AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS

CENTRAL CITY OPERA

Performed at Central Presbyterian Church, Denver

DECEMBER 20,21 and 22

 

              Jennifer DeDominici

             NOT TO BE MISSED!!!

 

     Gian Carlo Menotti’s one-act opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors” was commissioned by NBC, and was produced for television as the first production of Hallmark Hall of Fame on Christmas Eve, 1954.

     Menotti took his inspiration for the opera from Hieronymus Bosch’s “The Adoration of the Magi,” which he had seen exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Menotti’s partner Sammuel Barber completed the score’s orchestrations just before the show was to air.

     Toscanini told Menotti that it was “the best he’d ever done.”

     The cast includes last year’s Marlowe Award winner, Jennifer De Dominici, reprising her role as Mother. 

     Sam Kraus and Brook Larson alternate as Amahl. 

     The three kings are: Javier Abreu (Kaspar) Jonathan Hays (Melchior) and Errol-Wesley Shaw (Balthazar.) Jerome Sibulo portrays the Page.

     Under the baton of Brandon Eldredge, the Central City Opera orchestra delivered Menotti's score in a manner delicious to the ear.

     Menotti said that he intended this to be an opera for children since he was attempting to recapture his own childhood.  In Italy there is no Santa Claus. The toys come from the three kings!

   Other than "Amahl and the Night Visitors," this reviewer has so far only been blessed by seeing and hearing one other Menotti opera. It was "The Saint of Bleecker Street," which tells us of a woman with the stigmata, who sees visions and hears angelic voices. Her brother believes she should be institutionalized, but the people of the neighborhood in Little Italy believe her to be a saint. The heart-opening production was done by Central City Opera under the supervision of Maestro John Moriarty. Unforgettably moving!

     Due to scheduling problems, I saw this production of "Amahl and the Night Visitors" later than I would have liked.

      I hope this reaches you in time for you to experience the heart-swelling beauty of Central City Opera’s production of Menotti’s exquisite opera. 

Only one matinee remains on Sunday at 2pm.

     

                 RUN TO GET TICKETS!

    

For tickets call 303-292-6700 or go online at centralcityopera.org/amahl

 

                        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

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