Photo Flash: Taproot Theatre Presents BEASLEY'S CHRISTMAS PARTY

When a curious journalist moves to a small Midwestern town in 1909 he's captivated by his unusual next door neighbor, gubernatorial candidate David Beasley. Is Beasley crazy or does he just have more imaginary friends than we can count? Brimming with hope and heart, this holiday tale will charm your whole family with its surprising twists. Adapted for the stage by C.W. Munger from the 1909 novel by Booth Tarkington, this regional premiere is directed by Scott Nolte. Beasley's Christmas Party opened on November 25 and runs through December 30.

Better known for his Pulitzer Prize winning novels, The Magnificent Ambersons and Alice Adams, Booth Tarkington's writing is primarily set in the Midwest, typifying the small-town America he loved. He is one of only three American novelists to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction more than once and was an accomplished playwright with over 25 works produced on Broadway in the early 1900's. C.W. Munger's adaptation was originally produced Off-Broadway in 2008 by Keen Company at Clurman Theatre in New York City. The three person cast of Joseph Collins, Christa Scott-Reed and Tony Ward was directed by Keen Company's Artistic Director, Carl Forsman.

Your imagination will come to life when you join Beasley's Christmas Party as three of the four cast members swiftly shift between the twelve roles the actors collectively play throughout the production, convincingly slipping from one character to the next.

Producing Artistic Director Scott Nolte directs a talented cast of Don Brady, Aaron Lamb, Frank Lawler, and Lisa Peretti. The production team includes scenic and sound designer Mark Lund, costume designer Sarah Burch Gordon and lighting designer Brian Engel. Kristiana Matthews serves at stage manager with Sonja Lowe and Sarah Dale Lewis as dramaturgs.

Following Beasley's Christmas Party, the comic masterpiece Tartuffe launches Taproot Theatre's 2012 season, running February 1 through March 3.

Tickets are available online at www.taproottheatre.org/buy-tickets/ and through Taproot Theatre's box office, in person or by phone at 206.781.9707. Tickets range from $20-35, depending on the performance. Taproot offers a $3 senior/student discount off regular priced tickets (excludes previews). $10 tickets are available for ages 25 and under. Tickets for the senior matinee are $20. Discounts are available for parties of 8 or more through Group Sales; call 206.781.9708. Tickets for the pay-what-you-can performance are available day of show at the box office only; contact the box office for details.

Photo Credit: Erik Stuhaug