Taproot Theatre – Page 4 – Shows I've Seen

Preview Post – Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley – Play – Taproot Theatre

Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley play opening night w/ Taproot Theatre. Performing until 12/30/23. Stay tuned for my full review!

Final Full Review (Posted 12/12/23): https://www.showsiveseen.com/georgiana-kitty-christmas-at-pemberley-play-taproot-theatre/

Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2023/georgiana-kitty-christmas-at-pemberley/

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Last Drive to Dodge – Play – Taproot Theatre & The Hansberry Project

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Andrew Lee Creech’s Last Drive to Dodge world premire play at Taproot Theatre w/ The Hansberry Project. Well-written dialogue, cute repartee, dimensional characters, and lots of audience reactions. #showsiveseen #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: Prophet and Ro are chasing dreams faintly whispered on the wind that sweeps the dusty Texas plain, where ranching is brutal work and change is on the horizon. Set at the end of the Cowboy Golden Age, Last Drive to Dodge examines race, love, and legacy in a time when everyone is scrambling for their piece of the American Dream.

Attended Performance Date: 9/22/23 (Opening Night) – Preview Posts

Type: Play

World Premiere: Yes, but it was well-developed

Several or Few Scenes: A couple of scenes

Several or Few Settings/Locations: A couple of locations on a ranch

Static (Stationary) Set: Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Mostly yes, but there’s only so much that can occur on a ranch

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.25 hours

Was there an intermission?: Yes

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

Recommendation: See it, especially if you either like 1) plays about race in the USA 2) or plays that are heavier on the dialogue than action

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

Audience Reaction: You know it’s a good play when you hear lots of reactions from the audience like laughter, gasps, groans, “humphs,” and “hmmms.” I noticed these audience reactions more in the second act. I won’t spoil anything, but I specifically remember audibly groaning when somebody took off their hat in the second act.
Dimensional Characters: The characters in this play were not simply good or bad and black or white (no pun intended). The playwright added some depth to their backstory that influenced their motivations. Ironically, I enjoyed the least complex character (Millie played by Jonelle Jordan) the most since she had the funniest lines.
Dialogue: The dialogue was well-written and there were some sly funny random quips. I loved the way Ro (played by Dedra D Woods) dressed down Millie regarding Millie’s ignorance of her own personal white privilege. The climactic scene towards the end of the play when Ro and Prophet (played by Yusef Seevers) debated the unfairness of black responsibility reminded me of when Michelle Obama said her family faced more scrutiny under the public eye than other presidential families because of race.
Twist: The reveal at the end of the first act was unexpected.

Rant(s)

Audience Hazard: One of the actors hammered a fence post on-stage and particulates flew everywhere. This was a potential eye injury hazard especially since the audience was so close to the stage.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Montage (Slight Spoiler): What did the “I am” video montage mean in the second act? And who were the people in it?
Prophet vs Profit: In the second act, I realized the name “Prophet” also sounds like “profit.” I wonder if the playwright intentionally considered this.
Hook: They were probably taking advantage of the fact that sex sells during the play’s first act hook with the post-coital scene.

Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre and The Hansberry Project

Venue: Jewell Mainstage at Taproot Theatre

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

Price: Medium

Regular Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2023/last-drive-to-dodge/

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

Dates: September 20 to October 21, 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.

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

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

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and/or video below

@showsiveseen @Andrew’s “Last Drive to Dodge” #worldPremire #play at @TaprootTheatre w/ The Hansberry Project directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton. Well-written dialogue, cute repartee, dimensional characters, & lots of audience reactions. Photos: Robert Wade. Review: showsiveseen.com/6768 #showsiveseen #theatre #cowboy #ranch #country ♬ It’s You – Tayler Holder

Dedra D. Woods and Yusef Seevers in *Last Drive to Dodge* by Andrew Lee Creech at Taproot Theatre. Photos by Robert Wade Photography.

Dedra D. Woods and Tim Gouran in *Last Drive to Dodge* by Andrew Lee Creech at Taproot Theatre. Photos by Robert Wade Photography.

Jonelle Jordan and Tim Gouran in *Last Drive to Dodge* by Andrew Lee Creech at Taproot Theatre. Photos by Robert Wade Photography.

Yusef Seevers and Tim Gouran in *Last Drive to Dodge* by Andrew Lee Creech at Taproot Theatre. Photos by Robert Wade Photography.

Role	Name
Prophet	Yusef Seevers *
Ro	Dedra D. Woods *
Millie	Jonelle Jordan
Bennett	Tim Gouran
—	—
Prophet (Understudy)	Jarron A Williams
Ro (Understudy)	Esther Okech
Millie (Understudy)	Marianna de Fazio
Bennett (Understudy)	Nik Doner
—	—
Director	Valerie Curtis-Newton**
Assistant Director	Bretteney Beverly
Playwright	Andrew Lee Creech
Scenic Designer	Matthew Smucker^^
Costume Designer	Melanie Burgess ^^
Casting Director	Bretteney Beverly
Lighting Designer	Brian Engel
Sound Designer	Evan Mosher
Projection Designer	Mark Lund
Fight Choreographer	Alyssa Kay
Stage Manager	Kathryn Louise*
Dramaturg	Sonja Lowe
Dialect Coach	Gin Hammond
Props Designer	Bella Rivera
Assistant Stage Manager	Tiana Price
Property Master	Bella Rivera
Casting Consultant	Jessica Spencer
Dresser	Tiana Price
Draper	Martha Mitchell
Draping Mentor	Connie Rinchiuso
Stitchers	Veronica Dimoff, Scian Hayes
Wig Designer	Joyce Degenfelder
Wig Specialist	Kelly Schmidt
Scenic Carpenter	Tim Samland^
Light Board Operator	Clint Bull
Sound Board Operators	Marty Sisk, Andi Villegas
Master Electrician	Aiyana Stephens
Electricians	Clint Bull, Jayde McCarrell, Kody Smith, Anna Van Vleet, Eric Wu
Scenic Strike/Load-In	Michael Adler^, Seth Branum^, Thomas Moore^

*Member of Actors Equity Association
**Members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
^Member of IATSE No. 15
^^Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829

Preview Post – Last Drive to Dodge – Play – Taproot Theatre and The Hansberry Project

Andrew Lee Creech’s Last Drive to Dodge play packed opening night at Taproot Theatre w/ The Hansberry Project. Performing until 10/21/23. Stay tuned for my full review! #showsiveseen #theatre

Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2023/last-drive-to-dodge/

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The Hello Girls – Musical – Taproot Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): The Hello Girls musical by Peter Mills and Cara Reichel at Taproot Theatre. Starring Cassi Q Kohl & Rico Lastrapes. Direction by Karen Lund and musical direction by Michael Nutting. Story about the unsung American female switchboard operators in WWI. #helloGirls #girlPower #war #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: “Imagine a time when the world was divided. … A world where freedom is under assault … A world where nationalism is on the rise… We’re talking about the year 1918, of course.” Helmet, check. Gas Mask, check… Lipstick, check. In this new musical, Grace Banker and her fellow switchboard operators are answering the call when the Bell Battalion Telephonic Ladies’ Switchboard Unit #1 makes history as America’s first female soldiers.

Reviewed Performance: 7/14/23 – Opening Night

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you might appreciate this more if you’re a little familiar with World War I.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Recommendation: See it if you enjoy the specific genre of shows Taproot Theatre tends to produce like A Civil War Christmas, Bright Star, and The Spitfire Grill. You might also enjoy this show if you like women’s choral music like Seattle Women’s Chorus since there was a lot of female harmonies.

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

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: I’d consider another professional production

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

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 10

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 hours

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

Cassi Q Kohl: I didn’t even recognize Cassi compared to her recent roles in Cinderella and Miss Step! It goes to show her versatility as an actress.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Actor Musicians: Some actors in the show also were part of the band. I saw Jeremy Steckler on the bass and Rebecca Cort on the guitar. But I didn’t see the other actor musicians listed in the program like Rico Lastrapes on the clarinet, Jeremy Steckler on the guitar, Lauren Engstrom on the keyboard, and Casey Raiha on the keyboard. I wish I could also see these additional actors play their instruments. They were probably hidden in the back due to Taproot Theatre’s stage space constraints.
Uniform Purchase Requirement: Did (does) the army really not pay for uniforms? If you’re putting yourself in harm’s way and contributing a specialized skill to the war effort, the least the government can do is pay for your uniform.
Switchboard: This production would have greatly benefitted from a switchboard prop.
Costume Legs: I’ve never seen such weird leggings on American military uniforms that resembled culottes or knee breeches. But I guess they’re historically accurate since they resembled the pictures Google showed for “World War I American Uniform.”
In background: Miranda Antoinette. Left to right: Fune Tautala, Jeremy Steckler, and Casey Raiha in The Hello Girls at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.

Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre

Venue: Jewell Mainstage at Taproot Theatre

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

Price: Medium

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

Dates: July 12 – August 12, 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.

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures in video and under video by John Ulman.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and video below

@showsiveseen "The Hello Girls" #musical by Peter Mills and Cara Reichel at @TaprootTheatre. Starring @Cassi Q Kohl & Rico Lastrapes. Direction by Karen Lund & musical direction by Michael Nutting. Story about the unsung American #female #switchboard operators in #WWI. Photos by John Ulman. Review: showsiveseen.com/6133 #helloGirls #girlPower #war #theatre ♬ original sound – Shows I've Seen

Left to right: Rebecca Cort, Miranda Antoinette, Cassi Q Kohl, Lauren Engstrom, and Jessica Ziegelbauer in *The Hello Girls* at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.

Cassi Q Kohl in *The Hello Girls* at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.

Lauren Engstrom in *The Hello Girls* at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.

Role	Name
Suzanne Prevot	Rebecca Cort
Helen Hill	Lauren Engstrom
Bertha Hunt	Jessica Ziegelbauer
Louise Lebreton	Miranda Antoinette
Grace Banker	Cassi Q Kohl *
Man 2/PVT Eugen Matterson	Jeremy Steckler
Man 3/Dempsey/Morris/German Soldier	Casey Raiha
Man 1/Wessen/Ackerman/Beaumont	Fune Tautala
Gen. John Pershing	Jeff Church
Cpt. Joseph Riser	Rico Lastrapes *
—	—
Bertha Hunt / Suzanne Prevot (u/s)	Jacqueline Tardanico
Grace Banker / Louise Lebreton (u/s)	Keola Kapulani Holt
Helen Hill (u/s)	Abigail Brittle
Riser / Pershing (u/s)	Brandon Riel
—	—
Plano Conductor	Michael Nutting, David Taylor Gomes
Violin	Jeremy Lynch
Cello	Matthew Tevenan
Drums	Scot Sexton
Bass	Jeremy Steckler
Clarinet	Rico Lastrapes *
Additional Guitar	Rebecca Cort, Jeremy Steckler
Additional Keyboard	Lauren Engstrom, Casey Raiha
—	—
Director	Karen Lund **
Composer and Lyricist	Peter Mills
Playwright	Peter Mills, Cara Reichel
Music Director	Michael Nutting
Associate Director	Bretteney Beverly
Assistant Director	Nik Nolan
Scenic/Sound Designer	Mark Lund
Costume Designer	Nanette Acosta
Lighting Designer	Ahren Buhmann
Choreographer	Katy Tabb **
Stage Manager	Rachel Victoria Miller *
Dramaturg	Rowan Gallagher
Dialect Coach	Marianna de Fazio

*Appearing through on agreement between Taproot Theatre and Actors’ Equity Association.
**Members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

Jeeves Takes a Bow – Play – 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:

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