Maria Callas
theatre A-LISTS The outdoor sanctuary known as the Will Geer
Theatricum Botanicum was created in the early 1950s when Geer was blacklisted during the McCarthy era for refusing to testify against friends before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. He had built a performance space on his Topanga property as a refuge for other blacklisted artists. Unable to find work in Hollywood, Geer cultivated a large garden and with his family earned a living selling vegetables, fruits, herbs and live theatre. Today, it is still a true treasure hidden in the Topanga canyon—and one of the more special, whimsical theatre settings that I have ever experienced. One of their many current offerings is the Tony Award- winning, Master Class. Written brilliantly by Terrance McNally, the play is about opera legend, Maria Callas. As a child, Callas was vocally trained in Greece, catapulted to stardom in Italy transforming the meaning of opera to the world during the 20th century. Things seemed to take a turn for the worse after she was dumped by her one great love, Aristotle Onassis (he moved on to the widowed former first lady, Jackie Kennedy) and she never got over it. Toward the end of her career, her voice almost gone, internally damaged, she tried to escape her inner demons by instructing a group of young opera singers. To say she was bitchy at times is an understate- ment; especially when coaching other females…not so much with the men. Ellen Geer has had a spectacular career and definitely
captures the essence of the demanding high-mainte- nance character. So well in fact; that I pretty much forgot that she only channeled Callas in the role. In reality, she is the talented and accomplished daughter of the beloved, Will Geer. Her hypnotic performance was much like a cleansing meditation as she intimately reveals Callas’ thoughts, aspirations and broken dreams so effectively. Director, Heidi Helen Davis’ attention to detail kept the intricate dialogue and idiosyncrasies of the script subtle and captivating. The talented, unsuspecting students are interestingly portrayed by Elizabeth Tobias, Meaghan Boeing and Andreas Beckett. Each of them is successful in conveying their characters’ reactions when coming up against the wrath of Maria’s bitter scrutiny during training sessions. My friends and I attended a 3:00 p.m. Saturday performance and it was delightful as the natural sunlight filtered through the forest trees; il- luminating the actors on stage much like a fine painting. You definitely forget that you are in L.A.! If you live out of town, come early, bring a picnic with wine and make the drive; this one is definitely worth it. Runs Saturdays and Sundays through September 25 at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga. Tickets: 310.455.3723 .
MASTER CLASS STRIKES A KEY NOTE! by tony reverditto AUGUST 2010 | RAGE monthly 19
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