Play strikes an eerie modern day chord
Patti PietschmannOpening June 16-The Crucible — Arthur Miller’s classic parable of mass hysteria that draws a chilling parallel between the Salem witch hunts of 1692 and McCarthyism, which gripped America in the 1950s, remains eerily timely in today’s climate of fake news. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, its own history firmly rooted in the McCarthy-era Hollywood blacklist — when actor Will Geer and his wife, Herta Ware, created the theater as a haven for blacklisted actors — opens a new production of Miller’s modern classic directed by Will’s daughter, Ellen Geer, and featuring family members Thad Geer, Willow Geer and Melora Marshall in the cast.
• Directed by Ellen Geer, starring Kate Adams, Gabbi Beauvais, Maya Brattkus, Thad Geer, Willow Geer, Cindy Guastaferro, Tim Halligan, Christopher W. Jones, Bethany Koulias, Mark Lewis, Melora Marshall, Franc Ross, Jacquelin Schofield, David Stifel, Frank Weidner, Laura Zenoni
• Also with Jessamyn Arnstein, Tavis L. Baker, Elizabeth George, Ethan Haslam, Holly Hawk, Caitlin Kilgore, Gabriel Anthony Palma, Brandi Lynn Reinhard, Lawrence Sonderling
• Directed by Ellen Geer, starring Kate Adams, Gabbi Beauvais, Maya Brattkus, Thad Geer, Willow Geer, Cindy Guastaferro, Tim Halligan, Christopher W. Jones, Bethany Koulias, Mark Lewis, Melora Marshall, Franc Ross, Jacquelin Schofield, David Stifel, Frank Weidner, Laura Zenoni
• Also with Jessamyn Arnstein, Tavis L. Baker, Elizabeth George, Ethan Haslam, Holly Hawk, Caitlin Kilgore, Gabriel Anthony Palma, Brandi Lynn Reinhard, Lawrence Sonderling
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Performances: June 16–Sept. 30:
• Saturday, June 16 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, June 23 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, June 30 at 4 p.m.
• Sunday, July 8 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, July 22 at 8 p.m.
• Friday, July 27 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 5 at 4 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 12 at 8 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 19 at 4 p.m.*
• Saturday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m.
*Prologue (pre-show discussion):Sunday, Aug. 19 from 3 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (included in ticket price)
Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd..
Topanga (midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura Freeway)
Ticket information: (310) 455-3723 or www.theatricum.com
• Saturday, June 23 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, June 30 at 4 p.m.
• Sunday, July 8 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, July 22 at 8 p.m.
• Friday, July 27 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 5 at 4 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 12 at 8 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 19 at 4 p.m.*
• Saturday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m.
*Prologue (pre-show discussion):Sunday, Aug. 19 from 3 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (included in ticket price)
Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd..
Topanga (midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura Freeway)
Ticket information: (310) 455-3723 or www.theatricum.com
:
• Adults: $38.50 (lower tier); $25 (upper tier)
• Seniors (65+), Students, Military Veterans, Teachers, AEA Members: $25/$15
• Children (5-15): $10
• Children 4 and under: Free
• Adults: $38.50 (lower tier); $25 (upper tier)
• Seniors (65+), Students, Military Veterans, Teachers, AEA Members: $25/$15
• Children (5-15): $10
• Children 4 and under: Free
This enchanting, outdoor venue sits terraced into the hillside of the rustic Topanga Canyon. Do dress casually (warmly for evenings) and bring cushions for bench seating. Make it more fun by going early with a picnic.:
• Visit on facebook: www.facebook.com/theatricum' follow on twitter: @theatricum and instagram: @theatricum_botanicum
