Misery

posted in: 2024-2025 Season, FrontPage, Past Seasons, Shows | 0

by William Goldman, from the novel by Stephen King

Successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car crash by his ‘Number One Fan,’ Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads the manuscript to his newest novel and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new “Misery” novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. This nail biting cat-and-mouse-game will have you on the edge of your seat.

Performances at Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 South College Ave., Oxford, OH 45056

Out Cry!

by Tennessee Williams

Out Cry is set in an empty, run down theatre in an unspecified location.  Siblings Felice and Clare discover that the acting company that they have been directing and touring with has abandoned them for nonpayment of salaries. Deserted and penniless, the two are left to perform a play by themselves without complete set, costume, and props. They must deliver a spectacular performance despite their own insecurities. They are literally playing for their lives. This play is achingly plaintive, amusingly combative, and wildly humorous. Williams believed that this was, “My most beautiful play since Streetcar the very heart of my life.” As with all of Tennessee Williams’ plays, his characters are isolated, flawed, and always fragilely human.

The Woolgatherer

posted in: 2023-2024 Season, Past Seasons, Shows | 0

Our first production of the 2023-24 season was a stunning success! Thank you to everyone who came to see this powerful production!

by William Mastrosimone

directed by Cathy and Michael McVey

This “opposites attract” story features Rose, a shy dime-store clerk, and Cliff, a hardworking truck driver, who struggle to find love. First staged in 1979, The Woolgatherer “profiles two lonely people who have nothing in common except that they are in the same room together, yet by the end of the play, they have found each other, soothing their respective senses of isolation and loneliness.” (VC Onstage Review)

Profanity, Poetry, Humor, Hauntings, Wackos, Wine, Birds, Beer, Sweaters, Sweets, and
Nosy Old Ladies

Educating Rita

Educating Rita

by Willy Russell
directed by Ben Mattox
Feb. 16, 17, 18 & 23, 24, 25
This comedy by British playwright Willy Russell is a witty yet poignant look at a working class woman’s attempts to change her social circumstances through pursuit of an Open University qualification. Frank is a tutor of English in his fifties whose disillusioned outlook on life drives him to drink and bury himself in his books. Enter Rita, a forthright 26 year-old hairdresser who is eager to learn. Their relationship as teacher and student blossoms, ultimately giving Frank a new sense of self and Rita the knowledge she so craves.

Ripcord

posted in: 2022-2023 Season, Past Seasons, Shows | 0
2022 -2023 Season

“A situational comedy about adversarial roommates in a nursing home:” A sunny room on an upper floor is prime real estate in the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility, so when the cantankerous Abby is forced to share her quarters with new arrival Marilyn, she has no choice but to get rid of the infuriatingly chipper woman by any means necessary. A seemingly harmless bet between the old women quickly escalates into a dangerous game of one-upmanship that reveals not just the tenacity of these worthy opponents, but also deeper truths that each would rather remain hidden.

Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van

2022 -2023 Season

by Mary Lynn Dobson

directed by Kayleigh Swatzell

Feb. 17, 18, 19  and 24, 25, 26

A hilarious look at theater from the inside out. The show follows a local summer theater troupe through the point of view of the unsung heroes who call the show, run the spotlights, sew the costumes, count the tickets, and suffer through every flubbed line, forgotten prop, and missed cue. In the end, Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van continues to prove the old adage that somehow, some way, the show must go on. And it does—just not always as planned.

That adage has never been more true–after Covid cancelled this show in 2020, and we encountered unforeseen challenges that caused us to replace this show at the last minute last season (with the very successful Edgar Allan Poe Afterlife Radio Show), we are once again giving this production our best shot–third time’s a charm!

All the Roles I Loved the Most

2022 -2023 Season

Our first show of 2022-2023 was another big success, with an impressive array of local performers, offering songs and scenes with the theme of “pieces I have performed before that I would love to perform again”!

An eclectic mix of comedy, drama, singing, and dancing, with variety in the lineup for each performance! More than a simple talent show, this production showcased the extraordinary and amazing talent in our community, with the high quality production values that OxACT has always embodied!

Our 2023-24 Season!

posted in: News | 3

The Woolgatherer

by William Mastrosimone

Directed by Cathy and Michael McVey

Oct. 14, 15 & 20, 21, 22

This “opposites attract” story features Rose, a shy dime-store clerk, and Cliff, a hardworking truck driver, who struggle to find love. First staged in 1979, The Woolgatherer “profiles two lonely people who have nothing in common except that they are in the same room together, yet by the end of the play, they have found each other, soothing their respective senses of isolation and loneliness.” (VC Onstage Review)

Profanity, Poetry, Humor, Hauntings, Wackos, Wine, Birds, Beer, Sweaters, Sweets, and Nosy Old Ladies

Educating Rita

by Willy Russell

directed by Ben Mattox

Feb. 16, 17, 18 & 23, 24, 25

This comedy by British playwright Willy Russell is a witty yet poignant look at a working class woman’s attempts to change her social circumstances through pursuit of an Open University qualification. Frank is a tutor of English in his fifties whose disillusioned outlook on life drives him to drink and bury himself in his books. Enter Rita, a forthright 26 year-old hairdresser who is eager to learn. Their relationship as teacher and student blossoms, ultimately giving Frank a new sense of self and Rita the knowledge she so craves.

Murder at the Howard Johnson’s

by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick

directed by Kayleigh Swatzell

Apr. 19, 20, 21 & 26, 27, 28

Is all fair in love? Even murder? That’s the question posed by this light and funny suspense comedy about a love triangle set in a Howard Johnson’s Motor Inn. Self-absorbed Arlene is married to blundering car salesman Paul, who adores her. Arlene’s lover Mitchell, a dentist who fancies himself an irresistible ladies’ man, joins her to plot the murder of her husband. But wait—a betrayal shifts the alliances and the intended victim. A rambunctious suspense comedy where the target keeps changing and the laughs keep coming!

Become an OxACT Supporter!

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We count on the generosity of our community as we continue to provide a wonderful training ground for actors, directors, and those most valuable behind-the-scene crews. It takes a lot to put on... READ MORE

Thank you for a great season!

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Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, and patrons for helping us present another successful season! Check back in August for the announcement of our 2025-26 season! Which of our amazing productions... READ MORE

Volunteer

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Have you ever wanted to be a part of a community theater? Even if you don’t feel comfortable in front of the stage, there are many aspects of production that you can be... READ MORE

Founding Patrons

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These are the names of the founding patrons of the Oxford Area Community Theater. Without their faith in the future of community theater in our town, we wouldn’t be here. Susan Braunig Bill... READ MORE

History

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The Oxford Area Community Theater (OxACT) is one of the “Enduring Partners” of the Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC), and is responsible for laying the foundations of fundraising and design that established the... READ MORE