Benjamin Cournoyer, who recently moved to Greenwood, will be a chorus member in Seattle Musical Theatre’s production of “A Chorus Line” at Magnuson Park from Feb. 10 – March 4.

A Chorus Line follows a group of desperate to work actor/dancers through their audition experience for a spot on the synchronized dance chorus of an upcoming Broadway production. Ironically, Director Zach uses the audition to mine each of their very unique personal events that shaped their lives as dancers.

This will be Cournoyer’s fourth production with SMT. His other credits include: Bob Cratchit in “Scrooge: The Musical” at Capital Playhouse; a pirate and a policeman in STAGEright’s production of “The Pirates of Penzance”; Ninian Edwards in “Lincoln in Love” at Village Theatre’s 2010 Festival of New Musicals; Woof in “Hair” at The Historic Everett Theatre; and Richard III at Freehold Theatre Lab/Studio.

Performances are Friday through Sunday, with one Thursday night show. Tickets are $35-$40 with special rates for seniors, students and group sales. Tickets can be purchased online, or by calling the box office at 206-363-2809.

Taproot Theatre opens its 2012 season with Molière’s “Tartuffe,” running Feb. 3-March 3, with previews on Feb. 1-2.

 Jesse Notehelfer, Frank Lawler, and Don Brady. Photo by Erik Stuhaug, Taproot Theatre.

Molière’s comic masterpiece brings us the imposter Tartuffe, a con artist extraordinaire who oozes piety and charm. Will his hypocrisy be discovered before Orgon’s household is turned on its head? This famous farce is a cautionary tale told with lightning-quick wit, complete with star-crossed lovers, a badgering grandma and a plot that could be ripped from the headlines C or a Saturday night comedy show.

Tartuffe scandalized many of Molière’s contemporaries and was banned in 1664. Molière himself believed that, “As the duty of comedy is to correct men by amusing them, I believed that in my occupation I could do nothing better than attack the vices of my age by making them ridiculous…” and in his first appeal to the King wrote that, “since hypocrisy is, without doubt, one of the most common, the most harmful, and the most dangerous of these, I thought, Sire, that I would render no small service to all the honorable men of your kingdom if I were to make a comedy that would discredit the hypocrites and present all the artificial gestures that these worthy folk display…”

“Tartuffe” is directed by Karen Lund and features a cast of Charissa Adams, Don Brady, Ryan Childers, Solomon Davis, Nathan Jeffrey, William Hamer, Frank Lawler, Ruth McRee, Jesse Notehelfer and Josh Smyth.

Phinney Ridge resident Eric McIntosh is playing the role of the Artful Dodger in Twelfth Night Productions’ “Oliver!” at West Seattle High school. A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to Treehouse, which provides services for foster kids.

Eric McIntosh, far left. Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions.

It is often said that life imitates art. In the world of Charles Dickens, we see the timeless story of despair and hope and a deep desire for belonging. Oliver Twist’s world is one of poverty and despair, much like many neighborhoods in our city. Times have changed since the days of the workhouse, but our understanding of the life of those living in poverty still remains a challenge. We no longer force those who are poor and homeless into the poor conditions of a workhouse, but the images of those struggling to survive day to day rings true today. Oliver Twist’s message is as important today as it was when Dickens first wrote it. The story is an important reminder that life cannot exist without hope, and that we all need to find the light for ourselves and others.

In addition to donating proceeds from Oliver!, TNP will also help facilitate a back-to-school drive for Treehouse, collecting school supplies, backpacks and new or gently used clothing items for kids in foster care. Please bring these items with you to the high school on the day of performances. There will be a collection area for them at that time.

“Oliver!” plays at West Seattle High School at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20, and at 3 p.m. on Aug. 7, 14, and 21. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students & seniors, and are available online at Brown Paper Tickets and at West Seattle High School, 3000 California Ave SW, on performance days.

Tonight is the first preview of Taproot Theatre’s latest production, the murder-mystery musical “Something’s Afoot.” Official opening night is Friday.

Natalie Anne Moe and Jenny Cross. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.

And Taproot has announced the lineup for its 2012 season, which includes two regional premieres, a musical, and a comedy about family vacations:

Taproot Theatre’s 2012 opens with Molière’s Tartuffe (translated by Richard Wilbur), a fast -paced farce that will have audiences rolling with laughter and rhyming in couplets (February 1-March 3).

Next comes the regional premiere of Freud’s Last Session, the off-Broadway hit by Mark St. Germain. Two of the 20th century’s greatest minds―C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud―spar to the end in this fictional meeting (March 21- April 21).

In the spring, Taproot Theatre gets in vacation mode with Leaving Iowa. By Tim Clue and Spike Manton, this warm and funny celebration of the classic family road trip reminds us that sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination (May 16- June 16).

Then it’s Chaps, which is perhaps your only chance to see a British cowboy croon at the moon, in this musical by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner, with vocal arrangements by Malcolm Hillgartner and Chip Duford (July 11-August 11).

Finally, Taproot Theatre wraps up its 2012 Season in the fall with the regional premiere of Dorothy Sayer’s Gaudy Night, adapted by Frances Limoncelli. Sayers’ signature wit, insight and charm will delight you in this dazzling mystery (September 19-October 20).

Current subscribers can resubscribe for next season now; subscriptions open to the general public on Oct. 3. Single tickets go on sale in January.

“Something’s Afoot,” a murder mystery opening at Taproot Theatre Company on July 15, begins by letting you know who didn’t do it.

Jenny Cross, Natalie Ann Moe, and Tim Tully. Photo by Erik Stuhaug, Taproot Theatre.

“The butler didn’t do it!” So starts this murder mystery musical that has been delighting audiences for decades. When wealthy Lord Rancour is found dead at his lakeside estate, the race to find out whodunit begins. Filled with booby-traps and belted songs, this hilarious spoof hums along as you play armchair detective to a zany cast of characters.

Directed by Scott Nolte, “Something’s Afoot” runs July 15 through Aug. 13, with previews July 13-14.

“Murder mysteries have always been a big hit among our patrons, since the early days of Taproot Theatre,” Nolte said in a press release. “So, we got to thinking, what better way to celebrate our 35th Anniversary Season and say thanks for the years of support than to present a murder mystery musical? This clever spoof honors the mystery greats like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers.”

“Something’s Afoot” premiered in 1972 at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta. Taproot’s production features Dale Bowers, Gerald B. Browning, Ryan Childers, Jenny Cross, William Hamer, Ian Lindsay, Natalie Anne Moe, Deanna Sarkar, Pat Sibley and Tim Tully.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; and 2 p.m. Saturday matinees. There’s a pay-what-you-can performance on July 20, and post-play discussions on Wednesday nights (except for the preview night). Taproot Theatre is at 204 N. 85th St.

GreenStage presents Shakespeare in the Park at several outdoor locations this summer, including nearby Lower Woodland Park. Performances are free, but donations are accepted after each show.

The performance area at Lower Woodland Park is at Aurora Avenue North and North 60^th Street, in the meadow on the east side of Highway 99, just south of the lawn bowling and horseshoe pits, near picnic shelter #6.

“Antony and Cleopatra,” directed by Patrick Bentley, plays at Lower Woodland Park at 7 p.m. Friday, July 15, and 3 p.m., Saturday, July 16.

Shakespeare’s beautiful telling of one of history’s greatest and most ill-fated romances. It is two years after the death of Julius Caesar and a new Caesar, Octavius, is coming into his own. Aging Mark Antony, one of the three rulers of Rome, lives a lavish life of passion and indulgence with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. As Octavius and Rome pressure him to return to his duties, Antony and Cleopatra struggle to keep their own power while sharing a passion that tests their allegiances and begs the question, “What is life without love?”

“The Tempest,” directed by Michael D. Blum, is at Lower Woodland Park at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 14, and 7 p.m., Saturday, July 16.

On an isolated, magical island, Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan and self-taught sorcerer lives in banishment. For years, his only company has been his brave young daughter, an airy magical spirit and an enslaved monster. Despite the passage of time, Prospero hungers for revenge and the opportunity comes when a powerful storm shipwrecks his usurping brother,  other nobles, and some very colorful characters  on the island. Shakespeare’s final and most personal play, The Tempest is a powerful and often funny story of love, forgiveness and redemption.

See GreenStage’s website for the full schedule at all parks.

Taproot Theatre’s current production of “Brownie Points” discusses the issue of race and motherhood. The theater is holding a series of guided conversations after Thursday night performances (June 2, 9 and 16), and will host a special “Neighbors and Strangers: Discussing Diversity and the Experience of Race in Seattle” at 7 p.m., Monday, June 13. Special guests at “Neighbors and Strangers” are Pastor Patrinell Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir.

The discussion comes shortly after the release of the 2010 Census report, which ranked Seattle as the 5th least diverse of America’s large cities, yet with the most diverse zip code in the country (98118). “Neighbors and Strangers” will consider a number of questions, including what does this mean for people living in Seattle, is diversity a problem in our city, and what factors are affecting Seattle’s diversity?

Moderated by Tali Hairston, director of the John Perkins Center at Seattle Pacific University, the evening’s speakers will include Pastor Patrinell Wright, founder/director of Total Experience Gospel Choir, Rabbi Mark S. Glickman of Congregation Kol Ami and Congregation Kol Shalom, Dr. Ron Ruthruff, author of The Least of These, and Karen Lund, director/associate artistic director of Taproot Theatre Company. A special guest performance from Total Experience Gospel Choir will open the evening.

Admission to “Neighbors and Strangers” is free, but you must sign up in advance due to limited seating (priority seating will be given to ticketholders for any performance of “Brownie Points”). To RSVP, contact Sonja Lowe at 206-529-3666 or sonjal@taproottheatre.org.

Taproot Theatre’s 2011 Gala last month raised a record amount – more than $267,000 – to support the theater’s programs, including a popular touring production that performs at schools, libraries and other public venues around the region. The theater reports that the 250-seat event on April 9 at The Triple Door downtown was sold out.

Left to right at microphones: Taproot Theatre Road Company performers Ryan Childers, Asha Stichter, Adrienne Littleton and Josh Smyth.

“No theatre can survive, let alone thrive, without the encouragement and generosity of friends,” Producing Artistic Director Scott Nolte said in a press release. “Clearly, we’re blessed to have an exceptional family of patrons who care deeply about Taproot Theatre’s success, artistry and stability.”

Taproot has also begun a three-year, $6 million drive – called the Deep Roots Campaign – part of which will help pay for its proposed expansion into the adjacent space where the Eleanor Roosevelt Building stood until it was destroyed by arson in October 2009.

Taproot is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

As it closes out its phenomenally successful run of “The Beams are Creaking” this weekend, Greenwood’s Taproot Theatre prepares for the west coast premiere of “Brownie Points.” Directed by Karen Lund, “Brownie Points” opens on May 20.

In November, playwright Janece Shaffer won the Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award for “Brownie Points.” Shaffer will visit Taproot Theatre during opening week.

The girls’ club pledge never promised camping would be easy…for the moms. In the late night mayhem of a backwoods campout a storm rages outside, while a squall builds inside the cabin. Set against tranquil mountains, the close quarters, diverse backgrounds and differing walks of life collide, spurring hilarious but meaningful conversations about race, religion and parenting.

“I love how this play gets to the heart of sensitive issues, by couching them in the comic moments of our everyday lives, making them accessible,” said Lund. “It basically comes down to what’s more important, people’s differences in things like race and religion, or what they have in common, which in the case of these women is the struggle to raise their kids the best way they know how.”

Tickets are available at Taproot Theatre’s box office, 204 N. 85th St., by phone at 206-781-9707, or online.

Douglas Anderson, who wrote “The Beams are Creaking,” which has had a phenomenal sold-out run at Taproot Theatre over the last month, will attend this Thursday’s performance. Anderson is visiting from Vermont. He will speak at a special post-play “talkback.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Matt Shimkus) and his brother, Klaus (Simon Pringle), are part of a plot to murder Hitler. Photo by Erik Stuhaug, Taproot Theatre.

Taproot has twice added shows to the original run because every show sold out through the April 23 original closing date. Seating is extremely limited for the shows on April 28, 29 and 30. Tickets are available through Taproot Theatre’s box office at 206-781-9707 and online at www.taproottheatre.org.

“The Beams are Creaking” begins in 1933 just as the Nazi party has taken power in Germany. It tells a true story of a plot to murder Hitler, and how one man tries to stay true to his religious convictions while battling questions of morality and political allegiance.

Taproot Theatre has extended the run of its current production “The Beams are Creaking” due to popular demand for tickets. The theater had already added a  Tuesday show next week, but it’s now extending the run by a full week, adding three weekend shows.

Originally scheduled to close on April 23, the show will now run through April 30, with additional performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, and 8 p.m. performances on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30.

Tickets are available through Taproot Theatre’s box office at 206-781-9707.

Gerald B. Browning, Don Brady, and Matt Shimkus. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.

Set in Germany in 1933, the Nazi party has taken power. In the face of the greatest evil of the 20th century, Dietrich Bonhoeffer battles questions of morality, political allegiance and religious conviction, and must make choices that could change the course of history. This true story will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

David Roby will replace Simon Pringle for the performances April 28 through 30. The rest of the cast remains the same: Matt Shimkus as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, along with Don Brady, Gerald Browning, Robert Gallaher, Nathan Jeffrey, Rob Martin, Kim Morris and Sarah Ware. The production team includes scenic and sound designer Mark Lund, costume designer Nanette Acosta and lighting designer Andrew Duff. Rachael Dorman serves as stage manager, Marianna de Fazio as dialect coach, Sam Vance as music director, and Melissa Johnson as dramaturg intern with Sonja Lowe as supervising dramaturg.

Greenwood and Phinney Ridge neighbors are involved in some local arts productions.

Ariella Hensen, a home-schooled fifth-grader from Greenwood, is performing the role of “Clock Child” in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “Cinderella.” It opens tonight.

Ariella has been a student at Pacific Northwest Ballet School since she was 4 years old, and has performed in “Nutcracker” for the last four years.

Phinney Ridge resident Matt Langston is assistant stage manager of “The Drowsy Chaperone” at Seattle Musical Theatre at Magnuson Park. It opens Feb. 11.

The Drowsy Chaperone is the tale of a modern day musical theater maven, known simply as “Man in Chair.” To chase his blues away, he drops the needle on his favorite LP – the 1928 madcap musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone. As his hi-fi crackles, the musical magically bursts to life on-stage. We learn the tale of the pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up showbiz to get hitched, and her producer’s attempts to sabotage her impending nuptials. Hilarious antics ensue with her chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorus girl, the Latin lover and a pair of gangsters masquerading as pastry chefs.