Field, Glover, Danson and More Set for Ojai Playwrights Benefit Honoring McNally

By Adam Hetrick
18 Jan 2010

Sally Field
Sally Field
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

California's Ojai Playwrights Conference will honor Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally in an all-star gala benefit Jan. 30.

The 5:30 PM evening, entitled Hearts on Fire, will celebrate "the passion and power of the human heart through an eclectic mix of scenes by some of America's greatest playwrights," including McNally's work. Robert Egan and Michael Morris created the presentation that will take place at the Matilija Auditorium in Ojai.

Scheduled to appear are Sally Field, Sandra Oh, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, John Glover, Dana Delaney, Amanda McBroom, Steven Weber, Jane Kaczmarek, Noah Wyle and Zachary Quinto.

As part of the event, McNally will be presented with the 2010 OPC Award at a 7:30 PM dinner following the performance.

"Terrence is one of America's greatest living playwrights. So many awards, so much output, and so many extraordinary characters brought to life in his poignant plays," Egan said in a statement. "McNally participated in the Ojai Playwrights Conference several years ago, and developed one of his plays here. He said it was one of the best developmental experiences of his life. As a way of thanking him for his many brilliant plays and musicals and his contribution to the Ojai Playwrights Conference - we are honoring him with the 2010 OPC Award."

McNally earned Tony Awards for his plays Master Class and Love! Valour! Compassion!, as well as the books to the musicals Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime. His works also include The Ritz; Frankie and Johnny at the Claire de Lune; Lips Together, Teeth Apart; Deuce; Some Men; Corpus Christi; Dedication or the Stuff of Dreams; The Lisbon Traviata; The Rink; A Man of No Importance; and The Full Monty. The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. will offer a trio of his plays (Master Class, The Golden Age and The Lisbon Traviata) beginning in March. A Broadway revival of Lips Together, Teeth Apart will open in April.

For tickets, phone (805) 640-0400 or visit OjaiPlays.