“Recipe,” by Michael Gene Sullivan, has been awarded the Botanicum Seedlings’ fourth annual Izzy award, named for the Theatricum’s late dramaturg, Israel Baran, who died in 2007. To honor Baran’s keen mind, sharp tongue and ear for language (despite the fact that he was frustratingly deaf), the Izzy was established to recognize the Seedlings play that “speaks to us the loudest.” The plays are performed at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga.
Sullivan’s comedy is about members of a vigilantly progressive baking circle that raise funds for revolutionary causes. After its June play reading (directed by Jen Bloom and featuring company actors including Ellen Geer), “Recipe” was performed at Theatricum as a celebrity benefit, directed by Geer and starring Cloris Leachman, Amy Madigan, Wendie Malick, Jean Smart and Lisa Bonet.
“This is quite an honor,” said Sullivan, a critically acclaimed playwright based in San Francisco. “First it was super-cool to have the script read and directed by such a talented group of women at a socially aware theater, but now winning this award is unexpected, and wonderful icing on the cake.”
Since its inception in 2002, Botanicum Seedlings has been instrumental in the development of over 100 new plays, at least 25 of which have gone on to be published, win awards and given major productions.
In addition to its public play readings (scheduled later in the summer), now produced by John Maidman, Seedlings recently added new programs for playwrights: writing workshops and dramaturgy led by Theatricum playwright-in-residence Jennie Webb.
Contacts: Call (310) 455-2322 or visit theatricum.com.
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