The 6th Avenue NW Pocket Park (simply called “Our Park” by the locals) at the corner of 6th and NW 76th Street is hosting a puppet show at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Zambini Brothers of Vashon Island will perform “The Tasty Tale of Sir Bump.” The event is free.

“Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol” was supposed to have its world premiere last fall at Taproot Theatre. But the production was postponed after an arsonist destroyed the adjacent building and heavily damaged the theater on Oct. 23.

Now, “Sherlock Holmes” will finally premiere at Taproot in November. Tickets go on sale to the public on Oct. 5; 2010 subscribers can preorder tickets with their 2010 subscription renewal.

The original cast from the planned 2009 production returns for this world premiere. Terry Moore takes the stage as our hero, Sherlock Holmes, joined by David Dorrian, Aaron Lamb, Pam Nolte, Jesse Notehelfer, Eric Riedmann and Alex Robertson. Steve Grenley joins the cast as Watson.

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.

Playwright John Longenbaugh and actor Terry Edward Moore. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.

GreenStage presents Shakespeare in the Park all around the city this summer, including at Green Lake’s Woodland Park on July 15-17. The shows are performed in the meadow on the east side of Highway 99, just south of the lawn bowling and horseshoe pits, near Shelter 6.

Carolyn Marie Monroe as Juliet and Ryan Higgins as Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet.” Photo by Ken Holmes.

The shows are free but they’ll pass the hat afterwards for donations. Bring a blanket or chair (if you’ve got a chair, please sit towards the back so you don’t block the view of the blanket sitters). Shows usually happen rain or shine, but if there’s super heavy rain or lightning, organizers say they’ll cancel.

For the Woodland Park shows, on Thursday, July 15 at 7 p.m. it’s “Romeo and Juliet.” On Friday, July 16 at 7 p.m. it’s “As You Like It.” And on Saturday July 17, there’s a double header. “As You Like It” is at 3 p.m., followed by “Romeo and Juliet” at 7 p.m.

Alex Garnett as Orlando and Kate Kraay as Rosilind in “As You Like It.” Photo by Ken Holmes.

Taproot Theatre presents its newest production, “Man of La Mancha,” from July 7 through Aug. 7.

Featuring the story and songs of an immortal classic, this Tony Award‐winning musical comes to the Taproot stage with fresh, acoustic arrangements. Don Quixote is mad… mad enough to dream an impossible dream while tilting after windmills with his trusty sidekick, Sancho Panza. Quixote’s romantic quest is as crazy as he is. But is his impossible dream madness or vision? The trial is about to begin. Man of La Mancha provides a glimpse into the Spanish literature that inspired Picasso, before Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris opens at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) in October. Inspired by Spanish writers including Cervantes, Picasso wove characters such as Don Quixote—a revolutionary like himself—into some of his art.

Ticket prices are $20‐$35, or $10 for ages 25 and under. Students and seniors receive $3 off regular price (excludes previews). There’s a pay‐what‐you-can performance on Wed., July 14. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday. Taproot Theatre is at 204 N. 85th St.

Photo by Erik Stuhaug. Jeff Berryman as Don Quixote and Don Darryl Rivera as Pancho Sanza.

Taproot Theatre’s latest production, “Brooklyn Boy,” begins March 19. It tells the story of middle-aged novelist Eric Weiss.

In Brooklyn Boy, Eric finally starts to come of age—a couple decades too late. He’s finally made it big with a best seller and a shot at a Hollywood film, but then an inconvenient phone call brings him back to the Brooklyn neighborhood he grew up in and happily left behind. Witty and deeply touching, this story of growing up, coming home and making sense of it all is sure to warm your heart.

(Jeff Berryman and Lisa Peretti. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.)

Playwright Donald Margulies won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2000 for his play “Dinner with Friends.” “Brooklyn Boy” is directed by Taproot Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund.

“Comedy runs through the play, but it’s also a heartfelt story about returning home and rediscovering one’s roots, and realizing how much the past has shaped who you are today, whether you like it or not,” said Lund. “And who can’t relate to that? At the same time it’s an examination of success and self‐worth, acceptance—or lack thereof—and what defines all these things.”

(Jeff Berryman and Alex Robertson. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.)

“Brooklyn Boy” runs March 19 through April 17, with low‐price previews on March 17 and 18, plus a pay‐what‐you‐can performance on March 24.

Taproot Theatre’s Acting Studio has long offered acting classes for older children. Now they’re branching out with drama classes for toddlers ages 1-3, called “Drama with Your Mama.”

It’s never too early to introduce children to the world of theatre! This class will engage you and your young one with creative play, movement and theatre games. The focus is on social, physical and vocal awareness, in a warm, nurturing and FUN environment! Your little one will build confidence and explore their imagination. This class is perfect for the 1-3 year-old and their caregiver. Dressing up and silliness is welcome!

Ages 1-3; Mondays, May 10-June 14, 10-10:45 a.m.; $75 per session or drop in for $15 per class. 

Plus, the Acting Studio has a number of classes and camps for other age groups.

Spring quarter also includes scene study sessions for both kids and adults, classes that teach the building blocks of singing for musical theatre, plus spring break camps that correspond with both the Seattle and Shoreline school districts’ schedules.

Spring quarter runs March 29 through May 22, with spring break camps running March 29-April 2 (Seattle) and April 19-23 (Shoreline).

Registration is open now. Classes are held at Taproot Theatre (204 N 85th St.), Ballard Church (1460 NW 73rd St.) and Grace Fellowship Church (410 NW 62nd St.) in Seattle. Registration forms and class descriptions are available online at www.taproottheatre.org, or contact Taproot’s Acting Studio at (206) 529-3668 or studio@taproottheatre.org.

Taproot Theatre’s current production of C.S. Lewis’ “The Great Divorce” ends Saturday.

(Photo by Erik Stuhaug, Taproot Theatre.)

The show is the first production since Taproot was seriously damaged in the Oct. 23 arson, which destroyed the neighboring Eleanor Roosevelt Building. Audiences have flocked to the theater, which added two performances to handle the sell-out crowds.

Tickets for “The Great Divorce” are available through Taproot’s box office at 206-781-9707; or in person at 204 N. 85th St.

Next up is “Brooklyn Boy” by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies.

This comedic and heartfelt play follows best selling novelist Eric Weiss in a story of growing up, coming home and making sense of it all. Brooklyn Boy—a regional premiere—opens on March 19 and runs through April 17, with previews on March 17 & 18.

Taproot Theatre’s current production of C.S. Lewis’ “The Great Divorce” has been selling out, so they’ve just added a second additional performance, at 7:30 p.m. on Mon., Feb. 22. The theater says the first additional performance added, on Feb. 16, sold out within days.

Tickets are available through Taproot’s box office at 206-781-9707; or in person at 204 N. 85th St. The show ends Feb. 27.

(Photo by Erik Stuhaug, Taproot Theatre)

A scant three months after the Greenwood arsons that damaged the Eleanor Roosevelt Building and neighboring businesses, Taproot Theatre is again opening its doors.

The regional premier of its new production, C.S. Lewis’ “The Great Divorce,” is this Friday, with previews tonight and Thursday.

The remodeled Taproot Theatre and mural covering the safety wall in front of what was the Eleanor Roosevelt Building. (Photo by Sarah Storm)

On Oct. 23, the Taproot Theatre’s Greenwood playhouse was damaged in the fire that burned down the Roosevelt Building, which Taproot owns. The fire, ultimately ruled arson by investigators, forced the theater to postpone its upcoming holiday show, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol.”

“At first the adjusters and contractors said it would take at least four months to get the theater ready for reopening,” said Scott Nolte, co-founder of Taproot Theatre and director of the upcoming “The Great Divorce.” “(But) we really wanted to open our 2010 season in our Greenwood playhouse.”

After discussing the dilemma with the contractors and insurance adjusters, they created an abbreviated schedule for rebuilding. This allowed for public areas of the theater to be done in time for the first show of the 2010 season.

“They’ve been working 10 hours a day, six days a week, to make it happen,” Nolte said. “There’s been a lot of work to do, and some moments it looked like it might not happen, but here we are, days before opening.”

Taproot Theatre was founded in 1976, and was mobile throughout its beginning years. Starting out as a touring company, Taproot found its home at Seattle Pacific University before moving to a church. In 1996, Taproot moved to its current Greenwood location.

Community support has been essential to the coping and rebuilding process after October’s arson.

“We have a great staff, a great community, many loyal patrons and donors and so many colleagues in the theatre community,” Nolte said. “They have helped give us the encouragement and the stamina that we need to get through this time.”

The fire in October also coincided with the last performance of Taproot’s “Enchanted April,” which was scheduled for the next day.

(Photo of “The Great Divorce” by Erik Stuhaug, Taproot Theatre)

Support came in from all areas of the community, said Pam Nolte, co-founder of Taproot Theatre and an actor in the upcoming “The Great Divorce.” The community of Greenwood, the arts community and the church community all pitched in and asked “What do you need?” she said.

Taproot finished its run of “Enchanted April” with the help of Seattle Children’s Theatre, which gave Taproot use of one of its auditoriums.

Taproot has given back to the community that is supporting it. Owning both the playhouse and the Roosevelt Building, Taproot had insurance that covered the cost of the fire. The theater, Pam Nolte said, had more insurance coverage than the Roosevelt Building. Taproot leased out the building to four businesses, all of which were destroyed by the fire; the tenants left with nothing. While Taproot was offered funds from the Greenwood Fire Relief Fund, they declined the money in order to give a larger share to the businesses affected by the fire.

As the Greenwood playhouse was rebuilt, Taproot Theatre found a temporary home in two local church basements, Greenwood Christian Church and Grace Fellowship, where theater staff and the actors have been rehearsing and preparing for the “The Great Divorce.”

Taproot consists of not only the main stage, which features the company’s seasonal performances, but an acting studio and road company as well.

“The acting studio didn’t miss a beat,” Scott Nolte said. “Some classes were already held offsite, and the others were relocated.”

Finding other locations for classes was a scramble, Taproot’s Education Director Sara Willy said.

“Two of our classes were supposed to perform on our stage before the holidays,” Willy explained. “We called a ton of different places about renting performance spaces.”

The acting studio ended up renting performance space from Stone Soup Theatre in Fremont. Students are really excited to have class back in the original Greenwood playhouse.

It was heartbreaking for a lot of the students,” Willy said of the October fire. “A lot of kids especially feel an ownership over the theater because they perform there in the summer; they feel really connected with it.”
Classes at Taproot’s acting studio start up again at the end of February.

“The Great Divorce,” based on the novel of the same name by C.S. Lewis, features the narrative of a journey through hell to heaven. It was adapted for the theater by George Drance and the Magis Theatre Company. The Taproot production features 10 actors portraying 25 characters.

(Photo of “The Great Divorce by Erik Stuhaug, Taproot Theatre)

“The Great Divorce” runs through Feb. 27, with a “pay what you can” performance on Feb. 3. Taproot Theatre’s next production is “Brooklyn Boy,” which runs March 17-April 17.

(Contributor Sarah Storm is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.)

Single tickets for Taproot Theatre Company’s 2010 season are on sale, starting today. Taproot begins its 34th season in its newly-restored theater at 204 N. 85th St. The theater was heavily damaged by smoke and water in the Oct. 23 arson.

Opening the season is C.S. Lewis’ “The Great Divorce,” running Jan. 27-Feb. 27.

One drizzly afternoon our author embarks on a supernatural voyage with a cast of eccentric, humorous characters that bear a remarkable resemblance to us. Theatrical, imaginative and thought provoking. It’s a bus ride through heaven and hell that, in the grand C.S. Lewis tradition, leaves you breathless and wanting more. By C.S. Lewis, adapted by George Drance & The Magis Theatre.

Next up is “Brooklyn Boy,” which runs March 17-April 17.

Can we ever go home… and do we want to? Eric Weiss has finally made it big with a best seller and a shot at a Hollywood film. An inconvenient phone call brings him back to the Brooklyn neighborhood he grew up in and happily left behind. Witty and deeply touching, this story of growing up, coming home and making sense of it all is sure to warm your heart. A regional premiere. By Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies.

“Charley’s Aunt” runs May 12-June 12.

By George! This is splendid! A quiet afternoon luncheon turns into a hilarious masquerade when college chums attempt to woo a pair of charming young ladies. After persuading a classmate to impersonate their missing aunt (and chaperone), mischief, high jinks and shenanigans ensue. This hilarious classic has been delighting audiences for over 100 years. By Brandon Thomas.

“Man of La Mancha” plays July 7-Aug. 7.

Don Quixote is mad… mad enough to dream an impossible dream while tilting after windmills with his trusty sidekick, Sancho Panza. Taproot’s adventurous new staging of Cervantes’ immortal classic reunites you with a story and songs that will capture your imagination and set you dreaming again. Quixote’s romantic quest is as crazy as he is. But is his impossible dream madness or vision? The trial is about to begin. A musical play by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh & lyrics by Joe Darion; original production staged by Albert Marre; originally Produced by Albert W. Selden and Hal James.

“Wedding Belles” runs Sept. 22-Oct. 23.

When a bedraggled bride is found stranded at an East Texas bus station in 1942, the determined ladies of the Eufala Springs Garden Club leap into action! Lemonade, wedding cake and a gown are easy enough to come by… but where’s the groom? This side-splitting comedy overflows with love, laughter and Southern hospitality at its best! From the creator of “Smoke on the Mountain.” A regional premiere. By Alan Bailey & Ronnie Claire Edwards.

Performances take place Wednesday through Saturday evenings, with matinees on Saturdays. Ticket prices range from $22 to $35. Taproot also offers a $10 ticket for ages 25 and under during its regular season, discounts for students and seniors, group rates for parties of eight or more, and one pay-what-you-can performance for each production. Subscription packages are still available. The 226-seat theatre is wheelchair accessible.

Tickets are available by phone at 206-781-9707 during box office hours (12-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday) and online. Due to the restoration efforts, walk-up sales are delayed until the theatre reopens in late January.

Taproot Theatre just sent us a few pictures of the mural-in-progress that will be installed along the safety wall in front of where the Eleanor Roosevelt Building used to stand, before it was destroyed in the Oct. 23 arson.

Here’s Zachary Bohnenkamp of Seattle Mural Art works painting a phoenix rising from the ashes.

And here’ Kevin “Sensei23″ Sullivan of Seattle Mural Art works painting a Greenwood firefighter.

The third artist working on the mural is John Osgood of Greenwood’s Bherd Studios and Seattle Mural Art. The mural is being constructed in a nearby vacant commercial space, and will be installed and then unveiled in a special ceremony, at a date yet to be determined. (Photos by Daytona Strong, Taproot Theatre.)

The following review is by neighborhood resident Laura Genoves, who reguarly reviews theater and arts for the Phinney Neighborhood Center’s ‘Phinney Ridge Review.’ Thanks to Laura for letting us reprint it here.

Christmas often harkens back to the good ‘ole days. Today, nostalgia for an old-fashioned holiday fills the airwaves, sweetened by songs of candy canes and gingerbread men. In the 1940’s the airwaves were also crackling with radio plays, and many families gathered round to listen to the dramas read live on the air.

The most recent production from The Taproot Theater, “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” transforms the theater at North Seattle Community College to a radio station complete with audience applaud signs and actors bustling about as they read their lines. Forced to scramble for a new venue after the recent arson fires in Greenwood, Taproot has worked some holiday magic to bring this production to the stage. Originally “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol” had been slated for production during the holiday season. Fortunately, “It’s a Wonderful Life” lends itself well to a short production period since actors read from their scripts as they naturally would if they were involved in a true radio drama. Solid acting talent by all performers strengthens this performance, particularly Jesse Notehelfer who graces the stage with both her singing voice and thespian skill.

(Grant Goodeve, Candace Vance and Eric Riedmann. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.)

As always, Sarah Burch Gordon outfits the company in both eye catching and historically appropriate costumes. In this instance, the actresses sparkle with festive forties style. The sound effects for the radio play are performed live by Eric Riedmann. He does a fabulous job of making the sounds lively and entertaining to watch.

Younger audiences unfamiliar with the Frank Capra movie, may find it difficult to keep up with the rapid introduction of the assorted characters in the play. However most adults, particularly those with a penchant for A Prairie Home Companion, will find this production high on their list of must sees this season.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” runs through Dec. 30. More information and tickets available here.