Photo Flash: Celebrities Attend Rubicon's American Premiere of THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE

Celebrities dressed in Western attire walked the red carpet last Saturday as Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura presented the American Premiere of the stage play THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE by Jethro Compton. Attendees included musician Jim Messina of Loggins & Messina, Poco and Buffalo Springfield and his beautiful wife Michaela; Golden Globe nominated actor Ted Neeley with his wife Leeyan and daughter Tessa; and Emmy Award-winning actor Joe Spano with his daughters Liana and Meili. Scroll down for photos from the opening night festivities!

They were joined pre-show by the performers in the show: Gregory Harrison, a Broadway and television veteran best known for his recurring role on "Rizzoli & Isles" and in "Trapper John, M.D."; and Jeff Kober, often recognized for his roles as Dodger on "China Beach" and Jacob Hale, Jr. on "Sons of Anarchy." (Harrison and Kober play cowboy Bert Barricune and Liberty Valance in the show.) Other cast members in attendance include New York based actor Jacques Roy (Trinity Rep and Guerrila Shakespeare Project); married couple Sylvie Davidson and Trevor Wheetman of Nashville (who appeared in Rubicon's Lonesome Traveler which transferred to New York for a successful Off-Broadway run and was nominated for Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards); Rubicon company member Joseph Fuqua, a Yale MFA whose credits include Broadway, Off-Broadway, and roles including Henry Higgins and Hamlet at Rubicon; Dorian Logan (roles with The Pasadena Playhouse and Cleveland Playhouse) with his fiancé Lola Johnson; Dillon Francis, whose Rubicon credits include Our Town and Defying Gravity and Dillon G. Artzer, a recent arrival from New York making his Rubicon debut.

Ventura residents and local philanthropists Sandra and Jordan Laby participated in the festivities, receiving a special award prior to the show for their courageous and valiant support of Rubicon. Producing Artistic Director Karyl Lynn Burns announced that the company's next season would be presented in honor of the Laby family and in recognition of their contributions to the company and the community. Burns co-founded Rubicon with Artistic Director Emeritus James O'Neil, who was also on-hand for evening, along with Rubicon Executive Producer Christina Burck with partner and Systems Manager Jessie Vacchiano, Casting Director and Resident Artist Stephanie Coltrin, Outreach Director Brian McDonald, Marketing Manager Michele Hunter, Development ManagerDevin Scott, Finance Director Lois Fischman with husband Roy, Customer Sales and Service Manager Elizabeth Wold, and others.

Rick Marino, morning DJ for KHAY 100.7 FM country radio station was present as official host and interviewed artists and guests on-air during a live pre-show remote, along with Kelly-Marie Jonesfrom Cumulus Radio. Guests enjoyed gourmet beer from Anacapa Brewery and Winchester's Grill and Saloon and hors d'oeuvres from It's in the Sauce while listening to the KHAY broadcast, mingling, and enjoying giveaways of gift certificates from these local vendors and The Wharfwestern wear and feed store.

Other Ventura attendees included the Executive Director of the Downtown Ventura organizationKevin Clerici with his mother and guest Jeanne Olma; Rubicon season supporters Janet and Mark Goldenson; Amber Landis-Stover of Casa Pacifica; Darren and Ashley Borgstedte, owners of The Wharf in Ventura; Diana Smith of California State University Channel Islands with her husbandTimothy; Rubicon's first volunteer auxiliary president Dottie Novatt with guests Jacques and Eliane Ettedgui; and Walter Boysiewick, Manager of Winchester's.

Past President of the Grandes Dames Penny Barnds, Sheryl Jo Bedal and Ken Kagan. Ojai attendees included Rubicon board member and actor George Ball, Diane Duncan, Linda Livingston and Debbie and John Perry. Camarillo was represented by Dr. Jeanne Adams, andDonna Burger of Camarillo with her son Jeff McCloud from Oklahoma City. Fran and Dr. Ed Elsonfrom Somis also participated in the celebration.

Los Angeles County attendees included Bill Burck, former Police Chief of Culver City, and his wifePaula; director Jenny Sullivan from Sherman Oaks, Catherine Forester and Patrice Kilby of Burbank,Adele Slaughter of Studio City, Rubicon sponsor Jody Legendre of Encino, set designer Tom Giamario and his wife Pam and Susan Alvarez from Los Angeles, Lisa Harris from Glendale; costume designer Alex Jaeger from Hollywood, actors Yvans Jourdain, Julie Hunicutt, Zachary Andrews and Jordan Kai Burnett; casting directors Joel Thurm and Amy Lieberman; David Elzerfrom Studio City; and Theresa Benson from Canyon Country.

Following the opening night premiere, attendees were treated to a fabulous post-show party at Watermark on Main hosted by Kathy and Mark Hartley.

Based on the Dorothy M. Johnson short story that also inspired the legendary John Ford film, the plot of THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE follows Ransome Foster, a scholar from the East, who travels West in search of adventure. He is beaten and left for dead on the outskirts of Two Tress by the outlaw Liberty Valance. Foster is rescued by a grizzled cowboy and brought to the town saloon, where he falls in love with the saloon owner Hallie and shares his passion for learning, starting a school. He must decide whether to run, or stand and fight when Liberty comes to town. The show continues Wednesdays through Sundays through March 20. For tickets for the production, or to purchase a subscription series which includes opening night parties, go to www.rubicontheatre.org or call (805) 667-2900.

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