YWD Blog

Ojai Couple Donate Wedding for the Love of Theater

In these stressful economic times, many couples are modifying their wedding plans to save money. But Deb Norton and Chris Nottoli of Ojai, California are modifying their wedding plans to save a theater - Theater 150 - for which they are Co-Artistic Directors.  In fact, the two are so devoted to their non-profit theater - and worried for its survival- that they are offering up their wedding as a fund-raiser. “We’d already written the wedding to be a theater piece so making Theater 150 a part of it seems like a natural thing to do,” said Norton. It will be held in Ojai’s World-Famous Libby Bowl on May 15th and the whole community, family, friends, theater lovers and lovers in general are invited to attend.

“We’ve been engaged for three and a half of our seven years together, but keeping the theater open and moving forward has meant watching three wedding dates pass us by. When theater is your vocation, you expect to sacrifice a certain amount of personal life, but this is getting ridiculous,” said Norton, “So, we decided, if we aren’t getting married because of the theater, let’s get married for the theater.”

The wedding ceremony will be part of a musical comedy that Norton, an accomplished playwright, is currently penning. It will include song, dance, guest stars and wild moments of audience participation and will ultimately result in the couple’s vows. 

In lieu of gifts, the couple is asking everyone to make a donation to the theater.  “We already have everything younger couples would need to start a life together,” said Nottoli. Fifty dollars will get you into the event but there will also be fun “sponsorship” opportunities. “Think NASCAR,” said Nottoli. “If all goes well, I’ll be covered from head to toe in sponsorship logos.”  Certain levels of giving will get your name on the napkins, a wedding cake, the bride’s wedding train or even her garter.  Anything goes. To keep expenses down, the theater is seeking donations for the food, alcohol, flowers and decorations.  “Theater 150 is the reason we met and fell in love,” gushed Norton.  “We’re both so committed to the theater and to Ojai that it just makes sense to put it all together in one big, sincere, ridiculous celebration of love and commitment.”

For tickets and full information visit www.theater150.org or call (805) 646-4300.

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