Taproot Theatre announces new holiday production

New play, new location, but the show will go on despite fire

SEATTLE – November 2, 2009 – Taproot Theatre’s annual holiday production will go on despite the October 23 fire. Taproot Theatre brings the hit play It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play back to the stage as it holds its holiday production at the Stage One Theatre at North Seattle Community College. Unable to find a venue that could accommodate the world premiere of John Longenbaugh’s Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol, Taproot Theatre brings back one of the most popular Christmas plays in its history. Adapted for the stage by Joe Landry and directed by Karen Lund, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play runs November 27 through December 30, with a pay-what-you-can performance on November 25. There are no preview performances.

Clarence needs his wings and George Bailey needs… well George needs Clarence. Live out a holiday classic as a part of our “live studio audience” when Taproot Theatre brings It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play to the stage. Set in 1947 as a radio broadcast, this heartwarming tale will remind you and yours of the important things in life and send you home laughing, loving and living the magic of Christmas.

Live radio performances were most popular from 1920 until the advent of television in the 1950s. An audience would be brought in to the studio, and hit films such as It’s a Wonderful Life would be produced live on the air for people who would listen while gathered around a radio in their living room.

Grant Goodeve and Mark Lund will reprise their roles from Taproot Theatre’s 2006 production of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. The cast also features Jesse Notehelfer, Eric Riedmann and Candace Vance. 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.

Patrons who purchased tickets for Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol will be moved into comparable seats on the corresponding nights of the new production. If they had tickets for the preview performances, which have been canceled, Taproot Theatre will contact them to arrange their new tickets. Taproot Theatre’s Dinner & Theatre events will take place at the new location, catered by The Upper Crust. Taproot Theatre will also issue refunds when necessary.

Taproot Theatre plans to produce the world premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol next year. It will hold two staged readings at Seattle Pacific University’s McKinley Auditorium on December 4 and 5 this year at 8 p.m. Those readings will be free; no reservations are necessary.



It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Fact Sheet

WHAT: It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play adapted for the stage by Joe Landry, directed by Karen Lund

DESCRIPTION: Clarence needs his wings and George Bailey needs… well George needs Clarence. Live out a holiday classic as a part of our “live studio audience” when Taproot Theatre brings It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play to the stage. Set in 1947 as a radio broadcast, this heartwarming tale will remind you and yours of the important things in life and send you home laughing, loving and living the magic of Christmas.

WHEN: November 25 through December 30, 2009. Pay-what-you-can (PWYC) performance: November 25. Opening Night with Reception: November 27.

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

WHERE: Stage One Theatre at North Seattle Community College.

TICKETS: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees, $26-28; Friday and Saturday evenings, $30-33. 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 after 6 p.m. See taproottheatre.org for more information.
For tickets contact Taproot Theatre’s box office at (206) 781-9707. Group rates are available. For groups, call (206) 781-9708.

CALENDAR:
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


ABOUT TAPROOT THEATRE COMPANY
Taproot Theatre Company is a professional, non-profit theatre company with a multi-faceted production program. Founded in 1976, Taproot Theatre serves the Pacific Northwest with Mainstage Productions, Touring Productions and Acting Studio. Taproot exists to create theatre that explores the beauty and questions of life while bringing hope to our search for meaning. Taproot Theatre Company is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), Theatre Puget Sound (TPS), and the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce.

Support for Taproot Theatre’s 2009 season is generously provided by The Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences, ArtsFund, 4Culture, Washington State Arts Commission, PONCHO and Nesholm Family Foundation. Thanks to The Upper Crust, our Opening Night sponsor.