Ramona Community Theater's production of "Reservation for Murder"

Ramona Community Theater is coming back to life with a play scheduled for April 20, 21, 27 and 28. It's called "Reservation for Murder", written and directed by local residents, A.J. Bess and Danny Stapp. This fast paced comedy is hilarious and full of diverse, interesting characters. It's just plain funny and is appropriate for all ages. The performance will be at the Ramona United Methodist Church; 3394 Chapel Lane,  Ramona, CA. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 760-315-0994. The show will start at 7:00 the first three nights; April 20, 21 and 27, and 8:00 for closing night; April 28. Doors will open 30 minutes before the show and it will be general seating. A.J. Bess says, “We're happy to be a part of this, and hope it sparks more interest in local theater projects. We believe it's important for everyone to support and encourage art in their community. Hope everyone enjoys the show, and continues to come out and be a part of performing arts in Ramona.”

It's funny how things happen. When Ramona Community Theater first started, Tom Ferguson (jr.), who was a member of the Ramona United Methodist Church, arranged to have the first few variety shows at his church and that is how we got up and running. RCT made enough money with those shows to put on their first big Musical, "The Music Man". After performing that show at OPMS PAC, they started performing at what used to be the Ramona Charter High School with shows like, “Honk Jr.”, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, “Charlie's Aunt”, “Godspell”, and “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown”. When the Ramona Charter High School closed, RCT no longer had a place to perform. They tried doing a revue, “Gotta Sing”, at the Ramona Woman's Clubhouse, but it proved to be way too small a venue. Hopefully, someday, the beautiful Town Hall stage will be able to bring up it's lights again and RCT will have a new home. A 'new' old home, that is, because the Ramona Town Hall Players once used the Town Hall stage for many productions. Amy Krause, Artistic Director for RCT, remembers, “...when I was a little child, my mother took me to a musical called "Godspell" put on by the Ramona Town Hall Players. And guess who was playing the role of Jesus? Tom Ferguson (jr.). I just love how this town still has that small town feeling when its past runs into the present.” So, while looking for a venue for "Reservation for Murder", who should contact RCT, but Ramona United Methodist Church! Jason Purtle, the Music Director of the church, emailed RCT after seeing a blurb about auditions in the Ramona Sentinel, and presented the theater group with perfect space for them to perform “Reservation for Murder”. RUMC loves to have their building used for great things, and is very happy to have the community share their love for the arts. So, when RCT's stage went dark for lack of a venue, among other things, who should come to their rescue, but the same wonderful people who got them started in the beginning.

RCT is so excited to get going again. And, to start off with the original hilarious murder mystery, written and directed by Ramona's very own A.J. Bess and Danny Stapp, how could things get better? A.J. has written other shows performed here in Ramona for RCT and for Mountain Valley Academy High School. "Call Me Jimmy" has been performed 4 different times in Ramona and is taking the stage again with Olive Pierce Middle School's drama club in May. Another show some might know is "Auditions at St. Maude's". "Reservation for Murder" is rehearsing right now at the RUMC Friday nights at 7pm. They are working hard to bring the audience to tears with laughter.