L-R; Sarah Kit Farrell, Abby McInerney and Nancy Evans Begley (Photo credit: RDG Photography)

NINE TO FIVE, THE MUSICAL

VINTAGE THEATRE: FEB. 20 – MAR. 29

 

     With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnik, NINE TO FIVE, the musical, is based upon the original movie’s 1980 screenplay. Three hard-working, fun-loving women, frustrated by the sexist antics of their macho pig boss, plot to undermine the patriarchy, and take back their power. 

     The friendship of these three ladies proves that standing up to sexism can have devastating results for the perpetrators. (The show could not be timelier.) As the heinous crimes against women on the world stage are unveiled on the evening news and the top-down structures of the old patriarchy topple, the innocent taking back of power by this trio of heart coherent ladies is even more enchanting than the last time we have seen it.

     In 2009 the show received 15 Drama Desk nominations and 4 Tony nominations.

     Co-directors Dana Hart Wright and Paul Page have cast the show impeccably and paced it at a gallop.

     Wright, who has directed such plays as Ovation West’s “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” was recently seen acting in Veritas Productions and Theatre Arts’ “Jerry’s Girls” at the Pluss Theatre at the Mizel Center and “The Odd Couple” at Miners Alley Performance Arts Center. 

     Page has been a mainstay of the theatre community since the onset of this reviewer’s gig as theatre critic in the early nineties. Besides his acting credits, Page just directed Mike Broemell’s play, “An Echoing Spring, A Story of Matthew Shepard,” at the John Hand Theatre on Lowry.

     The trio of women at the heart of this show could not have been cast more beautifully.

     Sarah Kit Farrell channels Dolly Parton as Doralee Rhodes. This actor recently exploded onto the Denver Theatre scene with a spectacular Nellie Forbush in Performance Now’s “South Pacific.” Here she is a luminous Doralee! Her singing of “Backwoods Barbie” and “Cowgirls Revenge” is indelible.

     Nancy Evans Begley is stunning in her performance of a brilliantly nuanced Violet Newstead. Sparkling and shimmering in Cole Emarine’s eye-popping black costume, her singing and dancing of “One of the Boys,” is one of the dazzling highlights of the show.

     Abby McInerney is a revelation as Judy Bernly. Her powerful singing of “Get Out and Stay Out,” that slams the door shut on her relationship with a narcissistic ex, brought down the house. 

     Keith Hershman delivers the role of the sexist office boss, Franklin Hart, with a manic portrayal of the lecherous character we love to hate.

    Jennifer Burnett’s performance in the role of the Boss’s snitch, Roz Keith, is hilarious.

     Matthew Combs’ performance as Violet’s paramour Joe, shines in his duet with Ms. Begley, “Let Love Grow.” 

     Rick Long is “smooth as buttah” in his portrayal of the dapper corporate hot shot, Tinsworthy.

  The musical tracks by music director Tanner Kelly are exceptionally well done.

   The choreography by Dallas Slankard is a delight. It’s on full display at the top of Act Two showcasing Ms. Begley and the male ensemble in “One of the Boys.” 

Not to be missed! 

For tickets call: 303-856-7830 or go online at www.vintagetheatre.org

 

 

 

 THE ODD COUPLE 

(THE FEMALE VERSION)

MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:

JANUARY 20- MARCH 8

 

L-R: Josh Levy, Emma Messenger and Damon Guerrasio

Run to get tickets for Miners Alley Playhouse’s deliriously funny production of Neil Simon’s 

THE ODD COUPLE (THE FEMALE VERSION.) 

The Miners Alley Performing Arts Center’s production of “The Odd Couple (Female Version) is a delightful, thoroughly entertaining evening of theatre.

You may know that playwright Neil Simon is second only to Shakespeare as far as the number of plays being produced every year in this country. And if you loved the movie starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau and/or the television series starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, you’re gonna LOVE this one!

Award-winning director Warren Sherrill has cast the show impeccably. 

Denver favorite Emma Messenger portrays neat-pin Florence Unger with a luminous performance that gives us as audience a chance to see her wide range of expressive emotions. Sheryl McCallum is brilliant in her performance of the role of Olive Madison, the sloppy, free-wheeling friend whose welcoming of Florence into her home in her time of need, backfires!

Candace Orrino, Adrian Egolf, Dana Hart Wright and Annie Dwyer make up the circle of ladies who bookend the show with exhilarating banter during their friendly trivia game night.  Dwyer, who has acted on many of the stages throughout Colorado and has been a Denver favorite since her days at Heritage Square Music Hall, sparkles and zings!

These superb divas do a much better job of providing the set-up for playwright Simon’s work than many of their male counterparts in previous productions.  The set-up is great, and by the time we come out of intermission, Act Two explodes with the hilarious performances of Josh Levy and Damon Guerrasio, who are the male equivalent of the Pigeon sisters in the original. Here they are two Spanish brothers, Manolo and Jesus Costazuela, who speak a hilarious sort of “pidgin English” as they are entertained by Florence and Olive.  Outrageously funny, they will have you rolling in the aisles!

So superb acting, excellent direction and the usual suspects creating theatrical heaven in the tech department over at MAPAC are just a few of the reasons you should drop everything on Saturday night and get over to Golden to see this show. Crystal McKenzie’s costume design is eye-pleasing! John Hauser’s sound design provides just the right auditory bridges between the scenes. Vance McKenzie’s lighting design illuminates Scott McKean’s excellent set to perfection.

It is to be recognized that Miners Alley Performing Arts Center is one of the best designed of Colorado’s theatres. It features comfortable seating with plenty of leg room, as well as a congenial and welcoming staff.

Before and after the show … and at intermission as well, the well-stocked bar awaits you.   

      This month there is an additional treat. An exhibition of Erica Borrillo’s eye-popping abstract paintings is on view in the lobby.  An artist currently living in Colorado, I have often said her breathtaking work should be on display in New York City.

     So go see this laugh-inducing show and get all these bells and whistles, too! You’ll be glad you did!

 

For tickets call the box office at 303-935-3044 or go online at minersalley.com

 

                        Sarah Kit Farrell and Jeremy Rill 

              (photo credit RDG Photography)

 SOUTH PACIFIC

PERFORMANCE NOW THEATRE COMPANY: JAN 9 – JAN 25

 

Sarah Kit Farrell is a brilliant new star in the firmament of the local theatre scene. 

Her Nellie Forbush is Outstanding!

 

With music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics and book by Oscar Hammerstein, “South Pacific” is based upon James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Tales of the South Pacific.” The Broadway Musical was the first to win a Pulitzer Prize in the Drama category.

Opening on Broadway in 1949, it swept the 1950 Tony Awards with 10 nods including Best Musical, Director and all 4 major acting categories.

“South Pacific’s” Broadway run was for many years, second only to that of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first hit, “Oklahoma.”   

     The Performance Now production currently on view at The Lakewood Cultural Center is directed with a warm and affectionate touch by award-winning Kelly Van Oosbree, who also choreographs the proceedings with exuberant joy. 

     Under the baton of music director Heather Iris Holt, the twelve-piece orchestra does a great job spinning out the magnificent tunes in Rodgers’ score.

     Jeremy Rill anchors the show with  a strong and commanding presence as a formidable Emile de Becque.  His warm resonant singing of “Some Enchanted Evening” is ear-pleasing indeed.

     Sarah Kit Farrell sparkles and enchants us as Ensign Nellie Forbush.  Her rich, melodic singing of such favorites as “Cock-Eyed Optimist” and “I’m In Love with a Wonderful Guy” delights.

     It's wonderful to see Burke Walton back on the Denver stage! As Lieutenant Joseph Cable his singing of “Younger than Springtime” and “You Have to be Carefully Taught,” are indelible.

     Joyce Cole is an amusing and  most memorable Bloody Mary! Her singing of “Bali Hai” is spellbinding.

     Jeffrey Parker makes his characterization of Luther Billis truly his own. This Billis has a bit of an edge to it, allowing us as audience to see him as more than just a fun-loving Seabee. His work in “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame” exhilarates!

   Tiffany Sieu-Fruman is enchanting as Liat. Her love-duet, “Happy Talk,” with Burke Walton sparkles with joy. 

     Additionally, there is the pleasure of seeing Gabriel Morales onstage as Henry as well as Alison Mueller as Ensign Dinah Murphy.

Andrew Bates’ focused, minimal set design and Brett Maughan’s mood-shifting lighting design, conspire to suggest location with a light touch.

 NOT TO BE MISSED!!!

 

Tickets at https:www.performancenow.org/southpacific

 

 

Photos are by RDG Photography

 THE MARLOWE AWARDS FOR 2025

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS (PLAY) 

VERONICA STRAIGHT-LINGO, LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY, FIREHOUSE THEATER COMPANY

 

OUTSTANDING ACTOR (PLAY) 

KEVIN HART, MORNING AFTER GRACE, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS (PLAY) 

DIANE WZIONTKA, TORCH SONG, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR (PLAY)

 DWAYNE CARRINGTON, MORNING AFTER GRACE, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING ACTOR (MUSICAL)

 COOPER KAMINSKY, RING OF FIRE, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS (MUSICAL) 

DEBORAH PERSOFF, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS (MUSICAL) 

JULIA TOBEY, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR (MUSICAL) 

BRIAN TRAMPLER, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

 

 OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE MUSICAL

ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR (PLAY)

PAUL JAQUITH, LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY, THE FIREHOUSE THEATER COMPANY

 

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY, LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY, THE FIREHOUSE THEATER COMPANY

 

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR (MUSICAL) 

WARREN SHERRILL, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL DEBUT

 PAUL PAGE, AN ECHOING SPRING, A STORY OF MATTHEW SHEPARD, COLORADO TINTS in local cooperation with ACT ONE Productions

 

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY 

REBECCA SCOTT DEAN, JERRY’S GIRLS, VERITAS PRODUCTIONS AND THEATRE ARTS

 

OUTSTANDING PROJECTIONS 

TOPHER BLAIR, THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, ARVADA CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTOR 

LEE ANN SCHERLONG, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, OVATION WEST THEATRE COMPANY

 

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN 

VANCE MCKENZIE, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN 

JOHN HAUSER, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING SCENIC DESIGN, 

TINA ANDERSON, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN 

CRYSTAL MCKENZIE, ASSASSINS, MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

BEST STAGE DIRECTION OF AN OPERA

ALISON MORITZ, THE KNOCK, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

 

BEST CONDUCTOR OPERA, 

DAVID BLOOM, THE KNOCK, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

 

BEAT FEMALE OPERA SINGER

LISA MARIE ROGALI, THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA COMPANY

 

BEST MALE OPERA SINGER,

  ARMANDO CONTRERAS, THE KNOCK, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

Ties with:

ANDREW MORSTEIN, THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

 

 LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY

FIREHOUSE THEATRE COMPANY at 
THE JOHN HAND THEATER ON LOWRY:  NOV 21 – DEC 21

Written by Topher Payne and directed by Paul Jaquith, Let Nothing You Dismay is a holiday free-for-all that’s a farce everyone can enjoy.  The cast includes local favorites, Verl Hite, Mary Campbell, Veronica Straight-Lingo and Johnathan Underwood and features Chrys Duran, Andrew Catterall, Jenny Eaves and Ben Butler.  These eight actors perform the roles of the twenty-two characters penned by playwright Payne.  The transformations these actors make from one character to the other will leave you breathless.

Standing out in this amazing cast are the gut-busting characterizations provided by Veronica Straight-Lingo, Mary Campbell and Verl Hite.  No spoilers! You deserve to discover them for yourselves! 

  The playwright has decided to insert an intermission and as everyone knows an intermission causes some of the steam from a farcical First Act to evaporate requiring the cast to get the sparks flying again afterwards.  That said, these fine actors get us back on track and up to speed in relatively short order.

The Costumes are thanks to Rachel Herring-Luna. Lighting is by Emily Maddox, and sound design by Madison Kuebler.

The set design is a community effort by Director Paul Jaquith, Jeff Jesmer and Megan Davis. 

One must give a shout out to Paul Jaquith for his outstanding work from the director’s chair.  This is one of the funniest productions to have been seen by this reviewer this year! Bravo!

It’s Family with all its quirks and idiosyncrasies, and the love thereof, that is at the heart of this play.   A Great escape from the horrors of the evening news and a tonic after all the chaos at the mall, it’s perfect for the holiday season.

NOT TO BE MISSED! 

GO AND LAUGH YOUR PROVERBIAL ASS OFF!!! RUN TO GET TICKETS!!!

For tickets call: 303-562-3232 or go online at www.firehousetheatercompany.com

 AN ECHOING SPRING

A Story of Matthew Shepard

JOHN HAND THEATRE: Dec. 3 – 16

(a traveling production of Colorado TINTS in local cooperation with Act One Productions)

 

In the intimacy of the John Hand Theatre, playwright Mike Broemmel’s haunting play about Matthew Shepard is not only heart-breaking, but also heart-opening.

Paul Page, who has been admired for his fine acting in Colorado for years, here steps into the role of director, illuminating Broemmel’s play with a sensitive touch that allows the play to unfold in a natural way.

Suzanne Nepi imbues the character of Judy Shepard with a tenderness and strength that makes us see why she has become a favorite in the Denver theatre community! A mother herself, Nepi’s personal memories of maternal experiences dealing with joyful storytelling and healing traumatic pain inform this very fine performance.

In the role of Matthew Shepard, Aiden Evans is eminently confident. This young actor’s monologues engage the audience with a congenial and conversational delivery. One looks forward to seeing him soon again upon the Denver stage.

One is certain that humanistic plays such as this one will touch the hearts of all who attend. May theatre such as this help to eliminate homophobia and all heinous hate crimes!

For tickets call:   303-562-3232      or go online at theatrixdenver.wellattended.com

                      THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD 

                             VINTAGE THEATRE : DEC. 5 TO JAN 11 

            The cast of "THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD" (Photo credit: RDG Photography)

DROOD is the HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN FOR THE  HOLIDAY SEASON!RUN TO GET TICKETS!!!

When was the last time you woke up humming the tunes you heard at theatre the night before? There are so many Glorious ear-worms in this score, you will be humming and singing these tunes for days! With book, music and lyrics by Rupert Holmes, Vintage Theatre’s production of THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD is not to be missed! In1985 “Drood” received Tony Awards for Best Musical, Book and Score. 

         On opening night a rousing, rollicking good time was had by all! Rowdy, and sometimes a bit on the bawdy side, the broad strokes of humor on display describing London’s Music Hall tradition may put you in mind of the American Vaudeville theatre.     The show is directed by the esteemed Bernie Cardell, who makes sure that we are entertained to the max!  For this reason alone, it is advised that any theatre lover get tickets as far in advance as possible.

The title role is played by Michelle Merz-Hutchinson. It is wonderful to see this actor’s superb acting and hear her outstanding vocals! Her singing of “Two Kinsmen” and “Perfect Strangers” is an utter delight.

Brian Trampler’s chairman, the show’s emcee, introduces the play by welcoming us  to the music hall with his singing of “There You Are,” lifting our spirits and making us hungry for the unfolding mystery to come. The chairman is also a sort of narrator who introduces characters and ties together the clues and events which follow. Trampler’s performance stuns!

Rosa Bud, Drood’s fiancee and the student of choirmaster John Jasper, is played by Makenzie Couch, who sings “Moonfall” with a soprano that is a breathtaking ribbon of silk. William B. Kahn’s acting and singing of Jasper, who secretly lusts after his student, has a baritone to die for. His singing of “A Man Could Go Quite Mad” is indelible.

Adam Johnson’s acting in the comic role of Bazzard made him an audience favorite. His singing of “Never the Luck” is hysterical.

Deborah Persoff’s performance in the role of Princess Puffer, the proprietor of a London opium den, is one for the books! This meticulously crafted and nuanced portrayal is so richly imagined that Dickens himself would applaud this actor’s masterful singing and acting of : “The Wages of Sin,” “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead” and “The Garden Path to Hell."

It’s wonderful to see Daniel Traylor treading the boards once again as Mr. James Throttle. 

Musical director Jeremiah Otto did splendid work accompanying the actors on the keys as well as evoking stunning choral work from the cast in such numbers as, “Off To the Races,” and “An English Music Hall.” 

Charles Dickens’ vital, vibrant characters are all dressed in Cole Emarine’s extravagant eye-popping Victorian costumes!

Don Fuller’s set design and Emily Maddox’s lighting were both well executed. There were a couple of glitches in Russ Kirby’s sound design on the night this reviewer was in attendance, but they were quickly addressed and rectified.

Charles Dickens died before his novel was finished. As a result we as audience get to decide who the murderer was.

 This is just the ticket for the Holidays! Not to be missed!!!

For tickets go online at Vintagetheatre.org  or call the box office at 303-856-7830