The theater world is a virtual time machine. In a matter of weeks, you can go from one play that deals with the atrocities and trials of those who living through World War II under the leadership of Hitler in Germany, and then fast forward to the present day Georgia with a bunch of girl scouts. Just another day in the life of Taproot Theatre Company.
The dramedy, Brownie Points, by Janece Shaffer, will be making its West Coast premiere at Taproot from May 20 to June 18 with previews on May 18 and 19. This is also a special event in that Shaffer herself will make a visit to Taproot the week of its’ opening.
In Brownie Points, Shaffer raises the question, “What is more powerful: the shared experience of motherhood or the divisiveness of race?” Taking a sharp turn in tone from Taproot’s last sold out presentation of The Beams are Creaking, Brownie Points takes place during a weekend in the mountains where five women oversee a camping trip for their daughters' Scout troop. While a storm rages outside a small cabin, a virtual squall builds inside. Each woman in attendance comes from a different background and race. Tensions begin to build causing each woman to defend herself from everything from racial profiling to what the battle between the working class and the stay-at-home moms.
“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,” says director, Karen 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.”
The plays runs from May 20 to June 18 at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and there are matinees also on Saturdays at 2 p.m. A special “Pay What You Can Afford” performance on May 25 and post play discussion after the Wednesday performances (excluding the preview). Tickets range from $20-35 with special discounts for students, seniors and groups. (See their website for more details). Tickets can be purchased online, in person or by phone at 206.781.9707.
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