Taproot, "Sherlock Holmes" rise from ashes of Greenwood arsons | Arts & Culture

Photos by Erik Stuhaug/Taproot Theatre.

It was the end of October 2009 when Taproot Theatre Company'sproducing artistic director Scott Nolte gathered the cast and crew of "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol" together over pizza to break the news that, despite all their best efforts, the show would not go on.

Less than a week earlier, a fire - one in a string of devestating arsons that terrorized the Greenwood neighborhood that fall - heavily damaged Taproot's theater and costume shop and scene shop.

The news of the show's cancellation was hard for the cast and playwright John Longenbaugh, but without the capacity to produce the world-premiere play the way they wanted to, there was no other option, Nolte said. They made sure the cast was taken care of as best they could and shelved the completed costume and scene designs and the four rehearsals they had under their belt.

"Arson isn't part of your strategic plan," Nolte said.

One year later, Taproot, having emerged from one of its darkest hours like the phoenix that adorns the neighborhood muralcommemorating the arson, has reconvened the cast, picked up where they left and will be premiering "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol" Nov. 19.

"It's a treat to jump back into it," Nolte said.

It seems fitting that Taproot has not been dismayed from staging the play, albeit one year later. The day after the Oct. 23, 2009 arson, Taproot's touring productions continued without interruption. Less than 100 days after the fire, the theater was reopened. Since then, Taproot has been exceeding attendance expectations.

"The fire will be a huge milestone in our history," Nolte said. "It was a huge test in the resolve of the staff and the board."

He said even something as tragic as arson opens doors to new opportunity, such as Taproot's new addition that could be open next door as early as late 2011. Nolte and his wife Pam, Taproot's community liaison and an actor in "Sherlock Holmes," said they believe the play will similarly take advantage of its hardships.

Pam said the play, which lost only one original castmember from the previous year, will be better for its extra development time.

"It's nice to have time for something to settle," she said. "Nice to have time for this to percolate. You don't usually have that luxury."

Scott said the extra year gave Longenbaugh a chance to tighten up and improve the script, which is a take on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" with Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective cast in the lead role.

The timing for the play is more fun the second time around, as well, Pam said. Since the play's cancellation last year, Sherlock Holmes has reemerged into the popular culture through a blockbuster film and a new BBC series, she said.

The 2009 string of Greenwood arsons, which damaged or destroyed a dozen businesses and residences, coupled with the recession means there is still a lot of room for recovery in the neighborhood, Pam said. She said she hopes the resurgence of Taproot and the rebirth of "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol" can draw attention to that need.

The play runs Nov. 19 through Dec. 30. There is a "pay what you can" showing Nov. 24, and Pam said she hopes that would love for everyone in the neighborhood to be able to be there.