Article 24

January 13, 2013, 3:12 pm

Mrs. Mannerly

Miners Alley Playhouse: 1/11 – 2/17

Left to right: Chris Bleau, Erica Lee Johnson and Deborah Curtis

“Mrs. Mannerly” is a memory play about an etiquette class in which ten-year-old (playwright) Jeffrey Hatcher was enrolled. In it we get to experience the hilarious autobiographical glimpses of an artist’s early life unlike anything since Federico Fellini’s screenplay for “Amarcord.”

Deborah Curtis is smashing as the lady who runs the etiquette class. Whether commandeering a crew of youthful misfits, drunkenly revealing her past or fading into the older Jeffrey Hatch’s scrapbook, this lady shines.

Chris Bleau is an ideal casting choice for the boyish Hatcher. His fresh faced good looks bespeak perennial youth. Bleau’s instincts are refreshingly on target in this role and his comic timing spot on.

Erica Lee Johnson plays all the rest of the young Hatcher’s classmates with a chameleon-like virtuosity that is astounding to behold. Each and all of these characters come to vibrant life with just the addition of a pair of glasses or a hat.

Richard H. Pegg is at the top of his directorial game with his work on this production.

His overseeing of all aspects thereof includes an especially well executed lighting design by Karalyn ‘Star’ Pytel .

Chris Bleau and Deborah Curtis

Bright humor abounds throughout. The only thing missing on opening night was a true sense of pathos when the memory of Miss Mannerly fades out at final curtain. Mr. Hatcher's writing is centered more on his journey of being the class good boy than the relationship between the teacher and the boy.

Marlowe's Musings

Miners Alley Playhouse presents

"Mrs. Mannerly"

A comic tale reveals truths about the face we present and our real selves.
Jan 11– Feb 17
Fri. and Sat. @ 7:30 p.m. and Sun @ 6 p.m. (2 p.m. on Feb. 17)
$19.00 - $29.50; senior, student and group rates available.
303-935-3044 or online at www.minersalley.com
Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Avenue (13^th and Washington 2^nd floor entrance on 13^th) in Golden, CO.

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Article 23

January 23, 2013, 7:51 pm

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Ed, Downloaded

The Ricketson Theatre: 1/11 – 2/17

“Ed Downloaded” is an intriguing comedy about a terminally ill man and the women who loved him. When Ed dies he is offered the chance of immortality by having his brain downloaded along with ten of his favorite memories to take into eternity. Once his widow becomes aware of the memories he chose, she takes cyber-action to reboot.

J.D. Taylor and Grace Rex

Playwright Michael Mitnick’s play is refreshingly innovative and unpredictable.

Act One is engrossing and although there are a couple of concerns with the clarity of Act Two, this is a show that will fascinate.

Sam Buntrock directs. You know. The artist who snagged a Tony and an Olivier nomination for directing “Sunday in the Park With George?”

Buntrock’s direction of Act One is paced at a good clip. Act Two however, still needs a little tweaking.

It’s just a tad unclear as to what this post mortem cyber battle of the deceased man’s love interests really accomplishes. One major reason for this is a heavy reliance upon Charlie I. Miller’s eye-popping projections to carry the story line as opposed to letting the characters fight it out in the dialogue.

The lighting (Brian Tovar) and scenic designs(James Kronzer) serve up a visual banquet that dazzles. The very fine sound design is by Tyler Nelson.

J.D. Taylor and Annie Purcell

Director Buntrock has cast the show with three debuting artists. JD Taylor is Edward. Annie Purcell is Ed’s wife, Selene. Grace Rex is Marionette/Ruby, Ed’s girl friend.

Taylor stands out as the terminally ill Ed. This young artist has a strong stage presence and one hopes to see him again soon upon the Denver stage.

Single tickets for ED, DOWNLOADED, on sale now, start at $35 (non-SCFD) and also are available for $10 (SCFD 10 for $10 program) and are on sale now. To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. For groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Tickets also may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org. Student rush $10 tickets are available one hour prior to curtain with a valid student ID subject to availability. Senior and military rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability. No children under four will be admitted to any theatre.

Marlowe's Musings

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Article 22

January 28, 2013, 6:28 pm

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Blithe Spirit

Arvada Center for the Arts: 1/22 – 2/17

There are so many things that are spot on in director Rod A. Lansberry’s production of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” one almost hates to mention its few flaws.

Heather Lacy enchants as few can these days. She is ghostly perfection as the apparition of Charles Condomine’s first wife, Elvira. We’re talking "Glam" here in the sense of those gorgeous female superstars of the silver screen in the 1940’s and 50’s. Actually I was flipping back and forth from Marilyn Monroe to Jackie Kennedy. Ms. Lacy’s work is breathtaking. This lady needs to be a permanent fixture on the Denver stage!

Heather Lacy

Steven Cole Hughes is outstanding in his portrayal of Charles Condomine, a gentleman who is a sort of blasé nonchalant fly caught in the exasperating web spun by wives past and present - astral and earthly. Cole Hughes reading of the part is exceptionally wry and every speck of Coward’s wit is deliciously delivered.

Kate Berry’s acting is flawless! However … she is way too pretty to be cast as Condomine’s second wife, Ruth. Such a lovely woman could never fulfill the horsey aspect of Ruth that would satisfy the disparagingly equine references to her in the text.

Boni McIntyre is hilarious as Edith the maid. Whether racing like a thoroughbred just out of the gate to answer a doorbell or attempting to decelerate this perceived inappropriate hyperactivity to a slow clip-clop McIntyre is a hoot.

Steven Cole Hughes and Heather Lacy

Although Leslie O’Carroll is one of this reviewer’s favorite female actors in town one regrets that she had so little time to create a more internalized portrayal. Ms. O’Carroll stepped in at the last minute when the previously cast actress had to step out due to illness. One admits that her character, Madame Arcati falls into the realm of the eccentric. However… this loud over-the-top portrayal grates more than it amuses.

Chris Campbell is a master of the art of costume design. The entire cast is decked out just as Mr. Coward would have liked. Ms. Lacy’s ghostly gown is of the ethereal quality that could have graced the covers of the era’s leading fashion magazines.

The scenic design is the usual eye-popper created by Brian Mallgrave. With it this fine artist manages two things. First he provides us as audience with the perfect milieu for these rich upper crust Brits in which everything fits perfectly and nothing’s out of place. Secondly as we’re driving home after the play he makes us awfully happy we’re on our way back to homey rooms with a certain degree of chaos in which books about the theatre are literally crawling out of the bookcase and in which there are at least accents of colors of the primary variety.

Jon Olson’s lighting design is celestial. The sound design by Morgan McCauley is divine.

I think you will agree with Mr. Coward and Mr. Lansberry that you can have heaven and hell on earth simultaneously.

Marlowe's Musings

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Article 21

January 28, 2013, 7:05 pm

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The Foreigner

Phamaly: 1/18 – 2/2

At the start of Larry Shue’s “The Foreigner” Froggy LeSeur (Michael Leopard) and Charlie Baker (Jeremy Palmer) arrive at a Georgia fishing lodge. Since Charlie is scared to death of interacting socially with other people Froggy tells everyone at the lodge that Charlie is a foreigner who doesn’t understand English. In this way Froggy’s bashful buddy is able to be privy to what’s really going on in this little Georgia resort.

L to R: Daniel Traylor, Kathi Wood and Jeremy Palmer (Photo credit: Michael Ensminger)

The show is mostly just frothy fun that had this reviewer doubled over with laughter. However… that doesn’t keep it from having a social conscience about the existence of hate groups in our country!

Director Edith Weiss has cast this show impeccably and elicited performances from her fine cast that are golden.

The crisp clear sounds of folk fiddlin’ and pickin’ came through the superb acoustic perfection of El Armstrong’s sound design right up until the soundboard crashed backstage with three loud pops that sounded like gunshots. The cast didn’t even miss a beat and kept right on cracking the audience’s funny bones as if nothing had happened. These actors are true professionals.

Although the cast is endearing to a man/woman Jeremy Palmer steals the show in the role of Charlie Baker.

This is a wonderfully wacky evening of theatre you won’t want to miss. Marlowe's Musings

Through Feb. 2. at the Aurora Fox, 9900 East Colfax Ave. 7:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays and Jan. 28, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets, $22-$29, at phamaly.org or 303-739-1970.

Also showing Feb. 24-26 at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets, $29, atphalmaly.org or 720-898-7200.

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Article 20

February 3, 2013, 2:09 pm

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Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Spark Theatre: 1/18 – 2/16

Todd Black and Suzanne Nepi

We sure do love to lie to ourselves. That’s ultimately what Edward Albee, this country’s greatest living playwright says to his audience in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” Everyone in this play is hiding behind a façade of beliefs that masks his or her true experience in life.

Todd Black (George) and Suzanne Nepi (Martha) duke it out in Spark Theatre’s production in a sort of non-stop all night battle filled with verbal combat. This evening in which they rip the scabs off wounds long buried beneath the veil of deceit is one that’s bolstered by a kind of alcohol induced coma out of which all they can do is intermittently strike out physically at one another as punctuation to the eruptions of volcanic rage.

Cast against type, Black and Nepi do a great job keeping us focused on George and Martha’s outrageously dysfunctional relationship.

Director Cardell has cast two relatively new actors in the roles of Nick and Honey-the newest addition to the faculty and his mousey wife.

Nate Axtell turns in a stunning performance as Nick. Axtell is an interesting choice on the part of director Cardell, and this new (to this reviewer anyway) actor delivers a fine reading.

Julie Butters-Wolf gives us a Honey that is childishly oblivious to everything going on around her except for those suddenly lucid moments where she becomes aware and frightened of the Truth.

Luke Terry leads us into each Act with a sensitively well thought out sound design.

Bernie Cardell directs with a keen eye to the excruciating pain of exorcizing a lie as described by Albee’s subtext. Todd Black has never been better than he is here. Suzanne Nepi’s performance is passionate indeed.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf playing exclusively at Spark Theater, Santa Fe Arts District, 985 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s at 7:30 p.m. January 18 – February 16, 2013 with a Sunday matinee on January 27^that 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 with special pricing of $10 on Thursday’s, available online at www.sparktheater.org.

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Article 19

February 6, 2013, 9:57 pm

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City of Angels

Vintage Theatre Productions: 2/1 – 3/3

Maggie Tisdale and Jerry Cunningham
Photo Credit: Denver Mind Media

“City of Angels” is a Tony Award-winning musical that’s sort of a two for one deal. You get one musical about a screenwriter in Technicolor reality and another about the private detective character he’s writing in his black and white film noir screenplay.

You remember film noir-those films with actors like Humphrey Bogart as the private detective that start out with some guy’s voice over saying: “Her name was Dee Dee. Her game was blackmail.” Then the ominous sounds of ‘Dun! Dun! Dun!’ are heard as we slowly pan out from a cigarette being lit by a guy in a London Fog coat for a lady in one of those backless little numbers that were so sassy back then.

Jerry Cunningham Plays Stine, typing away on the screenplay. Ken Paul plays Stone, Stine’s somewhat over confident- shall we say ballsy? - alter ego and the star of the film noir movie on the opposite side of the stage.

Cunningham and Ken Paul knock it out of the park with their ear-pleasing duet “You’re Nothing Without Me” about coming to terms with each other as screenwriter and the character… I almost said ‘creature’ he’s created.

Cunningham’s singing of “Funny,” Stine’s eleventh hour lament, is one of the highlights of the show.

So enough about the Guys! What about the Dolls in this show?

Ken Paul and Abby Apple Boes
Photo credit: Denver Mind Media

Abby Apple Boes is a knock-out and in fine voice as femme fatale Alaura. Maggie Tisdale’s a smashing Oolie. The other gorgeous dames on board are Melissa Fike and Alix Brikley.

And that’s not even mentioning the Dolls in the Jazz Group Angel City 4: Juliette Petersen and Kerri Emswiller.

Robert Payo and Alejandro Roldan provide the male “doo wadda doo wops.”

Traci Kern’s musical direction of this extremely difficult musical is outstanding.

Brian Walker Smith has cast this show with an eye to the look of those grand old 1940s classics and an ear to voices that can really soar with the fast-paced and syncopated scatting jazzy score that’s been compared to “Manhattan Transfer on steroids.”

Choreographer Piper Arpan has treated us to some exhilarating dance numbers including a Calypso hoofer called “All You Have to Do is Wait.” There are a lot of big Hollywood-style production numbers and Arpan’s choreography is of the sassy variety that works perfectly.

Jim Hitzke is hilarious as Buddy, a producer who’s rewriting every syllable Stine writes almost before he writes it especially in the song, “The Buddy System.”

Travis Yamamoto leads the onstage orchestra perched on the Los Angeles skyline with a sure hand. The jazzy sound produced by the musicans adds so much to the over all evening!

Vintage Theatre presents

City of Angels

Homage to the film noir genre of motion pictures of the 1940’s.

Feb 1 – March 3 Sunday, Feb 24 @ 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Mar 3 at 2:30 p.m.

$30 ($25 advance) 303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.com

NEW Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010

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Article 18

February 6, 2013, 10:22 pm

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Romeo and Juliet

The Stage Theatre: 1/25 – 2/24

Lenne Klingaman

Lenne Klingaman’s enchanting performance in the role of Juliet is utterly transcendent. Ms. Klingaman is an actor who is as exquisite in her artistry as she is spellbinding to look upon.

Jeanne Paulsen’s performance in the role of Juliet’s Nurse is masterful.

Kathleen McCall’s portrayal of Lady Capulet is her best work to date.

Lenne Klingaman and Kathleen McCall

Matt Zambrano excels as Peter, a servant in the Capulet’s household who also expands and embellishes the narrative as chorus.

Matthew Simpson’s Tybalt is a riveting piece of work.

Sam Gregory delivers a Friar Laurence who moves from omniscient confessor to a man who is guilt-ridden and heart broken because of his part in the tragedy.

Kathleen McCall and Lenne Klingaman

Geoffrey Kent’s portrayal of Paris is superb. His fight direction is heart pounding.Marlowe's Musings

Single tickets for ROMEO & JULIET, on sale now, start at $48 (non-SCFD) and also are available for $10 (SCFD 10 for $10 program) and are on sale now. To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. For groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Tickets also may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org. Student rush $10 tickets are available one hour prior to curtain with a valid student ID subject to availability. Senior and military rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability. No children under six will be admitted to any theatre.

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Article 17

February 9, 2013, 5:24 pm

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WAKE

Buntport Theatre: 1/25 – 2/23

Whether it’s a wake for Prospero or a wake-up call for us all, "Wake" leaves lots of head scratching in its wake.

The reason this reviewer is so late with this review is that every time I sit down to write it a whole new level of interpretation arises and I begin to ponder that one.

So I will just tell you, dear reader, that this work is rich and can be mined at a number of different levels.

Erik Edborg and Brian Colonna

When a patriarch dies leaving only fragmentary instructions on the living of life on the island on which his daughter and slave abide a sense of malaise sets in. Miranda is lonely and bored. Caliban is tethered and tantalized by an invisible (to him) spirit named Ariel.

The boat the late patriarch predicted does not arrive. The skies don’t “pour down stinking pitch.” Nothing ever seems to happen according to the mysterious words of the old one.

Brian Colonna and Erik Edborg

Prospero is now a ghost who haunts the island. His words instructing his daughter Miranda that all things are ordered in Life forbid her to listen to the end of his soliloquy-now only on tape in the tape recorder he has smashed. These final words are only audible in an incomprehensible garbled gibberish when the tape is pulled through this broken tape recorder.

"Is it real or is it Memorex?" runs through one’s mind. (sorry!)

This amalgam of Shakespeare and Beckett and Buntport is engrossing to say the least. There is more than a little of “Godot” within its borders and a solid undergirding of Sartre as well.

The show is punctuated with electrical noise and electronic music as well as illumined periodically by a star-swept ceiling that appears with the flip of a switch.

The metal runway that stands overhead turns into a sort of slide from which the actors descend to a patch of astroturf that covers the top of Caliban’s cage.

Invisible to the eyes of Caliban, Ariel tantalizes and provokes him by dangling physical objects above him in the way that one might tease a dog or cat.

Erin Rollman as Miranda

The viewer finds himself in a sort of awe-struck wonder, then dips into ennui and somehow winds up at a thrilling glimmer of hope. Perhaps it’s a hope that will end in disillusionment but it’s an anticipation born of the self rather than of external authority. It’s a hope that’s founded on the realization that the stories one tells oneself are as important if not more so than those told by those who came before. The piece feels a bit Sartrian since Miranda’s freeing of Caliban by untying and unmasking him allows both of them to take responsibility for their island. That acceptance of responsibility allows for their freedom to discover a Brave New World as they leave safety behind and step into the unknown.

Observing the final moment of the play one can’t help remembering the words of Federico Fellini: “Everything is beautiful to innocent eyes.”

Adam Stone as Ariel(playing electrifying and er Tempestuous music at the Wake)

Erin Rollman Miranda

Eric Edborg Prospero

Brian Colonna Caliban

Adam Stone Ariel

Buntport Theater Presents

WAKE

a corruption of The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Jan 25th - Feb 23rd

Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm

and Sundays 2/10 & 2/17 at 3pm

Tickets $16 ($13 for Students and Seniors)

Opening night (1/25) and closing night (2/23) are $20 and include food & drink receptions

Thursday 1/31 & Monday 2/4 are Pay-What-You-Can (8pm)

5 weeks only! Reserve tickets now! Seating is limited!

Buntport.com/reservations or call 720.946.1388

Marlowe's MusingsMarlowe's Musings

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Article 16

February 14, 2013, 5:31 pm

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Spoon River Anthology

Germinal Stage Denver: 2/8 – 3/17

All of the characters in Edgar Lee Masters’ “Spoon River Anthology” are dead and there’s not much resting in peace in the cemetery in which they reside. Listen to the constant lament of these characters as they remember their lives.

With his many poems Masters allows the deceased town folk to describe real life as they remember it. Many of the complaints are petty. Although there is a great deal of discontent in the memories there is the sensing of an underlying longing to be able to experience Life above ground again. Ed Baierlein has assembled a stellar cast for this project that includes: Deborah Persoff, Leroy Leonard, Lisa Mumpton, Jim Miller, Jenny MacDonald and Michael Gunst.

Left to right Lisa Mumpton, Leroy Leonard, Michael Gunst, Deborah Persoff, Jenny MacDonald and Jim Miller

The scenic design gives us a Halloween party decorated with orange and black crepe paper and the requisite skulls and skeletons. The conceit is that the guests have indulged in some psychic games such as a séance. (One character is seen later playing with a Ouija board.) The members of the séance have opened a door and are possessed by the spirits. Among them is Ann Rutledge, the supposed first love of Abraham Lincoln played by Jenny MacDonald.

The tales spooled out by Masters’ characters provide a realistic portrait of life in this small town. There is an eerie disturbing quality to the work. One very nearly starts to drift into a negative viewpoint of life because of the pettiness. However … before that occurs the possessed partygoers, who have been staggering or drifting in a somnambulistic manner between scenes … come back to conscious life in singing the rapturous praises of Nature and living daily Life in Spoon River. The scenes are bridged by unsettling songs, which start up by an unseen hand.

Leroy Leonard and Deborah Persoff

Leroy Leonard and Deborah Persoff stand out in this uniformly fine cast. Among the characters portrayed by Leonard is Willy Metcalf, a developmentally disabled person described in tragi-comic terms. Persoff is especially funny in her tongue in cheek portrayal of a duplicitous woman who is just so surprised that her 19 year old lover killed her husband. Later Persoff and said husband Leonard square off with disdainful glances as a married couple who have many unresolved differences from their life on earth.

Jim Miller’s Chinaman Yee Bow, who died in Spoon River will never be able to return home to his progeny. George Grey, also done by Miller recites a complaint about the ship which is on his tombstone that's a real highlight in this evening of dramatic declamation.

(Spoon River Anthology is a dramatization of the poetry of Edgar Lee Masters by Charles Aidman.)

Germinal Stage Denver, located at West 44th Avenue and Alcott Street in Northwest Denver, presents

SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY

This is the second production of the theatre’s 39th season.

Performances Friday (8:00, $21.75), Saturday (8:00, $23.75) and Sunday (7:00, $19.75) through March 17th.

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL 303.455.7108

Marlowe's Musings

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Article 15

February 17, 2013, 10:06 am

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The Seafarer

Ashton Productions at Aurora Fox Arts: 2/8 - 3/2

Those devilish emotions of guilt and shame always come up on a holiday. O, dontchaknow?

Left to Right: Brock Benson, Steef Sealy, John Ashton, Warren Sherrill and Kevin Hart

Five darlin’ men find themselves cold and alone in a ramshackle shanty in Ireland. All they can do is blather on with a lot o blarney about the old days and the stinkin’ chunks launched by the other winos on their own front steps.

One’s blind, one’s in a dark depression and the others have only the unseen fishwives to bring up in complaint after dismal complaint.

On this particular Christmas Eve there is more than a wee tooth full of the Harp and Poteen that warms the cockles of these hoary hearts. In fact it could make the unwary theatregoear consider goin’ on the wagon himself. But I didn’t. There was W.W. Weller and Drambuie at me own shanty later.

But I digress.

One may at first think this show a bit one note in its constant circular spin of nice Christmas pints of Harp and “a drop of the holy water til they’ve blessed themselves.”

However … this play’s got a sensible and profound trajectory that might be compared to that of a black jack tire iron that’s skillfully aimed at the very devil of a locked heart.

Director Michael Stricker has done a superb job of casting and pacing this Tony Award-winning play. The show features some of the finest actors in town: Brock Benson, John Ashton, Steef Sealy, Kevin Hart, and Warren Sherill.

Sealy’s performance as Richard Harkin is one of the best performances by any actor this season. Sealy steals our hearts… and the show!

The Seafarer is now playing in the Black Box Studio Theatre at Aurora Fox Arts. For tickets call 303-739-1970 Marlowe's MusingsMarlowe's Musings

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Article 14

February 20, 2013, 7:05 pm

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Romeo and Juliet

Opera Colorado: Feb 9,12,15,17

“Two operatic households both alike in” that they are peopled with numerous family members and servants sometimes leave us wanting to know more of the stories of the Gertrudes(Marcia Ragonetti) , Tybalts (John McVeigh), Stephanos (Brenda Patterson) and Friars Laurence (Kevin Langan).

Unusual? Yes. But these are the stand-outs.

Photo Credit: Charles Erickson for Boston Lyric Opera

We look forward to Mozart's masterpiece, "Don Giovanni" March 30, April 2, 5 and 7

Go online for tickets at OperaColorado.org

Marlowe's Musings

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Article 13

February 26, 2013, 7:09 pm

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Church Basement Ladies

Boulder’s Dinner Theatre: 2/22 – 5/12

“Church Basement Ladies” is an evening of lighthearted uplifting family friendly musical comedy! What more could you ask?

Left to right: Bren Eyestone Burron, Heather Doris, Wayne Kennedy Alicia Dunfee and Barb Reeves

Youbetcha! “Church Basement Ladies” is a Heckuvadeal. It’s a very funny musical comedy about da women who fix up “a little lunch” for da congregation whenever there are weddings, funerals or just those special meals for holidays on da Lutheran Church Bulletin.

When discouraging events come up they remember that God has blessed them with recipes such as lutefisk , creamed peas on toast(Yum!) and lefse – but not La-sa-Gna! These stainless steel magnolias can not only clean and cook but seemingly keep da church afloat with their dauntless efforts to promote good clean living and moral Lutheran decency from right there in that little kitchen below the sanctuary.

Uf da!

This enchanting evening of musical theatre unfolds with hilarious singing and dancing that’s accompanied by Neal Dunfee and choreographed by his real life wife Alicia who, also plays Karin. The role of Karin’s daughter, Signe, is played by the incomparably talented and lovely to look at Heather Doris. Barb Reeves is the matriarch. What she says in the hierarchy of this kitchen is sort of akin to that of Mother Superior in the Nunsense series. Played with winning panache by Barb Reeves, this character is a heavenly hoot!

Bren Eystone Burron is howlingly funny as da lady with da hot flashes. Doing absolutely anything that might cause a slight cooling she is hilarious in this midlife meltdown. Eyestone Burron’s performance is so outrageously funny it will put you in mind of those blessed memories of Lucille Ball,

Imogene Coca and Carol Burnett.

Bren.Eyestone Burron

For this performance alone you must fly to the box office. Wayne Kennedy’s Pastor Gunderson, alternately enchanted and exasperated by these female disciples, provides us with just a dash of testosterone in this otherwise estrogen-driven comedy.

Wayne Kennedy

It doesn’t matter what church you grew up in! You’ll see your Mom, your aunts and all those wonderful lunch ladies at your church right up there on da stage.

Director Curt Wollan is new to BDT and lends a magical touch to this show. It’s inspired by the book “Growing up Lutheran” by Janet Martin and Suzann Nelson. Composer/lyricist Drew Jansen has also penned Troupe America's score for “How to Talk Minnesotan.”

As a critic my one complaint is they didn’t wear hair nets. Isn’t that against health department rules? Also there is no item on da menu such as lutefisk or creamed peas on toast. I’m just sayin.’

Tickets for Church Basement Ladies are on sale now. Prices start at just $35, and include both the performance and dinner served by the stars of the show. All tickets for opening weekend (Friday, February 22 - Sunday, February 24, 2013) are just $35. Group rate tickets and season subscriptions are available for all performances throughout the year. Call (303) 449-6000 or log on to www.bouldersdinnertheatre.com for reservations and/or additional details about the show.

Marlowe's Musings

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Article 12

February 28, 2013, 10:14 pm

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Catch Me If You Can

Denver Center Attractions: 2/27 - 3/10

“Catch Me If You Can” is lightweight frothy fluff that turns out to be a rather endearing evening of good old-fashioned fun!

Stephen Anthony portrays its central character, Frank Abagnale, Jr.

Mr. Anthony has an intoxicating stage presence and sings and dances his way through this con man’s true-life story with amiable brio.

Stephen Anthony and Ensemble

Having spoiled us all with the books for such musicals as “Ragtime,” one must admit that Terrence McNally’s book for “Catch Me If You Can” is one of his lesser successes. The characters often have a rather flimsy feel to them. However … they are portrayed by some of the best touring company actors to have been seen of late.

A few of the actors standing out in this production are Aubrey Mae Davis, (Brenda,) Amy Burgmeier (Carol Strong) and D. Scott Withers (Roger Strong) as a Louisiana family taken in by Mr. Abegnale Jr.’s boyish if blatantly fraudulent charm. Their singing and dancing of “Our Family Tree” is exhilarating.

The scenes describing this con man’s world are designed and choreographed in such a way as to draw us in with a mesmerizing palette of colors. Those involving that of the FBI agents in his pursuit fall flat in their attempt to provide a dramatic black and white 'film noir' contrast.

There’s a sensational onstage orchestra that adds immeasurably to the enjoyment of this evening of musical theatre. Director Jack O’Brien’s pacing moves the show along at a good clip.

The music and lyrics penned by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and the music composed by Mr. Shaiman will make you want to run out and buy the CD.

The graphics and images projected as back drop to the proceedings bring up memories of that time when the fledgling television industry was in transition from black and white to the wonderful world of color.

Stephen Anthony and Ensemble

The Buell Theatre limited engagement from February 26 – March 10. Tickets are on sale now at denvercenter.org. Single tickets for CATCH ME IF YOU CAN start at just $20. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829. Additionally, tickets may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at denvercenter.org.Marlowe's Musings

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Article 11

March 6, 2013, 6:25 pm

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Town Hall Arts: 2/22 – 3/24

Based on the movie with the same title, "9 to 5: The Musical" rocks!

Director Christopher Willard has paced “9 to 5” at a full gallop. His casting is great and the performances hilarious!

The musical tracks put down by the divine Donna Debreceni are simply astounding!

Kelly Kates’ choreography has the stars and ensemble at Town Hall Arts movin’ their feet in a decidedly delicious direction!

Seth Caikowski’s badass boss is hysterically funny!

Left to right: Lisa Finnerty, Alison Mueller, Seth Caikowski and Margie Lamb

The three ladies you will remember from the movie are musical theatre ice cream.

Margie Lamb’s Violet Newstead is rock solid as one might expect after the last several award-winning performances she’s done.

The lovely to look at Lisa Finnerty gets to unleash her superb set of pipes in decidedly ear-pleasing fashion as Judy Bernly.

Alison Mueller proves that she has more than a little of the look and sound of Dolly Parton in a very

fun portrayal of Doralee!

Left to right: Seth Caikowski and Alison Mueller

Jona Alonzo’s boss-smitten Roz is hysterically funny.

With Seth Alison on lights, Tina Anderson on set design and John Rivera handling the sound you gotta know that the technical end of things is handled magnificently.

It’s Awesome! Marlowe's Musings

Town Hall’s production opens February 22, 2013 and runs through March 24, 2013. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. (& 2:00 p.m. on 3/9) & Sundays at 2 p.m. (& 6:30 p.m. on 3/17).

Ticket Information:

Reserved seat tickets are currently on sale, priced $20.00-$40.00 at the Town Hall Arts Center box office, 303- 794-2787 ext. 5 (Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. to Noon/ 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday Noon to 4 p.m. and 1 Hour prior to Shows) or on-line at www.TownHallArtsCenter.com . In a continuing effort to make plays at Town Hall Arts Center accessible to all, ten value seats at $10 each will be made available on a first-come-first- served basis one-hour prior to each published curtain time.

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Article 10

March 9, 2013, 1:17 pm

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The Pitmen Painters

Miners Alley Playhouse: 3/1 – 4/7

Left to right: Peter David Giffin, Mark Collins, Tim Fishbaugh, Paul Borrillo, Brandon Palmer and Sam Gilstrap. Photo credit to Sarah Roshan

Can working class blokes ever have a real understanding of Art? Could they ever hope to learn how Art is created? Would it be possible for men who work ten hours a day in a dank, dark coal mine ever hope to create Art? These are a few of the initial questions that you’ll find yourself asking as the cast at Miners Alley Playhouse takes the stage.

“The Pitmen Painters” is one of the most engaging evenings of theatre so far this season. It’s a jewel of a play by Lee Hall, the author of Billy Eliot. Based upon a true story, this play about a group of English coal miners in the 1930s has great heart and real humanity. It’s a beautifully written play about a group of miners who arrange for an Art instructor to speak to them about the meaning of Art. When the study of the great paintings of the Renaissance proves a challenge they agree to attempt painting on their own.

Rick Bernstein is at the top of his game with his direction. There’s more than a touch of the poet in the superbly crafted performances he elicits from this cast.

Mark Collins, Jan Cleveland and Paul Borillo stand out in an ensemble that is uniformly brilliant. Mark Collins is outstandingas a man who is finding his way in the world of Art while trying to remain true to himself and the ethics of his new profession.

Mark Collins
Photo credit Sarah Roshan
Cleveland’s performance is supremely elegant. Her graceful stage movement and crisp upper class accent provide the perfect contrast to that of these miners turned artists. The return to the stage of Mr. Borrillo is heartening indeed. Those who remember his brilliant work as Uncle Peck in “How I Learned to Drive” and Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird” will rejoice in his brilliant performance in the role of Harry Wilson.

Left to right: Peter David Giffin and Paul Borrillo
Photo credit: Sarah Roshan

The sound design by Paige L.Larson and Jonathan Scott McKean is of the excellent variety. Besides the crisp clear notes of a Celtic fiddle there is an auditory picture of locomotive arriving that excels beyond words.

Caitlin Alexander’s costume design is spot on. The gowns she’s created for Ms. Cleveland are eye-poppers of the first magnitude.

The lighting design and projections provided by Jonathan Scott McKean enhance the production immeasurably.

It’s a heart-opening experience to say the least. Tears well up more than once in this fascinating discussion of Art and classism.

This production comes with the highest of recommendations from this reviewer’s desk.

What happens when a bunch of British miners wander into a painting class?

Mar. 1 – Apr. 7

Fri. and Sat. @ 7:30 p.m. and Sun @ 6 p.m. (2 p.m. on Apr. 7)

$19.00 - $29.50; senior, student and group rates available.

303-935-3044 or online at www.minersalley.com

Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Avenue (13^thand Washington 2^nd floor entrance on 13^th) in Golden, CO.

2 hours, 30 minutes (including one intermission) Marlowe's Musings

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Article 9

March 16, 2013, 9:27 am

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The Doyle and Debbie Show

The Garner Galleria: 3/5 – 7/14

"DOYLE AND DEBBIE" DOES DENVER!

Jennifer Blood and Bruce Arntson

It looks as if The Garner Galleria has another one of those shows that will run forevah!!!!!!

Bruce Arntson gets high marks for his intentionally goofy performance as Doyle, a third rate country western singer has-been who's makin' a come-back! Doyle's womanizin' his way west with annoying idiocyncracies and a ten gallon hat full of braggadocio. Arntson, who created the show, also wrote the funny, if very ‘politically incorrect’ lyrics.

Jennifer Blood is Doyle's third Debbie. A single mother hoping to make it to Nashville on Doyle's coat tails, Blood's Debbie provides the exact right pouty feminine contrast to Doyle’s grinning male chauvinism. Ms. Blood’s delivery of “The ABCs of Love” drew rapturous applause and lots of laughter from the audience on press night.

“D and D” was a little slow getting out of the chute on the night this reviewer was in attendance, but once it did it thundered down the macho sh*#head racetrack created by Mr. Arntson (as writer) like a thoroughbred. Arntson's lyrics are deliciously funny in a charming redneck sort of way. The only problem is that sometimes the patter is set at such a frenetic pace you aren’t able to catch all the jokes. That's not to say that the delivery by Ms. Blood and Mr. Arntson is not superb. It is.

These two artists are at their best singing such soon to be classics as “Think of Me When You’re Screwin’ Other Women” and “Fat Women in Trailers.”

Kevin Depinet’s Honky Tonk scenic design will put you in mind of that of The Denver Center Attractions runaway hit “Always, Patsy Cline.” Depinet gives us a dive somewhere on the lonesome trail of country western wannabes and has-beens. The walls are plastered with beer adverts and autographed posters.

Annie Freeman's costume design is spot on. Freeman has bedecked Ms. Blood in a fringe-edged mini dress featuring a steer with one of its horns through a bleeding heart. Mr. Arntson’s shirt features female silhouettes similar to those you may remember from mud flaps on those fourteen wheelers toolin’ down I-25.

The guitar playin’ makes “I Ain’t No Homo But You Sure Look Good to Me” what Montanans call a true 'near-near' song. ('Near-Near' bein' the sound the fingers make on the strings of course.)

Arntson’s country scattin’ is outstanding and his yodelin’ at least as good as that of Julie Andrews in “The Sound of Mucous.”

What other musical can one leave humming the tune of a song entitled “Fat Women in Trailers?”

Denver Center Attractions

For tickets call: (303) 893-4100

1101 13th St, Denver, CO 80204

Cross Streets: Near the intersection of 13th St and Arapahoe St

Neighborhoods: Downtown

Mar 2, 2013-Jul 14, 2013

Garner Galleria Theatre

Performance times:

Tue-Sun 7:30pm

Sat & Sun 2pm

Run Time: 90 min no intermission

Groups 10+: 303.446.4829

Age Recommendation: ages 15+. Contains adult themes, language and sexual innuendo.Marlowe's Musings

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Article 8

March 21, 2013, 7:40 pm

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Whether you like dark serious contemporary theatre or dark serious existential theatre you can't go wrong seeing: "Doubt," "Race" and "Endgame."

Erik Tieze and Anne Oberbroeckling

Doubt: a Parable

Cherry Creek Theatre: through March 31

John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt” won the 2005 Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize. Cherry Creek Theatre’s stunning production thereof will leave you breathless.

Sister Aloyisius, a self righteous principal of a Catholic school in the Bronx, suspects Father Flynn of acting in an inappropriate fashion with one of the male students.

Anne Oberbroeckling electrifies as Sister Aloysius in Cherry Creek Theatre's outstanding production of 'Doubt.'

Eric Tieze is a superb Father Flynn.

Richard H. Pegg's direction is Masterful!

One of the best productions of this season!

Cherry Creek Theatre presents "Doubt: A Parable" March 8 - 31

Fri/Sat @ 7:30 p.m.; Sun @ 6:30 p.m.

$28 Adult; $25 for seniors/students; $23 for Groups of 10+

Shaver-Ramsey Showroom, 2414 East 3rd Ave., Denver, CO 80206

303-800-6578

www.cherrycreektheatre.org

Seating is limited.

(*please note closing date change from March 23)

Left to right standing:Joseph Graves, Krisangela Washington and Richard Cowden. Seated is Brian Landis-Folkins

Race

The New Edge Theatre: 3/15 - 4/7

A rich white man who’s been accused of raping a black woman in The Edge Theatre’s production of David Mamet’s “Race.”

This play which Mamet says is about “race and the lies we tell each other on the subject,” is a thoroughly absorbing evening of theatre directed by Rob Kramer.

The director has paced the show at a nice clip while choosing to bridge the scenes by telescoping time in a cinematic way. Kramer achieves this effect by having the actors, seen by the audience in half-light, move in slow motion from their blocking in the scene just ended to the one that follows. The effect is one of soothing fluidity in this play that seethes with raw racial tension.

Director Kramer has cast two well-known Denver actors and two new ones. The faces you will recognize from previous plays are Brian Landis Folkins and Richard Cowden.

Folkins plays Charles Strickland, a rich white man who is accused of raping a black woman. Cowden leads the cast with a powerful performance as the white senior partner in a firm that is being asked to represent the accused.

Cast in the roles of the African American members of this law firm are new actors Krisangela Washington and Joseph Graves. With only a couple of weeks of rehearsal under his belt Mr. Graves gave a formidable performance as Henry. As Susan, the youngest member of the firm, Ms. Washington turned in a performance of deceptive innocence that intrigues.

The show is being produced at The Edge Theatre’s new home at 1560 Teller Street. Check it out!

March 15 - April 7*(please note date change)

Fri. / Sat. @ 8 p.m.; Sun. @ 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 30 & April 6 @ 2:00 p.m.

$20 adult / $16 student & seniors

*303-521-8041 or online at www.theedgetheater.com.

*The Edge Theatre, 1560 Teller Street, Suite 200, Lakewood CO 80214. Free Parking.

Endgame

Spark Theatre: through March 30

To paraphrase Edward Albee in an interview some time ago, “One of Samuel Beckett’s plays should be onstage at all times in our cities.” That’s a huge nod of confidence from our greatest living playwright.

Spark Theatre Company’s production is thoroughly well produced. This is the perfect way to see Beckett’s play. The appointment of the stage is minimal and correctly so. The seating is so intimate with the actors it’s almost claustrophobic. Once you’re in your seat you’re gonna be there til the final curtain. It makes one think of Jean Paul Sartre, another existential playwright, who also found that there was “No Exit.”

Andrew Uhlenhopp directs the show with a slow pace that’s exactly right and a sure grip on the proceedings as well.

Chris Kendall’s performance as Nag is outstanding!

This production will make you feel uncomfortable as you study two old folks in trash cans and one blind man who can’t stand assisted by a young man who can’t sit.

It’s seriously well done existential theatre that will give you a good dose of reality therapy. If “Endgame” is not among your memories of the late great playwright philosophers you had better get on over and make it one.

This is your homework!

8:00pm Thursday Friday and Saturday through March 30.

Spark Theater – www.sparktheater.org 985 Santa Fe Drive Denver, CO 80204 Phone 720-346-7396

Marlowe's Musings

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Article 7

March 30, 2013, 8:45 am

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“Man of La Mancha” is a Triumph!

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities: 3/26 – 4/14

With his direction of “Man of La Mancha at Arvada Center Rod Lansberry has achieved The Impossible Dream – a pitch perfect production of this beloved Tony Award-winning musical.

William Michals’ portrayal of Don Quixote/Cervantes stuns us with his magnificent baritone and riveting stage presence. His singing of “The Impossible Dream” is rousing and indelible.

Opera diva Jennifer de Dominici brings the dulcet tones of her soaring soprano to the part of Aldonza/Dulcinea. Brava!

Left to right: Jennifer DeDominici and William Michals

Eschewing the traditional casting of a short squat fat Sancho Panza, Director Lansberry opts for the slim, tall physiology of Ben Dicke. Visually jarring at first, Dicke endears with his bashful, goofy take on the character.

Left to right: Ben Dicke and William Michals

That said dear reader, what you must know is that every single member of this cast turns in a magnificent performance. Rob Costigan’s barber, Craig Lundquist’s Innkeeper, Sue Leiser’s Housekeeper, Jeremy Sortore’s Padre and Markus Warren’s Knight of the Mirrors are all exceptionally well portrayed. The cast list goes on to read like a who’s who in Denver Theatre including the stellar talents of Robert Michael Sanders, Mercedes Perez, Mark Rubald, Daniel Langhoff, Danielle Porcellini, Jessica Hindsley, Chris LeBeau, Tim Howard, Joanie Brosseau and Andrew Diesner.

The Awesome cast of Arvada Center's "Man of La Mancha"

Maestro David Nehls starts out tickling our ears with a single mandolin played onstage by one of the actors. It’s only later through incremental shifts in the volume that we arrive at the swelling grandeur of this stirring score. In this way Nehls’ music direction is in perfect alignment with Lansberry’s directorial decision to make us as audience feel that everything in the production – even the music – originates in this filthy dungeon.

The choreography by Kitty Hilsabeck is correct and precise in modestly serving the concept without ever slipping into excess.

The scenic design by Brian Mallgrave is quite simply his best to date. That’s quite a statement having seen the exquisite work this artist has done over the years. However … this time he has outdone himself. The dungeon he’s created is a sprawling masterpiece that spans the length and width of the stage using every square inch to great effect. With its lanterns dangling from the ceiling and its creaky drawbridge of a staircase Mallgrave allows us the illusion of a subterranean cavern into which the Grand Inquisitor sends his minions to lead prisoners to their death.

Shannon McKinney’s lighting design dazzles.

The direction of this musical by Rod Lansberry is without equal so far this season. The maestro’s incomparable vision is stamped on every aspect of each scene.
It’s electrifying!Marlowe's Musings

The Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 1p.m. Wednesdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays.

Tickets range from $53-$83, at arvadacenter.org or 720-898-7200.

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Article 6

March 30, 2013, 8:28 pm

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Pardon My Dust

The Laundry on Lawrence: through April 6

And Toto too Theatre Company is presenting the regional premiere of “Pardon My Dust” by Anne Welsbacher at The Laundry on Lawrence through April 6. It’s a two-person play about renowned theatre critic Dorothy Parker that features two of Denver’s finest actors:Billie McBride and Paul Page. McBride plays Parker who arrives at a “way station” after her death with lots of baggage.

Paul Page plays the guide in the after life who prompts Parker to come to completion with the way she views herself in order for her to er move on. Page also plays numerous other males who figured prominently in the late critic’s life.

It’s an interesting concept and if you don’t know the very famous rhyming witticisms of the late great writer you may like this piece more than this reviewer did. However … most of Parker’s bon mots are so familiar one could speak them before the actors do.

This is not to say that there is not much to be mined in a rewrite, which could eventually prove to be the mother lode.

One wishes that the playwright might have chosen one specific time in Parker’s life to reminisce about and illuminate. As it stands the play jumps around from male friend to male friend and experience to experience until one grows tired of following it.

This reviewer wanted either more of a focus on the experience of the Algonquin Round Table or on Parker's gripes about the unfairness of the way Hollywood producers treated screenwriters.

At the risk of being redundant one must reitierate that it would seem that playwright Welsbacher has a good idea, which after a re-write or two could just turn into a really wonderful play. At this point though it’s not ready for prime time.

Go anyway and support Ms. Welsbacher and And Toto too Theatre Company. Susan Lyles directs.

Billie McBride as Dorothy Parker

At the Laundry on Lawrence, curtain time 7:30, p.m. every Wed., Thu., Fri., Sat. until April 6

2701 Lawrence Street www.andtototoo.orgMarlowe's Musings

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Article 5

April 10, 2013, 4:23 pm

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

Vintage Theatre: 4-5 / 5/5

Vintage Theatre’s “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” is the sexiest shit-kickin’ shindig in town!

I had forgotten how much I LOVE this show about the Lone Star State’s famous brothel known affectionately as the Chicken Ranch!

Boni McIntyre and Scott Bellot

There is real chemistry between the silver throated Boni McIntyre as Miss Mona, the madame with a heart of gold and Scott Bellot as Sheriff Ed Earl, her common ‘law’(get it?) boy friend. Thanks to these two actors’ superb work you are really gonna feel the heart of Vintage Theatre’s head spinning, heart opening production.

Director Deb Flomberg has cast the show with superb actors, who are hugely talented dancers and singers and who really know how to crank out those boot-tapppin’, knee slappin’ country numbers. Rachelle Wood’s performance as Angel and Lauren Cora Marsh’s as Shy dazzle us! Shahara Ostrand’s singing of Doatsy Mae is outstanding. Lisa Young (Jewel) blows the roof off with “24 Hours of Lovin’.”

Patrick Brownson’s Governor is a side-stepping, side-splittin’ wonder. Chris Gallegos is a hoot as Melvin P. Thorpe. David Ballew and Preston Britton spice up the line dancin’ Aggie number with just the right brand of sassy.

The cast of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."

Shaun Albrechtson’s set with its crème colored panels and cookie cutter designs give our memories a splash of Mississippi riverboat. Hunter Hall’s music direction of the in-your-face orchestra is amazing.

Jamie Horban’s choreography keeps the viewer’s eye moving and everybody’s good lookin’ legs in the air. In short the evening is thoroughly enjoyable. If you miss this one your fun quotient for the month won’t be near what it could be.

Yee Haw!

Vintage Theatre presents

"The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"

The musical about the little Texas brothel known as the Chicken Ranch.

Apr. 5 - May 5 Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m.

$30 ($25 advance) 303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.com

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010Marlowe's Musings

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