Botanicum Seedlings Series For Playwrights Hosts Public Readings 6/7, 6/14, 6/21

Through its ongoing development series for playwrights, "Botanicum Seedlings," The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum presents public readings of new works on June 7, 14 and 21. The plays presented are Robin Rice Lichtig's The Power of Birds on June 7, How to Shoot a Bull Moose by Jonathan A. Goldberg on June 14, and Michael David's Awake on June 21. The playreadings take place Sundays at 11 am, and admission is free.

"We're so gratified that over the past seven years our new play program has really taken root. Seedlings has added another layer to our work at Theatricum; it feeds our theater and artists in a new way," says playwright-in-residence Jennie Webb. "And because word has spread about what we're doing here - really focusing on the needs of the writers - we're now being introduced to an exciting range of material and writers from across the country." Webb created and runs Botanicum Seedlings with Seedlings literary manager Julie Retzlaff.

The Botanicum Seedlings spring playreadings open on June 7 with The Power of Birds, by Robin Rice Richtig. Directed by Julie Retzlaff (a writer, director and award-winning filmmaker whose stage credits include work with NY's Ensemble Studio Theatre), The Power of Birds is a uniquely theatrical drama about family and learning to love what sets you free. When a young girl is captivated by her father's flights of fancy, she sets out on a dreamscape journey which complicates her mother's very straightforward path. New York playwright Robin Rice Lichtig's numerous dramatic works have been produced throughout the U.S. and internationally, and widely published. Full lengths including Suki Livingston Opens Like a Parachute, Harmony and Lola and the Planet of Glorious Diversity have been supported by Chicago's Lookingglass and Bailiwick Repertory Theatres; and New Georges, 3Graces, HERE, and Manhattan Theatre Source in NYC. Her HumanS Remain was a winner in the 2007 New Millennium Playwriting Competition.

On June 14 is Jonathan A. Goldberg's How to Shoot a Bull Moose, an off-kilter comedy about an aging Theodore Roosevelt and a young reporter with a grudge... and a gun. Katherine James, artistic director of Free Association Theatre and frequent Seedlings collaborator, directs Alan Blumenfeld as the larger-than-life President with a penchant for big game hunting, and Paul Turbiak as the unlikely adversary who confronts him after he leaves office. Based in New York, Jonathan A. Goldberg's plays have been produced by The New Dixon Place, The Public Theater, New Jersey Repertory, and other venues; The Jew and the Demon won the Rita and Burton Goldberg Award for playwriting. He was a finalist for the Jerome Fellowship at The Playwrights' Center and served as playwright-in-residence for Little Gem Productions. In NYC, he is a frequent contributor to The Playground Reading Series and has had readings with the Woodshed Collective.

The readings conclude on June 21 with Awake by Michael David, directed by Ann-Giselle Spiegler, an award-winning director for theater, film and music video based in Los Angeles. Theatricum regulars Barbara Tarbuck and Karen Reed are featured in this two-person tragic comedy. Set in the small attic bedroom of an old Missouri Ozarks farmhouse, Awake allows us to listen in on a late night conversation between an aging mother and daughter, a confrontation which brings to light much more than either is prepared to face. Michael David is the author of the full-length works One Damn Thing, Degrees, Fontanelle, O Frabjous Day!, Claims, The Ideal Candidate, as well as various short plays and one-acts. Also an actor, designer, and director with extensive L.A. credits, his plays have been produced in San Francisco, San Jose, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Initiated in the fall of 2002, the Botanicum Seedlings series acts as an adjunct to Theatricum Botanicum's Summer Repertory Season, commencing each year before the summer activities are underway, continuing with spring playreadings as the season opens, then culminating after the season winds down with a fall workshop production or playreadings.

The Botanicum Seedlings spring playreadings take place Sundays at 11 am on June 7, 14 and 21. Admission to the playreadings is free and open to the public; donations to support this series will be gratefully accepted. The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, midway between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley. For further information, the public should call (310) 455-3723 or visit www.theatricum.com. The theater is outdoors; in case of inclement weather, please call for alternate performance times.

Sunday, June 7 at 11 am
The Power of Birds
by Robin Rice Lichtig, directed by Julie Retzlaff - A young girl is captivated by her father's flights of fancy in this dreamscape drama about family, navigating new terrain, and learning to love what sets you free.

Sunday, June 14 at 11 am
How to Shoot a Bull Moose
by Jonathan A. Goldberg, directed by Katherine James - Alan Blumenfeld and Paul Turbiak are featured in this off-kilter comedy about a larger-than-life President with a penchant for big game hunting who meets an unlikely adversary after he leaves office.

Sunday, June 21 at 11 am
Awake
by Michael David, directed by Ann-Giselle Spiegler - A late night conversation between an aging mother and daughter brings to light much more than either is prepared to face in this tragic comedy. Featuring Barbara Tarbuck and Karen Reed.

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga, CA 90290
(midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura freeway)

No reservations necessary. Information: (310) 455-3723 or www.theatricum.com

TICKETS:
Free

The theater is outdoors; dress warmly, and, in case of inclement weather, please call for alternate performance times.

 

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