Jon Bernthal wants to bring Broadway-caliber theater to Ojai: It's 'always been a dream of mine'

Jon Bernthal is in his preferred habitat: on a stage. At Los Angeles’ storied Rogue Machine Theatre, he volleys dialogue with actor Marin Ireland while rehearsing an upcoming performance of the play “Ironbound” as part of his decades-long passion project. Though the actor is due at the L.A. premiere of “The Accountant 2” in a few hours, his excitement for this particular process and the material is palpable. “Theater has always been the closest thing that I’ve ever known to church, to spirituality and to religion,” said Bernthal. “I feel like I have a connection to something so much bigger than myself. This is about [collaborating with] artists who love this and, like me, this thing saved their lives.”

In roughly two weeks, Bernthal will be back in that favored haven, in his adopted hometown. He and his co-artistic directors will launch the Ojai Theatre Festival with their inaugural production, “Ironbound.” Taking place at Ojai’s Chaparral Auditorium over two weekends in May, the project is a labor of love for everyone involved, most of whom are donating their time and talents. Bernthal is not only producing and acting, he’s funding the entire endeavor, a major component...
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