Ellen Geer News

The banal can be a most interesting place if you stop and take a look. Telling tales of the characters who pass through a single room of a typical American chain motel, the Duplass Brothers-produced anthology series ROOM 104 began its 12-episode season FRIDAY, JULY 28 (11:30 p.m.-midnight ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

HBO has renewed the anthology series ROOM 104 for a second season, it was announced today by Amy Gravitt, executive vice president, HBO Programming. From brothers Jay and Mark Duplass, the show tells tales of the characters who pass through a single room of a typical American chain motel, ranging from comedy to drama to horror.

TROUBLE IN MIND, the scathingly funny and thought-provoking backstage drama about interracial politics by pioneering African American playwright Alice Childress, is currently enjoying a brilliant revival at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum in Malibu thanks to director Ellen Geer's vision of the groundbreaking 1955 satire in which an integrated theater company in rehearsal for a “progressive” anti-lynching drama marks the first opportunity for gifted African American actress Willetta Mayer (portrayed by multiple NAACP Award-winner Earnestine Phillips who commands the stage) to play a leading lady on Broadway. This could be her dream come true, but what compromises must she make to succeed?

ANIMAL FARM, Orwell's brilliant political satire about the corrupting influence of power, charts the fall of idealism and the rise of tyranny after the animals of Manor Farm rise up against their oppressive human owner in a struggle for rights, equality, gaining the right to make their own choices on how to live their lives. Onstage, the story is read by two children, the girl (Sierra Rose Friday) and boy (Shane McDermott), keeping the audience informed as to the action taking place or what has gone on off stage leading to that particular scene. It all begins as the animals, led by Snowball, an idealistic pig (Christopher Yarrow), take over the farm from Mr. Jones (Steve Fisher). Their plan goes well at first; all the animals are equal and content. But eventually, several of the other pigs, led by Napoleon (Mark Lewis) and Squealer (Melora Marshall), yield to the lure of power and start to make decisions that serve their own interests best, eventually leading them to proclaim that some animals are more equal than others. The quote, 'absolute power corrupts absolutely,' certainly applies to Orwell's masterful work.

Trouble in Mind, the scathingly funny backstage drama about interracial politics by pioneering African American playwright Alice Childress, will get a revival at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum beginning July 29.

Telling tales of the characters who pass through a single room of a typical American chain motel, the Duplass Brothers-produced anthology series ROOM 104 begins its 12-episode season FRIDAY, JULY 28 (11:30 p.m.-midnight ET/PT), exclusively on HB

'The banal' can be a most interesting place - if you stop and take a look. Telling TALES of the characters who pass through a single room of a typical American chain motel, the Duplass Brothers-produced anthology series ROOM 104 begins its 12-episode season FRIDAY, JULY 28 (11:30 p.m.-midnight ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

HBO has confirmed the debut date of the Duplass Brothers-produced half-hour anthology series ROOM 104, which will begin its 12-episode season FRIDAY, JULY 28 (11:30 p.m.-midnight ET/PT).

The manicured life of a conservative actor-turned-politician and his impeccable wife is upset when relatives arrive at their Palm Springs home for the holidays - including politically liberal daughter Brooke, who's about to publish a tell-all memoir. Mary Jo DuPrey directs Jon Robin Baitz's Other Desert Cities, opening July 8 at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum.

Telling tales of the characters who pass through a single room of a typical American chain motel, the Duplass Brothers-produced anthology series ROOM 104 begins its 12-episode season FRIDAY, JULY 28 (11:30 p.m.-midnight ET/PT), exclusively on HB

Trouble in Mind, the scathingly funny backstage drama about interracial politics by pioneering African American playwright Alice Childress, will get a revival at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum beginning July 29.

'The banal' can be a most interesting place - if you stop and take a look. Telling TALES of the characters who pass through a single room of a typical American chain motel, the Duplass Brothers-produced anthology series ROOM 104 begins its 12-episode season FRIDAY, JULY 28 (11:30 p.m.-midnight ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

The manicured life of a conservative actor-turned-politician and his impeccable wife is upset when relatives arrive at their Palm Springs home for the holidays - including politically liberal daughter Brooke, who's about to publish a tell-all memoir. Mary Jo DuPrey directs Jon Robin Baitz's Other Desert Cities, opening July 8 at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum.

HBO has shared a first look at the new series ROOM 104. Set in a single room of an average American motel, each episode offers a window into the lives of characters with a vast array of quirks.

William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice opens the summer season at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum on June 3.

How do lies become truths? An acclaimed stage adaptation of Animal Farm, the classic novel by George Orwell, opens at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum on June 17, part of the company's "Rising Up" Summer 2017 Repertory Season.

HBO has confirmed the debut date of the Duplass Brothers-produced half-hour anthology series ROOM 104, which will begin its 12-episode season FRIDAY, JULY 28 (11:30 p.m.-midnight ET/PT).

William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice opens the summer season at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum on June 3.

???????Elephant Theatre Company Artistic Director David Fofi directs James McClure's American classic bender Lone Star starring Christopher Jordan, Christopher Parker and Brian Foyster

Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum rises up and speaks out with a summer line-up of socially conscious classic and contemporary plays, music and performance. The 2017 summer season at the company's unique outdoor setting in Topanga will offer five mainstage productions in rotating repertory as well as a host of satellite events, June through October.