What seemed to be a typical story turned out to be an originally crafted piece.
![]() |
Katia Gomez and Kelvin Morales. Photo by Ian Flanders |
Then theres the venue, oh that beautiful outdoor space. Theatricum Botanicum is this outdoor theatre located in Topanga Canyon. You go up, up, up, and it is there amongst nothing else. There is a little coffee shop with snacks, and you can bring your picnic and enjoy there with friends and family before the performance on the outside tables.
![]() |
Theatricum Botanicum Box Office and Picnickers. Photo by Melissa Curtiin |
Will Geer’s Theatricum
Botanicum acknowledges that
we gather on the ancestral lands, past and present, of the
Chumash [CHOO-mash], the Fernandeño Tataviam
[fer-nan-DAY-nyo ta-ta-VEE-am], and Gabrielino
Tongva [TONE-gva] (also called the Kizh [keech] Nation,
kizh being the word for home in the Gabrielino/Tongva
language). We honor with gratitude the land itself and the
people who have stewarded it throughout the generations.
For those of us who are not Indigenous to this land, we
must acknowledge the lasting impact of the California
genocide on its native peoples. This calls us to commit to
continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land
we are honored to inhabit as well.
![]() |
Christopher Wallinger and Christine Breihan. Photo by Ian Flanders. |
![]() |
Katia Gomez and Richard Azurdia. Photo by Ian Flanders |
Throughout the piece, pleasantly narrated by the “Playwright” Leandro Cano, you can see the Director Ellen Geer's hand as well as the playwright's notes. Kelvin Morales and Jordan Tyler Kessler's deliveries go from cute, to strong, to movingly powerful. Morales reminds me of a younger Bruno Mars.
![]() |
Leandro Cano and Jordan Tyler Kessler. Photo by Ian Flanders |
The Last Best Town is a great story that will leave you thinking. It is a must for this season of going back to the thatre and just an earthing experience to enjoy out in that venue. The creative team includes lighting designer Zach Moore; sound designer Grant Escandón; costume designer Beth Eslick; and prop master Emily Hucal. Kim Cameron is the production stage manager.
Running in repertory every weekend with Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Last, Best Small Town will be available until November 6. Unlike most theaters in the L.A. area that stage continuous runs of a single play, Theatricum, using a company of actors, will perform each of the plays in repertory, making it possible to see all three plays in a single summer weekend.
For more information, please visit their website.
![]() |
Jordan Tyler Kessler and Kelvin Morales. Photo by Ian Flanders. |
No comments:
Post a Comment