For approaching seven years, its motto has been “Building Community Through a Positive Message.”
And, as artistic director of Bothell’s Attic Theater, Jane Reinhardt insists the troupe’s newest production is no doubt in keeping with the spirit of the organization.
“Shadowlands” is the story of British author C.S. Lewis, best known for creation of the Chronicles of Narnia series that began with “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
It will run Feb. 19-27 at the Meydenbauer Theater, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue.
The play focuses on his relationship with American poet Joy Gresham.
After they were together for only a few years, Gresham developed and eventually died of bone cancer.
According to the Attic Web site, “Shadowlands” poses the “elemental questions about God and love, life and death, pain and suffering.”
Also serving as director of the Attic production of “Shadowlands,” Reinhardt said another goal of the organization is to induce its audiences to laugh, cry and connect with their shows. She again contends that “Shadowlands” fulfills Attic’s aims perfectly.
“It’s a touching story,” added Attic Managing Director Mark Lewis. “It’s a story people are likely somewhat familiar with, but maybe don’t know the details.”
“Shadowlands” began as a made-for-TV movie in Britain, but there is also a Hollywood film of the same name staring Anthony Hopkins.
As for the Attic Theater, Reinhardt founded the group in 2003. With no prompting, she offers the exact date — Oct. 27, 2003 — that Attic became an official, registered charitable organization.
Reinhardt has a strong background in theater, boasting graduate degrees in that subject and in communications. After moving to this area from her native Chicago, she spent some time teaching. You also may recognize her from a two-year stint as a movie critic on the now cancelled local TV show, “Northwest Afternoon.”
It was partly Reinhardt’s TV experience that led to the spirit behind Attic Theater.
Essentially, Reinhardt said that after leaving movies, she often felt “kind of dark.” Both she and Lewis are adamant Attic audiences never will have that type of experience. Still, they also demand professionalism.
“We want to send a positive message, but we want to provide quality theater,” said Lewis, who also has a degree in theater.
While it might sometimes be seen as a community theater group, Reinhardt said Attic is more a semi-professional organization. She said there is a good deal of worthy, professional talent on which to draw from in this area. Lewis said another idea behind Attic is to promote access to worthy theater.
“If that means giving away half our house, we’ll do that,” he said.
For example, because of the themes dealt with in “Shadowlands,” any cancer survivor or anyone fighting cancer is welcome to complimentary tickets for the show.
This is not the first time Attic has looked to C.S. Lewis for material, even indirectly. Mark Lewis said one of Attic’s most successful productions was an adaptation of one of C.S. Lewis’ lesser-known, but well-respected works, “The Screwtape Letters.”
A stage version had been in production in London for 18 years. The Attic version toured throughout this area.
In addition to “The Screwtape Letters,” past Attic Theater productions have included an annual musical and Christmas show.
For the recent holiday season, Lewis directed “It’s a Wonderful Life: the Radio Play.” Their next production is “My Fair Lady,” set for September.
With rehearsal space in Woodinville and a permanent home at the Meydenbauer Theater, Reinhardt and Lewis maintain offices in Bothell and still consider themselves a Bothell theater company. Reinhardt said staging in Bellevue was simply a matter of having found the right space.
• Tickets for “Shadowlands” are $10 to $20. For more information, call the Attic Theater group at (425) 985-8608. For tickets,
visit and follow the link to Brown Paper Tickets.
