Taproot Theater Entry

Fall in Seattle was a sad season, with the unbelievable realization that an arsonist had destroyed one of the Greenwood / Phinney Ridge most beloved cultural institutions. The arson devestation to neighborhood businesses and the Taproot theatre was both shocking and sobering.

Winter is a new season, and like a sparkling cover of fresh snow, the Taproot Theatre is back…. and with a roar. We visited the Taproot last night for their first show at the newly renovated location. The rejuvenation of the theatre in such a short period is truly incredible to see. The theatre space is new, modern, lively, and filled with the energy of the both the performers and community itself.

In some ways, the previously chosen C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce represents the community’s own balance between the hell of the fire and the “heaven” that is the amazing performances at this theatre. There was no question that the audience was filled with the love and energy to see the Taproot back in such a beautiful space.

Restored Taproot Theatre Stage

The show kicked off with the producing artistic manager thanking the community for its support, together with the Seattle Fire Department and specifically the team that saved the theatre that fateful October night. The fire is also an important reminder that the theatre’s continued vitality depends on the community’s continuing support. Although donations are great – just as important are the ongoing annual subscriptions to the theatre’s season.

Great Divorce - Taproot Theatre

The show itself – The Great Divorce – is not about marriage and divorce. It’s a 1940’s fantasy by the Christian focused author of the Chronicles of Narnia. The proselytizing show begins in a foggy Grey Town where passengers bicker as they await the “bus” to either heaven or hell. Characters in the play dress in either grab grey “ghost” clothing or very brightly colored spirit colors. C.S. Lewis himself is portrayed as a detached 3rd party observer of the scenes, allowing him to comment and participate.

Taproot Upper Lobby

The show was first produced just two years ago by a smaller New York company, and in Seattle just a cast of ten portray over 20 characters. Each scene displays the fight for conversion. Sometimes with husbands and wives – but each is a battle for the souls of the lost. The show’s lighting and the marble-like background changes with each scene to portray the mood.

The Taproot Theatre and the Greenwood community have proven their stamina with the rapid return of this cultural institution and a play that challenges both the intellect and the spiritual agenda. As the Theatre and community consider an expansion of the space into the now vacant area from the fires – the packed house and energy of the show are a strong endorsement to growth. Special deals for younger audience members including the pizza+ theatre special for only $10 are worth a look for students around the Seattle region. The Great Divorce plays the Taproot through February 27, 2010.

Community Arson Prevention Meeting

Tuesday night’s community meeting about the wave of arsons plaguing Greenwood was so well-attended that the basement of Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church reached capacity. About 15 minutes into the meeting, city councilmember Jean Godden arrived, announcing that 100-150 more people were waiting upstairs. A second meeting took place later, to accommodate all the neighbors who showed up.

Chiefs from the Seattle Police and Seattle Fire Department weren’t able to tell the huge crowd — which included multiple city council members and mayor-elect Mike McGinn — what they came to hear: who might be behind the string of 14 fires set in Greenwood since June. The Police Department doesn’t have a true profile of the arsonist (or arsonists) yet, and they couldn’t say why small businesses seem to be the main targets. Visible and invisible police patrols have been stepped up around the neighborhood, and the fire department also now sends two trucks to every suspected fire, in hopes of catching it early.

Every speaker at the meeting emphasized community involvement in stopping the arsons. All of the fires so far have been set using readily-available combustible materials, and the fire department urged residents and business owners to clear trash from around their buildings. The combustibles in one of the fires apparently came from over a mile away.

The police aren’t discouraging citizen patrols, and they’re asking the community to provide extra eyes and ears. They are discouraging confronting any suspicious people. If you see anything out of the ordinary, call 911 instead. The fire department also addressed rumors about business owners sleeping in their businesses overnight. They strongly advise against it, saying it doesn’t protect your store, and only puts you at risk and makes it harder for firefighters to work.

The Police, Fire Department and mayor’s office all offered resources to help residents who want to do something about the arsons:

For help with dead streetlights or overflowing dumpsters, call the City’s general customer service line at (206) 684-CITY.

There will be a joint Police and Fire webpage with information about the ongoing investigation. Until then, the Police website lists some non-emergency numbers you can call with tips.

Concerned Greenwood residents and friends,

For information about the recent arsons in our Greenwood neighborhood and to learn what you can do to help prevent arson, the Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Police Department will present during a community meeting at 7:00 p.m. this Tuesday, November 10, at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church at 7500 Greenwood Ave. N. It can hold more people and is ADA accessible. This is a public meeting and all in the community are welcome to attend. Keep in mind that seating will be limited.

The agenda will include introductions from Fire and Police officials, followed by each representative explaining what their department is doing and who they are coordinating with, and finally offering suggestions for the public that would be helpful for the particular department (possible involvement, steps to remain safe, etc.), the floor will then be opened for questions after they are finished.

If you have questions or concerns and are not able to attend the meeting, please email info@greenwoodcommunitycouncil.org and we will try to see that thoughts are included in the discussion.

In addition to this meeting, the Fire Department is distributing informational flyers to help prevent arson. Copies of the flyers, along with other information about the arsons, can be found by visiting Read More at GreenwoodCommunityCouncil.org