MARY LOUISE LEE 

 

BLACK NATIVITY

VINTAGE THEATRE: DEC 6 – 29

 

Of the four holiday productions that this reviewer has seen in the Aurora Theatre District this December, “Black Nativity” is the only one to approach the season with a sense of reverence. “Black Nativity” is an all-black, Gospel-Inspired Holiday Celebration by Langston Hughes.

     The show is directed by Jo Bunton Keel. 

     It’s been nearly three decades since I have seen a play directed by the esteemed Ms. Keel.     Her work on “The Gospel at Colonus” for Eulipions Theatre still resonates. One hopes to see her name in the theatre programs more often now.

     The play, written by Langston Hughes, is an adaptation of the Biblical events surrounding the birth of Jesus.

     Director Keel opens the play with Hugo Jon Hughes (The Breath of God) walking in through the audience and describing the creation of the world through an African filter as actors onstage dance the text. Hughes’ commanding delivery along with the flashes of light and sound mesmerize. 

    Dressed in royal African garb, Mary Louise Lee portrays Mother Africa, overseeing this reading of the nativity with grace and power. This artist’s singing of “Sweet Little Jesus Boy,” is heartfelt indeed.

   Standing out in the ensemble is Krisangela Washington in the role(s) of Mary/Dancer.

Besides being a sensationally talented vocalist (“Memphis” at THAC and “Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story” at BDT Stage) Washington here proves herself to be a skilled dancer as well.

    The mostly percussive accompaniment including drums, keyboard and guitar is beautifully played and enhances, rather than overwhelming the vocals.

  The music director is Minister Daryl Walker. His conducting of the just offstage band as well as that of the a Capella choral numbers is magnificent.

     One must make mention of other works of art that describe biblical events at this juncture.

    You can’t help thinking of John Huston’s 1966 film, “The Bible…in the Beginning,” in which two Scandinavian models were formed from the dust of the earth…as Adam and Eve … or the all-white cast performing the roles of Mary and Joseph in “Ben Hur, A Tale of the Christ.”

     It is much more realistic, and satisfying to the viewer, seeing black individuals portray African characters that were born between the Nile and the Euphrates all those years ago.

    Just sayin.’

    

I hope you get to see “BLACK NATIVITY.”

 

For tickets call the box office at 303-856-7830 or go online at vintagetheatre.org

 

 

 SANTA’S BIG RED SACK

RATTLEBRAIN THEATER PRODUCTIONS

at THE PEOPLE’S BUILDING,

 9995 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO

NOW THROUGH DEC 23

 

     Don’t miss Rattlebrain’s 23^rd production of this hilarious evening of sketch comedy!

     It’s wall to wall upbeat holiday cheer that’s all night, non-stop sendups of the tired and traditional.

     Dave and Jane Shirley have been serving up this fast-paced comic holiday feast since 2002 and It’s the perfect antidote for the onslaught of traditional holiday turkeys.

     Together with Eric Mather and Chris Woolf, the Shirleys continue to dazzle us with a tongue in cheek cavalcade of topsy turvy satire aimed at everything from Santa and his elves to Dickens.

     Besides the onstage antics there are also lots of excellent video segments!

      I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: “Every sketch is a laugh-out-loud gut-buster.” 

     

P.S. you can take your favorite adult beverage into the theatre with you.

 

RUN TO GET TICKETS!!! 

 

For tickets go online at thepeoplesbuilding.com/santas-big-red-sack

 EBENEZER SCROOGE’S BIG AURORA FOX CHRISTMAS SHOW!

AURORA FOX ARTS CENTER: NOV. 30 – DEC. 22

 

 

Written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, this holiday treat is based upon Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

     It’s an all-woman cast led by Denver favorite Karen Slack in the role of the miserly curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge. Slack’s gravel-voiced old coot anchors the show.

     The production is blessed with the comic talents of such Denver favorites as LuAnn Buckstein, Sonsharae Tull, Min Kyung (Cecelia) Kim (Cratchit) and Janae Burris (Christmas Yet to Come). 

     Buckstein is hysterical as The Ghost of Christmas Past! Her comic genius comes through in moments such as one of her character’s klutzily attempting to maneuver a straw into her mouth while drinking an adult beverage at a holiday party. Tull delights as the exuberant Ghost of Christmas Present.

     There is fine work in the technical aspects of this show as well. A great rustic scenic design is provided by Denver favorite Brandon Philip Case. Lighting and sound designs work well in tandem by Brett Maughan and Casey Burnham respectively. The costumes by Linda Morken, are of this artist’s usual eye-popping artistry.

 

For tickets call the box office at: 303-739-1970 or go online at AuroraFoxArtsCenter.org

 

 

        WHO'S HOLIDAY

    VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS: DEC 2-31

                                                Jenny Weiss as Cindy Lou Who

 

JENNY WEISS IS AN UNMISSABLY SCRUMPTIOUS HOLIDAY TREAT AS CINDY LOU WHO!!!

 

This is the third year that Vintage Theatre has blessed us with their gloriously festive production of Matthew Lombardo's "WHO'S HOLIDAY!"

       It's wall to wall rhyming in the style of Dr. Seuss that's served up with joyous flirtatiousness by local favorite Jenny Weiss.

      Ms. Weiss is deliciously naughty - and nice! - in this one-woman- performance in the role of Cindy Lou Who.

     Some years after her initial meeting with the Grinch, Cindy Lou is getting ready to welcome guests for a warm holiday get-together! She’s prepared hors d’oeuvres and holiday songs that will get your bells jingling and your “chestnuts roasting.” 

     “Who’s Holiday” is a thoroughly satisfying departure from all of the traditional holiday fare. So, bring your current squeeze and sit back with one of the delicious adult beverages being offered for the run of this show. 

"Who's Holiday" is a fun- filled confection laced with tongue-in-cheek adult humor that delights.  

The show is for ADULTS ONLY so for one evening you can relax and leave the kids home.

For tickets call the Box Office at 303-856-7830 or go online at info@vintagetheatre.org

 

 

 ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

ARVADA CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES: NOV 22 -DEC 29

Main Stage Theatre

 

With music by Mary Rogers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer, “Once Upon A Mattress” was nominated for two Tonys in 1960: Best Musical and Best Leading Actress for Carol Burnett.

      The show is a comic adaptation of the fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea.”

     This production is remarkable for several reasons.  The cast includes musical theatre actors who have become famous over the last few decades not only for their work at Arvada Center, but also for becoming favorites working in many other local venues such as the recently shuttered BDT Stage. Joanie Brosseau-Rubald is one of Colorado’s premier actors who has stunned audiences for decades at BDT Stage.  

      Megan Van De Hey performed what many have called the best dramatic performance ever in this town, as Maria Callas in Town Hall Arts Center’s production of MASTER CLASS. Van De Hey’s singing of Mother in Arvada Center’s unforgettable production of RAGTIME was stunning and unforgettable! 

     Colin Alexander has won accolades for many performances at Arvada Center and elsewhere.

     I was fortunate to see Mathenee Treco when he appeared in Arvada Center’s production of MEMPHIS. It was clear from that debut that this actor was to become a great star. Shortly thereafter he appeared in the first touring company of HAMILTON.

     “Once Upon a Mattress” is superbly directed by Colorado favorite Kenny Moten.  His casting and pacing make the evening fly by. 

     The show is choreographed with a tongue-in-cheek eye to the silliness inherent in the show, by the esteemed Christopher Page-Sanders.

     The very fine music direction is thanks to Jordan Ortman.

   

  Alena Watters is splendid as Princess Winnifred, girl of the swamps. This actor is at her vocal best with her soaring “Happily Ever After.” Her comic numbers, “Shy,” and “The Swamps of Home” are hilarious.

       Joanie Brosseau-Rubald is magnificent as Queen Aggravain. Her studied performance is, as always, a joy to see and hear. It is a gift to have her performing onstage in this wonderful holiday production. Her performance of “Sensitivity” is hilarious!

     EJ Dohring is appropriately goofy and klutzy as Prince Dauntless.

     Colin Alexander mimes his way through the journey of the timid King Sextimus with superb acting skill.

      Mathenee Treco is a superbly sung Sir Harry.

      Elizabeth Harlen is an enchanting Lady Larkin.

       David Otto opens the show with a strong version of “Many Moons Ago.”

     Megan Van De Hey is pure mischievous magic as the Wizard.

     Brian Watson’s Jester is smashing in his rendition of “Very Soft Shoes.”

     Brian Mallgrave's scenic design for this fairy tale castle is, as always, a wonder to behold.

     Madison Booth’s costumes are spot on.

     The ensemble includes such Denver favorites as Alejandro Roldan, Bob Hoppe, Randy Chalmers and Adriane Leigh Robinson.

 

This is a production that the whole family will love!!!

Run to get tickets!

 

For tickets call the box office at 303-431-3939 or go online at arvadacenter.org

OUpon

 

                   NUNSENSE

(PRESENTED BY VERITAS PRODUCTIONS AND PARKER ARTS)

At THE SCHOOLHOUSE THEATRE in Parker,CO.

 October 25 – November 17

 L-R: Ali Chung, Jamie Molina and Kayleigh Bernier (Photo credit: Noah Begley of Paper and Light Photography)

                     HALLELUJAH!!! 

NUNSENSE IS THE PERFECT JOYFUL TONIC FOR THE HIGH ANXIETY OF ALL THIS POLITICAL TURMOIL!

         

With music, lyrics and book by Dan Goggin, “Nunsense” is a musical comedy that opened in 1985 off Broadway. Subsequently it has become the second longest-running Off-Broadway show!

     When the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidentally poisoned fifty some nuns, they are suddenly needing the financial wherewithal to bury them. They decide to put on a variety show to raise the funds. There in a nutshell, lieth the plot.

     This small group of stalwart nuns includes Sister Mary Regina (the Reverend Mother), Sister Mary Hubert, the mistress of novices, Sister Mary Leo, who has dreamed of being a ballerina, a streetwise nun from Brooklyn named Sister Robert Anne, and a zany forgetful nun named Sister Amnesia.

     As Sister Mary Hubert, Arabella Beaubrun blows the roof off with her outstanding rendition of ‘Holier than Thou.”

    Ali Chung’s “Playing Second Fiddle,” Jennifer Burnett’s “Turn Up the Spotlight,” and Jamie Molina’s “I Could Have Gone to Nashville,” are all show-stopping numbers indeed! Dance Captain Kayleigh Bernier keeps the entire ensemble on their toes.

     Nancy Evans Begley, Marlowe Award-winner for her performance as Drowsy in “The Drowsy Chaperone”, has nearly single-handedly brought this production to life! Besides her work as the director, this artist also designed costumes, props, was co-audio designer, production manager and choreographer. 

      Her superb choreography includes hilarious nods to “The Will Rogers Follies” as well as sending up the 'white glove' choreo of Bob Fosse.

     Whether you’ve seen a production of this show previously or not, you need to see it with this cast!

     These women transcend the material with their superb vocals, acting prowess and comedic excellence.

     It is to be noted that Andrew Fischer’s musical accompaniment and conducting enhances the proceedings, making the performances really pop!

     I hope every lover of musical theatre gets to see this show!

 

                        NOT TO BE MISSED!

 

For tickets call: 303-805-6800 or go online at parkerarts.org

 L-R in foreground: Molly Turner and Deborah Persoff. L-R in background:Bobbie Renee,Evan Marquez,Stephanie Saltis and Todd Black. 

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

VINTAGE THEATRE: 9/20 – 10/20

ALLISTAIR BASSE

 

A thrilling evening of mayhem, mystery and murder awaits you at The Vintage Theatre in Aurora! 

     Josh Levy is riveting as the intrepid Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.

     Directed by Denver Favorite Bernie Cardell, you simply can’t go wrong buying tickets for the family. 

     Cardell, who is one of Denver’s premier directors and actors, has cast some of Denver’s brightest and best in this Agatha Christie classic. Among them are Deborah Persoff, Molly Turner, Todd Black and Haley Johnson.      

     Deborah Persoff is eminently watchable as the disdainful aristrocrat, Princess Dragamiroff. Her every condescending glance wilts whichever peasant she is addressing.  This premier Denver actress is also currently performing her one-woman show, “Eleanor,” which is back by popular demand, mid-week at Vintage.

     Molly Turner turns in a very fine performance as Greta Ohlsson, the forlorn African missionary who is constantly weeping. This is the role for which Ingrid Bergman received the Oscar in 1974.

     Luke Fish is delightful as Hector MacQueen, the anxiously eager and willing secretary of the abrasive Mr. Ratchett(Terence Keane). 

      Todd Black, who recently turned in an exceptional performance as Walter Pool in Vintage Theatre’s monumental production of “The Inheritance, “is most memorable in the role of Pierre Michel.

      Returning to the stage after a five- year absence, Haley Johnson turns in a fine performance in the role of the former actress, Mrs. Helen Hubbard.  Johnson has stunned audiences in such plays as ‘Night Mother and A Streetcar Named Desire. 

     Alistair Basse is brilliant as Monsieur Bouc, the owner of the railway train. 

      Of all the many works of Ms. Christie, the author’s “Murder on the Orient Express” is this reviewer’s personal favorite. Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of this book for the stage is thoroughly engrossing.

          Luke Rahmsdorff Terry’s fine sound design bridges the scenes with a somber viola. Susan Rahmsdorff Terry does her usual excellent work with the costume design.

    You owe it to yourself to see this show!

     Run to get tickets!

 

 

For tickets call 303-856-7830 or go online at www.vintagetheatre.org