By Virginia Schneider
Photos by Ian Flanders
Topanga, CA (The Hollywood Times) 07/29/23 – Theatricum Botanicum celebrates its 50th anniversary with an endearing production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. There are great plays and then there are great theatrical events and the Botanicum has been the event place to be Summer after Summer with its magical gardens mesmerizing audiences regardless of what’s on stage. A dedicated cast give their all in an energetic and fun reprisal of one of Shakespeare’s most reliable comedies.
Photo by Ian Flanders
The night this reviewer attended, every person I met in line said this was their first time at the theatre. It’s a wonderful delight that in a film industry town this little haven of outdoor theatre still exists to delight new audiences year after year. And the revelers did not disappoint. Every actor danced across the wide hillside stage with the physical agility of a butterfly thanks to direction by Melora Marshall. The lovers were especially vibrant, including a brilliant portrayal of Lysander by Benjamin Church, with Caroline Quigley as Helena, Steven T. Gordon as Demetrius and Ashley Maimes as beleaguered Hermia. Taylor Jackson Ross was particularly powerful and radiant as Titania the Fairy Queen. Christopher Glenn Gilstrap’s Puck was spot on in delightful quirkiness, living up to his ‘puckish’ name. And of course, there are those ‘Rude Mechanicals’ lead by actors Jon Sprik and Emoria Weidner who never fail to keep the audience in stiches.
and The Mechanicals
Photo by Ian Flanders
Photo by Ian Flanders
Without bothersome set pieces (who needs them with such a backdrop) the cast was able to fly across the set and projected well without mics. A downside is the placement of musical interludes where the cast sings instead of saying the words. While this works in certain scenes such as the lulling of Titania to sleep, in the majority of instances it only serves to stop the pace of the comedic scenes and the humor is lost.
The lines themselves become unintelligible along with the meter of the line so the story disappears. While inserting music is a brilliant idea, it does not work in the up tempo of a comedy. However, the actors do a stellar job of their craft.
Don’t miss this magic under the trees.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream performances continue through September 21. Tickets to performances range from $15 to $48. Premium seating is available for $60. Children 4 and under are free.
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, midway between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley. The amphitheater is terraced into the hillside, so audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and bring cushions for bench seating. Patrons are welcome to arrive early to picnic in the gardens before a performance.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call (310) 455-3723 or visit theatricum.com