Haiti at Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

Haiti

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. Topanga

Haiti tells the story of the 1802 uprising, led by Toussaint L'Ouverture, that gave Haitians back their country and rule. This rare revival of William DuBois' historical melodrama, strikes a sharp chord that reverberates throughout the ages. It explores the devastating legacy left by colonialism and slavery, overcome by the strength, resilience, and urgency of those brave enough to fight for freedom.

Thru - Sep 29, 2018

Price: $25-$38.50

Show Type: Drama

Box Office: 310-455-3723

www.theatricum.com

Haiti Reviews

Average Rating based on 6 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Los Angeles Times - Recommended

"...The Theatricum's wooded amphitheater in Topanga Canyon is a terrific location for this tale about the fight for what the French called Saint-Domingue and the revolutionaries called by the indigenous name Haiti. Shouts and drums reverberate across the hillside as the action progresses from 1802, a decade into the revolution, toward independence in 1804 - and the beginning of the end of slavery in the New World."

Read Full Review

- Daryl H. Miller

LA Splash - Highly Recommended

"...The audience will have a rollicking time watching the drama unfold with some unexpected chortles. As always, director Ellen Geer knows just where to "dot the i's" to make this an entertaining and illuminating evening. The mixed race cast seems to be having the time of their lives portraying this historical moment in time. Kudos to the nimble, acrobatic denizens of the piece, with special congrats to fight choreographer Dane Oliver as he artfully snatches a sword flying end on end through the air. These split seconds often elicited a cheer from the mesmerized audience. HAITI lets us glimpse what heroism strives to be, even if it occasionally misses the mark. Audiences of all ages should enjoy DeBois' enthusiastic efforts."

Read Full Review

- Elaine Mura

Stage Scene LA - Highly Recommended

"...Theatricum Botanicum breathes new life into William DuBois' swashbuckling historical soap opera Haiti, giving the long-forgotten look back at the Haitian Revolution its very first production-and a rip-roaring one at that-since the New Deal-funded melodrama made theatrical history in 1938 by featuring a black-and-white cast performing side by side on a Harlem stage."

Read Full Review

- Steven Stanley

Hollywood Progressive - Highly Recommended

"...It is extremely laudable than on the 80th anniversary of this revolutionary play, Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum is reviving this classic of resistance for the first time since 1938. And how great that one of the champions of the modern day resistance, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, was honored at a staging DuBois' stirring drama about what the haughty Frenchwoman Pauline Bonaparte (a snide, coquettish Lea Madda), Napoleon's sister, sneered at as those "slaves in epaulettes." Let's hope that the modern day would-be Napoleon meets his Waterloo soon and ends up like the overthrown Frenchmen in Haiti at the hands of 21st century slaves-no-more, and as soon as possible. Viva la resistance and viva Haiti!"

Read Full Review

- Ed Rampell

Showmag - Recommended

"...Theatricum is the first company to tackle the play since its premiere in New York City in 1938. Created as part of the Federal Theatre Project, Haiti created a sensation. As history, it tells the story of French efforts to re-enslave inhabitants when Napoleon decided the island would make a great staging area for Western expansion; that is, until the aristocratic officers were outlasted and finally overthrown by a band of free Haitians."

Read Full Review

- Leigh Kennicott

Santa Monica Daily Press - Highly Recommended

"...I could say so much more about "Haiti" but I'll leave it at this: for all the great theater I've seen over many years at Theatricum Botanicum, this is one of the very best. It has 10 more performances in the next few weeks. Do. Not. Miss this one."

Read Full Review

- Charles Andrews

Haiti Photo Gallery

Haiti at Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

Haiti

Haiti Reviews

Los Angeles Times - Recommended

LA Splash - Highly Recommended

Stage Scene LA - Highly Recommended

Hollywood Progressive - Highly Recommended

Showmag - Recommended

Santa Monica Daily Press - Highly Recommended

Haiti Photo Gallery

Explore More

Other Sites