Photo Flash: Taproot Theatre Presents CHARLEY'S AUNT

Young love, enduring love, reunited love, unrequited love, puppy love-it's all here as Taproot Theatre continues its 34th season with Charley's Aunt. In this Victorian-era farce by BranDon Thomas, 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. Directed by associate artistic director Karen Lund, Charley's Aunt opens on May 14 and runs through June 12, with low-price previews on May 12 and 13, plus a pay-what-you-can performance on May 19.

Debuting in London in 1892, Thomas' play was a huge hit. Originally running for 1,466 performances, the play has seen countless revivals and film adaptations throughout the decades. There's something about this story of comedic romance that still delights and charms audiences today, over a century later. Thomas' characters are comical, hopelessly devoted, scheming, stubborn, money-hungry and spoiled. They just want to have fun. They're simply in love, and will just die if anything gets in their way.

"We wanted to bring something funny and romantic, bright, frothy and fun to the stage," said Lund. "It's pure frolic. It's Hilarity with a capital H!"

Charley's Aunt features Don Brady, Llysa Holland, Anne Kennedy, Andrew Litzky, Nolan Palmer, Eric Riedmann, Josh Smyth, Steve West and Samie Detzer. The production team includes scenic and sound designer Mark Lund, costume designer Sarah Burch Gordon and lighting designer Jody Briggs. Anne Hitt serves as stage manager, Gin Hammond as dialect coach and L. Nicol Cabe as dramaturg.After Charley's Aunt, Taproot Theatre's 2010 Season continues with Man of La Mancha (a musical play by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion; original production staged by Albert Marre; originally produced by Albert W. Selden and Hal James; July 7-August 7) and the regional premiere of Wedding Belles by Alan Bailey and Ronnie Claire Edwards (September 22-October 23).

WHEN: May 12 through June 12, 2010. Opening Night with Reception: Friday, May 14. Pay-what-you-can (PWYC) performance on Wednesday, May 19.

SCHEDULE: Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m.; Saturday matinee, 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St. in Seattle.

Ticket prices are $20-35. Ages 25 and under, $10. Senior matinee performance on May 26, $20. Student/senior discount, $3 off regular priced tickets (excludes previews).

For tickets contact Taproot Theatre's box office at (206) 781-9707. Group rates are available. For groups, call (206) 781-9708.

Tickets for the pay-what-you-can performance on May 19 go on sale day of show at the box office only. Plus, a limited supply of $10 tickets will be offered from 12-5 p.m. for that evening's performance. Limit 6 tickets per person from 12-5 p.m., and 4 tickets per person after 5 p.m.

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.

Support for Taproot Theatre's 2010 Mainstage season is generously provided by The Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences, ArtsFund, 4Culture, PONCHO and Nesholm Family Foundation. Special thanks to our opening night sponsor, The Upper Crust, and our Pizza and a Play sponsor, Romio's Pizza and Pasta.

For more information, visit taproottheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Erik Stuhaug