Taproot Theatre Company in Seattle, continues its 35th season with the incredibly dramatic presentation of Douglas Anderson’s The Beams are Creaking. This riveting play has done so well, that performances are sold out through April 16th with only one weekend left on the schedule (it runs through April 23). This is sort of a good news/bad news situation. Good news for them, bad news for you if you miss it.
Although the title sounds like the beginning of a haunted house mystery, or perhaps a madcap comedy, Beams is neither.
Set in Germany 1933, the Nazi party has taken power and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor, battles political allegiance and religious conviction. Germany’s houses of worship are becoming part of The German Christian Movement with a look of Protestant on the outside, but something completely different on the inside. Independent Catholic and Protestant churches are being forced to join the movement. As an outspoken minister, Bonhoeffer, along with other pastors who oppose the state church, form the Pastors Emergency League urging young seminarians to stand true to their faith and serve Jesus alone. Later on, Bonhoeffer serves as a member of Abwehr, the German Military Intelligence, secretly opposing the Nazi Party and work to undermine Hitler’s initiatives from the inside. This includes several attempts to assassinate Hitler.
What could have been a very dry production, Anderson has provided a quick-paced, very enjoyable script. The story is broken down to Bonhoeffer’s small family and close allies. The characters come alive with personality and surprising humor. As a side story, this play tells of Bonhoeffer’s love of the early black church forming in the United States, stating how they truly live out their faith every moment of the day unlike what he was seeing in his homeland. It itself provides a challenge to modern day believers.
Beams is directed by the Company’s Associate Director, Karen Lund, who has directed over 100 productions at Taproot and around the country including last season’s Wedding Belles, Brooklyn Boy, and Charley’s Aunt. Her directing helps move the play swiftly, leaving you on the edge of your seat. The sets, are beautifully simplistic with characters flitting from one side to the other creating new scenarios. The costumes, designed by Nanette Acosta (who also did the costuming for Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat), sport browns and grays with just hint of color which adds to the mood of the play.
Starring in the lead role of Bonhoeffer, Matt Shimkus is continuously on the stage from the beginning to the end. The poor guy never gets a break except during intermission. He does an incredible job of projecting a character who is at first incredulous of the incoming threat only to become fully engaged in this spy story. He fully deserved the standing ovation he received the performance I attended.
It was great to see one of my favorite Taproot actresses, Kim Morris, on stage again playing Bonhoeffer’s mother. All other actors in Beams played multiple roles including Sarah Ware playing Bonhoeffer’s sister Sabine in the first half of the play and his fiancee, Maria the second half. Nathan Jeffrey, Don Brady and Rob Martin played six or seven role each. Every character fully defined. Simon Pringle, with his piercing eyes, makes his USA stage debut as Klaus, Dietrich’s brother and plays it with much emotion. Robert Gallaher, also a long term member of Taproot, finishes up the family unit as Dietrich’s father and later as a delightful prison guard.
If you miss this performance, you will truly miss live theatre at it’s best. Call the Taproot box office at 206.781.9707 or make a stop on their website.
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