AVENUE THEATER: Through MAY 21

     Paced with the fleetness of a speeding locomotive by director John Ashton, “November” is a political satire brimming with hilarious and politically incorrect bon mots, innuendos and obscenities.

     The president’s ratings are lower than a snake’s belly and it doesn’t look good for his being re-elected. Political greed, bigotry and incompetence are rampant. In short, he’s fucked up just about everything he’s touched. Sound familiar?

     Kevin Hart’s hilarious, rapid fire delivery of President Charles Smith’s political and social ineptitude will take your breath away.

      The ridiculous candidates who have created such unfathomable insanity over the last year have infested our living rooms with their ridiculous political debates. Here’s your chance to have a good belly laugh at the expense of these clowns.

   L-R: Sam Gilstrap, Bernie Cardell, Kevin Hart, Eric Mather and Amie MacKenzie  

Eric Mather portrays Archer Brown, the president’s advisor, with hilarious tongue-in-cheek decorum as he does his best to counter the farcical hare-brained ideas his boss is constantly promoting. Mather’s consistently foiled attempts to keep the President from stepping any deeper into the political doo-doo provides us with one of the most dynamically expressive ‘straight men’ in memory.

     Amie MacKenzie is Bernstein, the president’s beleaguered speech-writer. MacKenzie, who stunned Denver with her portrayal of the canine star of the Avenue’s production of “Sylvia,” provides the only female voice – could it be the voice of reason? - in this male-driven show.

     Bernie Cardell turns in a knee slapper of a performance in the role of the Representative of the National Association of Turkey and Turkey Products.

     Sam Gilstrap is a heart-stopping stitch as Indian chief Dwight Grackle.

     You can expect a fine lighting design by Steve Tangedal and a great scenic design by Ashton, Jeff Jesmer and Patrick Gerace.   

      In this year of political insanity and incivility NOVEMBER may just be the perfect antidote for election year jitters.  There’s nothing like a peek inside the oval office to discover just how well five brilliant actors can roast politicians!

     In fact, you may feel like you’ve just been treated to a couple of hours of deliciously sweet and much needed … REVENGE!Marlowe's Musings

The Avenue Theater is located at 417 E. 17^th Avenue in Denver,CO.

For tickets call 303-321-5925 or go online at avenuetheater.com

Catch Me If You Can

Aurora Fox Theatre: through May 15

Although Terrance McNally’s book for “Catch Me If You Can” is a bit disjointed and overlong in its picaresque ramblings, the current production now on view at Aurora Fox Arts is filled to the brim with thoroughly enjoyable performances and technical achievements.

      Besides directing, Piper Lindsay Arpan also did the exhilarating choreography for the show. Where she found all the gorgeous dancers for the high-kicking female chorus is a mystery! (You may feel as though you’ve stumbled into a high end Las Vegas extravaganza at some points in the show!)

     Tim Howard is outstanding in the role of con artist Frank Abagnale, Jr. 
     Howard, who has wowed Denver audiences with his portrayals of everything from J. Pierpont Finch in "How to Succeed" to the conniving  Freddy Benson  in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" unleashes a whirlwind of musical theatre talent as young Frank. His singing of such numbers as: "Live in Living Color"and "Seven Wonders" stuns.
     Keegan Flaugh provides superb contrast as Frank’s nemesis, Special Agent Carl Hanratty. Mr. Flaugh is no stranger to the world of musical comedy either. His work is well known for his Mack in Vintage Theatre's "Mack n Mable" and Nicky Arnstein in "Funny Girl." This artist is at his best in his performance of such numbers as: "Don't Break the Rules" and "The Man Inside the Clues."
      Andy Sievers is amiably paternal as Frank Abignale Sr.   Having recently succeeded brilliantly as the detective,Lieutenant Ciofi, in Vintage Theatre's "Curtains,"Sievers delivers the goods once again in such numbers as "Little Boy Be a Man," his duet with Flaugh.
     Heather Lacy’s portrayal of Paula Abagnale, Frank Jr.’s French mother, is deliciously sexy.   That's not a great surprise when one remembers her  indelible portrayal of the ethereal spirit, Elvira, in Arvada Center's "Blithe Spirit."Ms. Lacy is a class act that needs to be cast much more often on the Denver stage.

      Lindsay Fuller’s Brenda is sweet and genuine.

     Sharon Kaye White sets the stage on fire with her hysterically funny belting of “Our Family Tree.” 

         Brandon Case’s ovoid frame for the scenic design, lit by the fantasia of colors in the palette of Seth Alison’s lighting design is eye-pleasing indeed. El Armstrong’s sound design is his best in memory. Nikki Harrison’s costumes are a continual stream of eye-popping bodaciousness!

    The songs are nearly all delightful in the listening and mostly all forgotten by the time one leaves the building. Nevertheless… the actors and the techies for this show make your trip to the Aurora Fox Theatre more than worthwhile.

For tickets call:  303-739-1970  or go online at aurorafox.orgMarlowe's Musings

Sunset Boulevard

Vintage Theatre: 4/29 – 5/29

L:R Drew Hirschboeck and Marcia Ragonetti (Photo credit DenverMind Media)

     Co-directors Craig A. Bond and Evgueni Mlodik have cast renowned mezzo-soprano Marcia Ragonetti as Norma Desmond in their current production of “Sunset Boulevard.” Ragonetti is known to be one of the Rocky Mountain region’s premiere talents in the opera world, and her performance in the title role is stunning.

      But Bond and Mlodik did not stop there. They have also cast dashing actor Drew Hirschboeck as Joe Gillis, Norma’s kept man.

     Based upon the movie starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden, and directed by Billy Wilder, “Sunset Boulevard” was nominated for 11 Oscars and got 3!

     Lloyd Webber’s musical received 12 Tony nominations and won 8, including Best Musical and Best Actress.

       The show, named after the boulevard that runs through Beverly Hills and L. A. has a film noir look with touches of Wilder’s penchant for black comedy.

     The story revolves around Norma Desmond, a film star of the silent era that couldn’t make the transition to talkies. When we meet her she is a delusional and very lonely woman dwarfed by her Beverly Hills mansion in much the same way Charles Foster Kane was in the Xanadu of “Citizen Kane.”

     When she meets down on his luck screenwriter Joe Gillis, Norma sees the possibility of his “doctoring” her script, “Salome,” which she hopes will assure her glorious return to the silver screen.

     The twisted events in the evolving relationship between Joe and Norma reflect the seamy side of Hollywood and gradually spiral out of control into tragedy.

         Ms. Ragonetti’s singing of “With One Look” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye” are solid gold show-stoppers. Her duet with Mr. Hirschboeck, “The Perfect Year,” is ear-pleasing indeed.

     Brooding and internalized, Wes Munsil portrays caretaker Max Von Mayerling with  a dark presence and deep, resonant vocals. Miranda Byers is a sweet and genuine Betty Schaefer. David Ballew provides comic relief as a flaming tailor in the scene in which Norma has Joe dressed to kill. 
     Debbie Faber has created eye-popping gowns for Ms. Ragonetti.Marlowe's Musings

    

Vintage Theatre presents

"Sunset Boulevard"

April 29-May 29

When a faded star from a bygone era, meets a struggling screenwriter she is sure a return to the big screen will follow.

Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m.

$28 - $34

303-856-7830 or online at http://www.vintagetheatre.org/

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010