Taproot Theatre presents staged readings of Sherlock Holmes

and the Case of the Christmas Carol despite Greenwood fire

Theatre plans to present world premiere production in 2010

SEATTLE – November 12, 2009 – Taproot Theatre presents two staged readings of John Longenbaugh’s Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol this December 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. at Seattle Pacific University’s McKinley Hall. Forced to postpone the world premiere production until 2010 due to the Greenwood fire on October 23, Taproot Theatre producing artistic director Scott Nolte and playwright John Longenbaugh still wanted to offer a taste of what is to come.

“When the extent of the damage from the fire was clear and we had to make the decision to postpone the show I was as heartbroken as anyone at Taproot,” said Longenbaugh, who has been actively involved in the Seattle theatre scene for years. “Scott had pulled together such an incredible cast for the show and rehearsals were giving me a chance to truly hone the script. I’m immensely grateful that the Theatre is giving the cast, and me, a chance to give Seattle a little peek at this play that we’re all so excited about.”

The Greenwood fire happened just days after the cast met for the first rehearsal. While Alex Robertson, Jesse Notehelfer and Eric Riedmann were recast in Taproot Theatre’s new holiday production, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, at its temporary location, the other actors return to perform in the staged readings in the roles in which they were originally cast. Terry Edward Moore returns as Sherlock Holmes and David Nail as Watson, plus David Dorrian, Aaron Lamb and Pam Nolte. They are joined by Kevin Brady and Charity Parenzini.

“These readings should be a lot of fun and give audiences who were anticipating the show something to whet their appetite,” Longenbaugh said. ”For me, the feedback from a live audience is crucial in developing this work, which we hope to be able to present to our audiences in a full production next year.”

The staged readings of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol take place at McKinley Hall at Seattle Pacific University, located at 3307 Third Avenue West. Tickets will be available on a pay-what-you-can basis at the door only, with proceeds benefitting the Greenwood Fire Relief Fund. For questions or more information, please call Taproot Theatre at 206-781-9707.

Taproot Theatre plans to produce the world premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol next year. In the meantime, it’s presenting It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, adapted for the stage by Joe Landry, at the Stage One Theatre at North Seattle Community College this holiday season from November 25-December 30.