MarloweMeister Productions

                                                 Presents

                          “From Hell to Breakfast”

                          

                                   Missy Moore as The Dufus                                      

                                       Or

                          “The Train Wreck Cometh”

                              An outrageous one-act from the warped mind of David Marlowe

 Starring Missy Moore, Deborah Persoff, Pamela Clifton, Jan Cleveland, Joey Wishnia, Kurt Brighton, Bob Leggett, Daymond Caylo and Skip Wee.

                                            One night only, December 31^st

                                     Let this be the last thing you see in 2012!

                                  Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St. Aurora 

                        Doors and bar open at 6:30 pm; Show at 7:00 pm

                               Tickets are $12 in advance/ $15 at the door       (Complimentary glass of champagne included)

           For reservations call 303-629-9115 or go online at www.eventbrite.com  (enter From Hell to Breakfast in the search box)

Forty Second Street

Boulder’s Dinner Theatre: 11/9 – 2/16

     “Come and meet those dancing feet!”

Left to right : Bob Hoppe, Johnny Stewart, Katie Ulrich, Wayne Kennedy, John Scott Clough and Wayne Kennedy (photo credit Glenn Ross Photography/www.glennross.ws)

     If you like a knock-out musical about life in the theatre half as much as this reviewer does you’re going to adore Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s superb production of “Forty Second Street.” Director Michael Duran has paced this perennial favorite with a brisk lively tempo and cast the show impeccably.

     John Scott Clough brilliantly portrays Julian Marsh, the hard-edged director  with a heart of gold

     Johnny Stewart delivers a great break out performance as the charming Billy Lawlor.

     Ali Dunfee’s Dorothy Brock is smashing! Katie Ulrich is a fine Peggy Sawyer. Joanie Brosseau’s portrayal of Maggie Jones is to die for.

                                       

Alicia Dunfee as Dorothy Brock (Photo Credit: Glenn Ross Photography/www.glennross.ws)

     Wayne Kennedy gives us his usual impeccable professionalism as Bert Barry.

     Tracy Warren’s doubles up her superb Anytime Annie as the amazing choreographer for the show. Scott Beyette’s strong portrayal of Pat Denning adds immeasurably to the proceedings.

     Veteran actor Brian Norber who has played everything from Harold Hill in “The Music Man” to Li'l Abner in er "Li'l Abner" and Man in Chair in "The Drowsy Chaperone" chews up the scenery as an irritating sugar daddy with a big wallet and a bad case of Dunlap’s Disease. His paunch (it’s only a costume) has ‘done lapped’ over the belt dontchaknow.

     The ensemble of this show is rock solid. Such actors as Julia Perrotta, Brian Jackson, Bob Hoppe and Brett Ambler enhance the proceedings with chutzpah and panache. Standing out among the newbies in the ensemble at BDT are the likes of Joey Revier, Tracey Zimmerman and Will Hawkins.

     Under the baton of music director Neal Dunfee who conducts that luscious BDT stage orchestra those great old tunes sound better than ever. The sound design by Wayne Kennedy somehow manages the impossible keeping the whole evening an auditory heaven with no miking issues.

     The set by Amy Campion, costumes by Linda Morken and lighting by Rachael Dugan are all of the high quality one has come to expect at this grand dinner theatre.

     And while we are on the subject of dinner let me just say that the pork shanks with which this reviewer indulged himself were of the most scrum-diddilly perfection. My guest for the evening raved on and on over her mouth-watering prime rib.

     You deserve to give yourself the gift of an evening of dinner theatre at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre. If you can’t get a ticket during the holidays due to the huge popularity of this show promise yourself you will ring in the New Year with a visit in January. The show runs Through February 16 so you might even want to get tickets early for that perfect Valentine’s Day date. In any case …

Run to get tickets!Marlowe's Musings

The Man Who Came To Dinner

Spotlight Theatre: Through December 22

     George S. Kafman and Moss Hart debuted their new play, “The Man Who Came To Dinner” in 1939.  Set in a small town in Ohio shortly before Christmas, the show is an ideal choice for bringing community theatre mavens together at the holidays.

      As the show begins Sheridan Whiteside, acerbic wit and critic has fallen on the ice outside the home of Ernest Stanley. Whiteside is the man who was coming to dinner at the Stanley home and who stayed for a good long time.

     The show references countless stars and celebrities who were famous at the time of its writing. Younger audiences may be a bit at sea as Whiteside rattles on about all his famous chums but older audiences will relish those references.

     The cast and crew are made up of the entire board of directors of Spotlight Theatre. So fans of co-directors Bernie Cardell and Pat Payne will enjoy themselves immensely.

     The evening is thoroughly enjoyable if one may add ‘a bit over the top.’ Most theatergoers won’t know that Beverly Carlton was modeled after Noel Coward or that Banjo was modeled after Harpo Marx. Charlie Wingerter and Luke Allen Terry create their own very enjoyable versions of these characters with their very own unique styles. However … Molly Killoran is perhaps the best at nailing the era and the actor (Gertrude Lawrence) after which her character is modeled.

      Dan Connell creates a very enjoyable Sheridan Whiteside. This reviewer’s one criticism might be that it would be wise to slow down those great old lines so that a drop of venom lingers on the lip each time. We want to savor the insidiously hilarious moment.

     Todd Black, Deborah Curtis and The Jaquiths, Paul and Johanna, are all fine in their various roles.

     Katie Mangett’s Mrs. Stanley is a complete and utter joy. Her facial expressions along with her bird-like physical responses to the tragic occurrences are pure gold.
     Linda Suttle is hilarious as an eccentric clothes horse who is the sister of Mr. Stanley. Peggy Miller adds immeasurably to the mirth on stage with her portrayal of the Stanley's cook, Sarah.

     It ain’t perfect, but for the price you can’t beat seeing Dan Connell skewer the Ohio bourgeoisie as pissed off critic Sheridan Whiteside.

Molly Killoran, Dan Connell, Johanna Jaquith, Paul Jaquith

                           See it or get coal in your stocking!

“The Man Who Came to Dinner”

November 17 - December 22

Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m. /Sun at 2:00 p.m

Tickets are $20 Adult/ $18 for Students/Seniors

Group rates available.
720-880-8727 or online at www.thisisspotlight.org

The John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place, DenverMarlowe's Musings

Miracle on 34^th Street

Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities: 11/27 – 12/23

         “Miracle on 34^th Street” is a visually magnificent production thanks to Brian Mallgrave’s superb scenic design. The show sparkles and shines thanks to Chris Campbell’s costume design and the eye-pleasing lighting by Vance McKenzie. The choreography by Piper Lindsey Arpan is bright, sassy and fun to watch. 

         Although the book, lyrics and music for this musical were penned by Meredith Willson the score is only passably pleasant in comparison with the ones he created for “The Music Man” and “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”

     Nevertheless … Music Director David Nehls will make your ears believe that this score is another Miracle with just a wave of his magic baton. It is to be noted that four decades ago this reviewer picked up the vinyl version of a musical called “Here’s Love” at Woolworth’s in Billings, Montana. After listening to it once it was relegated to that pile of musical mistakes that the ninety-nine cent price tag should have suggested. Brava David Nehls and director Gavin Mayer for making a gorgeous Christmas musical out of that! Genius!

     Director Gavin Mayer has given the show a lively pace that kept the Saturday matinee audience enchanted throughout.

     The principals have been cast from somewhere out of town by wojcik/seay casting, llc. to do the superb job that any number of local actors could be doing. (Remember “Les Miserables?”)

     That said there are numerous local artists plugged into supporting roles and walk-ons.

Most notable among those in supporting roles are: Mark Rubald as a hilarious R.H. Macy and Ben Dicke as a funny funny super klutzy Melvin Shellhammer. The other shining stars in the firmament are: Shannan Steele, Colin Alexander, Heather Doris, Alex Ryer, Daniel Langhoff, Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck, Valerie Hill, Markus Warren, Matthew Dailey, Stephen Charles Turner and Andrew Diessner.

     It’s a wonderful holiday treat that will have you and your family in the holiday mood from start to finish.  Marlowe's Musings

 The award winning Arvada Center will open Miracle on 34^th Street, The Musical directed by Gavin Mayer on November 27 running through December 23, 2012 in the Main Stage Theater. The musical is based on the story “Miracle on 34^th Street” by Valentine Davies; book, music and lyrics were written and composed by Meredith Willson (The Music Man and The Unsinkable Molly Brown).  Performances are Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.  Preview performances are November 23 - 25. Moderated talkbacks with the cast are offered on Friday, December 7 after 7:30 p.m. show and Wednesday, December 12 after 1:00 p.m. show.  For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.

                   The Stage Theatre: 11/16 – 12/16

     The Denver Center Theatre Company's production of “When We Are Married” should be a knockout with a cast that includes Jeanne Paulsen, Sam Gregory, Kathleen Brady, Leslie O’Carroll, Benjamin Bonenfant, Erik Sandvold, Jake Walker and John Hutton. It should be a knockout because veteran director Bruce K. Sevy directs it with style.

     It’s an old fashioned play that’s all dolled up as only the Denver Center Theatre Company can doll up a play. The set (Vicki Smith) is gloriously appointed. The costumes (David Kay Mickelson) are ravishing. The lighting (Don Darnutzer) is superb. They’ve even added footlights. Old fashioned foot lights!

     The performances are good to a man/woman with stand-outs being Sam Gregory as a hen-pecked husband who finally gets his mojo back and Kathleen Brady as the cleaning lady who finds herself more legitimate than her snooty employers.

     The problem lies in the fact that we never really care about any of these characters. One feels that perhaps the show is just too slow moving and ok… old fashioned.

     The audience of mostly senior citizens was attentive but not responsive even when invited to sing along with the bouncing ball at final curtain. Perhaps they prefer a more new fangled play.

      J.B. Priestley’s play, surely a hot commodity when it was written in 1907,made this reviewer remember Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey was great when it was hot but as the week rolled on and the casseroles rolled out the turkey became less and less tasty to the gobbler.
                                         

Single tickets for WHEN WE ARE MARRIED, on sale now, start at $36 (non-SCFD) and also are available for $10 (SCFD 10 for $10 program).  To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100.  For groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829.  TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582.  Tickets also may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby.  Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.  Student rush $10 tickets are available one hour prior to curtain with a valid student ID subject to availability.  Senior and military rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability. No children under six will be admitted to any theatre. 

     PERFORMANCE DATES                                                November 16 – December 16

Tuesday – Thursday                                                             6:30pm

Friday – Sunday                                                                    7:30pm 

Saturday & Sunday matinee                                                1:30pm

Marlowe's Musings