Taproot Theatre kicks off its 50th Anniversary Season with a world premiere adaptation of C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces

Karen Lund brings the myth of Cupid and Psyche to life in this powerful new work

SEATTLE, WA — October 29, 2025 — Taproot Theatre presents a world premiere adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s Till We Have Faces, kicking off Taproot’s 50th Anniversary Season. Adapted by Producing Artistic Director Karen Lund and directed by Marianne Savell, this moving retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche runs January 21–February 21, 2026, at Taproot’s Jewell Mainstage Theatre (204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103).

When Psyche is sacrificed to appease the gods, her sister Orual, the future warrior queen, ventures to give her a proper burial. But Psyche is not dead, and she believes she’s living a life Orual cannot see. What follows is a powerful, mythic journey through love, beauty, faith, doubt, and the bonds of sisterhood.

Karen Lund first read C.S. Lewis’s Till We Have Faces as a young adult and explained that it has left a lasting impression. “It is rich in metaphor and symbolism,” said Lund. “Till We Have Faces asks deep questions of identity, faith, love, and beauty that have lingered with me for years.” For over a decade, Lund has been working to adapt this novel, aiming to create a highly theatrical but deeply intimate production. Since 2014, Lund has been sharing her manuscripts and working with The Lewis Estate to get her adaptation approved. Now, as part of yearlong celebration, Lund’s passion project will open Taproot’s 50th Anniversary Season.

The production features Candace Vance as Orual, the future warrior queen who is deemed ugly and unlovable by her father, and Alanah Pascual who makes her Taproot debut as Young Orual. Ayo Tushinde also makes her Taproot debut as Psyche, Orual’s younger sister who is beautiful, kind, and loved by all. Melanie Godsey plays Redival, Orual and Psyche’s other sister. Rounding out the cast is Kim Morris as Batta, Nolan Palmer as The King, and Eric Polani Jensen as The Fox. Both returning after Murder on the Links, Jeff Allen Pierce plays The Priest and Brandon Riel plays Cupid among other roles.

Performance Information:
Age recommendation: 12+ (children under 5 are not admitted, including babes in arms)

Special Dates:
Previews: Wednesday, January 21 at 7:30 PM and Thursday, January 22 at 7:30 PM
Opening Night: Friday, January 23 at 7:30 PM
Weekday Matinees: Tuesday, January 27 at 2:00 PM; Tuesday, February 10 at 10:30 AM; Wednesday, February 11 at 2:00 PM; Wednesday, February 18 at 2:00 PM
Pay What You Can: Wednesday, January 28 at 7:30 PM
Closed Captioned: Wednesday, February 18 at 2:00 PM

Ticket Information:
Online at taproottheatre.org/faces
By phone at 206.781.9707
By email at box@taprootheatre.org
In-person at 204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Price: $25–65, dependent on performance date and time; fees may apply.
Discounts available for students, seniors, military, 25 & under, and TeenTix members.

For a full list of performance dates and more information, please visit taproottheatre.org/faces.

Taproot Theatre Company is a professional, non‐profit theatre company with a multi‐faceted production program. Founded in 1976, Taproot Theatre serves the Pacific Northwest with Jewell Mainstage, Isaac Studio Theatre, touring productions, as well as Acting Studio camps, classes, and programs for youth and adults. Taproot Theatre Company is a member of Theatre Communications Group, Theatre Puget Sound, and the Phinney Neighborhood Association.

###