Karen Lund News

Lady Windermere's Fan at Taproot Theatre is a tapestry of tightly woven threads in which all are needed to tell the story. This show, an Oscar Wilde classic, is often produced in such a way that the humor overshadows the heart. Co-directors, Karen Lund and Marianne Savell, have instead chosen to explore the genuine fears and dilemmas that women of society faced in the late nineteenth century. With little power and few choices, these women struggled to uphold the ideals imposed by their society. Lady Windermere reminds us how easily a single decision can forever change the trajectory of a life. When authenticity is the cornerstone of a show, especially one with as strong a script as this, there is no need for a circus of distractions.

A Civil War Christmas is a nice escape for folks that are getting a bit of a toothache from the glittery, schmaltzy, and sentimental Christmas plays foisted upon us this time of year. Written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Paula Vogel (for How I Learned to Drive ), A Civil War Christmas is historical fiction circa 1864, a birds-eye view of Civil War-torn America. Infused with hymnals, Union and Confederate songs, and Christmas carols, this musical time capsule bursts at the seams with a myriad of storylines. From slave to president, from Confederate to Union, for better or for worse, Vogel made sure to not miss anybody in this theatric nativity.

Theatre Puget Sound is thrilled to announce the selection of Ariel Bradler as its new executive director.  The selection was made after a regional search and selection process, which included interviews with, and public presentations for panels comprised of both TPS Board and staff representatives, as well as stakeholders from Seattle Center, TPS Membership, and experts from other arts and business disciplines.

Theatre Puget Sound's staff is in the midst of a multi-faceted disagreement with their Board of Directors, which has resulted in a request for the resignation of the entire Board.

Theatre Puget Sound (TPS) is entering a period of leadership transition. Longtime Executive Director Karen Lane, who has been with the organization almost from its founding, is no longer with TPS as of November 30, 2016.

Taproot Theatre Company's Acting Studio is offering six classes for students, adults and seniors that begin in February. Elementary and high school students will build detailed characters and learn to work as an ensemble as they rehearse for a final performance in TTC's Isaac Studio Theatre. Adults will study the fundamentals of acting and make bold character decisions as they learn to play off other actors. Seniors can choose between a class that will dive into scene studies and character work or an improv class geared towards those with Early Stage Memory Loss. These classes are taught by Seattle area theatre professionals Karen Lund, Pam Nolte, Rob Martin, Nikki Visel, Lorrie Fargo and Rick Hornor. Registration forms and class descriptions are available online at taproottheatre.org or by contacting the Acting Studio at 206.529.3668 or studio@taproottheatre.org.

Taproot Theatre presents Le Club Noel, an original Christmas play by Seattle playwrights and performers Candace and Sam Vance. Step into a 1930's Parisian Cabaret and fall under the spell of Le Club Noel, where the band is hot and the songs sung by a beautiful chanteuse. Together they create music to awaken love in the coldest of hearts. With money scarce, and WWII on the horizon, this close-knit band of musicians reminds us that Christmas has always been a time for miracles. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Le Club Noel which opens on November 29 and runs through December 28 with low-price previews on November 22 and 23 and a pay-what-you-can performance on November 27. Early bird pricing is available for performances on December 4 and 5.

Due to popular demand, Illyria at Taproot Theatre is extending through August 17, giving people an additional week to catch the show that critics and audiences are raving about.

Shakespeare is available in Seattle outdoors this summer, but for those wary of a sunburn or being caught outside in rain, there's an indoor opportunity as Taproot Theatre presents Illyria. This musical adaptation of Twelfth Night has all the hilarious hijinks and unrequited love of Shakespeare's famous comedy. A mistaken identity sets off a chain of events that has everything topsy-turvy. As these classic characters sing of romance and shenanigans, you'll be transported to a mythical land of love. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Illyria, which runs through August 10. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Shakespeare is available in Seattle outdoors this summer, but for those wary of a sunburn or being caught outside in rain, there's an indoor opportunity as Taproot Theatre presents Illyria. This musical adaptation of Twelfth Night has all the hilarious hijinks and unrequited love of Shakespeare's famous comedy. A mistaken identity sets off a chain of events that has everything topsy-turvy. As these classic characters sing of romance and shenanigans, you'll be transported to a mythical land of love. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Illyria, which runs through August 10, with previews on July 10 and 11. There is a Pay What You Can performance on July 17. Scroll down for a first look at the cast!

Shakespeare is available in Seattle outdoors this summer, but for those wary of a sunburn or being caught outside in rain, there's an indoor opportunity as Taproot Theatre presents Illyria. This musical adaptation of Twelfth Night has all the hilarious hijinks and unrequited love of Shakespeare's famous comedy. A mistaken identity sets off a chain of events that has everything topsy-turvy. As these classic characters sing of romance and shenanigans, you'll be transported to a mythical land of love. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Illyria, which runs through August 10, with previews on July 10 and 11. There is a Pay What You Can performance on July 17.

With shows like American Idol, The Voice and America's Got Talent all the rage, Taproot Theatre brings the original 18th century reality show to the stage as Itamar Moses' Bach at Leipzig opens tonight, May 17. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Bach at Leipzig, which runs through June 15. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

With shows like American Idol, The Voice and America's Got Talent all the rage, Taproot Theatre brings the original 18th century reality show to the stage as Itamar Moses' Bach at Leipzig opens on May 17. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Bach at Leipzig, which runs through June 15, with previews tonight, May 15 and 16. There is a Pay What You Can performance on May 22. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

With shows like American Idol, The Voice and America's Got Talent all the rage, Taproot Theatre brings the original 18th century reality show to the stage as Itamar Moses' Bach at Leipzig opens on May 17. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Bach at Leipzig, which runs through June 15, with previews on May 15 and 16. There is a Pay What You Can performance on May 22. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

With shows like American Idol, The Voice and America's Got Talent all the rage, Taproot Theatre brings the original 18th century reality show to the stage as Itamar Moses' Bach at Leipzig opens on May 17. Imagine, Leipzig, 1722. Germany's most renowned music director is dead at the keyboard. As the country's greatest organists descend to vie for the job, melodies of rivalry, trickery and blackmail compose a fugue of plots and counterplots. Rooted in history but reveling in flights of fiction, Bach at Leipzig is deliciously scored with wild and witty revelations. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Bach at Leipzig, which runs through June 15, with previews on May 15 and 16. There is a Pay What You Can performance on May 22.

In conjunction with its Mainstage show, Jeeves in Bloom, Taproot Theatre Company hosts a free special event on Tuesday, February 19 at 7:30pm called, What's So Funny? Exploring the Enduring Comedy of P.G. Wodehouse.

Laugh away the winter blues with P.G. Wodehouse's classic characters in Jeeves in Bloom, opening at Taproot Theatre tonight, February 1. Peace. Tranquility. The English countryside. Then Bertie Wooster pays a visit. While ducking romance, fleeing a cleaver-wielding chef and burgling his uncle, Bertie's trail of mischief and mayhem is set right by his unflappable valet, Jeeves. Based on characters created by author P.G. Wodehouse, this confectionary treat is a delightful respite from the daily grind. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Margaret Raether's adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse's stories. Jeeves in Bloom opens tonight, February 1 and runs through March 2, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

Laugh away the winter blues with P.G. Wodehouse's classic characters in Jeeves in Bloom, opening at Taproot Theatre on February 1. Peace. Tranquility. The English countryside. Then Bertie Wooster pays a visit. While ducking romance, fleeing a cleaver-wielding chef and burgling his uncle, Bertie's trail of mischief and mayhem is set right by his unflappable valet, Jeeves. Based on characters created by author P.G. Wodehouse, this confectionary treat is a delightful respite from the daily grind. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Margaret Raether's adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse's stories. Jeeves in Bloom opens February 1 and runs through March 2, with previews on January 30 and 31.

Due to popular demand, Taproot Theatre Company has extended their hit musical Chaps! through August 18, giving people one more week to lasso their laughter and experience this mash-up of British humor and cowboy music.

Pull on your boots, loosen your tie, and get ready for a summer musical that'll rope you in and leave you in stitches. Directed by Taproot Theatre's Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund, with musical direction by Edd Key, Chaps! opened on July 13 and runs through August 11. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!