TOPANGA, Calif. — Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum returns to live performance at its unique and stunning outdoor amphitheater in Topanga with a summerepertory season of three plays through Sunday, Nov. 7. Tickets are on sale right now at theatricum.com.
Will Geer and Ellen Geer in a Theatricum production of The Tempest
Best known for presenting lively and engaging renditions of the works of William Shakespeare, Theatricum was founded by actor Will Geer (The Waltons) in 1973 and has remained operated by his family since his death in 1978. Geer’s daughter, actress Ellen Geer, is Theatricum’s artistic director.
This summer gives audiences fresh looks at Julius Caesar and Theatricum’s signature production, A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Director Ellen Geer views Caesar through a different lens, telling the tale from the vantage point of the Soothsayer, while Midsummer will heighten the beauty of the Bard’s language with music and song. The summer season also includes the world premiere of The Last, Best Small Town, a new play by local Latinx playwright John Guerra about the nearby town of Fillmore, the self-proclaimed “Last, Best Small Town in Southern California.” All three productions will play in repertory through Nov. 7.
Julius Caesar
Unlike most theatres in the L.A. area that stage continuous runs of a single play, Theatricum, using a company of actors, will perform each of the plays in repertory. That makes it possible for audiences to see all three plays in a single summer weekend.
Theatricum will also offers artistic and educational satellite programming throughout the summer season, including the company’s annual “Under the Oaks” series of music and
performance in September. The “Under the Oaks” series will include Beau Bridges and his daughter, Emily Bridges, performing a staged reading of their new play, Acting: The First Six Lessons; an evening of Beatles songs performed by the Theatricum players; and more.
A Midsummer’s Night Dream
The beginnings of 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 The Waltons), opened a theatre 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, two outdoor amphitheaters are situated in the natural canyon ravine, where audiences are able to relax and enjoy the wilderness during an afternoon or evening’s performance.
The Last, Best Small Town
Theatricum has received many awards, including the Margaret Harford Award for “sustained excellence” (the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle’s highest honor), while Buzz magazine named it “one of the 50 coolest places in Los Angeles.”
Theatricum Botanicum continues its campaign to “Go Green,” completing the Topanga Creek revitalization project headed by Debbie Sharpton. All nonnative plants have been removed from the grounds with the help of many volunteers, and native plants have been planted. Visitors will be greeted by a mural of a red-tailed hawk and signage that confirms that nature and art live together. Theatricum is also committed to being an active defender of the planet and a warrior against climate change.
Ellen Geer, artistic director of Theatricum Botanicum
Will Geer’s 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. Seating will remain socially distanced and masks required as dictated by L.A. County guidelines on the day of each event. For tickets, subscriptions, group discounts and a full schedule of theater, music and family entertainment, call 310-455-3723 or go to theatricum.com.
Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum
2021 Summer Schedule at-a-glance
MAINSTAGE REPERTORY PERFORMANCES through Nov. 7
• Friday, Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Saturday, Aug. 7 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Sunday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Friday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Saturday, Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Sunday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Friday, Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Saturday, Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Sunday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Saturday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Sunday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Sunday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Saturday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Sunday, Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Sunday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Saturday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Sunday, Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Sunday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Saturday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Sunday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Sunday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Saturday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Sunday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Sunday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Saturday, Oct. 2 at 4 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Sunday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Sunday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Saturday, Oct. 9 at 4 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Sunday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Sunday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Saturday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Sunday, Oct. 17 at 4 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Sunday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Sunday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Sunday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Saturday, Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. – Julius Caesar
• Sunday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m.: The Last, Best Small Town
• Saturday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. – The Last, Best Small Town
• Sunday, Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
