Taproot Uncorked celebrates Heroic Wines and an extraordinary post-fire year

Celebratory fundraiser takes place on October 22, one year after arson

SEATTLE – September 28, 2010 – One year after the arson that severely damaged—and threatened to destroy—Taproot Theatre Company’s Greenwood playhouse, the theatre hosts Taproot Uncorked, a fundraising event celebrating its extraordinary post-fire year and looking ahead to the future. On October 22, Taproot Theatre and Greenwood’s Vineyard Wine Shop team up at The Upper Crust’s Greenwood Square for a night of pairing heroic wines and Taproot’s heroic year.

Given the challenges, and ultimately victories, of the past year, the theme of heroic wines seemed appropriate.

“By heroic wines, I mean wines which are victorious in their endeavor to survive all odds,” says Vineyard Wine Shop owner Patrick Anderson. “With each passing year the vine’s roots grow deeper and deeper into the soils, and with this comes the wisdom of age and experience.”

The fire in the early hours of October 23, 2009, destroyed the Eleanor Roosevelt Building—which Taproot leased to four businesses—and resulted in such extensive smoke and water damage to the theatre that Taproot was forced to shut its doors for three months and relocate performances. Having weathered multiple recessions in its nearly 35 years, Taproot’s leadership had learned to persevere through the ups and downs of time, but a fire was something no one ever thought would happen.

“It hit as a shock, but throughout that morning I just kept thinking, ‘We have to get through this. We have audiences to serve, a neighborhood we’re committed to,” said Taproot’s co-founder and producing artistic director, Scott Nolte. “The way the Greater Seattle arts community, the Greenwood-Phinney neighborhood, and so many other friends rallied around us gave me hope that we would get through this and come out even stronger than before.”

Taproot Theatre officially reopened its doors on January 29, 2010, for opening night of The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis’ allegory adapted by George Drance and New York’s Magis Theatre. The production played to sold-out houses and broke all attendance records in the theatre’s nearly-35-year history. In addition, the 2010 season went on to bring in Taproot’s highest number of subscribers ever.

The evening’s festivities run from 6 to 8 p.m. and include tasting and learning about heroic wines with wine expert Patrick Anderson, hearty hors d’oeuvres from The Upper Crust, plus time to visit with some of Taproot’s most deeply rooted artists who will be pouring the wines. Taproot Uncorked takes place at The Upper Crust Catering’s Greenwood Square, located at 8420 Greenwood Avenue North. Seating is limited, and early registration is encouraged. Tickets cost $45 and are available online at www.taprootuncorked.com.

Taproot Uncorked is made possible through generous partnerships with The Vineyard Wine Shop and The Upper Crust Catering.