Sarah Kit Farrell and Jeremy Rill 

              (photo credit RDG Photography)

 SOUTH PACIFIC

PERFORMANCE NOW THEATRE COMPANY: JAN 9 – JAN 25

 

Sarah Kit Farrell is a brilliant new star in the firmament of the local theatre scene. 

Her Nellie Forbush is Outstanding!

 

With music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics and book by Oscar Hammerstein, “South Pacific” is based upon James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Tales of the South Pacific.” The Broadway Musical was the first to win a Pulitzer Prize in the Drama category.

Opening on Broadway in 1949, it swept the 1950 Tony Awards with 10 nods including Best Musical, Director and all 4 major acting categories.

“South Pacific’s” Broadway run was for many years, second only to that of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first hit, “Oklahoma.”   

     The Performance Now production currently on view at The Lakewood Cultural Center is directed with a warm and affectionate touch by award-winning Kelly Van Oosbree, who also choreographs the proceedings with exuberant joy. 

     Under the baton of music director Heather Iris Holt, the twelve-piece orchestra does a great job spinning out the magnificent tunes in Rodgers’ score.

     Jeremy Rill anchors the show with  a strong and commanding presence as a formidable Emile de Becque.  His warm resonant singing of “Some Enchanted Evening” is ear-pleasing indeed.

     Sarah Kit Farrell sparkles and enchants us as Ensign Nellie Forbush.  Her rich, melodic singing of such favorites as “Cock-Eyed Optimist” and “I’m In Love with a Wonderful Guy” delights.

     It's wonderful to see Burke Walton back on the Denver stage! As Lieutenant Joseph Cable his singing of “Younger than Springtime” and “You Have to be Carefully Taught,” are indelible.

     Joyce Cole is an amusing and  most memorable Bloody Mary! Her singing of “Bali Hai” is spellbinding.

     Jeffrey Parker makes his characterization of Luther Billis truly his own. This Billis has a bit of an edge to it, allowing us as audience to see him as more than just a fun-loving Seabee. His work in “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame” exhilarates!

   Tiffany Sieu-Fruman is enchanting as Liat. Her love-duet, “Happy Talk,” with Burke Walton sparkles with joy. 

     Additionally, there is the pleasure of seeing Gabriel Morales onstage as Henry as well as Alison Mueller as Ensign Dinah Murphy.

Andrew Bates’ focused, minimal set design and Brett Maughan’s mood-shifting lighting design, conspire to suggest location with a light touch.

 NOT TO BE MISSED!!!

 

Tickets at https:www.performancenow.org/southpacific

 

 

Photos are by RDG Photography

 THE MARLOWE AWARDS FOR 2025

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS (PLAY) 

VERONICA STRAIGHT-LINGO, LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY, FIREHOUSE THEATER COMPANY

 

OUTSTANDING ACTOR (PLAY) 

KEVIN HART, MORNING AFTER GRACE, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS (PLAY) 

DIANE WZIONTKA, TORCH SONG, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR (PLAY)

 DWAYNE CARRINGTON, MORNING AFTER GRACE, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING ACTOR (MUSICAL)

 COOPER KAMINSKY, RING OF FIRE, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS (MUSICAL) 

DEBORAH PERSOFF, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS (MUSICAL) 

JULIA TOBEY, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR (MUSICAL) 

BRIAN TRAMPLER, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

 

 OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE MUSICAL

ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR (PLAY)

PAUL JAQUITH, LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY, THE FIREHOUSE THEATER COMPANY

 

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY, LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY, THE FIREHOUSE THEATER COMPANY

 

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR (MUSICAL) 

WARREN SHERRILL, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL DEBUT

 PAUL PAGE, AN ECHOING SPRING, A STORY OF MATTHEW SHEPARD, COLORADO TINTS in local cooperation with ACT ONE Productions

 

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY 

REBECCA SCOTT DEAN, JERRY’S GIRLS, VERITAS PRODUCTIONS AND THEATRE ARTS

 

OUTSTANDING PROJECTIONS 

TOPHER BLAIR, THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, ARVADA CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTOR 

LEE ANN SCHERLONG, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, OVATION WEST THEATRE COMPANY

 

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN 

VANCE MCKENZIE, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN 

JOHN HAUSER, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING SCENIC DESIGN, 

TINA ANDERSON, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN 

CRYSTAL MCKENZIE, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

BEST STAGE DIRECTION OF AN OPERA

ALISON MORITZ, THE KNOCK, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

 

BEST CONDUCTOR OPERA, 

DAVID BLOOM, THE KNOCK, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

 

BEAT FEMALE OPERA SINGER

LISA MARIE ROGALI, THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA COMPANY

 

BEST MALE OPERA SINGER,

  ARMANDO CONTRERAS, THE KNOCK, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

Ties with:

ANDREW MORSTEIN, THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

 

 LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY

FIREHOUSE THEATRE COMPANY at 
THE JOHN HAND THEATER ON LOWRY:  NOV 21 – DEC 21

Written by Topher Payne and directed by Paul Jaquith, Let Nothing You Dismay is a holiday free-for-all that’s a farce everyone can enjoy.  The cast includes local favorites, Verl Hite, Mary Campbell, Veronica Straight-Lingo and Johnathan Underwood and features Chrys Duran, Andrew Catterall, Jenny Eaves and Ben Butler.  These eight actors perform the roles of the twenty-two characters penned by playwright Payne.  The transformations these actors make from one character to the other will leave you breathless.

Standing out in this amazing cast are the gut-busting characterizations provided by Veronica Straight-Lingo, Mary Campbell and Verl Hite.  No spoilers! You deserve to discover them for yourselves! 

  The playwright has decided to insert an intermission and as everyone knows an intermission causes some of the steam from a farcical First Act to evaporate requiring the cast to get the sparks flying again afterwards.  That said, these fine actors get us back on track and up to speed in relatively short order.

The Costumes are thanks to Rachel Herring-Luna. Lighting is by Emily Maddox, and sound design by Madison Kuebler.

The set design is a community effort by Director Paul Jaquith, Jeff Jesmer and Megan Davis. 

One must give a shout out to Paul Jaquith for his outstanding work from the director’s chair.  This is one of the funniest productions to have been seen by this reviewer this year! Bravo!

It’s Family with all its quirks and idiosyncrasies, and the love thereof, that is at the heart of this play.   A Great escape from the horrors of the evening news and a tonic after all the chaos at the mall, it’s perfect for the holiday season.

NOT TO BE MISSED! 

GO AND LAUGH YOUR PROVERBIAL ASS OFF!!! RUN TO GET TICKETS!!!

For tickets call: 303-562-3232 or go online at www.firehousetheatercompany.com

 AN ECHOING SPRING

A Story of Matthew Shepard

JOHN HAND THEATRE: Dec. 3 – 16

(a traveling production of Colorado TINTS in local cooperation with Act One Productions)

 

In the intimacy of the John Hand Theatre, playwright Mike Broemmel’s haunting play about Matthew Shepard is not only heart-breaking, but also heart-opening.

Paul Page, who has been admired for his fine acting in Colorado for years, here steps into the role of director, illuminating Broemmel’s play with a sensitive touch that allows the play to unfold in a natural way.

Suzanne Nepi imbues the character of Judy Shepard with a tenderness and strength that makes us see why she has become a favorite in the Denver theatre community! A mother herself, Nepi’s personal memories of maternal experiences dealing with joyful storytelling and healing traumatic pain inform this very fine performance.

In the role of Matthew Shepard, Aiden Evans is eminently confident. This young actor’s monologues engage the audience with a congenial and conversational delivery. One looks forward to seeing him soon again upon the Denver stage.

One is certain that humanistic plays such as this one will touch the hearts of all who attend. May theatre such as this help to eliminate homophobia and all heinous hate crimes!

For tickets call:   303-562-3232      or go online at theatrixdenver.wellattended.com

                      THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD 

                             VINTAGE THEATRE : DEC. 5 TO JAN 11 

            The cast of "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" (Photo credit: RDG Photography)

DROOD is the HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN FOR THE  HOLIDAY SEASON!RUN TO GET TICKETS!!!

When was the last time you woke up humming the tunes you heard at theatre the night before? There are so many Glorious ear-worms in this score, you will be humming and singing these tunes for days! With book, music and lyrics by Rupert Holmes, Vintage Theatre’s production of THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD is not to be missed! In1985 “Drood” received Tony Awards for Best Musical, Book and Score. 

         On opening night a rousing, rollicking good time was had by all! Rowdy, and sometimes a bit on the bawdy side, the broad strokes of humor on display describing London’s Music Hall tradition may put you in mind of the American Vaudeville theatre.     The show is directed by the esteemed Bernie Cardell, who makes sure that we are entertained to the max!  For this reason alone, it is advised that any theatre lover get tickets as far in advance as possible.

The title role is played by Michelle Merz-Hutchinson. It is wonderful to see this actor’s superb acting and hear her outstanding vocals! Her singing of “Two Kinsmen” and “Perfect Strangers” is an utter delight.

Brian Trampler’s chairman, the show’s emcee, introduces the play by welcoming us  to the music hall with his singing of “There You Are,” lifting our spirits and making us hungry for the unfolding mystery to come. The chairman is also a sort of narrator who introduces characters and ties together the clues and events which follow. Trampler’s performance stuns!

Rosa Bud, Drood’s fiancee and the student of choirmaster John Jasper, is played by Makenzie Couch, who sings “Moonfall” with a soprano that is a breathtaking ribbon of silk. William B. Kahn’s acting and singing of Jasper, who secretly lusts after his student, has a baritone to die for. His singing of “A Man Could Go Quite Mad” is indelible.

Adam Johnson’s acting in the comic role of Bazzard made him an audience favorite. His singing of “Never the Luck” is hysterical.

Deborah Persoff’s performance in the role of Princess Puffer, the proprietor of a London opium den, is one for the books! This meticulously crafted and nuanced portrayal is so richly imagined that Dickens himself would applaud this actor’s masterful singing and acting of : “The Wages of Sin,” “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead” and “The Garden Path to Hell."

It’s wonderful to see Daniel Traylor treading the boards once again as Mr. James Throttle. 

Musical director Jeremiah Otto did splendid work accompanying the actors on the keys as well as evoking stunning choral work from the cast in such numbers as, “Off To the Races,” and “An English Music Hall.” 

Charles Dickens’ vital, vibrant characters are all dressed in Cole Emarine’s extravagant eye-popping Victorian costumes!

Don Fuller’s set design and Emily Maddox’s lighting were both well executed. There were a couple of glitches in Russ Kirby’s sound design on the night this reviewer was in attendance, but they were quickly addressed and rectified.

Charles Dickens died before his novel was finished. As a result we as audience get to decide who the murderer was.

 This is just the ticket for the Holidays! Not to be missed!!!

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

 

 

                                                              Nancy Evans Begley

           JERRY’S GIRLS

VERITAS PRODUCTIONS AND THEATRE ARTS

In partnership with THE MIZEL CENTER FOR THE ARTS:

                                     11/13-11/23

                          NOT TO BE MISSED!!!

Nancy Evans Begley is a force of nature! Jerry’s Girls is a cavalcade of heart-opening and heart-expanding songs from JERRY HERMAN’s Broadway hits such as: Hello Dolly, La Cage Aux Folles, Mame, Dear World, Mack and Mable and Parade! 

This production was supposed to appear in Early September. Due to Ms. Begley's life-threatening illness it had to be cancelled. Having once again been scheduled, a water main broke in the theatre. However... Nancy Begley and her production of Jerry’s Girls have risen like the phoenix … and what a Joyous Gift this is! 

Three beautiful, talented, and vivacious women, NANCY EVANS BEGLEY, ALI CHUNG and DANA HART WRIGHT, grace the stage, giving their all for an audience of thoroughly appreciative theatregoers.

Upon entering the playing space of the Pluss Theatre, the playgoer is regaled with Andrew S. Bates’ scenic design. It includes 3 show-biz vanity tables lined-up along a back wall adorned with lobby cards of a bygone era. 

Director Katie Reid Milazzo has staged the revue with just the perfect right “light” touch.

Cole Emarine’s costumes, spangled with sequins and adorned with colorful feather boas, sparkle and shimmer. 

Using flickering lights to enhance songs like “When Movies Were Movies” from Mack and Mabel, genius lighting designer Brett Maughan has also added footlights to create an atmosphere of nostalgia.

Music Director Aldo Algoode accompanies the ladies delightfully on the piano, and even sometimes tosses in a brief comic commentary between scenes. He is aided in no small part by the very fine playing of bassist Johnny Torres. 

Rebecca Scott Dean’s choreography is lovely.  One example is that in which she has the ladies spinning exquisite white lace parasols which recalls the spinning train wheels for “Put On Your Sunday Clothes.” Another is her exhilarating choreo for “Tap Your Troubles Away” from Mack and Mabel.

As always, Curt Behm’s Audio Design is crisp, clear and at decidedly enjoyable levels.

BRAVI TUTTI!!!

RUN TO GET TICKETS!!!

For tickets call 303-316-6360 or go online at jccdenver.org

 ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

OVATION WEST THEATRE COMPANY

CENTER STAGE EVERGREEN

SEPT 5 – 28

          MICHELE CROW as ANNIE OAKLEY

CIRCLE THE WAGONS, ALL Y’ALL, AND GET ON UP TO EVERGREEN FOR A RIP-ROARIN,’ EAR-PLEASIN,’ EYE-POPPIN’ MUSICAL TRIP TO THE OLD WEST!

With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and original book by Herbert Fields and Dorothy Fields (revised by Peter Stone), Ovation West’s ANNIE GET YOUR GUN is not to be missed!

     The show was a big hit on Broadway in 1946, and the revival in 1999 garnered Tonys for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Performance for a Leading Actress in a Musical for Bernadette Peters. The show is chock-full of upbeat classics such as “There’s No Business Like Show Business”, “Doin’ What Comes Naturally” and “You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun.”

     Michele Crow is Outstanding as Annie Oakley! Besides her silver-throated vocals, this lady can really handle a gun! It turns out that she served a tour of duty during the war in Afghanistan, and her expertise shows!

     Daniel Sares is a thoroughly well-sung and acted Frank Butler. I couldn’t keep myself from thinking that if ever there were a good musical created of “Gone with the Wind” he would be an excellent Rhett Butler.  Sares’ duets with Ms. Crow like “Anything You Can Do” and “They Say It’s Wonderful” are unforgettable! 

     Dialect coach Christine Kahane has made sure that the dialogue is crisp and correct and even added Native American sign language that’s used in some portions of the show.

     David Sibley has created a fantasia of colorful costumes for this cast. From the buckskin fringes for the men to the jewel-toned costumes for the ladies, Sibley’s work is amazing! Sibley’s gowns for Miss Crowe in Act Two are eye-popping indeed!

     The Music Direction by award-winning Lee Ann Scherlong is of the excellence that the Colorado audience has come to expect of her! Her conducting of the sensational just off-stage orchestra makes the Berlin tunes ring in our ears for days! 

     The high-steppin’ dance moves created by choreographer Rachel Lessard are exhilarating! 

     Director Tim Kennedy, who gave an outstanding pre-show history of this classic has cast the show with an eye to authenticity and an ear for excellent voices. His casting is dynamite and the pacing great!

     Art Razo lends an aura of respect to his well-acted portrayal of Chief Sitting Bull.   (It is to be noted that one is deeply gratified that the disrespectful “I’m an Indian, too” was removed for the 1999 revival.) 

     Owen Niland turns in a dynamic portrayal in the role of Buffalo Bill Cody.

     Leslie Randle’s performance as Butler’s assistant, Dolly Tate, is superbly – and intentionally - exasperating! 

      Max Guzman (Tommy Keeler) and Savannah Poor’s (Winnie Tate) duet, “Who do You Love, I Hope,” is beyond enchanting! Hilarious in its well-sung and danced performance, you’ll want to be searching out their names in every program from now on! Brian Trampler gives us a fine performance as Charlie Davenport, the general manager of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. 

Evergreen is the perfect place to see this Wild West Show.  There was a herd of elk wandering down the road as we left the theatre! 

How does it get any better than that?

For tickets call   303-674-4002 or go online at www.ovationwest.org