Mischief, madness and romance are in the air this summer when Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum presents Shakespeare’s rollicking comedy in its magical, outdoor Topanga amphitheater. Shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria, and fearing that her brother Sebastian has drowned, Viola must disguise herself as a man. She falls in love with the neighboring Duke Orsino — who loves the Lady Olivia — who loves the disguised Viola. But false appearances are the norm on this Island of Misrule, where the fool is king, the court jester is a philosopher, and hijinks among the servants are wickedly delicious.
Original music by composer Marshall McDaniel lends the familiar words and songs a refreshing new sound, lifting Shakespeare’s elevated language to even greater heights.
Twelfth Night continues through Sept. 28. Tickets range from 10 – $42; children 4 and under are free. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, midway between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley. For a complete schedule of performances and to purchase tickets, call 310-455-3723 or visit www.theatricum.com. Visit Theatricum on facebook: www.facebook.com/theatricum. Follow us on twitter: @theatricum and instagram: @theatricum_botanicum.
Director Ellen Geer’s cast being a talented mix of youth and age, all with energy to spare, substitutes here and there for the frequent absence of detail in these rustic productions—fitting right in with the untamed environment.
Staged outdoors in the magnificent woods deep in rustic Topanga Canyon, Review: Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT Offers Songs of Love and Laughter in the Beautiful Woods at Theatricum Botanicumit is easy to sit back and imagine yourself shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria with Viola (Willow Geer, her impish energy a joy to behold), a stranger in a strange land who must learn to fend for herself. You could not ask for a more ideal cast of characters to bring The Bard's non-stop, high energy hijinks to life.
In their wooded glen, Theatricum’s Twelfth Night unfolds as Count Orsino’s court has been transposed to the world of Gilbert and Sullivan, and the ship-wrecked twin, Viola (Willow Geer), has transformed into a boy in order to make his/her/their way in the early nineteenth century. Her brother Sebastian, (Cavin Mohrhardt) meanwhile, has washed ashore with a ship-mate, Antonio (Sean McConaghy) and two wend their way back to civilization as well. Shakespeare’s clever device pits their journey against Viola’s adventures to create the time frame for the play. Director Ellen Geer shows theatrical flair when portraying the officious Malvolio as a woman. There is much to savor in this Twelfth Night. It might be fun to see Independent Shakespeare-in-the-Park’s production as well to enjoy two variants on the theme of misplaced siblings and misguided loves.
Although it is not a cure for the dire times we live in, this exceedingly good-natured comedy will help you get through these dark days. I had a ball, as did the nearly sold out audience. This play is rated “S”, because a SPLENDID time is guaranteed to all. I’d like to see it another twelve times!
William Shakespeare’s star-crossed twins, mismatched lovers, and zany fools are as star-crossed, mismatched, and zany as ever this summer at Theatricum Botanicum, but this time round they burst into song in Ellen Geer’s enchanting Twelfth Night under Topanga skies.
You feel like you're living in the 1600's watching your neighbors conspire. It's much easier to understand Olde English with the amazing acting and directing that's commonplace here, especially with Twelfth Night. The talented cast and the always amazing direction of Ellen Geer, make this a must-see summer theatre experience for the whole family!
As always, the Theatricum Botanicum acting troupe offers the Bard unvarnished tribute as only this dedicated group can. Comic confusion is interspersed with some darker elements – but the audience can be assured of a happy ending. The production team does a highly competent job of conveying all the action on the side of a mountain. All in all, Shakespeare himself would likely be very pleased with the current Theatricum Botanicum production of TWELFTH NIGHT.
It is a lovely setting for William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which opens here on Olivia and her party entering from far off in the woods, singing rather beautifully. If music be the food of love, this production’s plate is overflowing with more than the original text prescribed. When Viola speaks about losing her brother when she follows Orsino’s orders and goes to Olivia the first time to woo her for him, she sings, and she is not alone. Characters often break out into song set to a recorded track, making this feel like a musical where men and women are so moved by events they have no choice but to sing. This can result in complex harmonies from the main cast plus ensemble that totals twenty actors [perhaps twenty-two, if the men who alternate the role of Curio and Valentine take on ensemble roles otherwise]. It’s impressive to see, and hear...
All said one couldn’t spend a finer two hours and change watching theatre outdoors anywhere else. Bring a picnic basket and maybe a bottle of wine and carve out some time to enjoy the environment before you see the play and it will make your summer evening out at the theatre complete.
There is something wonderful about Twelfth Night, something inherently enjoyable about this play. There is a light, breezy quality to it, and no matter what troubles occur, we are never really worried about the fate of any character, not even Antonio when he is captured. And seeing a daytime performance of this play at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum in particular is a treat, for it is an outdoor venue in a beautiful natural setting, where actors make occasional entrances from the surrounding woods. There is also a musical quality to the play, even outside its several songs, and it is this element that the current production of Twelfth Night stresses, with characters singing many of the lines.
What could ever be a more delightful way to open the Theatricum Botanicum’s summer repertory season than with an outstanding production of the Christmas-time revel, Twelfth Night, or What You Will, by William Shakespeare.
Every time I visit the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, I feel as if I am on vacation. Set among ancient oak trees in the bucolic Topanga Canyon, this is by far the most picturesque outdoor amphitheater in Southern California.
Recently I saw on the main stage the romantic comedy Twelfth Night. Set on the magical Isle of Ilyria, Director Ellen Geer adds her own personal spin and flair to this beloved Shakespeare comedy. Together with the help from composer Marshall McDaniel, they orchestrate and arrange Shakespeare’s words written in 1601, into lyrics elevating the language to a greater understanding for the audience.
The excellent direction of Ellen Geer gives the cast the liberty to play with fearless, unleashed heart and vigor...
I love this show. I love its committed, enthusiastic energy. I laughed and laughed up to very end and even found room in my heart for Malvolio. And the outdoor setting in the crisp, evening air brought an emotional response that summoned up the memory of my Ashland days.
Music has a way to make great things even better, and in this case, also hilarious. This production makes the audience giggle throughout, and as the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun!
Director Ellen Geer’s cast being a talented mix of youth and age, all with energy to spare, substitutes here and there for the frequent absence of detail in these rustic productions—fitting right in with the untamed environment.
Staged outdoors in the magnificent woods deep in rustic Topanga Canyon, Review: Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT Offers Songs of Love and Laughter in the Beautiful Woods at Theatricum Botanicumit is easy to sit back and imagine yourself shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria with Viola (Willow Geer, her impish energy a joy to behold), a stranger in a strange land who must learn to fend for herself. You could not ask for a more ideal cast of characters to bring The Bard's non-stop, high energy hijinks to life.
In their wooded glen, Theatricum’s Twelfth Night unfolds as Count Orsino’s court has been transposed to the world of Gilbert and Sullivan, and the ship-wrecked twin, Viola (Willow Geer), has transformed into a boy in order to make his/her/their way in the early nineteenth century. Her brother Sebastian, (Cavin Mohrhardt) meanwhile, has washed ashore with a ship-mate, Antonio (Sean McConaghy) and two wend their way back to civilization as well. Shakespeare’s clever device pits their journey against Viola’s adventures to create the time frame for the play. Director Ellen Geer shows theatrical flair when portraying the officious Malvolio as a woman. There is much to savor in this Twelfth Night. It might be fun to see Independent Shakespeare-in-the-Park’s production as well to enjoy two variants on the theme of misplaced siblings and misguided loves.
Although it is not a cure for the dire times we live in, this exceedingly good-natured comedy will help you get through these dark days. I had a ball, as did the nearly sold out audience. This play is rated “S”, because a SPLENDID time is guaranteed to all. I’d like to see it another twelve times!
William Shakespeare’s star-crossed twins, mismatched lovers, and zany fools are as star-crossed, mismatched, and zany as ever this summer at Theatricum Botanicum, but this time round they burst into song in Ellen Geer’s enchanting Twelfth Night under Topanga skies.
You feel like you're living in the 1600's watching your neighbors conspire. It's much easier to understand Olde English with the amazing acting and directing that's commonplace here, especially with Twelfth Night. The talented cast and the always amazing direction of Ellen Geer, make this a must-see summer theatre experience for the whole family!
As always, the Theatricum Botanicum acting troupe offers the Bard unvarnished tribute as only this dedicated group can. Comic confusion is interspersed with some darker elements – but the audience can be assured of a happy ending. The production team does a highly competent job of conveying all the action on the side of a mountain. All in all, Shakespeare himself would likely be very pleased with the current Theatricum Botanicum production of TWELFTH NIGHT.
It is a lovely setting for William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which opens here on Olivia and her party entering from far off in the woods, singing rather beautifully. If music be the food of love, this production’s plate is overflowing with more than the original text prescribed. When Viola speaks about losing her brother when she follows Orsino’s orders and goes to Olivia the first time to woo her for him, she sings, and she is not alone. Characters often break out into song set to a recorded track, making this feel like a musical where men and women are so moved by events they have no choice but to sing. This can result in complex harmonies from the main cast plus ensemble that totals twenty actors [perhaps twenty-two, if the men who alternate the role of Curio and Valentine take on ensemble roles otherwise]. It’s impressive to see, and hear...
All said one couldn’t spend a finer two hours and change watching theatre outdoors anywhere else. Bring a picnic basket and maybe a bottle of wine and carve out some time to enjoy the environment before you see the play and it will make your summer evening out at the theatre complete.
There is something wonderful about Twelfth Night, something inherently enjoyable about this play. There is a light, breezy quality to it, and no matter what troubles occur, we are never really worried about the fate of any character, not even Antonio when he is captured. And seeing a daytime performance of this play at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum in particular is a treat, for it is an outdoor venue in a beautiful natural setting, where actors make occasional entrances from the surrounding woods. There is also a musical quality to the play, even outside its several songs, and it is this element that the current production of Twelfth Night stresses, with characters singing many of the lines.
What could ever be a more delightful way to open the Theatricum Botanicum’s summer repertory season than with an outstanding production of the Christmas-time revel, Twelfth Night, or What You Will, by William Shakespeare.
Every time I visit the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, I feel as if I am on vacation. Set among ancient oak trees in the bucolic Topanga Canyon, this is by far the most picturesque outdoor amphitheater in Southern California.
Recently I saw on the main stage the romantic comedy Twelfth Night. Set on the magical Isle of Ilyria, Director Ellen Geer adds her own personal spin and flair to this beloved Shakespeare comedy. Together with the help from composer Marshall McDaniel, they orchestrate and arrange Shakespeare’s words written in 1601, into lyrics elevating the language to a greater understanding for the audience.
The excellent direction of Ellen Geer gives the cast the liberty to play with fearless, unleashed heart and vigor...
I love this show. I love its committed, enthusiastic energy. I laughed and laughed up to very end and even found room in my heart for Malvolio. And the outdoor setting in the crisp, evening air brought an emotional response that summoned up the memory of my Ashland days.
Music has a way to make great things even better, and in this case, also hilarious. This production makes the audience giggle throughout, and as the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun!
