Seattle’s Taproot Theatre Roars back to Life.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Seattle’s Greenwood Fire Was Arson.

The Greenwood Fire which destroyed four Seattle businesses including the Taproot Theatre was declared an arson by the Seattle Fire Department today. Phinneyridge.org first began our reporting on the potential for arson on Sunday, October 25th, in a photo-essay linking the fire to four other arsons in the Greenwood neighborhood. Our hearts to out to the impacted businesses, particularly the Taproot Theatre. The Taproot Theatre confirmed their commitment to the Greenwood neighborhood in a statement released tonight:

Taproot Theatre Company is brokenhearted to learn that the fire that devastated four of our neighboring businesses and damaged our theatre was reported to have been deliberately set. When Taproot Theatre moved into Greenwood, crime in the neighborhood decreased almost immediately. In the years since, we’ve watched Greenwood blossom into a vibrant community that’s focused on the arts, promoting small businesses and protecting the environment—values that we promote, as well, and that represent the spirit of Seattle. Greenwood deserves to have a top-notch theatre in its midst, and we at Taproot Theatre love this neighborhood and will continue bringing people from across the region to Greenwood for years to come.

Over 100 Seattle firefighters bravely fought the blaze for over two hours to contain the damage and protect surrounding buildings, including the PAWS Cat City shelter for felines. The fire began at approximately 4am in the morning on October 23rd.

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Taproot Theatre Presents Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol

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

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Taproot Theater Presents Enchanted April – Full Calendar

Bask in the warmth and enchantment of Italy without leaving Seattle during Taproot Theatre Company’s production of Enchanted April. Elizabeth von Arnim’s resplendent 1920s novel comes to life on stage in this Tony Award-nominated play by Matthew Barber. The enticement of an enchanting Italian holiday captivates the hearts of two British housewives on a drizzly London afternoon in 1922, and fills their imaginations with wisteria and sunshine. By the time they arrive at their Mediterranean villa, an aging matron and a young socialite have joined their quest for something more. The gardens, sea, cinnamon and pasta are just the beginning of the transformation they discover. Enchanted April, directed by associate artistic director Karen Lund, runs through October 24 .

Adapted first for the stage in 1925 and for film in 1935, von Arnim’s novel was also the basis for the popular 1992 film, the DVD of which was just released this year. This stage play based on von Arnim’s novel was originally produced in February 2000 by the Hartford Stage Company in Connecticut, and produced on Broadway in April 2003 at the Belasco Theatre, with Molly Ringwald as Rose Arnott.

Ultimately a story of escaping to a place of beauty and being transformed, the play begins in Great Britain just a few years after World War I, in a time of darkness and devastation, when people are still dealing with the great losses from the war.

“There’s this need to get away,” said Lund. “For all four of the women, there’s an amazing transformation that happens once they get to Italy where there’s sun, flowers and fresh air, and a new way of looking at life. It’s almost magical how the sunshine and fresh air brings them back to life emotionally, spiritually and sexually.”

“We’re in some really difficult times right now,” said Lund, “and it’s easy to be discouraged and disheartened. And so to come back to what gives us hope and the drive to keep moving forward is very inspiring. It’s a reminder that things can be restored—that marriages, happiness and balance can be restored.”

Taproot Theatre’s production features Jeff Berryman, Ryan Childers, Aaron Finley, Llysa Holland, Anne Kennedy, Kim Morris, Charity Parenzini and Nikki Visel. The production team includes scenic and sound designer Mark Lund, costume designer Sarah Burch Gordon and lighting designer Monty Taylor. Anne Hitt serves as stage manager, Gin Hammond as dialect coach and Katrina Moore as dramaturg.

After Enchanted April, Taproot Theatre presents the world premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol by Seattle playwright John Longenbaugh. (November 20-December 30).

“Perhaps that’s why we need something beautiful now. To remind us of the possibility.”

- Lotty, Enchanted April

Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m.; Saturday matinee, 2:00 p.m.

Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St. in Seattle.

TICKETS: Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees, $26-28; Friday and Saturday evenings, $30-33; preview performances, $20-22; senior/student discount is now 10% off regular priced ticket; ages 25 and under, $10.

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

CALENDAR:

Wed. October 7 7:30 p.m. Post-play Discussion

Thurs. October 8 7:30 p.m.

Fri. October 9 8:00 p.m.

Sat. October 10 2:00 p.m.

Sat. October 10 8:00 p.m.

Wed. October 14 7:30 p.m. Post-play Discussion

Thurs. October 15 7:30 p.m.

Fri. October 16 8:00 p.m.

Sat. October 17 2:00 p.m.

Sat. October 17 8:00 p.m.

Wed. October 21 7:30 p.m. Post-play Discussion

Thurs. October 22 7:30 p.m.

Fri. October 23 8:00 p.m.

Sat. October 24 2:00 p.m.

Sat. October 24 8:00 p.m. Closing Night

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