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Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource
California: Topanga, Theatre for Families at the Theatricum Botanicum. California Family TheatreTheatricum's spectacular and historical Southern California outdoor setting is an affordable summer treat for families on vacation. 

Well known for its lovingly executed productions of Shakespeare, modern classics, and world premiere adaptations of classic plays and novels in a spectacular, outdoor setting, Theatricum's Summer 2011 Season will be no exception. This years season will include such classics as Richard II, The Merry Wives of Windsor, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Tartuffe, and Rose Cottages.

Unlike most theaters in the Los Angeles area that stage continuous runs of a single play, the Theatricum, using a company of actors, performs each play on a rotating basis so that it's possible to see all four plays in a single summer weekend. 

In addition to the four plays in the 2011 Summer Repertory Season, Theatricum offers a variety of satellite programming including a Thursday Night Salon Series featuring comedy improv, cabaret and poetry; a Summer Music Series that will include tributes to longtime Theatricum friend Woody Guthrie and Dolly Parton; Family Fundays interactive plays and concerts for kids on Saturday and Sunday mornings; Botanicum Seedlings: A Development Series for Playwrights featuring free readings of new plays on select Sundays; and theme dinners in the idyllic Theatricum gardens. Audiences are always free to picnic on the lovely grounds before or after a performance.

California Theatre for FamiliesThe beginnings of the Theatricum Botanicum can be traced to the early 1950s when Will Geer, a victim of the McCarthy era Hollywood 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. Friends such as Ford Rainey, John Randolph and Woody Guthrie joined him on the dirt stage for vigorous performances and inspired grassroots activism, while the audiences sat on railroad ties.  Today the theater is run by his family. Two outdoor amphitheaters are situated in a natural canyon ravine, where audiences are able to relax and enjoy the wilderness during an afternoon or evening's performance.

The critically acclaimed Theatricum Botanicum is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Margaret Harford Award - the Los Angeles Critics Circle's highest honor - for "sustained excellence."

Discovery: Theatricum Botanicum hosts Family Fundays, Sunday morning interactive plays and concerts for kids, which are open to adults and children of all ages. Tickets generally run $8 per person, with a $1 discount per ticket for families and groups of 5 or more.

Make it Happen. The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura (101) Freeway. The amphitheaters are terraced into the hillside, so audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and bring cushions for bench seating. Picnickers are welcome on the grounds before or after the performances. For tickets, group discounts, and a full schedule of theater, music and family entertainment, call (310) 455-3723 or go to www.theatricum.com.
 
Information and images provided by Theatricum Botanicum for FTF. Copyright 2011.
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