It was also the same play they presented in 2006.

Now, Taproot hadn’t planned to re-run a previous year’s holiday show. They’d planned to present the world premier of John Longenbaugh’s Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol. But then there was the fire.

For those of you who don’t know, in late October a fire destroyed the building next door to Taproot’s mainstage theatre (the building, incidentally, that housed the Green Bean Coffeehouse, where I wrote my book and hosted my book launch party) and caused severe damage to parts of Taproot’s theatre. So, while the show must go on, it had to be a different show in a different venue.

Hence the re-run. Hence North Seattle Community College.

Hence this post. Doug and I have had season tickets to Taproot for four or five years now (this annual purchase ensures we’ll have at least five dates in the coming year!), which means we’ve probably seen close to 30 plays there. Some of them I have adored (Enchanted April comes to mind). Some of them have made me laugh–hard (The Farndale Avenue A Christmas Carol, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Foreigner). Some of them have made me cry (Tuesdays with Morrie). Some of them have made me think (The God Committee; Doubt). Every last one of them has been great: great acting, great sets and costumes, great sound and lighting design.

Because Taproot has brought such delight to my life, I’m hosting this little blogathon to help them out in their hour of need. The letter I just got from Taproot’s Artistic Director says they need $240,000 to balance this year’s budget and cover the anticipated gap between what insurance will cover and what they’ll need to be up and running again for the 2010 season.

Now, I can’t give $240,000. I can’t even give $240. But I thought I’d have a little fun with what I can give–and let you help me. For every comment I receive on this post (one comment per person, please!) between now and Christmas, I’ll donate $1 (up to $50) to Taproot. Since I’ve never received more than ten comments on any single post, I’m going to need your help.

First, leave a comment (“I love live theater!” would work if you can’t think of anything else. Or, I’d love to hear about your favorite play-going experience, at Taproot or elsewhere.)

Second, send the link to this post to your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, anyone you think might be interested in helping a worthy cause (without spending a dime of their own money!).

Third, if you’d like to make a donation to Taproot, I know they’d appreciate it. According to Google Analytics, there are 40 of you out there reading my blog on a regular basis (thank you!!). If each of you gave just two or three dollars, together we could give Taproot a nice triple-digit donation! You can make a donation via PayPal on the Taproot website or there’s always the good old check-in-the-mail option.

Alrighty, then. Bring on the comments!

December 22 update: Thanks to the generosity of Herb and Esther Arden, Adam Bailey, Scott Cummins, and Tiffany Werner, each comment will raise $5 for Taproot’s reconstruction efforts after the fire!

December 28 update: With 45 comments at $5 per comment, we raised $225 for Taproot! Many, many thanks to those generous souls (above) who matched my donation and to each of you who left a comment.