Photo Flash: A Midsummer Night's Dream At Theatricum 7/4-9/7

In a place of enchantment inhabited by lovers both fairy and human, three worlds collide: the unrequited loves of Demetrius, Lysander, Hermia and Helena; a rehearsal of the Pyramus and Thisby legend by a group of Rustics; and the domestic troubles in the land of the fairies. Shakespeare's powerful language evokes a brilliant world of wonder, magic and romance, where confusions are resolved and all is reconciled through midsummer night revelries and faith in the power of nature.

Also back this season are Theatricum's "A Midsummer Night's Feast" dinners every Thursday in August. The Greek-themed buffet meal, with a costumed cast of fairies in attendance, begins at 6:30 pm in the theater's adjacent gardens, followed by an 8 pm performance (separate admission, or combo packages available).

In addition to A Midsummer Night's Dream, Theatricum's 2009 Summer Repertory Season includes Shakespeare's exuberant romance Cymbeline ("Critic's Choice" - Los Angeles Times, "GO" - LA Weekly) and his gripping political thriller, Julius Caesar - both currently running and continuing through the end of September; a freely adapted update of The Cherry Orchard that resets Anton Chekhov's poignant comedy in Virginia just after the Civil Rights movement (opening June 27); and Moliere's serio-comic tale about a man whose love for his money is greater than his love for his children, The Miser (opening July 25).

Unlike most theaters in the Los Angeles area that stage continuous runs of a single play, the Theatricum performs the five plays on a rotating basis. In August, when all five plays are up and running, it will be possible to see a performance of each in a single weekend.

A Midsummer Night's Dream runs on Saturdays at 4 pm on July 4, 11, 18; Thursdays at 8 pm on August 6, 13, 20, 27; and on Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) at 6:30 pm. Audiences at the Saturday, July 18 performance are invited to participate in a pre-show discussion beginning at 3 pm.

Tickets are $30.00 (lower tier) and $20.00 (upper tier); seniors, students, Iraq war veterans, and members of Equity pay only $20 and $15; children ages 5-12 are $10; children under 5 are free. Thursday night "Midsummer Night's Feast" Greek-themed buffet dinners on August 6, 13, 20 and 27 are $42 for adults; $32 for teens 13-18; and $17 for children 12 and under, and include a ticket to the performance (advance reservations required).

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.

Photo credit Ian Flanders