Taproot shows will go on despite Greenwood fire

October 29, 9:51 PMSeattle Theater ExaminerRosemary Jones

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Within hours of the fire, Taproot proclaimed that "the show must go on!"

www.taproottheatre.org

Members of the Taproot Theatre company are meeting tonight to discuss where they will present their next show: the world premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol. The play was already in rehearsal last week prior to the theater being damaged by a fire that destroyed four neighboring businesses. 

As per the company's website, Sherlock will open on schedule.  Those currently holding tickets are referred to the  website for updates. Along with the structural damages suffered at the theater, Taproot has no box office phone or Internet service at this time and are asking for patrons' patience as they work out these issues.

Taproot received an empty storefront from developer Gary Brunt (Piper Village) to use as a temporary office as they organize repairs. Taproot has moved their production offices and the costume shop to this location until renovations of the theater are finished.

According to the company's website, those renovations should be done by the end of January in time for the company's premiere of The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.

Still Committed to Neighborhood

With several news sources now reporting that last Friday's fire was arson, Taproot Theatre issued a statement at 6 p.m. tonight:

Taproot Theatre Company is brokenhearted to learn that the fire that devastated four of our neighboring businesses and damaged our theatre was reported to have been deliberately set. When Taproot Theatre moved into Greenwood, crime in the neighborhood decreased almost immediately. In the years since, we’ve watched Greenwood blossom into a vibrant community that’s focused on the arts, promoting small businesses and protecting the environment—values that we promote, as well, and that represent the spirit of Seattle. Greenwood deserves to have a top-notch theatre in its midst, and we at Taproot Theatre love this neighborhood and will continue bringing people from across the region to Greenwood for years to come.

We are saddened for the four businesses that lost everything in this fire; those businesspeople are tremendous, hard-working, and also dedicated to their work in this neighborhood.

November 2 update: After much searching, Taproot was unable to find a new space for Sherlock. The full production of the play has been delayed until 2010.

Instead, the theater will present an encore run of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at the Stage One Theatre at North Seattle Community College. George Bailey and his angel Clarence return to the stage November 27 through December 30, with a pay-what-you-can performance on November 25.

And remember, every time you donate to a theater, you become an angel!