SOMETHING ROTTEN
THE BUELL THEATRE: 0CTOBER 17 -29



                           L-R: Blake Hammond and Rob McClure

 Nominated for nine Tony Awards, “Something Rotten” is crushing it at The Buell!

     It seems that in 1598 the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, both playwrights, are having a hard time competing with another playwright of their day, Will Shakespeare. This competition with the Bard is the basis for a hilarious romp describing their rambunctious attempts to upstage him.

    It’s got a super-talented cast and eye-pleasing costume(Greg Barnes), set(Scott Pask) and lighting(Jeff Croiter) designs.

     Director Casey Nicholaw also created the exhilarating choreography.

   Leading the cast are Rob McClure and Josh Grisetti as Nick and Nigel Bottom, the two aspiring playwrights who are constantly getting bom-Bard-ed by the successful work of Mr. Shakespeare(Adam Pascal).     

     Maggie Lakis as Bea, sings her way into our hearts with her ginormously entertaining performance of “Right Hand Man.” 

     Blake Hammond is outrageously funny performing the extravagantly imagined and produced number, “It’s a Musical!” This song, which is the glorious centerpiece of the show, is a show-stopper that references every Broadway musical in memory!

     The cast includes Autumn Hurlbert (Portia) - yet another musical theatre talent who graduated from UNC! – whose singing of “I Love the Way” is utterly delicious.

     Whether you are a dyed-in-the-wool afficianado of all things pertaining to the Broadway musical or not, this show will raise your spirits and let you forget, if only for a little while, the horrors being aired on the evening news.

  "Something Rotten!" has lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, and a book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick.

    Run to see it!

For tickets call 303-893-4100 or go online at Denvercenter.org

For tickets call 720-865-4220 or go online at denvercenter.org




 Marlowe's Musings

A DELICATE BALANCE

THE EDGE THEATER: 10/6 – 11/5

Martha Harmon Pardee and Kevin Hart(photo credit: RDG Photography)

In 1967 Edward Albee received the Pulitzer Prize for drama for “A Delicate Balance.”

     The play deals with Agnes and Tobias, an upper-class couple who live together with Agnes’s free-loading sister, Claire. What happens when Agnes and Tobias’s best friends appear on their doorstep seeking comfort after having suddenly encountered an unnamed fear or “terror,” and wish to move in with them, is the crux of the play. As if that’s not enough of a dilemma for Agnes and Tobias, their adult daughter, Julia, is also wishing to return home after her fourth failed marriage.

    The play is beautifully written and can be approached on many levels. Questions abound regarding responsibilities to family and friends, as well as the boundaries required in these relationships.

    It’s a play that everyone who loves great drama should see at least once.

    The Edge Theater’s production is remarkable in many ways. It has a cast to die for, who bring out all the edgy, uncomfortable and disturbing aspects of Albee’s work. It has a scenic design that’s elegant, costuming that’s well thought out and fine lighting and sound designs.

     Unfortunately, the pacing of the production makes the play feel over-long and tedious.

     See it for the studied acting of Martha Harmon Pardee, Kevin Hart, Emma Messenger, Maggy Stacy, Abby Apple Boes and Steve Emily.

The Edge Theater Company is located at Colfax and Teller. For tickets call 303-232-0363 or go online at Theedgetheater.com
Marlowe's Musings

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

STAGE DOOR THEATRE (GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN)

                       L-R: Parrish Worsfold, Sonsharae Tull and Andrew Stanley

    

“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the Musical” is based upon the movie of the same name, that starred Steve Martin and Michael Caine. When the show got translated to Broadway, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and book by Jeffrey Lane, it landed eleven Tony nominations.

     This reviewer was late getting over to Stage Door Theatre in Conifer to see the show and hopes that you were able to get there as well.

     With the signature humor of PAMELA CLIFTON’s deft direction, it’s no surprise that this show was a hoot!

     ADRIANNE HAMPTON created sparkling choreography that brought out all the entertaining moods of the piece.

     BLAKE NAWA’A’s music direction was superb.

      PARRISH WORSFOLD gave a memorable performance in the role of Lawrence, the older of these two con men.

     In the role of the younger of the two, ANDREW STANLEY gave us an amiable Freddy.  

     EDDIE SCHUMACHER turned in his best work to date as Andre.

     SONSHARAE TULL was hilarious as Jolene, the indomitable cowgirl from Oklahoma.

      DEBBIE MINTER’s  Muriel was utterly delightful and Mariel Goffredi’s Christine, delicious.

Whether you were lucky enough to get to see this hilarious musical comedy or not, it behooves you to take a trip up to Conifer and Stage Door Theatre soon!

Go online at stagedoortheatre.org to check out what’s coming up next!Marlowe's Musings