Calling all young-at-heart: Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum has transformed its uniquely beautiful outdoor amphitheater into the imaginary isle of Neverland for a magical production of Wendy’s Peter Pan. Theatricum artistic director Ellen Geer directs her “retelling” of the 1904 play by J.M. Barrie, with performances running June 22 through October 4.
“This beloved, classic fairytale of a boy who refuses to grow up was written 120 years ago,” notes Geer. “Like Shakespeare, the adventures in Neverland will remain in our vocabulary and hearts forever. May our next generation never lose the innocence of belief in other worlds and other ways.”
All the familiar characters are present, as now grown-up Wendy (Willow Geer) recounts her marvelous childhood adventure to her own children. The tale comes to life on Theatricum’s wooded stage as Wendy recalls how she (Quinnlyn Scheppner as young Wendy) and her brothers (Jaz Bennassar as John, Julius Geer-Polin as Michael) flew off to Neverland with Peter Pan (Gabrielle Beauvais). The performance will feature a wonderful cast including Cole Dechant, Emelie Dechant, Asher Edwards, Logan Filippi, Luther Geer-Polin, Schroeder Shelby-Szyszk, Aster Laine Smith, Georgiana Swanson, Aralyn Clare Wilson, Elliott Grey Wilson, Ianthe Marini, Robyn Cohen, Lynn Robert Berg, Hunter James, Craig “Linc” Lincoln, John Ellsworth Phillips, Kevin Rauch, Adam Roberts, and Sky Wahl.
Wendy’s Peter Pan opens on Saturday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. and continues to run in repertory through October 4. The show will run in rotation every weekend with Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, each of which open earlier in the season. Tickets range from $15 to $48; premium seating is available for $60. Pay What You Will ticket pricing is available for the performance on Friday, July 26, which will also feature a prologue (pre-show discussion) from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. 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 performances.
Upcoming, productions of Tartuffe: Born Again, translated and adapted from Molière by Freyda Thomas, and The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote, a new play by Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle award-winning playwright Bernardo Cubría, will join the repertory season on July 13 and August 24 respectively. Unlike most theaters in the L.A. area that stage continuous runs of a single play, Theatricum will perform all five plays in repertory, making it possible to see them all in a single weekend once they are all up and running. And don’t miss Theatricum’s resident comedy improv troupe Off the Grid performing at the end of each month (June 28, July 25, Aug. 30, Sept. 26). For a complete schedule of performances, visit the website at theatricum.com.
