which she had the good fortune to direct her father Barry). Rubicon produced the World Premiere of Jenny's play J for J with Jeff Kober and the late great John Ritter. The production subsequently played at the Court Theatre in L.A. Jenny was appointed Rubicon's first Artistic Associate in 2003.

Cary Odes started his comedy career in Chicago, and soon became one of the top comics in the city. He studied at Second City with improv legend Del Close. He became a regular at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, toured the country for over a decade, wrote jokes for shows on NBC, and had a pilot developed about his time teaching stand up to gang kids in prison. While continuing to perform full time, Cary taught comedy to youth at risk as well as high school students at New Roads School.

Stephanie Zimbalist has appeared on the Rubicon stage in such productions as Steel Magnolias, Tea at Five, Hamlet, Defying Gravity, and The Rainmaker. Stephanie has performed in productions at regional theatre across the country, including The Cherry Orchard (with Alfred Molina, Odyssey Theatre), The Tempest (with Anthony Hopkins, Mark Taper Forum), Far East (Westport Playhouse) and The Baby Dance (Williamstown and off-Broadway) and AdWars (Tiffany Theatre), both featuring John Perry and directed by Jenny Sullivan. Her film work includes "The Prophet's Game" (with Dennis Hopper), "The Magic of Lassie" (with James Stewart) and "The Awakening" (with Charlton Heston). Stephanie has starred in several television movies and did 94 episodes as Laura Holt in the MTM series "Remington Steele."

Jeff Kober makes his Ventura County singing debut with The Perry Brothers with this benefit concert, and will reprise a song he performed recently in L.A. for the Rogue Machine Theatre -- Where the Great Ones Run. Rubicon audiences have seen him onstage in The Rainmaker, Defying Gravity, and J for J. He recently starred in Rogue Machine Theatre's Where the Great Ones Run. Jeff is most often recognized for his regular roles on the series' "China Beach" and "Baltimore"; and has had recurring roles on "Nothing Sacred," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Dr. Vegas." and the FX series "Sons of Anarchy." His film work includes roles in "Out of Bounds," "The First Power" and "Tank Girl," as well as appearances in the independent films "Lucid" and the Academy Award-winning "Sessions Man."

Justine Bennett has appeared at Rubicon Theatre and Laguna Playhouse in Lonesome Traveler, the premiere folk music revue created and directed by Rubicon Artistic Director James O'Neil. Justine began earning her singer/songwriter pedigree as a teenager, basking on the streets of San Francisco. She has released two records through her music label Authentik Artists and has performed at such legendary venues as The Fillmore, The Troubadour and the Hotel Café.

Mia Perry joins her father John on the Rubicon stage again, where she has appeared with the Perry Brothers and in the play This Is Our Youth. Mia will be performing with fellow musician and record producer David Bowick, who can be seen in the popular Los Angeles bands Ocelot Robot and Alder.

The Perry Brothers' band features all local Ventura and Ojai residents who appeared on the Rubicon stage with "the boys" during their last concert. The band includes Steve Temmel ("guitar, vocals, band leader, bus driver"), Dan Wilson ("bass and de facto mayor of Oakview"), Mark Parson ("fiddle, flute and organized hysteria") and Ed McCabe ("master of every stringed instrument in the whole wide world").
Sponsors

The Perry Brothers in Concert is sponsored by Dottie and Bernie Novatt in memory of their son Neal Novatt, who especially loved music and musical instruments, and who owned Strimples Bagels across from the theatre for many years.

The Perry Brothers in Concert comes to Rubicon Theatre Company on October 6, 2012 for one night only at 7:30pm. General admission tickets are $30/$25 for Rubicon subscribers and Grandes Dames. Tickets purchased at the door are $35. Wine and beer will be available for purchase. Rubicon Patron tickets for $125 provide premium seating, a name listing in the program, and admission to the festive after-party with the Perry Brothers which will include beer, wine and light fare.

Seating is limited. Tickets may be purchased in person through the Rubicon Theatre Company box office, located at 1006 E. Main Street (Laurel entrance). To charge by phone, call (805) 667-2900 or visit Rubicon online at www.rubicontheatre.org. Twenty-four-hour-a-day ticketing is available online, thanks to a grant from the Irvine Foundation's Regional Arts Initiative.

Photo Credit: C. Davey Utter

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