Know Your Place

Ensemble Theatre Company’s third annual Ghost Light Night was a real thriller!

The 175-guest fête, which was expected to raise around $225,000, kicked off in the gardens of the Santa Barbara Club, when a local group of wonderfully costumed and choreographed players performed the late Michael Jackson’s hit “Thriller,” and then led supporters two blocks up Chapala Street, much to the surprise of passers-by, to the New Vic on West Victoria Street.

There, guests got to see Our Place, inspired by Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, written by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner and directed by Jenny Sullivan with abundant Santa Barbara anecdotes and overtones.

The amusingly entertaining mini production featured former Rocky Horror Picture Show star Barry Bostwick – who I last met on a Virgin Atlantic inaugural flight from London to Los Angeles – local rocker Kenny Loggins, state Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, former Sopranos star Michael Imperioli, Brian McDonald, and Meredith Baxter, as well as an accomplished eight-part supporting ensemble.

The illuminating beano, chaired by Sybil Rosen, was jammed with drama denizens, including artistic director Jonathan Fox, Dan and Meg Burnham, Kandy and Beno Budgor, managing director Jill Seltzer, Chris and Dori Carter, Dana White, Gail Beust, Eve Bernstein, Mary Dorra, Betty Fussell, David and Anne Gersh, Stan and Betty Hatch, Janet Garufis, George Leis, Anne Towbes, Caren Rager, Jean Schuyler, Rob and Pru Sternin, Robert Weinman, Steve and Diane Zipperstein, Adele Rosen, Missy Sheldon, and George Konstantinow.