Ghost Light Night

It’s not about Halloween! When you see a luminescence in the pitch of the night in theatres across the land, it’s the Ghost Light. According to the Ensemble Theatre program, “The haunting bulb stands (a bulb on a stick) bare-bones and aglow defying the inky darkness and beckoning spirits to come hither and play.” Many theatres are thought to be haunted. This belief has been around for centuries. So, the Ensemble Theatre Company’s (ETC) totally underwritten spirited benefit bash is called the Ghost Light Night.

Act 1: Setting: The New Vic. Time: Dusk. Scene 1: Elixirs and Tasty Bites reception in the theater terrace and courtyard. Scene 2: Seating. Scene 3: Performance of an episode of The Twilight Zone called “A Piano in the House.” Chris Carter is the voice of Rod Serling.

Act 2: Setting: The Wine Cask. Time: Later that night. Scene 1: Reception and revelry moonlit cocktails and music in the courtyard. Scene 2: Seating. Scene 3: Dinner.

The committee headed by co-chairs Meg Burnham and Kandy Luria–Budgor stated, “Cocktail attire admired, not required!” The rest of the crew, now enjoying the fruits of their labor, were Mary Blinderman, Paul Bruice, Michele Brustin, Jo Ann Chase, Dwight Coffin, Mary Dorra, Ruth Heeger, Christine Holland, Sharyn Johnson, Lee Luria, Laini Meinick, Lisa Reich, Jean Rogers, Sybil Rosen, Helene Segal, Miss Sheldon, Carrie Towbes, and Dana White.

The evening was reminiscent of those traveling dinners we gave in the olden days where you went to a different house for each course. This evening began on the terrace and courtyard of the New Vic. Then into the theatre with a performance that brought back memories of when we listened to the spooky Twilight Zone. It was directed by Jenny Sullivan, with sound design by Randall Robert Tico and pianist Kent Rollins. Jonathan Fox is the artistic director and Jill Seltzer is managing director.

Next stop was the Wine Cask Courtyard for music and wine. The restaurant was filled to capacity with 150 guests, and dinner was a sumptuous three-course affair. Jonathan told the audience, “Every year since we began in 2013, we sell more tickets than the previous year. This year it was 10 percent more.” ETC has also established a Young Actors Conservatory taught by Marcus Giamatti. He is the brother of actor Paul Giamatti, who was in the Santa Ynez wine movie Sideways.”

Next year will mark the third annual Ghost Light Night. Until then, you can check out all their plays throughout the season by phoning (805) 965-5400. And keep your eyes open for ghosts.