The Perry family ? Matthew, John Bennett et al will unite for a benefit production at Ojai’s Theater 150
Make way for a very merry, Perry weekend. Ojai will be oozing with comedic and melodic DNA when select members of the Perry family, including former “Friends” friend Matthew and his singing-acting Ojai Valley Boy dad, John Bennett Perry, present “A Perry Home Companion” at 7 p.m. Saturday at Matilija Junior High School.
The variety show is a benefit for Theater 150, the community outfit that just moved from its tiny building on Highway 150 to bigger digs on Matilija Street and has bills to pay for new necessities, such as seats.
The Perry family tree’s branches are a little tangled, but here’s the rundown of who will be in the show, using John Bennett Perry, pictured, as the trunk. John sang with the Moonshiners and Serendipity Singers in the 1960s, then turned to acting in films and TV, and now sings and jokes around with DeWayne Boccali and Bob Jones as part of country-blues trio the Ojai Valley Boys.
His “Perry Home Companion” companions are his wife, Debbie, a writer and producer, most recently with Theater 150’s “Fractured Fables” family series; son, Matthew (from his first marriage, to Suzanne Perry Morrison); daughter, Maria, a stage actress; and brother, Tony, a jazz singer whose latest album is “Ghost in the Attic,” a compilation of standards and original tunes.
“A Perry Home Companion” is a variety show, so anything goes, but a few parts of the program have been revealed. All the Perrys will participate in a reading of David Babcock’s play “Intelligent Life,” described by The New York Times as a “futuristic fantasy” in which two astronauts land on Arlene, the “planet of missing persons,” inhabited by “those who have, somehow, messed up Amelia Earhart, for example, and she’s bitter.”
Matthew, perhaps best-known for playing Chandler Bing on “Friends,” and Matt Albie on the canceled 2006-07 TV drama “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” is slated to perform a bit about a “bored baseball announcer” that he debuted on the ESPY Awards a few years ago.
Matthew’s Uncle Tony will perform with his trio, which features Jack Joshua on acoustic bass, Jim Monahan on mandolin and guitar, and Steve Temmel on guitar and vocals. Matthew’s half sister Maria will sing with a friend.
“A Perry Home Companion” is a family show, but with a just-under-PG-13 rating: Audience members should be 12 and older to attend. Matilija Junior High is at 703 El Paseo Road. Tickets are $50 for Theater 150 members and $75 for others, including an after-show party; or $50 for the show only. For tickets, call 646-4300.












is there any chance this will end up on here?
I love the way it said “select members of the Perry family”. As if there are some members of the family that aren’t so great
Not sure Aimie because it’s a theatre show
but you never know. I’ll do my best!
Thanks Ina
Well 7pm tonight, hope it goes well!
All who are attending HAVE FUN!
And be sure and let us know how it went (pictures are OK toooo)
Oh I’m so jealous. I think all of you who can be with this play.
i wonder how it went! i hope it was a big success! and i hope to see some pics of Matthew soon!
I’m sure it went well. Must have been nice for Matthew to have his family there supporting him (and each other).
Did anyone ever go this or were there ever any pictures?
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