The Travesty of Lear

The Betsy Stage: through January 25

                      The cast of "The Travesty of Lear"

     Ribald and raucous, “The Travesty of Lear” is an evening of silly fun that amuses.

     

     The speeches of Michael Vasicek’s gravel-throated Lear reverberate throughout the space with a crisp clarity. His grizzled old saloonkeeper is one of the best things about the show.

     

     One must advise you, dear reader, that more often than not Shakespeare’s plot gets lost in its journey to Last Chance Gulch. Playwrights Samantha McDermott, Jerian Franco and Kimberly Franco have had a great deal of fun transmogrifying the tragedy of Lear into a comic “Travesty.”  What they do best is recreating the play using stereotypical characters from the western movie genre. Lear’s daughters have been translated into prostitutes in Lear’s post gold rush saloon, The Silver Slipper. Everyone else is a cowboy.

     

     The language is a mash-up of Elizabethan poetry and cowboy colloquialisms in which the cowboys come out winners every time. The direction provides moments of Monty Pythonesque hilarity such as the one in which various flora, fauna and miscellaneous stuff from the prop room fly over the saloon in the storm scene.  There’s also some nice thunder and lightning from the techies and some fun simulated slow mo action scenes done in the vein of silent western flickers.

     

     Unfortunately we have to wait until final curtain for a rollicking musical number that makes one wish there had been others of its ilk to move the story along. The show’s production values, which are a bit on the ragged side, are shored up with grins and giggles generated by the exaggerated contrast of having the Bard’s characters perform slapstick antics like country bumpkins and speak the queen’s English with a rustic twang.The show is free to the public in the hopes that one will leave a donation at the door. The price is right, the cast enthusiastic and one wishes this fledgling company great good luck as we look forward to seeing “BETH,” its send-up of the Scottish play.

The Betsy Stage presents"The Travesty of Lear"

Shakespeare’s timeless tale and set it in the Old West.

Now -  Jan. 25

Fri./ Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m.

Cost:  FREE (donations accepted)

Reservations required by calling 720-328-5294

The Betsy Stage, 1133 S. Huron St. Denver, CO 80223 Marlowe's Musings

Young Frankenstein

Vintage Theatre: 12/20 – 2/2

     As a character in his own film, “History of the World Part I” Mel Brooks says: ”It’s Good to be the king.” Brooks truly is the king…of Comedy. His 1974 film “Young Frankenstein” is now a cult favorite. Many fans know every line right down to the accent the actors used. 

     In 2007 “Young Frankenstein, the Musical” was nominated for three Tony Awards and also received The Outer Critics Circle’s award for Best Musical.

     In Director Deb Flomberg’s production of “Young Frankenstein” there are laughs galore!  One of the nice directorial touches was Ms. Flomberg’s having the villagers running with cardboard cut-outs of the trees to give the illusion that the horse cart is moving in the number “Roll, Roll, Roll in Za Hay.”

Seth Maisel

     Seth Maisel does a fine job of portraying Frederick Frankenstein. Maisel’s  performance is full of the hysteria and panic one remembers from Gene Wilder’s portrayal of this character in the movie.

    Mark Shonsey is a hoot as Frankenstein’s coweled and hump-shifting assistant Igor.

Mark Shonsey

     Hunter Hall’s music direction gives us a very full sound from the offstage live orchestra. From time to time one might wish however, for a bit of volume modulation in the sound design so that none of the deliciously funny dialogue is missed.

    Mike Kienker’s portrayal of the monster is so funny it’s scary. Jamie Horban’s choreography is at its best in the “Puttin’ on the Ritz” number in which Mr. Kienker and Mr. Maisel take center stage. 

    Patrick Brownson’s Inspector Kemp contributes nicely.

     Douglas Clark has provided a very clever set complete with all things dungeon-like. Christopher Waller’s lighting design s filled with electrical zaps and bolts of lightning, which are magnified by Curt Behm’s thunderous sound design.

     Kristi Siedow-Thompson is a voluptuous and fetching Inga. 

     Shahara Ray’s Elizabeth is most memorable. When she gets to unleash her acting and singing prowess in her ode to her own vanity: “It’s me, it’s Me, It’s me” she is especially good! 

     The opening night crowd embraced the show with great laughter and huge applause.

Dec. 15 - Feb 2
Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 31@ 6:30 p.m.

$31($26 advance)
303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.com

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

                         

Boulder’s Dinner Theatre: 11/16 – 3/1

     BOULDER’S DINNER THEATRE’S ”SPAMALOT” IS AN EXTRAVAGANZA OF SILLINESS THAT WILL PLEASE NOT ONLY FANS OF THE MONTY PYTHON COMICS BUT JUST ABOUT ANYONE WHO LOVES TO LAUGH!

     The 1975 movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” has been a cult favorite ever since it opened and its fans adore the musical it spawnedalot! In 2005 The Pythonesque musical won the Tony Award for Best Musical on Broadway.

      Goofy, silly, wacky and irreverent, “Spamalot” is a whimsical fantasia of the omnipotent variety. I can hardly wait to get back to see it again. This time the whole fam damily is going!

                                       

                                                     Wayne Kennedy and Alicia Dunfee

     Alicia Dunfee is magnificent as the Lady of the Lake. Ms. Dunfee is decked out in some of the most gorgeous costumes to have been seen this season. The gowns costume designer Linda Morken has created for Ms. Dunfee’s aquatic goddess  shimmer and sparkle throughout. Dunfee’s vocals are, as usual, outstanding.

     Wayne Kennedy is an Arthur who is disturbed, doubting and indubitably destined to discover the whereabouts of the Grail. Bob Hoppe is a superb Sir Robin. Brian Jackson has never been better as Sir Launcelot , a Knight of Ni and an epithet-spewing Frenchman on the battlements. The winsome, bodacious Brian Norber is a hoot as Dennis’s mother.  Brett Ambler, Blake Walton and Scott Severtson deliver the goods with just the right over the top over acting. And who would have thunk that the voice of Jerry Lewis is the actual Voice of God? Scott Beyette is delightfully subservient in the role of Patsy, Arthur’s longsuffering servant. And last but not least,the Lady of the Lake’s “Laker Girls” are given just the right cheerleading  pulchritude and chutzpah by Tracy Warren, Jessica Hindsley, Norelle Moore and Tracy Zimmerman.

                                    

Left to right: Brian Jackson, Wayne Kennedy, Scott Beyette and some short Knights of Ni

     Ms. Arpan directs with the sure hand of one who has known numerous actors in all of the roles in this show. This lady performed in this show on Broadway and was part of the national tour. Arpan really knows what works and what doesn’t as far as staging Monty Python’s funny “business.” Her direction emphasizes all the allusions to past musicals inherent in the show. The Fiddler on the Roof (“You Won’t Succeed on Broadway”…if you don’t have any Jews) and Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” (“The Song that goes Like This”) are just two of these. There are also jabs at “Wizard of Oz,” “West Side Story” and numerous other musicals.

     Amy Campion has done wonders with the set and Todd Debreceni’s Armor Fabrication and Design is astounding. The fun quotient of this show is exponential and the laugh meter is nearly always on hyperdrive!

Oh, and if you order the Prime Rib your waiter will shout “Fetchez la vache!”

For tickets call 303-449-6000 or go online at bouldersdinnertheatre.com

Boulder’s Dinner Theatre is located at 5501 Arapahoe Avenue
, Boulder, Colorado

For tickets call 303-449-6000 or go online at bouldersdinnertheatre.com

Boulder’s Dinner Theatre is located at 5501 Arapahoe Avenue
Boulder, Colorado.

 Marlowe's Musings

    Town Hall Arts; 11/15 – 12/29

     With Bob Wells’ direction of his new production of “Annie” Town Hall Arts continues its claim to being one of the very best musical theatre venues in the region.

     Wells has discovered a phenomenal talent in Sydney Fairbairn. She’s that little girl with the red hair and the indomitable hope for Tomorrow. It doesn’t hurt that she’s cute as a button and can sing either. We’ve seen enough reproductions of this show in which the child actors are just not up to the task. And while we’re on the subject the ensemble of little girls in the orphanage is superb to a waif. Running the orphanage as Miss Hannigan is LuAnn Buckstein, one of Denver’s foremost talents in comedic acting. It is to be hoped that Ms. Buckstein will be seen again soon in productions such as this one. Her talent for character roles is remarkable. 

     Daniel Langhoff is outstanding in the role of Daddy Warbucks. A bit youngish for the role, Langhoff does smashing work. His duets with Ms. Fairbaim ("Something was Missing" and "I Don't Need Anything But You") as well as his delivery of numbers such as “N.Y.C.” stun!

                              

                               Rebekah Ortiz, Daniel Langhoff and Sydney Fairbairn 

     Rebekah Ortiz, who knocked everyone out in Ignite’s “Pippin, proves a fetching Grace.

     Cory Wendling's fiery performance in the role of Rooster tears the place up accompanied by Taylor Nicole Young's superb Lily.

                                   

                  Left to Right: Cory Wendling, LuAnn Buckstein and Taylor Nicole Young

     There are great talents in the supporting cast as well: Damon Guerrasio, Paul Jaquith, Kevin Walton, Kateri Cates and John Mackey.

     The technical work is flawless. Tina Anderson’s set design moves us in Bob Wells’ seamlessly precise transitions from orphanage to mansion to Times Square with artistry that’s illuminated by Seth Allison’s eye-popping lighting design.

     Donna Kolpan Debreceni has provided us with ear pleasing tracks of the indescribably delicious variety.

     Kelly Kates’ choreography is exhilarating!

     Cindy Franke’s costumes are spot on.

     You’ll have to pray to the theatre gods to get a seat. The run is nearly SRO!

Town Hall Arts is at 2450 West Main Street, Littleton Colorado

Call 303-794-2787  for tickets or go online at townhallartscenter.com

Snow Falling on Cedars

Vintage Theatre: 11/22 – 12/15

     Spare and clear as Haiku, Director Sam Wood’s “Snow Falling on Cedars” is also illuminating and poignant.

     Based upon the David Guterson novel that became a movie in 1999, the story deals with a newspaper reporter who’s covering a murder trial. A fisherman has been killed in Puget Sound and the man accused of the murder is the husband of the reporter’s teenage girl friend.

Left to Right: Arlene Rapal and Ben Cowhick

     Ben Cowhick turns in a superb performance in the role of Ishmael Chambers, the reporter. Arlene Rapal is outstanding as Hatsue. Dale Li rivets as Kabuo Miamoto the accused man. Glenna Kelly turns in a very fine performance as the mother of the deceased fisherman.

     The play includes flashbacks to scenes involving the American concentration camps for the Japanese while the War in the Pacific raged.

Left to Right: Robert Payo and Maria Cheng

     Director Wood has brought together a fine cast that also includes Maria Cheng, Robert Payo, Wade Wood, Roger Simon, Brian Brooks and Christian Munck.    

     Although one bank of lights failed to work on opening night the gallant cast managed to carry off the riveting drama with professional panache.

     The evocative sound design is one of the memorable highlights.

Vintage Theatre presents

"Snow Falling on Cedars"

A courtroom drama, a mystery, a love story set in a community divided by whites and Japanese.

*Nov. 22 - Dec. 15
Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m.

$25 ($20 advance)
303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.com

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

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Death by Miss Fortune

Windsor Gardens Theatre Company

     Pamela Clifton has directed a very fun production of a play called “Death by Miss Fortune” over at Windsor Gardens.
                           
           Mary Julsen and Ed Loffredo

     It was a genuine pleasure to get to experience the presentation of this comic pastiche. Clifton, who also wrote the script, has assembled an adorable and enthusiastic cast who are learning the dramatic arts and having a ball in the process.

     The scenario communicated by these thespians is that of a playwright who is writing a mystery involving a murder at a talent show. The seniors who brought this comedy to life are getting a chance that many would envy. They are embracing this lucky opportunity with enthusiasm and passion.
                                   
                           Lynn Nicholson

     The auditorium at which, Clifton and her cast present their shows is comfortable and elegant. This is a group of actors who really know what it means to entertain a sold out house and having a great good time themselves.Marlowe's Musings

Rancho Mirage

Curious Theatre: through Dec. 7

     Sometimes one is simply overwhelmed by the artistry on the Denver stage. For a rolling world premiere “Rancho Mirage” rocks. It’s the funniest of Steven Dietz’s plays to date and one of the most entertaining productions to have been seen at Curious for a long time. 

     Director Christopher Leo has assembled a cast of Curious Theatre’s brightest stars and gives the proceedings a quicksilver pace that keeps us totally enthralled throughout.

     Playwright Dietz has great compassion and a great sense of humor about his characters’ frailty, frustrations and foibles.  These characters are friends in the true sense of the word. Since they know each other so well the are able to

Left to right: C. Kelly Leo and Karen Slack

annoy and madden each other with their petty peeves and critical gaze. What they do for the audience is destroy funny bones.

     Bill Hahn pulls out all the stops with a performance that is comic gold! C. Kelly Leo is at her best in a searing melt down near final curtain. Karen Slack, Erik Sandvold, David Russell and Devon James are all at the top of their game.
                                       
                                        Left to right: Bill Hahn, C. Kelly Leo and Karen Slack

      The professionalism is everywhere present and there is a budget that allows for visual and auditory satisfaction many times missing in theatres with a more modest allowance. Every actor onstage delivers Mr. Dietz’s wordsmithing with an undeniable naturalness. Everything feels fresh and as if these characters were all encountering these dilemmas for the first time. Dietz’s characters have known each other forever…know the buttons to push as well as the pitfalls of conversation to avoid - and in no time flat - to wallow around in with glee.

     It’s Christopher Leo’s best directorial work to date and it will make you roar!

Curious Theatre Company
1080 Acoma St.
Denver, CO 80204     For tickets go online to curioustheatre.org or call the box office at 303-623-0524Marlowe's Musings