Category: Taproot Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Jeeves Takes a Bow play at Taproot Theatre directed by Scott Nolte adapted by Margaret Raether based on PG Wodehouse stories. Fast-moving light play … just how I like it! Chaotic comedy! Great job Jeeves understudy Mark Waldstein. It must be nice to have a butler to cushion your falls in life!

Synopsis from the Theatre: Bertie’s back! And this time his talent for trouble trails him to the Big Apple. When childhood chum Binkey Binkersteth knocks, one knacky notion leads to masterful mayhem and soon the notorious Knuckles McCann is fitting Bertie for a Chicago overcoat. Fortunately, the unflappable Jeeves is close at hand with a stiff cuppa joe and a penchant for putting things right!

Reviewed Performance: 5/19/23 – Opening Night

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Few

Several or Few Settings/Locations: One, the living room of a luxurious New York City apartment

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but I suspect you’d probably appreciate the play more if you’re familiar with PG Wodehouse’s Jeeves character. I only knew about Ask Jeeves from the 1990s prior to this performance.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Not particularly extensive. There’s only so much story that can unfold in a single room. It was more about comedic antics than unfolding complex plot.

Recommendation: See it, especially if you like chaotic comedies that Taproot Theatre tends to produce like The Nerd and See How They Run. Usually, I don’t prefer shows with focused on hijinks and antics but this one was actually pretty good.

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show: Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Probably not, but it was good

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.5 stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 6

Perceived Pace of Show: Fast

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours that flew by. Time flies when you’re having fun!

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

• Delightful Characters: Many amusing personalities filled this play with funny 1930s dialogue. The prude Vivienne Duckworth was probably my favorite since I grew up with her repressive moralistic mentality. Kelly Karcher’s energetic portrayal of Vivienne reminded me of her previous Taproot Theatre role where she shined as Lydia in The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley. The flapper-like NYC stardom-obsessed Ruby LeRoy (played by Claire Marx) was a wonderful contrast to prim British Vivienne. Speaking of contrasts, there was an “opposites attract” storyline, which I always eat up. It’s also worth mentioning Calder Shilling’s (Bertram Wilberforce Wooster) and Miguel Castellano’s (Nigel Bingham-Binkersteth, aka “Binkey”) lively portrayals of their British characters.
• Scenic Design: While the design didn’t feel like 1910s-1920s era (seemed more 1980s-1990s), it was still visually pleasing. I was particularly drawn to the way high rise windows and the fire escape was designed.
• Song: I was pleasantly surprised when Claire Marx sang a number in the second act. When I saw her name in the program, I remarked to myself that I usually see her in more music-related roles instead of pure acting parts. I’m glad she still briefly showcased her great musicality in her Ruby character.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

• Opening Remarks: The mundane opening remarks (like acknowledging the show sponsors) we hear before live theatre was pre-recorded like an old timey on-era NPR-like radio broadcast. Nice attention to detail.
• Twist: Good unexpected twist with the gangster at the end of the first act!
• Western Play Segment: Where did this chaotic scene come from? Very left field in my opinion.

Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre

Venue: Jewell Mainstage at Taproot Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Price: Cheap

Ticket Affordability Options: Pay what you can days, GoldStar, and TodayTix

Dates: May 17 to June 17, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid lot or usually-free street parking. I always find free street parking on Greenwood Ave just South of the theatre.

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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2023/jeeves-takes-a-bow/
• Program

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures in video and under video

@showsiveseen "Jeeves Takes a Bow" #play at @TaprootTheatre directed by Scott Nolte adapted by Margaret Raether based on PG Wodehouse stories. Opening night starring understudy Mark Waldstein & Calder Shilling w/ food from @Zylberschtein’s. Fast-moving light show – just how I like it. Chaotic #comedy! Photos by Robert Wade & @Giao Nguyen. Review: showsiveseen.com/5611 #theatre ♬ original sound – Shows I've Seen

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): As It is in Heaven play at Taproot Theatre. Interesting glimpse into the repressive & austere #Shakers culture from the women’s perspective. Reminded me of a catholic nunnery. Great vision (or hallucination?) scenes. “The emperor has no clothes!” #shaker #quaker #quakers

Synopsis from the Theatre: “Tis a gift to be simple,” sing the Shakers of Pleasant Hill. But as the young women in the community claim new spiritual gifts, Sister Hannah and the other elders must judge whether these gifts are real or rebellion. Set during America’s surge of Utopian communities, the play wrestles with belief and doubt in a swiftly changing world.

Reviewed Performance: 3/25/23 Opening Weekend Matinee

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings: Several

Defined Plot/Storyline: Seemed more like loosely-connected chronological vignettes than an actual defined plot

Recommendation: See it especially if you grew up in a conservative church

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show: Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Probably not but it was good

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.5 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 9

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

• Songs: The actresses sang traditional Shaker hymns/spirituals occasionally between scenes in chant-like unison a cappella. Apparently, harmony was sinful!
• Diction and Accents: The playwright and performers recreated how the Shakers might have sounded like back then. For example, “it wasn’t a dream” became “weren’t not a dream.”
• Visions: My favorite scenes were when “the chosen” congregation members experienced hallucination-like “shaking” visions that reminded me of Pentecostals speaking in tongues. The claims of experiencing these visions were also reminiscent of The Crucible play.
• “Pray for Me” Scene: Good commentary on when the pious only tritely say they’ll pray for someone but doesn’t make any effort to actually help them. It reminded me of abortion protestors who don’t support welfare programs that help mothers who can’t afford to raise the children they’re forced to carry.
• Favorite Line: “I was prideful of my new apron” uttered during public confessional

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

• Religious Repression: The depictions of religious repression reminded me of one reason why I left the church. However, the oppressive austerity in As It is in Heaven was extreme compared to what I grew up with. The Shakers in the play weren’t even allowed to draw, laugh, or enjoy life. It made me think of something NSFW Samantha said about conservative Charlotte in Sex and the City.
• Social Welfare: An interesting conversation in the play alluded that a character didn’t believe in the Shaker faith, but religion was their “social security” and “Medicare” plan for when they become elderly. If I don’t have kids, maybe I need to join a congregation like this!
• Fears of Obscurity: The play frequently touched on the universal irrelevancy/inadequately feeling elders might experience when replaced by up-and-coming youth.
• Moral of the Story: I couldn’t grasp what message the playwright was conveying to the audience. Was it just a depiction of Shaker life and nothing more?

Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre

Venue: Taproot Theatre – Jewell Mainstage

Venue Physical Address: 212 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Price: Medium

Ticket Affordability Options: Pay what you can days, GoldStar, and TodayTix

Dates: March 22 to April 22, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid lot or usually-free street parking. I almost always find free street parking on Greenwood Ave just South of the theatre.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:
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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2023/as-it-is-in-heaven/

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures in video and under video below by Robert Wade Photography

@showsiveseen “As It is in Heaven” #play at @taproottheatre by Arlene Hutton. Interesting glimpse into the repressive & austere #Shakers culture from the women’s perspective. Reminded me of a Catholic nunnery. Great vision (or hallucination?) scenes. “The emperor has no clothes!” Photos by Robert Wade. Review: showsiveseen.com/4573 #shaker #quaker #quakers #theatre ♬ Enough – Dylan Rockoff