Ojai Playhouse Announces Oscar Weekend Programming

March 10, 2026 - The historic Ojai Playhouse will celebrate Hollywood's biggest weekend with a special three-day Oscar Weekend program, March 13-15. The celebration brings together beloved classics, modern award-season favorites, and cult Hollywood stories, culminating in a free community big-screen viewing of the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday evening.

The Oscar celebration arrives during a milestone year for the Ojai Playhouse, which was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. Originally opened in 1914, the theater is recognized as one of California's earliest single-screen cinemas, with the designation honoring more than a century of film exhibition and cultural life in the Ojai Valley.

This weekend's curated lineup reflects the full spectrum of Oscar lore-from timeless Hollywood musicals and legendary performances to films that explore the chaos and comedy of life in the movie business. Highlights include a rare 35mm presentation of Boogie Nights, a free screening of Singin' in the Rain, and a double feature celebrating cult Hollywood with The Disaster Artist and The Room, with actor Greg Sestero (star of The Room) appearing in person for a special Q&A and meet & greet.

Oscar Sunday concludes with a special community event: a free screening of the Academy Awards broadcast on the Playhouse's big screen, inviting guests to gather together for the glamour, surprises, and excitement of Hollywood's most celebrated night. Doors open at 3:00 PM, with the ceremony beginning at 4:00 PM. Guests are encouraged to dress to impress and enjoy an evening of shared celebration as the awards unfold live on the Playhouse screen. The event will feature cocktails, bubbles, snacks, popcorn, caviar, cake, and more, creating a festive atmosphere worthy of the occasion.

Adding to the celebration, the Playhouse will extend the festivities into Monday with a special Post-Oscars Screening Night spotlighting two of the season's most talked-about contenders. On Monday, March 16, the theater will present free screenings of Sinners at 4:00 PM and One Battle After Another at 6:45 PM, giving audiences the chance to experience two Oscar frontrunners on the big screen the day after Hollywood's biggest night.