THE MARLOWE AWARDS for 2018

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF OUR GOOD FRIEND, ROSS HALEY, THE CREATOR OF BOULDER'S DINNER THEATRE (NOW BDT STAGE) RIP DEAR FRIEND

BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE, BACKSTAGE THEATRE

DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER COMPANY

DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

BEST ACTRESS

DEBORAH PERSOFF, THE AUDIENCE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

PATTY YACONIS, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER

CANDACE JOICE, DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

MAGGY STACEY, WHAT YOU WILL, BENCHMARK THEATRE

BEST ACTOR

KEVIN HART, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER

CHRIS KENDALL, DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

MARK RUBALD, SLEUTH, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

SAM GILSTRAP, THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

MARK PERGOLA, LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

ANTONIO AMADEO, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER

DAN CONNELL, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, SPOTLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY

CRIS DAVENPORT, DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

SUZANNA WELLENS, THE AUDIENCE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

LUANN BUCKSTEIN, LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

KATIE MANGETT, RUMORS, SPOTLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY

KRISTINA FOUNTAINE, DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

BEST NEW PLAY

WHAT YOU WILL, JEFFREY NEUMAN, BENCHMARK THEATRE

BEST ENSEMBLE

THE SUNSHINE BOYS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

BEST ACTRESS IN A SOLO ROLE

MISSY MOORE, THE PINK UNICORN, AND TOTO TOO PRODUCTIONS

BEST ACTOR IN A SOLO ROLE

LEROY LEONARD, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE RADIO SHOW, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

BEST DIRECTOR PLAY

CRAIG A BOND, THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

PAMELA CLIFTON, LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

WARREN SHERRILL, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATRE COMPANY

BERNIE CARDELL, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, SPOTLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY

BEST SOUND DESIGN

JASON DUCAT, THE HUMANS, CURIOUS THEATRE COMPANY

JOHN HAUSER, UNCANNY VALLEY, BENCHMARK THEATRE

CARLOS FLORES, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER COMPANY

 LUKE RAHMSDORFF-TERRY, THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS                                

BEST SCENIC DESIGN

BRANDON CASE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER COMPANY

AMY CAMPION, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

RYAN WALKOVIAK, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

M. CURTIS GRITTNER, MY NAME IS ASHER LEV, CHERRY CREEK THEATRE COMPANY

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN

CHARLES DEAN PACKARD, THE HUMANS, CURIOUS THEATRE COMPANY

KEVIN TAYLOR, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER COMPANY

VANCE MCKENZIE, DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

NATHANIEL QUINN, LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

LINDA MORKEN, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

CHERYL FAULKNER, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

JEFF CONE, OKLAHOMA, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

 JULIE LEBLANC, LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

BEST PUPPET DESIGN

KARL HERMANSON, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR

MITCH SAMU, FUN HOME, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

NEAL DUNFEE, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

DARIUS FROWNER, OKLAHOMA, THE DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

DAVID NEHLS, XANADU, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BEST ACTRESS MUSICAL

CAROLYN LOHR, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

LAUREN SHEALY, XANADU, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

LILLIANN BUONOCORE, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

SUSANNAH MCLEOD, FUN HOME, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

BEST ACTOR MUSICAL

ANTOINE L. SMITH, OKLAHOMA, THE DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

DAMON GUERRASIO, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

COLE LAFONTE, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

 MICHAEL O’SHEA, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

  

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR MUSICAL 

KALOND IRLANDA, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTION

AARON VEGA, XANADU, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BOB HOPPE, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

CHAS LEDERER, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS MUSICAL

ALICIA KING MEYERS, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

KERRI EMSWILLER, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE 

PRODUCTIONS

SHERYL MCCALLUM, OKLAHOMA, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

SARAH REX, XANADU, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BEST DIRECTOR MUSICAL

MATTHEW PETERS, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

CLAY WHITE, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS , VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

LEN MATHEO, FUN HOME, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

JOEL FERRELL, XANADU DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BEST MUSICAL

DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE 

DISNEY;S MARY POPPINS, THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

FUN HOME, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

OKLAHOMA, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

ADRIANNE HAMPTON, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

MATTHEW PETERS, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

JOEL FERRELL, XANADU, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

DOMINIQUE KELLEY, OKLAHOMA, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BEST TOURING COMPANY

HAMILTON, DCPA BROADWAY

BEST PRODUCTION OF AN OPERA

IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST OPERA SINGER FEMALE

ALEXANDRA LOUTSION, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST SUPPORTING OPERA SINGER FEMALE

LYNDSAY AMMAN, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST OPERA SINGER MALE

JONATHAN BURTON, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST SUPPORTING OPERA SINGER MALE

MICHAEL MAYES, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST DIRECTION OPERA

JOACHIM SCHAMBERGER, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OPERA

DAVID MARTIN JACQUES, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OPERA

MADELEINE BOYD, DIE ZAUBERFLOTE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OPERA

DANA TZVETKOVA,  DIE ZAUBERFLOTE,CENTRAL CITY OPERA

A BRONX TALE: The Musical

THE BUELL THEATRE: 1/8 – 1/20

 

                 The cast of A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL

“A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL” IS ONLY HERE THROUGH THE 20^TH.  RUN TO GET TICKETS!

     Shades of Jersey Boys and West Side Story notwithstanding, A BRONX TALE stands on its own with confidence and pride, skillfully walking that line between sentimental nostalgia and the representation of harsh reality.

     Alan Menken’s tunes, from doo-wop to the guy group harmonies of the 60s, are as infectious as Glenn Slater’s lyrics are engaging.      

     “Look to Your Heart” and “One of the Great Ones” are especially memorable numbers. 

     Not having seen the 1993 movie nor having read the promo, this reviewer wasn’t exactly sure what to expect with Chazz Palminteri’s A BRONX TALE,THE MUSICAL. What a pleasant surprise to find that it’s a fantastic new musical that’s firing on all cylinders!

     “A BRONX TALE” is the story of young Calogero (Frankie Leoni), a boy growing up fast into an older, tougher Calogero(Joey Barreiro), on the mean streets of the Bronx. After witnessing a murder, the kid refuses to rat on the killer. As a result he’s taken under the wing of Sonny (Joe Barbara), the neighborhood godfather, who becomes his streetwise mentor. As Young Calogero, Frankie Leone really shines in “Roll Em” and “I Like it.”

   Joey Barreiro, who plays Calogero as a young adult, is a superb actor with solid stage presence and great vocals such as“Out of Your Head” and “A World Like This.”

     The conflicts that ensue between the kid, his father (Richard H. Blake), and Sonny make up the rest of the tale. 

     Mr. Barbara’s stentorian command of the stage as Sonny will be especially well remembered for his speech describing “One of the Great Ones.” No spoilers here. It’s unforgettable! 

     Mr. Blake’s mellifluous voice is ear-pleasing indeed in the role of the boy’s father, Lorenzo.

     A male-driven work, the superb voices of Michelle Aravena, Calogero’s mother, and Briana Marie Bell , his new flame, get short shrift.

    Nevertheless, both these women’s vocals are outstanding! 

     There’s a great orchestra in the pit, that’s conducted with gusto by Brian P. Kennedy, as well as some muscular choreography thanks to Sergio Trujillo.

     It’s a great story and the talent shines at peak performance levels throughout!   

     Teens and adults should love this musical, but leave the wee ones at home.

     It’s not hard to imagine a film version of this exciting musical showing up soon. 

                      Just sayin’.

   In case you missed something… I Loved it! 

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

A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL

BDT STAGE: 11/10 – 1/5

The cast of A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL (Courtesy BDT Stage)

BDT Stage is nearly completely SRO for the holiday season. So much so, that they’ve added extra days after New Year’s. This reviewer and my guest for the evening were lucky to get the last two remaining seats for a sold-out Wednesday evening show. It’s a pleasant holiday affair that’s family friendly. So if you wish to get a seat one cannot recommend too highly that you rush to the box office now! 

     The show features Ralphie (Ned Swartz), the little boy whose only Christmas wish is to find an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200 Shot Range Model Air Rifle under the tree. The resistance he gets from parents and teachers concerned about his being safe and sound consists of constant warnings such as: “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out.”

     Longtime BDT Stage favorites play the adults in this show! Ralphie’s Mother is played with charm and warmth by Joannie Brosseau-Rubald. His “Old Man” is given exuberant life by Scott Beyette, who also directs this musical. Ralphie’s teacher, Miss Shields is played with wild abandon by Alicia K. Meyers. Remember her Ursula in THE LITTLE MERMAID?  One of the highlights of this show is a fantasy 1930s speakeasy tap number Meyers does with the children that’s reminiscent of the film BUGSY MALONE.

     BDT veteran Wayne Kennedy plays Jean Shepherd, the author, who strolls through the scenes commenting on his life with Mom and Dad as a boy.

     The ensemble features such wonderful faces of the BDT Stage family as: Heather Doris, Brian Jackson, Bob Hoppe, Scott Severtson, Matthew D. Peters and Tracy Warren. Based upon the movie that’s now a huge cult favorite, ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL is holiday fare designed to bring a tear to the eye as we reminisce about our own childhood Christmases.

      Director Beyette has cast a number of charming young actors to portray Ralphie’s classmates and buddies. 

     It is to be noted that you will also get to see Prugh Dunfee, the lovely and talented daughter of music director Neal Dunfee and Alicia K. Meyers.

For tickets call the box office at 303-449-6000 or go online at bdtstage.com

WHAT YOU WILL

BENCHMARK THEATRE: 11/30 – 12/22

Jeffrey Neuman’s play, WHAT YOU WILL, is not only the best new play of the season, it’s a play this reviewer wishes he had written. It’s a powerful play with a powerful message.

    A cautionary tale, WHAT YOU WILL leans substantially upon Will Shakespeare’s TWELFTH NIGHT.

     Neuman’s play asks a lot of the right questions about the nature of relationships. What’s best about this is that the playwright remains in question, leaving no pat answers.

      Adam, a wedding director, and Greg, an actor, who’s constantly running lines from Shakespeare’s “TWELFTH NIGHT,” are two gay men who have been married for a number of years. It’s the holiday season and as often happens at this time of year, emotional crises erupt. 

    Since Adam is feeling lonely with Greg being constantly in rehearsal, he finds himself often at the steam baths where he meets Nick, played by Casey Andree.

     During work hours Adam is working with a beautiful woman named Celia in preparation for her dream wedding.

     In short, Adam has a brief fling with Nick and finds out later what the emotional consequences will be.

     However, for me the heart of the play lies within the friendship developing between wedding director and client as Adam helps Celia make choices for the upcoming celebration. More I will not say.  

     Not a play for children, I wish every adult theatregoer could see WHAT YOU WILL. It’s a cautionary tale about the need for listening to one’s awareness over blind acquiescence when stepping into a long-term relationship. 

     Maggy Stacy is luminous throughout. Whether expressing ebullient joy in the preparation for the wedding, or questioning herself in a moment of doubt, Stacy proves once again that she is one of the brightest stars in the firmament of the Denver stage.

   Stephen Burge, an actor loved for his skills in portraying hysterically funny characters, here unveils an ability to portray a dramatic character with not only skill, but also depth and heart. This is a powerful performance you will long remember.

     Casey Andree plays Nick with just the right cavalier nonchalance.

     New to this reviewer, Tom Littman strikes all the right dramatic notes as Adam’s lover, Greg.

  Warren Sherrill, one of the finest directors in town, makes this gem shine!Marlowe's Musings

Benchmarktheatre.com

303-519-9059

COYOTE. BADGER. RATTLESNAKE

BUNTPORT THEATER: 11/30 – 12/22

     Quirky and thought-provoking, Buntport Theater’s COYOTE.BADGER. RATTLESNAKE is perfect for the theatre goer tired of the usual holiday fare.

     Comic geniuses Hannah Duggan, Brian Colona, Erin Rollman and Erik Edborg have enlisted the collaboration of Ellen K. Graham for this opus. Together they have created, written and directed this existential comedy.

     It’s a heady piece full of ideas that will rattle (sorry) around in your head for days.

     Stagehands Erin Rollman and Erik Edborg appear intermittently to stitch together the scenes in which Glenn (Brian Colonna) and Carroll (Hannah Duggan) wrangle about myriad subjects while working on a diorama at The Nature and Science Museum.

     The scenic design is one of the most imaginative to have been seen by this reviewer in memory. The way it's integrated into the production is astonishing.

     Nevertheless...the show could  benefit from a little quicker pace.

     

Worth a peek.Marlowe's Musings

Tickets at Buntport.com

PHONE: 720-946-1388
LOCATION: 717 Lipan Street, Denver, CO 80204

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE RADIO SHOW

VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS: 11/30 - 12/23

 

                 Leroy Leonard

Leroy Leonard’s performance in “A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE RADIO SHOW” is outstanding! 

     This one-man show gives us Bob Bennett, a sound effects man who’s the only one who can make it into the WXMS studio for a radio show on Christmas Eve. All the actors are snowbound, and he’s determined that the show must go on.

     Leonard conjures all the characters’ voices in Dickens’ famous A CHRISTMAS CAROL with gusto while performing all the sound effects, which includes manipulating fantastic sound machines that give us the auditory illusions of wind, fog and all the other sounds of the season.

     How this actor manages to pull off the story-telling while doing all the sound effects is impressive to say the least. 

      In fact, the journey Leonard creates for us in his tour de force is a lot like time traveling to two eras at once: Dickens’ 1843 London and a radio studio in the heartland of America in the 1940s!

     Katie Mangett’s direction keeps the proceedings moving at a good clip throughout.

      Mangett, who has directed the super successful JACOB MARLEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL for the last few years at Vintage, really knows how to dazzle us with holiday fare. Her choice of this play will add a much - needed spark of love to the holidays in a difficult year. Whether you’re looking for a play for date night or one for an outing for the whole family, this is a great way to celebrate the holidays.  

     Raise a glass of holiday cheer from Vintage’s well-stocked bar in the lobby to a man who learned to have gratitude for the good in his life as well as a heartful of love for those less fortunate than himself… before it was too late!!! Marlowe's Musings

Vintage Theatre presents

“A Christmas Carol – The Radio Show”

A snow storm has left only one person at the radio station to do the entire performance of “A Christmas Carol”- live!

Nov. 30 – Dec. 23 

Fri/Sat, Thurs., Dec. 20 and Sun., Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.; Sun. and Sat., Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m.

$19 - $38

www.vintagetheatre.org or 303-856-7830. 

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010.

90 minutes / no intermission