SISTERS OF SWING

                         VINTAGE THEATRE: JAN. 10 - 19

            (In Partnership with Ovation West Theatre Company)

             &  CENTER STAGE, EVERGREEN: JAN 24 - FEB 2

A THOROUGHLY ENTERTAINING EVENING OF OLD STANDARDS DONE WITH CLASS! 

Written by Beth Gilleland and Bob Beverage, this production of "Sisters of Swing, the Story of The Andrews Sisters" is an ear-pleasing jukebox musical that delivers the music that turned Maxene, LaVerne, and Patty Andrews into one of the best-selling female vocal groups ever! The musical arrangements by Raymond Berg are outstanding!

     This is the group that sold over 90 million records and gave us more Top Ten hits than Elvis or the Beatles! Besides the upbeat tunes and rhythms, this intimate musical gives us the poignant story behind their songs, letting us as audience in on their triumphs and  disappointments.

     The 1930s and 40s witnessed the heyday of the Big Band Swing era in America, and "The Andrews Sisters," was one of its most beloved signature vocal groups. Such songs as "Ac-Cen-Tchu-Ate the Positive" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" were just two of the big hits that made this trio harmonize their way into the hearts of America. 

      This production traces these women's trajectory from their humble roots to their success by way of entertaining troops during World War II, to the reasons they eventually split up. Directed and choreographed by Stephanie Faatz Murry, the show stars the harmonizing talents of Sam Barrasso as Patty, Bethany Luhrs as Maxene and Tracy Denver as LaVerne. All three women are talented vocalists. Sam Barrasso was last seen at Vintage Theatre in her superb performance as Fraulein Kost in "Cabaret." Ms. Barrasso, who leads the trio, can really belt! Ms. Luhrs was last seen at the Vintage in her stellar performance as Harriet in "Emma." Tracy Denver portrayed  Denise in "Banned the Musical," which went on to play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  Zach Stailey and Drake Susuras provide the male element in the show. Both men get to shine in "Six Jerks in a Jeep." Mr. Stailey is hilarious in his take on "All I Want For Christmas." Mr. Susuras is very funny in an audience interaction surprise. No spoilers here! Heather Iris Holt's music direction is superb. Colin Roybal's minimalist scenic design allows the actors to really pop!

The show sold out every seat this weekend at Vintage, with one weekend remaining. And if you're unable to make it then, the show will be presented at Center Stage in Evergreen from January 24 to February 2.

For tickets call the boxoffice at 303-856-7830 or go online at vintagetheatre.org

 THE MARLOWE AWARDS FOR 2024

 

Best Production of a Play, Misery, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center.

 

Best Actor in a Musical, Lars Preece, Fun Home, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Actress in a Musical, Mary Louise Lee, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center 

 

Best Actor in a Play, Andrew Uhlenhopp, Red, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Actress in a Play, Emma Messenger, Misery, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center

 

Best Actress in a one-person play, Deborah Persoff, Eleanor, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Supporting Actress in a Play, Clara Papula, The Glass Menagerie, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Supporting Actor in a Play, Cameron Davis, The Glass Menagerie, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Sound Design, John Hauser, Misery, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center

 

Best Lighting Design, Vance McKenzie, Misery, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center

 

Best Scenic Design, Don Fuller, The Glass Menagerie, Vintage Theatre Productions.

 

Best Ensemble, Musical, Nunsense, Veritas Productions and Parker Arts

 

Best Choreography, Christopher Page-Sanders, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, Lexi Lubotsky, Urinetown, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Mathenee Treco, Once Upon a Mattress, Arvada Center

 

Best Director of a Play, Warren Sherrill, Misery, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center

 

Best Director of a Musical, Christopher Page-Sanders, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Music Director, Trent Hines, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Music Tracks for a musical, Donna Debreceni, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Production of a Musical, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center 

 

Best New Play, 125 Nos, Buntport Theater

 

Best Costume Design, Cole Emarine, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Production of an Opera, Street Scene, Central City Opera

 

Best Choral director, Michael Poll           Pirates of Penzance, Central City Opera

 

Best Conductor of an Opera, Brandon Eldredge, Pirates of Penzance, Central City Opera 

 

Best Female Opera Singer, Christie Conover, Street Scene, Central City Opera

 

Best Male Opera Singer, Grant Youngblood, La Fanciulla Del West, Central City Opera

 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