'Macbeth' is Part of Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum Season

William Shakespeare's thrilling supernatural tragedy, MACBETH, joins The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum's 2008 Summer Season on Saturday, June 7.  A grand and gripping tale of political terror, MACBETH runs in repertory with As You Like It (June 1-September 28); A Midsummer Night's Dream (June 7-28 & August 7-September 1); The School for Scandal (June 28-September 27); and Long Day's Journey into Night (July 26-September 27) in the Theatricum's 299-seat outdoor amphitheater that is carved into the Topanga Canyon hillside.

Full of murder, treason, ambition and greed, MACBETHis a brilliant political thriller about the rise and fall of a brave warrior who would be king at any price.  Haunted by prophecies and goaded by his ambitious wife, Macbeth sets in motion an evil and bloody rise to the throne.  The last and darkest of Shakespeare's tragedies, Shakespeare's play is loosely based on the story of Mac Bethad mac Findlaích, who reigned as king of Scotland from 1040-1057 A.D.  It is a chilling tale of greed, corruption and death that follows Macbeth's transformation from a battlefield hero to a bloody tyrant.

"Macbeth transcends what might seem the limits of art," wrote renowned Shakespeare critic Harold Bloom.  "It is a visionary tragedy."

Comments Theatricum artistic director Ellen Geer, who co-directs with last season's "Dracula", Chad Jason Sheppner, "When ambition becomes distorted with the longing for power and obsession collides with greed, the world spirals into one of villainy, destruction and chaos."

On Monday night, June 16 from 7-9 pm, playgoers will have a chance to explore the language and themes of MACBETH more deeply and intimately with Ellen Geer, Chad Jason Sheppner, and members of the cast.  The evening is part of a new event series called Herta's Roundtables; with all proceeds from the separate admission fee going to benefit the Herta Ware Scholarship Fund.

The cast of MACBETH features Theatricum company members Jim LeFave as Macbeth; Melora Marshall and Susan Angelo, alternating in the role of Lady Macbeth; William Dennis Hunt as Duncan; Mike Peebler as Malcolm; Michael McFall as Banquo; Aaron Hendry as Macduff; and Elizabeth Tobias as Lady Macduff.

The beginnings of the Theatricum Botanicum can be traced to the early 1950s when Will Geer, a victim of the McCarthy-era blacklist (before he became known as the beloved Grandpa on TV's The Waltons) opened a theater for blacklisted actors and folk singers on his property in Topanga.  Since 1973, the Theatricum has presented Shakespeare and the classics in repertory in its scenic, outdoor amphitheater in rustic Topanga Canyon.  The Theatricum Botanicum is a recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle's highest honor, the prestigious Margaret Harford Award for "Sustained Excellence in Theater," and Artistic Director Ellen Geer was presented with the LA Weekly Career Achievement Award in 1999.

MACBETHruns in rotating repertory with As You Like It, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The School for Scandal and Long Day's Journey into Night:  Performances of Macbeth take place on Saturdays at 8pm on June 7, 14 & 21; Saturdays at 4 pm on July 5, 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9, 23, 30, & September 20; Sundays at 7:30 pm on June 29 and September 7, 14 & 28; and there is one Friday performance at 8pm on August 15.  Tickets are $20.00 (upper tier) and $28.00 (lower tier); seniors, students, Iraq War Veterans, and members of Equity pay only $15 and $20; children ages 5-12 are $8; children under 5 are free.  Audiences at the Saturday, August 2 performance are invited to participate in a pre-show discussion beginning at 3 pm.  A Herta's Roundtable Discussion for Macbeth takes place on Monday, June 16 from 7-9pm (separate $15.00 admission fee to benefit the Herta Ware Scholarship Fund).  The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, midway between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley.  For tickets and information, call (310) 455-3723 or visit online at www.theatricum.com. 

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