The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga, CA opens its production of The Robber Bridegroom July 27. The production runs through Sept. 13.

The Robber Bridegroom is based upon a novella written by Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty and features book and lyrics by playwright Alfred Uhry (The Last Night of Ballyhoo and Driving Miss Daisy) and music by Robert Waldman.

Bridegroom is the story of Jaime Lockheart, a highwayman with two faces: good and evil. Jaime falls in love with Rosamund, who is unaware that Jaime is the notorious bandit. Bridegroom is a Southern Gothic tale that embodies the fantastical elements of a fairy tale, while showing us the dark sides of the characters who inhabit this world.

The beginnings of the Theatricum Botanicum can be traced to the early 1950's when Will Gerr, a victim of the McCarthy Era blacklisting, opened a theatre for blacklisted actors and folk singers on his property in Topanga.

On Broadway, Bridegroom had a limited engagement in 1975 and starred Patti LuPone(for which she garnered a Tony nomination) and Kevin Kline. In 1976 it was brought back starring Barry Bostwick, who won the Tony award for "Best Actor in a Musical Award" for his role in the show. The Robber Bridegroom plays Sunday Evenings at 7:30 PM, July 27 through Aug. 24, and Saturday matinees at 4 PM, Aug. 2-Sept. 13.

For more information about Theatricum Botanicum visit the regional listings at Playbill On-Line or call (310) 455-3723.

--By Sean McGrath