'The School for Scandal' Begins 6/28 at Will Geer Theatre

If you love to dish and gossip, don't miss the malicious and delicious THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL  running June 28 through September 27 at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, a beautiful outdoor amphitheater carved into the Topanga Canyon hillside.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan's sparkling comedy of manners may have been written in the 18th Century, but its comic look at human frailty and hypocrisy is as scathing and hilarious today as it was back then.  Brimming with witty dialogue, mistaken identities, supposed infidelity, eavesdropping and scandal, both real and invented, The School for Scandal is a madcap and delightfully catty romp.  Widely regarded as one of the finest comedies in the English language, its wit, humor and social commentary still touch a nerve nearly 330 years after its premiere at London's Drury Lane Theater in the spring of 1777.

"Some things never change," notes director Ellen Geer.  "Sheridan nailed our unerring ability to tear others down in order to build ourselves up."

Centuries before Jerry Springer, Ricki Lake and the National Enquirer appeared on the scene, Sheridan gave us such gossip-mongers as Lady Sneerwell, Widow Snake, Lady Candour and Benjamin Backbite in a comic story filled with complications, ironies, surprises and schemes that go horribly wrong - a prototype of situation comedy that reveals many of the same guilty pleasures and petty obsessions we know today.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan was manager of the Drury Lane Theatre where he had a great influence on the theater of his time.  The School for Scandal is studied around the world in high schools and theater schools, making him one of the most well-known traditionalist playwrights, second only to Shakespeare.  He later became a distinguished parliamentary orator.  The School for Scandal was a favorite play of General George Washington, who was an inveterate theatergoer.

The cast of The School for Scandal includes Theatricum company members Willow Geer as Lady Teazle; Franc Ross as Sir Peter Teazle; Susan Angelo as Lady Sneerwell; Melora Marshall as Widow Snake; Katherine Griffith as Lady Candour; Tim Halligan as Sir Oliver Surface; Mark Lewis as Joseph Surface; and Jeff Wiesen as Charles Surface.

On Monday night, July 7 from 7-9 pm, playgoers will have a chance to explore the language and themes of The School for Scandal more deeply and intimately with Ellen Geer and members of the cast.  The evening is part of a new event series called Herta's Roundtables; with all proceeds from the separate admission fee going to benefit the Herta Ware Scholarship Fund.

The beginnings of the Theatricum Botanicum can be traced to the early 1950s when Will Geer, a victim of the McCarthy-era blacklist (before he became known as the beloved Grandpa on TV's "The Waltons") opened a theater for blacklisted actors and folk singers on his property in Topanga.  Since 1973, the Theatricum has presented Shakespeare and the classics in repertory in its scenic, outdoor amphitheater in rustic Topanga Canyon.  The Theatricum Botanicum is a recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle's highest honor, the prestigious Margaret Harford Award for "Sustained Excellence in Theater," and Artistic Director Ellen Geer was presented with the LA Weekly Career Achievement Award in 1999.

Performances of The School for Scandal take place on Fridays at 8 pm on August 8 & 22; Saturdays at 4 pm on August 16, September 6, 13 & 27; Saturdays at 8 pm on June 28 (Opening Night), July 5, 12 & 19; and Sundays at 7:30 pm on July 27, August 3, 17, 31, & September 21.  Tickets are $20.00 (upper tier) and $28.00 (lower tier); seniors, students, Iraq war veterans and members of Equity pay only $15 and $20; children ages 5-12 are $8; children under 5 are free.  Audiences at the Friday, August 22 performance are invited to participate in a pre-show discussion beginning at 7 pm.  A Herta's Roundtable Discussion takes place on Monday, July 7 from 7-9pm (separate $15.00 admission fee to benefit the Herta Ware Scholarship Fund).  The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, midway between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley.  For tickets and information, call (310) 455-3723 or visit online at www.theatricum.com.

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