Taproot Theater Company announces next season!

Taproot Theatre Company’s 2010 Season:

The Great Divorce – Regional Premiere

By C.S. Lewis, adapted by George Drance & The Magis Theatre

January 29-February 27, previews January 27 & 28

C.S. Lewis’ fantastical work springs to life in this electrifying regional premiere. One drizzly afternoon our author embarks on a supernatural voyage with a cast of eccentric, humorous characters that bear a remarkable resemblance to us. Theatrical, imaginative and thought provoking. It’s a bus ride through heaven and hell that, in the grand C.S. Lewis tradition, leaves you breathless and wanting more.

Brooklyn Boy – Regional Premiere

By Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies

March 19-April 17, previews March 17 & 18

Can we ever go home… and do we want to? Eric Weiss has finally made it big with a best seller and a shot at a Hollywood film. An inconvenient phone call brings him back to the Brooklyn neighborhood he grew up in and happily left behind. Witty and deeply touching, this story of growing up, coming home and making sense of it all is sure to warm your heart.

Charley’s Aunt

By Brandon Thomas

May 14-June 12, previews May 12 & 13

By George! This is splendid! A quiet afternoon luncheon turns into a hilarious masquerade when college chums attempt to woo a pair of charming young ladies. After persuading a classmate to impersonate their missing aunt (and chaperone), mischief, high jinks and shenanigans ensue. This hilarious classic has been delighting audiences for over 100 years.

Man of La Mancha

A Musical Play by Dale Wasserman

Music by Mitch Leigh & Lyrics by Joe Darion Original Production Staged by Albert Marre

Originally Produced by Albert W. Selden and Hal James

July 9-August 7, previews July 7 & 8

Don Quixote is mad... mad enough to dream an impossible dream while tilting after windmills with his trusty sidekick, Sancho Panza. Taproot’s adventurous new staging of Cervantes’ immortal classic reunites you with a story and songs that will capture your imagination and set you dreaming again. Quixote’s romantic quest is as crazy as he is. But is his impossible dream madness or vision? The trial is about to begin.

Wedding Belles – Regional Premiere

By Alan Bailey & Ronnie Claire Edwards

September 24-October 23, previews September 22 & 23

When a bedraggled bride is found stranded at an East Texas bus station in 1942, the determined ladies of the Eufala Springs Garden Club leap into action! Lemonade, wedding cake and a gown are easy enough to come by… but where’s the groom? This side-splitting comedy overflows with love, laughter and southern hospitality at its best! From the creator of Smoke on the Mountain.

Ticket and Subscription Information:

Performances take place Wednesday through Saturday evenings, with matinees on Saturdays. Ticket prices range from $22 to $35; plus, we offer a $10 ticket for ages 25 and under, discounts for students and seniors, group rates for parties of eight or more, and one pay-what-you-can performance for each production.

Taproot Theatre is currently in its resubscription period; subscriptions open to the public on October 1, and single tickets go on sale in January 2010.

Subscribers save up to 18% over single ticket prices, plus enjoy great benefits like priority seating, discounts on additional tickets, free ticket exchanges, a subscriber rewards card and more. Subscribers have a number of packages to choose from, including three- and five-play season subscriptions and a Flex Pass subscription, which gives patrons more flexibility when scheduling their tickets.

For more information about subscriptions and single tickets, visit www.taproottheatre.org or contact the box office at 206.781.9707 or box@taproottheatre.org. The box office is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m., and until show time on performance nights.

All performances are held at Taproot Theatre, located at 204 N. 85^th St. in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood. The 226-seat theatre is wheelchair accessible and is equipped with assisted listening devices.

Support for Taproot Theatre’s 2010 Mainstage season is generously provided by The Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences, ArtsFund, 4Culture, Washington State Arts Commission, PONCHO and Nesholm Family Foundation.

ABOUT TAPROOT THEATRE COMPANY

Taproot Theatre Company is a professional, non-profit theatre company with a multi-faceted production program. Founded in 1976, Taproot Theatre serves the Pacific Northwest with Mainstage Productions, Touring Productions and Acting Studio. Taproot exists to create theatre that explores the beauty and questions of life while bringing hope to our search for meaning. Taproot Theatre Company is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), Theatre Puget Sound (TPS), and the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce.

Catch Me if You Can Benefit Performance

Catch Me Benefit Performance Announced

Seattle’s Compass Center to receive portion of each ticket sold for 8/5/09 performance

SEATTLE, WA –The 5th Avenue theatre today announced that it will be holding a special benefit performance of their World Premiere musical Catch Me If You Can on Wednesday August 5 to benefit the Compass Center, a non-profit agency serving homeless and low income individuals and families in the greater Seattle area.

The benefit is to honor of the memory of Teresa Butz, who was a board member of the Compass Center.

Five dollars of every ticket sold for this performance will be donated to the Center, with half of the donation coming from the theatre and half from the show’s New York producing partners.

The Compass Center serves homeless and low-income men and women over 18 years of age, a vulnerable and underserved population in Seattle and King County. It is a culturally and ethnically diverse population, consisting of individuals with varying strengths and needs.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, currently in previews prior to its August 6th opening, is the unbelievable yet true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., a sexy young con artist who posed, and was employed, as a doctor, lawyer and Pan Am pilot all before he was 21. Carl Hanratty, a middle-aged bored FBI agent, comes alive when assigned to catch this charming swindler whose check-forging skills have netted him more than $2.8 million. The battle of wills intensifies as they become curious about one another and begin to question what they’re each chasing in their own lives. With a score soaked in the jazzy, swingin’ ’60s jet-set culture, the game of cat and mouse has never been so stylish.

Tickets for this special performance and all other performances are available over the phone by calling 206-625-1900 / toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, or online at 5thavenue.org

The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle’s premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of over 25,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation’s largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Marilynn Sheldon and Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit www.5thavenue.org.

Seattle Rep Raises $1 Million in Match Campaign and Ends Year in Balance

Seattle, WA – Seattle Repertory Theatre announced today the success of a $1 million one-to-one matching campaign, which enabled the theatre to end their fiscal year in balance on June 30, 2009.

In November, the theatre identified a large potential shortfall due to a slow start in ticket sales and a projected decline in giving due to the state of the economy. Initially Seattle Rep put into action a number of cost-saving measures including staff furloughs to offset early shortfalls in earned revenue, but still needed a new strategy to meet expectations for contributed income.

Seattle Rep management approached Seattle Repertory Theatre Foundation—a partner organization that oversees the theatre's endowment—to explore the possibility of a $1 million matching loan from the endowment.

The Foundation agreed, stipulating that they would match any new or increased gift dollar for dollar, up to $1 million, raised by the end of the fiscal year.

Coming down to the wire with the last gift received just a half hour before the deadline, the theatre was able to raise $1 million of new money in just six months. The majority of the donors (1,430) were new, with 46% giving $50 or less. Additionally, 610 current donors increased their gifts by amounts that ranged from $1 to $100,000.

"We knew that in this economy it would be tough to encourage new donors to support the theatre," said Managing Director Benjamin Moore. "We devised a unique way to use our own resources to energize a fundraising campaign and correct our course for the season."

The theatre was galvanized by very strong ticket sales in the second half of the season. Three of the season's nine productions were extended due to popular demand, and season closer "Wishful Drinking" starring Carrie Fisher had the highest single ticket sales of any show in Seattle Rep history.

For the coming 2009-10 season and beyond, the theatre has enacted a number of initiatives to maintain financial stability, including reduced performances and a 32-hour work week for administrative staff. The reduction in operating budget will offset the fact that the theatre won't receive a distribution of investment income from the endowment until the investment market recovers. The endowment currently holds assets of over $11 million.

"We are so grateful to the community for supporting us and securing our position as one of Seattle's largest and longest-running theatres," said Board of Trustees President Jane Zalutsky. "Our gift back to you is financial responsibility so we can continue to create high quality theatre."

Seattle Rep opens its 2009-10 season Sept. 25 with Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps."

Preview Cancelled and Performances Added for Catch Me If You Can

SEATTLE – The 5th Avenue Theatre regrets to announce the cancellation of preview performances Thursday July 23 through Sunday July 26 of the upcoming World Premiere of the new musical Catch Me If You Can, but will be offering two additional performances of the show next week on Tuesday July 28 and Wednesday July 29. The two additional performances will be at 7:30 pm.

This cancellation was made necessary due to a serious family emergency affecting a principal cast member.

Patrons who had purchased tickets for preview performances that were cancelled will be accommodated first if they wish to exchange their tickets for these performances, and are also invited to exchange their seats for another night during the run. Tickets for these two additional performances will go on sale to the general public on Friday morning.

Ticketholders who need to exchange their tickets can do so by contacting the 5th Avenue Box Office at (206) 625-1900, or in-person at 1308 5th Avenue Seattle. Ticketing hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle’s premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of over 25,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation’s largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Marilynn Sheldon and Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit 5thavenue.org.

A benefit concert for Seattle Musical Theatre

presented by

Sno-King Community Chorale Ensemble

under the direction of Frank DeMiero

Enjoy an evening of musical favorites from

Annie Get Your Gun, Beauty and the Beast, …

Plus selections from the Chorale’s vast repertoire of pop, spiritual and inspirational music

Saturday, August 22, 2009

7:30 p.m.

Magnuson Park Community Center

7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle

Tickets: 206.363.2809

$15.00 General Admission

$13.00 Students/Seniors

Festival Seating

Preview Cancelled for Catch Me If You Can

SEATTLE – The 5th Avenue Theatre regrets to announce the cancellation of the Thursday, July 23 and Friday, July 24 preview performances of the upcoming world premiere of the new musical Catch Me If You Can.

This cancellation was made necessary due to a serious family emergency affecting a principal cast member.

Patrons who had purchased tickets for preview performances are invited to exchange their seats for another night during the run. They can do so by contacting the 5th Avenue Box Office at (206) 625-1900, or in-person at 1308 5th Avenue Seattle. Ticketing hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle’s premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of over 25,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation’s largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Marilynn Sheldon and Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit 5thavenue.org.

Latenight Improv Returns to Taproot's Mainstage

Friday nights after Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming

SEATTLE – July 20, 2009 – Taproot Theatre is bringing Late-Night Improv back to the Mainstage this summer for three hilarious evenings of fun. Following the performances of Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming on July 24 and 31 and August 7, Taproot’s improvisers will take the stage to entertain audiences with their imaginative sketches based on audience suggestions. Performances start at 10:15 p.m., or shortly after the Mainstage performance ends.

Tickets are $10 at the door, or $8 for patrons staying after the performance of Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming. Taproot Theatre is located at 204 North 85^th Street in Greenwood.

Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming is a toe-tappin’, knee-slappin’, heartwarmin’ bluegrass gospel extravaganza. Written by Connie Ray and conceived by Alan Bailey, with musical arrangements by Mike Craver, this musical runs through August 8. For tickets, call the box office at 206-781-9707.

Support for Taproot Theatre’s 2009 season is generously provided by 4Culture, ArtsFund, The Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences, Washington State Arts Commission, Nesholm Family Foundation and PONCHO. Thanks to The Upper Crust, our Opening Night sponsor, and Romio’s Pizza and Pasta and Dry Soda, our Pizza and a Play sponsors.

About Taproot Theatre

Taproot Theatre Company is a professional, non-profit theatre company with a multi-faceted production program. Founded in 1976, Taproot Theatre serves the Pacific Northwest with Mainstage Productions, Touring Productions and Acting Studio. Taproot exists to create theatre that explores the beauty and questions of life while bringing hope to our search for meaning. Taproot Theatre Company is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), Theatre Puget Sound (TPS), and the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce.

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Late-Night Improv FACT SHEET

WHAT: Late-Night Improv on the Mainstage

WHEN: Fridays, July 24, 31, August 7, after Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming.
Start time is approximately 10:15 p.m.

WHERE: Taproot Theatre

204 North 85^th Street

Seattle, WA 98103

TICKETS: Tickets are just $10, or $8 for those staying after the evening’s performance of Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming. Tickets are available at the door.