Theatricum Botanicum Announces Their Summer 2010 Lineup

Theatricum Botanicum artistic director Ellen Geer has announced a delightfully eclectic season of plays, music, poetry and comedy improv for Summer 2010.

Well known for its lovingly executed productions of Shakespeare, modern classics, and world premiere adaptations of classic plays and novels in a spectacular, outdoor setting, Theatricum's Summer 2010 Season will be no exception. Scheduled to run in repertory from June 5 through October 3 are Hamlet, with longtime company members Mike Peebler and Jeff Wiesen alternating in the title role; Theatricum's signature production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, a perennial audience favorite set against an enchanted forest backdrop unrivaled by any other theater (because it's the real thing); a world premiere adaptation of Alexander Dumas' epic, swashbuckling The Three Musketeers; and Terrence NcNally's Tony Award-winning Master Class, starring Geer in the role of opera diva Maria Callas.

"We've chosen four plays that tap into the collective yearning - be it for love, money, power or change - that so many of us are feeling in these uncertain times," says Geer, who was honored this month as Los Angeles County's 'Woman of the Year' in the 3rd District for her work to bring about social and economic change. "These are four timeless stories that will bring us together and drive us forward."

Unlike most theaters in the Los Angeles area that stage continuous runs of a single play, the Theatricum, using a company of actors, performs each play on a rotating basis so that it's possible to see all four plays in a single summer weekend.

In addition to the four plays in the 2010 Summer Repertory Season, Theatricum offers a variety of satellite programming including a Thursday Night Salon Series featuring comedy improv, cabaret and poetry; a Summer Music Series that will include tributes to longtime Theatricum friend Woody Guthrie and Dolly Parton; Family Fundays interactive plays and concerts for kids on Saturday and Sunday mornings; Botanicum Seedlings: A Development Series for Playwrights featuring free readings of new plays on select Sundays; and theme dinners in the idyllic Theatricum gardens, including Greek "Dream Dinners" on Thursday evenings in August and French "Musketeer Meals" on Fridays in September. Audiences are always free to picnic on the lovely grounds before or after a performance.

The beginnings of the Theatricum Botanicum can be traced to the early 1950s when Will Geer, a victim of the McCarthy era Hollywood 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. Friends such as Ford Rainey, John Randolph and Woody Guthrie joined him on the dirt stage for vigorous performances and inspired grassroots activism, while the audiences sat on railroad ties. Today the theater is run by his family. Two outdoor amphitheaters are situated in a natural canyon ravine, where audiences are able to relax and enjoy the wilderness during an afternoon or evening's performance.

The critically acclaimed Theatricum Botanicum is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Margaret Harford Award - the Los Angeles Critics Circle's highest honor - for "sustained excellence."

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura (101) Freeway. The amphitheaters are terraced into the hillside, so audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and bring cushions for bench seating. Picnickers are welcome on the grounds before or after the performances. For tickets, group discounts, and a full schedule of theater, music and family entertainment, call (310) 455-3723 or go to www.theatricum.com.

THE Will Geer THEATRICUM BOTANICUM
2010 SUMMER SCHEDULE

HAMLET by William Shakespeare, directed by Ellen Geer. (June 5 through October 2) Following the death of his father, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns home to find his uncle now occupies the throne and the queen's bed. Spurred by the ghost of his father and surrounded by spies, Hamlet must avenge his father's murder. Theatricum company members Mike Peebler and Jeff Wiesen alternate in the title role.
Saturday, June 5 at 8 pm
Sunday, June 13 at 7:30 pm
*Saturday, June 19 at 8 pm
Saturday, June 26 at 8 pm
Saturday, July 3 at 4 pm
Sunday, July 11 at 3:30 pm
Saturday, July 17 at 8 pm
Saturday, July 24 at 8 pm
Sunday, July 25 at 3:30 pm
Saturday, July 31 at 4 pm
Sunday, August 1 at 3:30 pm
Saturday, August 7 at 8 pm
Sunday, August 8 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 14 at 8 pm
Sunday, August 15 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 21 at 4 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 4 pm
Sunday, September 5 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, September 12 at 3:30 pm
Saturday, September 18 at 4 pm
Sunday, September 19 at 3:30 pm
Saturday, September 25 at 8 pm
Saturday, October 2 at 4 pm
*Prologue (pre-show discussion): Saturday, June 19 at 7 pm (included in ticket price)

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by William Shakespeare, directed by Melora Marshall.(June 6 - 27 and August 5 - September 26) The Botanicum's signature production is back! Romp through the forest with our ardent young lovers, mischievous fairies and a ragtag band of trades people as they encounter a night filled with wonder, magic and romance. Will their hopes and dreams be realized? What adventures await as nature takes its course? There's no more perfect setting than the leafy bower of Theatricum's outdoor stage to experience this delightful tale of misguided mortals and naughty spirits. Greek buffet 'Dream Dinners,' with a costumed cast of fairies in attendance, take place every Thursday in August at 6:30 pm in the theater's adjacent gardens, followed by an 8 pm performance. (separate admission, or combo packages available).
Sundays at 3:30 pm: June 6, 13, 20, 27
*Thursdays at 8 pm: August 5, 12, 19, 26
Monday at 7:30 pm: September 6 (Labor Day)
**Saturday at 4 pm: September 11
Saturday at 8 pm: September 18
Sunday at 7:30 pm: September 26
*Pre-performance Greek buffet 'Dream Dinners' attended by costumed fairies at 6:30 pm on August 5, 12, 19, 26
**Prologue (pre-show discussion): Saturday, September 11 at 3 pm (included in ticket price)

THE THREE MUSKETEERS, based on the novel by Alexander Dumas, adapted and directed by Ellen Geer. (June 12 through October 3) When a young dreamer named d'Artagnan leaves home for Paris to become a member of the famed royal guard, The Musketeers, he encounters a trio of comrades who embody the motto, "All for one and one for all." Dumas' swashbuckling adventure, replete with scenes of political intrigue, scandalous liaisons, murderous espionage and undying love, is set in the 17th century, but its message about upholding one's honor with unwavering devotion to friends and countrymen is never outdated. French buffet 'Musketeer Meals,' with a costumed cast of swashbucklers and saucy chambermaids in attendance, take place every Friday in September at 6:30 pm in the theater's adjacent gardens, followed by an 8 pm performance. (separate admission, or combo packages available).
Saturday, June 12 at 8 pm
Sunday, June 20 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 27 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 4 at 3:30 pm
Saturday, July 10 at 8 pm
*Saturday, July 17 at 4 pm
Sunday, July 18 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 24 at 4 pm
Saturday, July 31 at 8 pm
Sunday, August 8 at 3:30 pm
Sunday, August 15 at 3:30 pm
Friday, August 20 at 8 pm
Sunday, August 22 at 3:30 pm
Friday, August 27 at 8 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 3:30 pm
**Friday, September 3 at 8 pm
Sunday, September 5 at 3:30 pm
**Friday, September 10 at 8 pm
Sunday, September 12 at 7:30 pm
**Friday, September 17 at 8 pm
**Friday, September 24 at 8 pm
Sunday, September 26 at 3:30 pm
Sunday, October 3 at 3:30 pm
*Prologue (pre-show discussion): Saturday, July 17 at 3 pm (included in ticket price)
**Pre-performance French-buffet 'Musketeer Meals' attended by a costumed cast of swashbucklers and saucy chambermaids at 6:30 pm on September 3, 10, 17, 24)

MASTER CLASS by Terrence McNally, directed by Heidi Helen Davis, starring Ellen Geer (July 3 through September 25) At the end of her career, internationally renowned opera diva Maria Callas coaxes, prods and inspires a group of students. As the music of the arias drops her into memory, she relives her bitter childhood in wartime Greece, her career at the great opera houses like La Scala, and her tumultuous and tragic love affair with another giant, Aristotle Onassis.
Saturday, July 3 at 8 pm
Sunday, July 4 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 10 at 4 pm
Sunday, July 11 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 18 at 3:30 pm
Sunday, July 25 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, August 1 at 7:30 pm
Friday, August 6 at 8 pm
Saturday, August 7 at 4 pm
Friday, August 13 at 8 pm
*Saturday, August 14 at 4 pm
Saturday, August 21 at 8 pm
Sunday, August 22 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 8 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 4 at 8 pm
Saturday, September 11 at 8 pm
Sunday, September 19 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 25 at 4 pm
*Prologue (pre-show discussion): Saturday, August 14 at 3 pm (included in ticket price)

THEATRICUM THURSDAYS SALON SERIES featuring comedy improv, cabaret and poetry in the intimate S. Mark Taper Pavilion (go to www.Theatricum.com after May 1 for a detailed schedule):
Thursday, July 8 at 8 pm: comedy improv
Thursday, July 15 at 8 pm: cabaret
Thursday, July 22 at 8 pm: comedy improv
Thursday, July 29 at 8 pm: poetry

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES
Friday, July 9 at 8 pm: TBA (check the website at www.theatricum.com after May 1)
Friday, July 16 at 8 pm:Voices of America in Story and Song- members of the Theatricum Botanicum Repertory Company present selections from Theatricum's "Americana" series, integrating poetry, dialogue, music and songs from various periods during the on-going evolution of our nation.
Friday, July 23 at 8 pm: The Woody Guthrie Show - A tribute to the songwriter, folklorist and labor leader who was also a longtime Theatricum friend. The spirit of Woody Guthrie is brought to life through his own words and music in this annual event performed by members of the Geer family and their friends.
Friday, July 30 at 8 pm: TBA (check the website at www.theatricum.com after May 1)
Saturday, September 4 at 3 pm: Inara George and Friends in A Tribute to Dolly Parton

BOTANICUM SEEDLINGS: A DEVELOPMENT SERIES FOR PLAYWRIGHTS - this series furthers new works and new voices, presenting free readings of new plays:
Sundays, June 6, 13, 20 at 11 am: Spring Playreadings
Saturday and Sunday, November 20 & 21 (time TBA): Fall (short) Playreading Festival

FAMILY FUNDAYS
June 6 through November 1: every Sunday and three Saturdays at 11 am
(exceptions: 2 shows on July 18 at 9:30 & 11:30 am; dark August 1, October 3):
Sunday, June 6- Creative PlayGround presents Ferdinand the Bull
Sunday, June 13 - Creative PlayGround presents Aesop's Fables
Sunday, June 20 - Creative PlayGround presents The Legends of King Arthur
Sunday, June 27 - Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents Egg
Sunday, July 4 - Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents Kiddle Karoo
Sunday, July 11 - Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents Mark Lewis
Saturday, July 17- Creative PlayGround presents The Velveteen Rabbit
Sunday, July 18 - Kids Koncerts presents Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Trio
- a specialbenefit performance for Theatricum YouthPrograms (2 shows: 9:30 & 11:30 am)
Sunday, July 25 - Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents Beethoven's Wig
Sunday, August 1 - No Fundays performance
Sunday, August 8 - Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents Gwendolyn & the Goodtime Gang
Sunday, August 15 - Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents Parachute Express
Sunday, August 22- Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents Rocknoceros
Saturday, August 28 - Creative PlayGround presents Ferdinand the Bull
Sunday, August 29 - Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents David Tobocman,
Sunday, September 5- Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents Peter Himmelman
Sunday, September 12 - Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents The Hollow Trees
Sunday, September 19- Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents Rhythm Child
Sunday, September 26- Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts presents series founder Peter Alsop
Sunday, October 3 - No Fundays performance
Sunday, October 10 - Creative PlayGround presents Three Tales by Hans Christian Andersen
Sunday, October 17 - Creative PlayGround presents The Velveteen Rabbit
Sunday, October 24 - Creative PlayGround presents Aesop's Fables
Saturday, October 30 - Creative PlayGround presents Dia de los Muertos:Cuentos de mi Familia
Sunday, October 31 - Creative PlayGround presents Halloween Stories

The outdoor amphitheaters at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum are terraced into the hillside of the rustic canyon. Audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and bring cushions for bench seating. Picnickers are welcome before or after the performances.

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum works to elevate, educate, and entertain audiences of all ages by presenting thought-provoking classics, socially relevant plays, and education programs in a beautiful, natural outdoor sanctuary for the arts. By passing on a sense of history to young people and adults alike, great works of art inform their present and inspire their future. A true renaissance theatre, they offer (at affordable prices) a diversity of programming from Shakespeare to poetry to folk music to the development of future playwrights - all to help understand the world we live in and to embrace our shared humanity.

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