Earlier today, I wrote of a theatre piece that focused on a woman with a behavior problem: she was bipolar, and couldn’t let go of her grief. But women with problems have been the focus of theatre for ages. This afternoon I saw a much older theatre piece about another problematic women: “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare. As is common with Shakespeare pieces during the summer, it was at an outdoor venue: Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanticum in Topanga Canyon. CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE!

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum celebrated their 40 anniversary of music, poetry and performance, opening their Summer Season with a tantalizing performance of the The Taming of the Shrew, June 1st, 2013 in the magnificent outdoor amphitheatre terraced into the hillside of the rustic Topanga canyon.

Directed by Ellen Geer this is one of two signature productions, the other being Midsummer Night’s Dream, co-directed by Melora Marshall andWillow Gear that will open this weekend and will continue in repertory throughout the summer until Aug.1

Shakespeare’s “Shrew” story is a wonderful rowdy comedy based on familiar and popular tales and folklore written approximately 1573.

The script is one of his sharpest and funniest. The tale a simple one:
Katharine Minola “The Shrew” is one of two daughters of Baptista Minola, a rich Paduan gentleman. Baptista, Franc Ross, concerned for the future and well being of his brash and intolerable Katharine, Willow Geer, wants to marry her off and will not allow his other daughter Bianca,Christine Breihan, who’s known for her beauty and kindness to marry until Katherine is off his hands. read more…

Women with problems have been the focus of theatre for ages. “The Taming of the Shrew” As is common with Shakespeare pieces during the summer, it was at an outdoor venue: Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon. First, a word about the venue. My wife had been to Botanicum back in the 1970s, shortly after it was founded by Will Geer and his wife, during the days he was on The Waltons. Botanicum is in a wooded canyon; the theatres are in little amphitheatres with outdoor stages and bench seating. Actors are anywhere and everywhere — this is very much outdoor theatre of the 1970s, not the enclosed structures of today or the little black boxes. In many ways, this is theatre as it was meant to be: actors honing their craft, using their skill and not technology to tell a story. Batanicum is also very much a repertory company: the cast of actors are doing multiple plays concurrently over the summer —Shrew is just one of them. They are also doing Midsummers Night Dream,The Royal Family, Merlin, and Tone Clusters. It is a joy to watch, and we’ll likely be back for future productions. read more…

This summer, Theatricum Botanicum examines the inequity of a rigid moralistic government and the effect upon its citizens in Shakespeare’s MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Director Ellen Geer maximizes the impact of the play’s themes by moving the time period to the pressure cooker era of the late 1960s, a perfect choice for the Toganga Canyon venue which already feels like you’ve taken a trip back in time the minute you walk in. With its weathered wooden stage built into the hills of Topanga Canyon, it’s easy to picture a be-in, lovefest, or peace march taking place even today. read more…

In the middle of the winding hills that is Topanga Canyon, lies a hidden jewel that brings theatre back to its natural outdoor setting and intertwines the elements with man made sets. The Will Geer Theatre is an outdoor amphitheatre that houses Theatricum Botanicum, who performs older works, often with a twist. Having just discovered this troop, presiding in this heavenly location, I am extremely excited to be able to dive deeper into their works. Their first production of the summer season William Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” opened last night, Saturday June 2nd and will run through September. However, there are four other shows, running simultaneously that you can see there this summer, so there are many reasons to go back numerous times. CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE!

CULTURE MONSTER
Margaret Gray

It’s hard to imagine a more perfect set for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” than the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. You don’t have to suspend even an iota of disbelief to see the rustic stage, nestled in a woodsy hollow in Topanga, as the enchanted forest where Athenians and fairies get all mixed up one night. The actors make their entrances along winding paths and down staircases as nimbly as mountain goats. This “Midsummer,” directed by Melora Marshall, who also plays Titania, is the company’s bread and butter, served almost every season.

The current cast has its strengths and weaknesses. For a successful “Midsummer,” as somebody once pithily told me, “You need a good Puck and a good Bottom.” Thad Geer gives this show a solid Bottom. Yes, the character is a conceited blowhard, but Geer’s energy and charisma make it clear why the other tradesmen look up to him. Samara Frame’s Puck has a fixed grin and exaggeratedly elfin movements that grow tiresome. The best moment is the “rude mechanicals’” hilariously incompetent production of “Pyramus and Thisbe,” mocked by the watching aristocrats. This brilliant and poignant scene sums up the entire theatrical enterprise: No play can compete with reality, but there is magic in even the clunkiest effort. read more…