By Daily Press staff
The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is presenting staged readings of three new plays this summer, part of its ongoing development series for playwrights, called Botanicum Seedlings.
“New plays don’t just happen,” said Theatricum playwright-in-residence Jennie Webb, who heads the series. “Our goal with this series has been to focus on the needs of the playwright, figure out what other artists can bring to each writer’s work, and then allow an audience to become part of the process at a certain point, any new play must have an audience in order to reach the next stage in its development.”
The first play presented is “Oranges & Lemons” on Saturday, June 5 at noon. Playwright Catherine Bush, tells the story of a 15th Century English family man who is about to become the king’s head executioner.
On June 12 at noon, Travis Baker will introduce “Ich Liebe Dich, Mi Amigo,” an absurdist exploration of how and why men reach out to one another, both as friends and adversaries.
Martha Stevens’ “Seed” will conclude the series of readings on Saturday, June 19 at 11 a.m. Set at the twilight of the gods, as the powers-that-be begin to lose their grip on the universe, a mother and daughter have epic struggles of their own.
The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. Admission is free. For reservations, call (310) 455-3723.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 3, 2004. Read the original PDF.