Photo by Eric Stuhang.

In Oscar Wilde’s second most lauded play, Sir Robert Chiltern (Ryan Childers) faces a difficult personal and political decision: publicly promote a canal scam that would effectively end his career, or have it ended for him by the leaking of a scandal from his past. His problem is compounded when his virtuous wife Gertrude (Candace Vance) declares that were he to have any such blemish on his record (she, of course, has no knowledge of Robert’s little secret) that he would lose her love forever. A verbal battlefield unfolds, soon involving the conniving Mrs. Cheveley (Nikki Vesel) and surprisingly insightful dandy Lord Goring (Aaron Lamb). Also among the lively cast of characters are the shockingly modern ingénue Mabel Chiltern (Anne Kennedy Brady) and the overbearingly old-fashioned father Lord Caversham (Nolan Palmer). Like Wilde’s other famous societal satire, The Importance of Being Ernest, An Ideal Husband turns the mirror back on Victorian society to show the true absurdity in their behaviors and tendencies. And in true Wilde style no matter how trivial or far-fetched the situation, the humanity and flaw of each character shines through to make for compelling theater.

All of the beautiful repartee took place on a fittingly beautiful and slightly distorted version of an 18th century Romantic painting by Francois Boucher. The elegant fluidity of Mark Lund’s scenic design was well complimented by the creative direction of Karen Lund. The twists and turns of the blocking could have easily become distracting if the ensemble hadn’t fully committed to the mocking triviality so inherent in Wilde’s plays. Ryan Childers and Aaron Lamb are especially enjoyable as the torn Sir Chiltern and the ever-entertaining dandy Lord Goring. The rest of the cast struggled a little with their lines and British accents, but their dedication to the material in Act Two more than made up for any lacking in the first half.

Photo by Eric Stuhang.

Perhaps a bit surprisingly, this Victorian satire is more than applicable to our current culture of all-access TV and 24-hour news. In a time when celebrity and politician scandals are a dime a dozen, it behooves us all to learn a little forgiveness. With school back in session, Taproot’s production of An Ideal Husband is the perfect balance of light-hearted comedy and down-to-business moral lesson needed to get us through the changing fall weather. And if you prefer to take your theater with a side of romance, grab some 2-for-1 tickets to the show on October 7th (thereby killing two not-for-profit birds with one arts-supporting stone) as a part of Arts Crush 2011’s Date Night program.  Please consider Green public transportation  Seattle options for the show.   You will outwardly chuckle at the follies of Wilde’s world of old and inwardly sigh at the similarities between them and yourself. Besides, in all seriousness, this play is most worthy of love.

Review by Kacey Shiflet.

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.

Holiday traditions are getting a twist with the world premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol at Taproot Theatre Company. Written by local playwright John Longenbaugh and directed by Scott Nolte, this is a mystery that will delight the entire family. These then are the facts: The year, 1894. The date, Christmas Eve. The location, 221B Baker Street. After being presumed dead for three years, a hardened Sherlock Holmes resurfaces, turning his back on the people who need him most. Three unexpected callers arrive on Christmas Eve uncovering clues from the detective’s past, present and future. Can they save Holmes and his world from a dire end? They must “do it all in one night” to accomplish the task. Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol opens on November 27 and runs through December 30, with low-price previews on November 20 & 21, plus a pay-what-you-can performance on November 25.

**** NOTE – THIS SHOW WILL BE PLAYED AT AN ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE LOCATION DUE TO THE GREENWOOD FIRE. CHECK WEBSITE FOR DETAILS. ****

TICKETS: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees, $26-28; Friday and Saturday evenings, $30-33; preview performances, $20-22. Senior matinee performance on December 2 is $20. $20 Tuesdays on December 1 (sold out!), 8 and 15.

Tickets for the pay-what-you-can performance on November 25 go on sale day of show at the box office only. A limited supply of $10 tickets will be offered from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. on November 25 for that evening’s performance. Regular pay-what-you-can tickets will go on sale at 5:00 p.m. on November 25. Limit 6 tickets per person between 12:00 and 5:00 p.m., and 4 tickets per person after 5:00 p.m.

For tickets contact Taproot Theatre’s box office at (206) 781-9707. Group rates are available. For groups, call (206) 781-9708.

In The Final Problem, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote what he believed would be the final story in his series about his legendary detective. In this story, Sherlock Holmes faces his nemesis Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls, and tumbles into the roaring rapids below. Outraged at the hero’s death and at the series’ end, fans demanded that the writer bring Holmes back and continue writing. So, the Holmes stories can be filed in two categories: before the incident at Reichenbach Falls, and the years following the fall, starting in 1894, when Holmes reappeared in The Adventure of the Empty House. But what happened between 1891 and 1894, the “missing years,” which are one of the great unsolved mysteries of the time? Where did Holmes go? What really happened to him? And what could that mean for the future? Uncover the startling answers in this world premiere production.

Playwright John Longenbaugh has been involved in the Seattle theatre scene for years. Formerly writing about Seattle theatre in a column in Seattle Weekly, Longenbaugh is now the media relations manager at 5th Avenue Theatre.

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol features Terry Moore as Sherlock Holmes, David Nail as Watson and Alex Robertson as Moriarty, plus David Dorrian, Aaron Lamb, Jesse Notehelfer, Pam Nolte and Eric Riedmann. The production team includes scenic and sound designer Mark Lund, costume designer Sarah Burch Gordon and lighting designer Jody Briggs. Sarah Dale Rice serves as stage manager and Judy Naegeli as dramaturg.

“Puzzles, enigmas—I never understood your delight in such things. Well then: let’s see if you can solve the riddle of who you are, and what you will become.” – Moriarty

CALENDAR:
Fri. November 20 8:00 p.m. Preview

Sat. November 21 8:00 p.m. Preview

Tues. November 24 7:30 p.m. Special Private Performance

Wed. November 25 7:30 p.m. Post-play Discussion, PWYC

Thurs. November 26 Thanksgiving Day, no performance

Fri. November 27 8:00 p.m. Opening Night with Reception

Sat. November 28 2:00 p.m.

Sat. November 28 8:00 p.m.

Tues. December 1 7:30 p.m. $20 Tuesday (sold out!)

Wed. December 2 2:00 p.m. Senior Matinee

Wed. December 2 7:30 p.m. Dinner & Theatre, Post-play Discussion

Thurs. December 3 7:30 p.m.

Fri. December 4 8:00 p.m.

Sat. December 5 2:00 p.m.

Sat. December 5 8:00 p.m.

Tues. December 8 7:30 p.m. $20 Tuesday

Wed. December 9 7:30 p.m. Dinner & Theatre, Post-play Discussion

Thurs. December 10 7:30 p.m.

Fri. December 11 8:00 p.m.

Sat. December 12 2:00 p.m.

Sat. December 12 8:00 p.m.

Tues. December 15 7:30 p.m. $20 Tuesday

Wed. December 16 7:30 p.m. Post-play Discussion

Thurs. December 17 7:30 p.m.

Fri. December 18 8:00 p.m.

Sat. December 19 2:00 p.m.

Sat. December 19 8:00 p.m.

Tues. December 22 7:30 p.m.

Wed. December 23 7:30 p.m. Post-play Discussion

Thurs. December 24 Christmas Eve, no performance

Fri. December 25 Christmas Day, no performance

Sat. December 26 2:00 p.m.

Sat. December 26 8:00 p.m.

Tues. December 29 7:30 p.m.

Wed. December 30 7:30 p.m. Closing Night