Clayton Cook News

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.

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.

How should a nation choose its leaders? What happens when a government insulates itself from the citizens it once served? These are some of the questions Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum explores with its staging of Shakespeare's earliest tragedy, a sensational and brutally shocking revenge drama. Ellen Geer directs Titus Andronicus, opening July 30 on Theatricum's outdoor stage in Topanga.

Not even a wall can keep these lovers apart. This particular wall happens to be in modern-day East Jerusalem and as Theatricum Botanicum's production of ROMEO AND JULIET commences, chaos ignites at a checkpoint that divides Israel and Palestine. It is a city that has seen struggle for thousands of years and for one Muslim boy named Romeo and one Jewish girl named Juliet, not even their innocence can change the course of this story.

Director Ellen Geer re-sets William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in East Jerusalem, kicking off the 2016 summer repertory season at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum's outdoor amphitheater on June 11.

Director Ellen Geer re-sets William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in East Jerusalem, kicking off the 2016 summer repertory season at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum's outdoor amphitheater on June 4.

A young druid wizard destined for greatness comes of age during Britain's bloodiest age. Written and directed by Ellen Geer and featuring an original electronic score byMarshall McDaniel and Kellen McDaniel, the world premiere of Merlin: The Untold Adventures opens tonight, July 20 at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga.

A young druid wizard destined for greatness comes of age during Britain's bloodiest age. Written and directed by Ellen Geer and featuring an original electronic score byMarshall McDaniel and Kellen McDaniel, the world premiere of Merlin: The Untold Adventures opens on July 20 at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga.