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Going Places
A Mom’s Review: ‘Brownie Points’ at Taproot Theater
Being a parent often means getting to know people whom you may never have crossed paths with through work or your pre-child social life. Janece Shaffer's Brownie Points explores the dynamics of a group of mothers taking their daughters on an overnight Brownie Scout camping trip.
Seeing as I'm about to take a group of Brownies (and some moms) on an overnight camping adventure, I expected to get a giggle out of the play, and I did. However, this play goes beyond joking about neckerchiefs and square knots and delves into issues that most of us shy away from.
Be sure to read Sonja Lowe's article, "Spending the Night in Forsyth County," in the play book before the play. It will give you important background about the racially charged setting of the play.
When these five mothers are thrown together into a wilderness with a dark history, sparks fly, and not just around the campfire. They clash (and bond) over differences in race, religion, personality types, divorce, working outside versus inside the home, even the nutritional value of snack foods. The 90-minute play is infused with so much humor that the audience is willing to stay with the discussions that strike at your emotional core.
I laughed and cried along with these women. You will almost certainly see yourself and other moms you know reflected in the characters on stage. I chuckled when I recognized my own Type A personality in Allison, the troop's leader, as she struggles with the unraveling of her tightly planned agenda. The next moment I fought back tears as she broke down over the difficulty of raising a severely disabled child, just as my own mother had.
As I watched, my favorite line from To Kill a Mockingbird kept coming to mind. Atticus Finch tells his daughter, Scout, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."
Ultimately, the joys and worries of motherhood (with the help of a thunderstorm that keeps them all in place to keep the discussion going) unify these women.
Mothers deserve a night out. Leave the kids at home, grab a girlfriend or three and earn some Brownie Points. Make sure to give yourself enough time for a post-play rap session over a glass of wine or a latte.
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If You Go...
Where: Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St. in the heart of Greenwood in Seattle.
When: Through June 18. Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Brownie Points is recommended for children ages 14 and above. After the show on Thursday, May 26, and on June 2, 9, and 16, stay for collaborative discussions exploring the themes of race, identity, and motherhood in the play (in partnership with John Perkins Center at Seattle Pacific University).
Cost: $20 to $35 depending on the performance. Pay What You Can: Wednesday, May 25. See website for details.
Contact: 206-781-9707; http://taproottheatre.org.
Taproot Theatre hosts ‘Neighbors and Strangers,’ a special event corresponding with Brownie Points
SEATTLE – May 26, 2011 – In conjunction with its Mainstage show Brownie Points, Taproot Theatre Company hosts a special free event called “Neighbors and Strangers: Discussing Diversity and the Experience of Race in Seattle” on Monday, June 13, at 7 p.m. Expanding on the themes in Brownie Points, Taproot has invited a panel of guests—including Pastor Patrinell Wright and her Total Experience Gospel Choice—to engage in a conversation about diversity and the experience of race in Seattle.
The discussion comes shortly after the release of the 2010 Census report, which ranked Seattle as the 5th least diverse of America’s large cities, yet with the most diverse zip code in the country (98118). “Neighbors and Strangers” will consider a number of questions, including what does this mean for people living in Seattle, is diversity a problem in our city, and what factors are affecting Seattle’s diversity?
Moderated by Tali Hairston, director of the John Perkins Center at Seattle Pacific University, the evening’s speakers will include Pastor Patrinell Wright, founder/director of Total Experience Gospel Choir, Rabbi Mark S. Glickman of Congregation Kol Ami and Congregation Kol Shalom, Dr. Ron Ruthruff, author of The Least of These, and Karen Lund, director/associate artistic director of Taproot Theatre Company. A special guest performance from Total Experience Gospel Choir will open the evening. See the show, share the story, and then come join the conversation!
““Neighbors and Strangers” takes place on Monday, June 13, at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at Taproot Theatre Company, located at 204 North 85th Street, Seattle. Admission is free, but guests are required to sign up in advance due to limited seating. Priority seating will be given to ticketholders for any performance of Brownie Points. For questions or to RSVP, please contact Sonja Lowe at 206.529.3666 or sonjal@taproottheatre.org. Tickets to Brownie Points, which runs through June 18, are available through Taproot Theatre’s box office at 206.781.9707 or online at www.taproottheatre.org.
In addition, join Taproot Theatre after the performances on Thursday nights (May 26, June 2, 9 and 16) for "Conversations." Organized in partnership with the John Perkins Center at Seattle Pacific University, these guided, collaborative discussions will explore the themes of race, identity and motherhood in Brownie Points.
