Wednesday, January 29, 2014




 
                    The Buell Theatre: 1/28 – 2/2
     

      The production of “MAMMA MIA” at The Buell Theatre is one that comes with high recommendations to all fans of ABBA... and anyone who loves to party!
       It’s a tuneful bit of fluff about a young woman who’s about to get hitched. She’s never known who her father was and while rifling through her mother’s diary finds three likely suspects. When she invites the three men to the wedding the fireworks begin.
      The cast is outstanding and the production, while staged with a beautiful simplicity in the realm of scenic design, is full of lots of flashy costumes, lighting and choreography.
       The vocals are all remarkably well sung and the orchestra divine. The passion and precision with which the ensemble delivers the choreography is to be lauded as well.
       Colorado native P. Tucker Worley turns in a superb performance in the role of Pepper.
        A few of the ABBA hits you will remember are: “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me”, “Voulez-Vous” and of course the ever popular “Mamma Mia.”
       If you want a ticket you’ll have to hurry. It’s only here through Sunday.

Single tickets for MAMMA MIA! start at $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


Kimberly Akimbo
Equinox Theatre Company: 1/24 – 2/15

             Linda Suttle is Kimberly
     There is a charming play written by David Lindsay-Abaire called “Kimberly Akimbo” currently on view at The Bug Theatre. Kimberly is a sixteen-year-old girl who is afflicted with a rare disease that causes the aging process to speed up. At sixteen she already appears to be a mature woman. The words on the front of the program read: “It’s hard being a teen. Try it at seventy.”
     Kimberly has a mom who’s a hypochondriac, a father who’s a drunk and an aunt who’s a scam artist. It’s a black comedy about an extremely dysfunctional family that speaks to the way the quick passage of time has of wounding everyone.
     Linda Suttle leads the cast with an affectionately drawn portrayal of the central character. This artist has obviously spent lots of hours at the mall researching the behaviors and posture of teenage girls.
     Brad Wagner delivers a fresh and funny portrayal of Kim’s boy friend, Jeff.  Kaity Talmage-Bowers is hilarious as Kim’s  nutty aunt Debra.
     Rounding out the cast in the roles of Kimberly’s parents are: Kim Netherton as Patttie and Zach Brown as Buddy.
     One of the set pieces was problematic on opening weekend but over all “Kimberly Akimbo” is a fun, heartfelt and poignant evening of theatre. Deb Flomberg directs.

Equinox Theatre Company Presents:
“Kimberly Akimbo”
at The Bug Theatre
 3654 Navajo Street in Denver
(720) 984-0781
January 24 through February 15 
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM
Tickets start at $20
 Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more
Tickets available online at www.EquinoxTheatreDenver.comMarlowe's Musings 




Thursday, January 23, 2014


Orphans
The Edge Theatre: 1/7-2/9
     “Orphans” is an evening of theatre you have got to experience!
     In some past productions of this play some directors have found it difficult to create a balanced vision of the piece.
     This time at The Edge Theatre director Rob Kramer and his superb cast really got it right.
     Christian Mast and Jack Wefso are on fire as siblings who are emotionally scarred by the loss of their mother.
                             
                             Left to Right: Rick Yaconis and Christian Mast

     Mast delivers an endearing portrayal of the developmentally disabled brother. This artist’s ability to create and maintain the quirky behaviors of this character both facially and physiologically is astounding.
     Jack Wefso’s fiery portrait of the brother who appears to be the stronger of the two by surviving as a small time thief to mask his emotional damage rivets.
                                
                               Jack Wefso (in foreground) and Christian Mast

     Rick Yaconis provides the perfectly balanced 
emotional fulcrum as a gangster kidnapped by Wefso’s character. Is he planning violence under a placid façade or paternal comfort to the brothers’ arrested emotional development?
Can you say “cathartic?”
The Edge Theatre
"Orphans"
A twisted parody of family bonds and reversal of fortune.
Jan. 17 - Feb. 9
Preview performance Thurs., Jan. 16 @ 8 p.m.
Fri./Sat. & Mon. Jan. 27 @ 8 p.m.; Sat. Feb. 1 & 8 @ 2 p.m.; Sun@ 6 p.m.
*No Performance Sunday, Feb. 2
Tickets: $20 advance $22 at the door
303-232-0363 or online at www.theedgetheater.com.
The Edge Theatre, 1560 Teller Street, Suite 200, Lakewood CO 80214. Free Parking.Marlowe's Musings









The Whipping Man
Curious Theatre Company: 1/11-2/15
     Friday evening this reviewer was regaled with the most intense realism in memory at Curious Theatre’s powerful production of “The Whipping Man.”
     Co-directors Kate Folkins and Chip Walton elicited electrifying performances from their three-man cast.
     When was the last time you teared up in the first couple minutes of a production? Sean Scrutchins can teach your nerve endings to feel pain way beyond the footlights!
        
Laurence Curry(above) 
and Sean Scrutchins



     Please be aware that this production has scenes involving excruciating pain, which are recommended to all lovers of serious drama who are not faint of heart.
     Sean Scrutchins is outstanding in the role of Caleb, a wounded Confederate soldier returning home to two emancipated slaves and the scorched ruins of his home.
     Stepping in at the last minute the always-excellent Cajardo Lindsey turns in a high caliber portrayal of Simon.  
                     

Left to Right: Laurence Curry, Cajardo Lindsey and Sean Scrutchins
     Laurence Curry gives us a dynamic performance in the role of John.
    Exquisitely delivered sound and lighting designs and a magnificent set add to the evening’s enjoyment.
    The “special effects” created by Todd Debreceni enhance the realistic impact.Marlowe's Musings
Thursdays – Saturdays: 8 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m.
Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma Street, Denver, CO 80204
(Just two blocks south of the Denver Art Museum, near 11th Avenue and Acoma Street.)
The Box Office is located at 1080 Acoma Street, Denver 303.623.0524 or online at www.curioustheatre.org.

Thursday, January 16, 2014


  
Thanks to one and all in the theatre community who have made the 2013 Theatre Season in Colorado such a great success. It is with great appreciation and sincere humility that this reviewer lists some of the great talents who have made this season truly memorable.


The 2013 Marlowe Awards

Outstanding Actor in a one- person play:
 James O’Hagan Murphy, RFK, Vintage Theatre Productions


Outstanding Actress in a one- person play:
Maria Cheng, Spirit and Sworded Treks, Theatre Esprit Asia (TEA)
                                                       

 Outstanding Actor in a Play, Drama:
                            
John Ashton, Seminar, Boulder 
Ensemble Theatre Company

Scott Bellot, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Edge Theatre Company
                              
Brian Landis Folkins, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Edge Theatre Company

Paul Page, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, The Edge Theatre Company

Outstanding Actress in a Play, Drama


Erica Sarzin-Borrillo, “Long Day’s Journey into Night,” Germinal Stage Denver


Missy Moore, The House of Blue Leaves, The Edge Theatre Company


Maggy Stacy, Cat on a Hot tin Roof, The Edge Theatre Company

Billie McBride, Collected Stories, Miners Alley Playhouse 

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama 
         
        
Emma Messenger, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Edge Theatre Company

          
         
Kathleen McCall, Romeo and Juliet, Denver Center Theatre Company



                                         
Erica Fox, Closer, Vintage Theatre Productions


                                     
Jeanne Paulsen, Romeo and Juliet, Denver Center Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Drama

                               
Zachary Andrews, Long Day’s Journey into Night, Germinal Stage Denver

                      
Brock Benson, Newark Violenta, The Edge Theatre Company
                           
Steef Sealy, The Seafarer, Ashton Entertainment

                                   
Joe Von Bokern, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Edge Theatre Company 


Best Production of a Play, Comedy
                     
The 39 Steps, Town Hall Arts
Blithe Spirit, Arvada Center for the Arts
The Foreigner, PHAMALY Theatre Company
Mrs. Mannerly, Miners Alley Playhouse


Outstanding Actor Comedy
                       
Chris Bleau, Mrs. Mannerly, Miners Alley Playhouse
                         
                                    
Lawrence Hecht, Vigil, Cherry Creek Theatre Company

 
Steven Cole Hughes, Blithe Spirit, Arvada Center for the Arts

                         
Jeremy Palmer, The Foreigner,  PHAMALY Theatre Company

Outstanding Actress Comedy
                                  
Deborah Curtis, Mrs. Mannerly, 
Miners Alley Playhouse
                          
Patty Mintz-Figel, Vigil, Cherry Creek Theatre Company
                           
C. Kelly Leo, Rancho Mirage, Curious Theatre Company

                               
Karen Slack, God of Carnage, Curious Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Actor Comedy
                                                
Sean Scrutchins, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Colorado Shakespeare Festival
                                              
Mark Lively, Next Fall, Theatre Out Denver
                               
Eric Mather, The 39 Steps, Town Hall Arts
                                 

 Seth Maisel, The 39 Steps, Town Hall Arts

Outstanding Supporting Actress Comedy

Heather Lacy, Blithe Spirit, Arvada Center for the Arts

Judy Phelan-Hill, Next Fall, Theatre Out Denver
                                       
Erica Lee Johnson, Mrs. Mannerly, Miners Alley Playhouse
                                     
Sharon Kaye White, Dividing the Estate, Arvada Center for the Arts


Outstanding Director Comedy
Bob Wells, 39 Steps, Town Hall Arts
Bernie Cardell, Sordid Lives, Illumination Theatre Company
                     
Edith Weiss, The Foreigner, PHAMALY Theatre Company
Richard H. Pegg, Mrs. Mannerly, Miners Alley Playhouse

Best Costumes
Chris Campbell, Blithe Spirit, Arvada Center for the Arts
ESosa, Sense and Sensibility, Denver Center Theatre Company
Linda Morken, The Wizard of Oz, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre
Christina Poddubiuk, Romeo and Juliet, Denver Center Theatre Company

Best Choreography
Nick Sugar, Hair, Town Hall Arts
Matt LaFontaine, In the Heights, Vintage Theatre Productions
Kelly Kates, Annie, Town Hall Arts
Alicia Dunfee, The Wizard of Oz, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
                                 
Daymond Schweer, Young Frankenstein, StageDoor Theatre, Conifer
                                  
Daniel Langhoff, Annie, Town Hall Arts
                       

                                   
Wayne Kennedy, Spamalot, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre
                                                   
 Seth Maisel, Young Frankenstein, Vintage Theatre Productions

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
                                                 
SuCh, The Color Purple, Aurora Fox Arts

Megan Van De Hey, Curtains, Arvada Center for the Arts
                                             
Sydney Fairbairn, Annie, Town Hall Arts
                                                           
Jennifer DeDominici, Man of La Mancha, Arvada Center for the Arts

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical


LuAnn Buckstein, Annie, Town Hall Arts

                 
Bren Eyestone.Burron, Church Basement Ladies, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre 

Lisa Finnerty, 9 to 5, Town Hall Arts


Alicia Dunfee, Spamalot, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre



Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
           
Colin Alexander, Curtains, Arvada Center for the Arts
                                 
Seth Caikowski, The Wizard of Oz, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre
                                   
Tim Howard, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Town Hall Arts
                                     


Mark Shonsey, Young Frankenstein, Vintage Theatre Productions

                                   
Outstanding Director of a Musical

Rod Lansberry/David Nehls, 
Man of La Mancha, Arvada Center for the Arts           

Pamela Clifton/Trent Hines, 
Young Frankenstein, StageDoor Theatre, Conifer
Nick Sugar/ Donna Kolpan Debreceni, Hair, Town Hall Arts
Piper Arpan/Neal Dunfee,
Spamalot, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre

Best New Play

                                          
Newark, Violenta, Jonson Kuhn, The Edge Theatre Company

Wake, Buntport Theater Company

Best Play Drama
RFK, Vintage Theatre Productions

Long Day’s Journey into Night,
Germinal Stage Denver
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Edge Theatre Company
 Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, The Edge Theatre Company

               Best Ensemble
                             
Spoon River Anthology, Germinal Stage Denver

                  
The Memory of Water, Miners Alley Playhouse

   Closer, Vintage Theatre Productions
                                   

                                       
Minimum Wage, The Avenue Theatre

Best Production of a Musical
                        
Man of La Mancha, Arvada Center for the Arts
                              
             Hair, Town Hall Arts
                              
           Annie, Town Hall Arts
       
                               
Spamalot, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre

Best Lighting
Frank Haas, Shadowlands,Vintage Theatre Productions
Shannon McKinney, Metamorphoses, Aurora Fox Arts
Jonathan Scott-McKean, Hair, Town Hall Arts
Seth Alison, Annie, Town Hall Arts

Best Scenic Design
Brian Mallgrave, Man of La Mancha, Arvada Center for the Arts
Charles Packard, Metamorphoses, Aurora Fox Arts

Tobias Harding, Shadowlands, Vintage Theatre Productions
Wake, Buntport Theater Company

Best Sound Design
David Thomas, Man of La Mancha, The Arvada Center for the Arts
Luke Allen Terry, Veronica’s Room, Vintage Theatre Productions
John Rivera, The 39 Steps, Town Hall Arts
Adam Stone, Wake, Buntport Theater Company

Best Director Play, Drama
Geoff Kent, Metamorphoses, Aurora Fox Arts
Terry Dodd, RFK, Vintage Theatre Productions 
Ed Baierlein, Long Day’s Journey into Night, Germinal Stage Denver
Angela Astle, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Edge Theatre Company

Best Touring Company
The Book of Mormon, Denver Center Attractions


Outstanding New Theatre Company
Theatre Esprit Asia (TEA)

Best Opera Production
Our Town, Central City Opera


Outstanding Female Opera Singers:
           
Anna Christy, Our Town, Central City Opera

Jennifer Rivera, The Barber of Seville, Central City Opera
Julia Burrows, Showboat, Central City Opera
Ellen Kaye, Showboat, Central City Opera
Outstanding Male Opera Singers

 Troy Cook, Showboat, Central City Opera
                                  
Soloman Howard, Showboat, Central City Opera
Vale Rideout, Our Town, Central City Opera
                                 
Daniel Belcher, The Barber of Seville, Central City OperaMarlowe's Musings