Veronica’s Room

Vintage Theatre: 9/13 – 10/13

     “Veronica’s Room” will creep you out for days!

Dan Nolan, Rachel Bouchard and Anne Smith Myers

     Shrouded in white, Tanner Johnson Heck’s claustrophobic set design ushers us into this unsettling world accompanied by the ominous viola in Luke Allen Terry’s awesome sound design.

     At the top of the show a fussy old Irish woman and her oh so jolly husband are talking a lovely young woman into taking a room in their home. A somewhat enigmatic lady named Veronica once lived there.

     Sorry, but that’s all I’ll tell you regarding Ira Levin’s (Remember “Rosemary’s Baby?”) spine tingling thriller. Any more and I’d be giving you spoilers along with some goose bumps and you need to experience this one first hand.

Rachel Bouchard and Drew Hirschboeck

     Director Bernie Cardell has done superb work in the casting. Man, Woman, Girl and Boy are played by: Dan Nolan, Anne Smith Myers, Rachel Bouchard and Drew Hirschboeck respectively.

      Cardell directs this taut thriller with a meticulous eye. Everything has a Hitchcockian feel to it and the suspense had this reviewer on the edge of his seat throughout.

     The set-up in Act One is one of the most intriguing to have been seen in many a season. It allows for a second act of harrowing contrast in which all four of these actors get to unleash a torrent of powerful emotion.

     They’ve extended the show a week already. If fans of this kind of amped up nerve jangling thriller get a whiff of the excitement in “Veronica’s Room” the management could be required to extend again.

 Fotos by Denver Mind Media

Vintage Theatre presents

"Veronica's Room"

There is only a thin line between fantasy and reality, madness and murder.

Sept. 13 - Oct. 13 * Note added weekend!
Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m.

$25 ($20 advance)
303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.com

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010

Marlowe's Musings

 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Town Hall Arts: 9/13 – 10/13

Tim Howard and Rachelle Wood

     “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” is a thoroughly enjoyable musical about a couple of con men named Lawrence and Freddy. Keegan Flaugh plays Lawrence, the older of the two with style and grace. Tim Howard plays Freddy with dynamite comic timing and a command of physical comedy that stuns.  

     It is pure pleasure getting to hear the incomparably talented Margie Lamb in the role of Muriel. This artist’s singing of Muriel’s romantic ‘lament,’ “What Was a Woman to Do?” is musical theatre ice cream. Her duets with Brian Murray(Andre) sparkle! It’s a joy to see Murray landing parts, which showcase his talents as a musical theatre artist. 

     Rachelle Wood’s performance of the role of Christine is a vocal and acting treat!

     Having seen three productions of this musical, this is the first time this reviewer has enjoyed a performance by an actor in the role of Jolene, the rich cowgirl from Oklahoma. Kelsey Rich nails the part! Brava!

      The scene including the song “All About Ruprecht,” in which Jolene receives her much-deserved comeuppance, is delicious. Posing as Lawrence’s extremely challenged little brother Tim Howard treats us as audience to some of the funniest character work in memory.

     The ensemble is filled with some very fine dancers. Led by the stunning Rae Klapperich, it includes such artists as :Tyrell D. Rae, Kia Chapman, Gabe Morales, Rob Riney and Carter Edward Smith. 

     The movement of the puzzle pieces of Tina Anderson’s innovative set design are choreographed (yes, choreographed!) by ingenious director/choreographer Nick Sugar.

     Jonathan Scott-McKean’s lighting is of the professional quality, which Denver audiences have come to expect.

     Music Director Donna Kolpan Debreceni and her onstage band provide us with sensational treatment of this ear-pleasing score.

     The costumes are by the talented Henry Award winner Linda Morken. 

Town Hall’s production opens September 13, 2013 and runs through October 13, 2013. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. (& 2:00 p.m. on 9/28) & Sundays at 2 p.m. (& 6:30 p.m. on 10/6).

Ticket Information:

Reserved seat tickets are currently on sale, priced $20.00-$40.00 at the Town Hall Arts Center box office, 303-794- 2787 ext. 5 (Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. to Noon/ 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday Noon to 4 p.m. and 1 Hour prior to Shows) or on-line at www.TownHallArtsCenter.com . In a continuing effort to make plays at Town Hall Arts Center accessible to all, ten value seats at $10 each will be made available on a first-come-first-served basis one-hour prior to each published curtain time.Marlowe's Musings

The Arvada Center for the Arts: 9/10 - 10/6

     Director Rod Lansberry has cast this production of the Arthurian legend with an eye to the youthful Wart growing into Arthur and it is perhaps a youthful audience that will embrace it with the greatest enthusiasm.

Those of us who remember the original cast album may miss the elocution of a Richard Burton, the brio of a Robert Goulet and the soaring soprano of Julie Andrews.

However … for those who are familiar with the Netflix offering “Merlin” may find the cast especially appealing. All three leads are talented young artists. One does wish, however,  that they were able to live backwards as Merlin is said to have done with the wisdom that one might find with a more ‘seasoned’ cast. 

     There are two moments in this production of “Camelot” that proved to be of greatest interest to this reviewer. The first is the transcendent beauty of the scene in which Jennifer de Dominici enchants Merlin with her ethereal dance. The second is the one in which Megan Van de Hey as the mischievous Morgan Le Fe bewitches Arthur in the forest. This scene is one that this reviewer has not ever seen included in any production of this musical. It is mythic gold! As directed by Mr. Lansberry it is as charming as his direction of  DeDominici’s seductive “Follow Me” was breathtaking.
                 

      The costumes by Clare Henkel are superb. Among all the fine gowns the ethereal gossamer white for Nimue wins hands down.Marlowe's Musings

Due to high ticket demand, the Arvada Center has announced a one-week extension for the Tony Award® winning musical Camelot. The show will now close on Sunday, October 6. Camelot is directed by Rod A. Lansberry, book and lyrics are written by Alan Jay Lerner, with music by Frederick Loewe. Camelot will run in the Main Stage Theater September 10- October 6, 2013. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Talkbacks will be offered Friday, September 20 after the 7:30 p.m. show and Wednesday, September 25 after the 1:00 p.m. show. To purchase tickets and for additional information go to https://arvadacenter.org/on-stage/camelot-2013 or call 720-898-7200.

Bengal Tiger at the Bagdad Zoo

The Edge Theatre: 8/30 - 9/29

     Visceral and haunting, The Edge Theatre’s regional premiere of Rajiv Joseph's “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo is an admirable production that one hopes you will get to see.

     Two American soldiers in Iraq come face to face with their personal demons in this tale of war-torn Iraq.The universal question of the silence of God in times of despair takes a front row seat in this study of human beings aching to remain human in the midst of war. Man’s inhumanity to man and the inscrutability of the mystery of life is chewed up and spit out by a caged Bengal Tiger ruminating over his captivity and regrets.

                                   

Paul Page in foreground flanked by Nathan Bock and Kevin Lowry in background.(photo credit: Rachel D. Graham

     Paul Page portrays this pacing feline with indelible ferocity. This artist ages his appearance and voice to give his audience a truly nuanced performance. This is Mr. Page’s most formidable work since his studied portrayal of Shelly Levene in The Edge Theatre's production of “Glengarry Glen Ross.”

     Sam Gilstrap plays Musa, an Iraqi man who is perhaps the most human being in the play. Mr. Gilstrap’s artistry makes us feel the tension of a person forced to connive in order to survive in his occupied homeland.

     Kevin Lowry turns in a passionate performance as Kev.

     Alberto Ocampo is outstanding in the role of Uday.

      It is heartening to see that Nathan Bock has returned to the Denver stage after his memorable performances as Richard in the Denver Victorian Playhouse’s “Lion in Winter” and Miners Alley Playhouse’s “Hay Fever.”

      The show is a bit more minimal than this reviewer would have liked. One wishes for more than a suggestion of the topiary garden in the lighting design.Marlowe's Musings

The Edge Theatre - Regional Premier

"Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo"

Aug. 30 - Sept. 29

Fri./Sat. @ 8 p.m.; Sun. @ 6 p.m.

Tickets: $20 - $22

303-232-0363 or online at www.theedgetheater.com.

The Edge Theatre, 1560 Teller Street, Suite 200, Lakewood CO 80214. Free Parking.

   The Buell Theatre: 9/3 – 9/15

     A blitz of glitz and falsie tits, “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” is an explosion of vibrant Life that is simply scrumptious!

     It’s “Mama Mia” for those who wish to reminisce about the gay dance floors of the eighties. All those famous songs to which you shook your booty in that era are blasted out across the Buell Theatre with joyous abandon. Both your eyes and ears will be dazzled by this eye-popping, ear-pleasing show.

     The book is nearly non-existent and the dialogue, much of which gets lost in the otherwise magical melee, is to this reviewer’s sensibilities unimportant.

     The actors are all handsome and range from pretty to gorgeous in their outrageous regalia and they are just about perfect in following Mel Brooks’ mandate in “The Producers” to “Keep it Gay. Keep it Gay! Keep it Gay!”

     If you happen to be as much of a light junkie as this reviewer you will be dazzled by the flashy, hypnotic Technicolor lighting design.

     The Tony Award-Winning costume design is smashing!

     I’m not sure why everyone wasn’t out of their seats and dancing in the aisles! Perhaps it was just that stodgy group of first night theatre critics afraid to let their inner drag queen out!

It’s a raging fun partay and you will be SO glad you went!

       WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! HOOOOOO!!!!!

Single tickets for PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL start at $25. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829. Additionally, tickets may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at denvercenter.org.Marlowe's Musings

“Next Fall”

The John Hand Theatre: 8/30 – 9/28

      Next Fall" was nominated for Best Play - 2010 Tony Award, Outstanding Play - Drama Desk Award and Outstanding New Broadway Play - Outer Critics Circle Award.
 

                    

                                   Left to right: Todd Black and Mark Lively

      "Next Fall" is the story of a gay relationship in which the lovers have strikingly divergent attitudes about God and Life in general. Thoroughly well written, it’s a play that goes from hilarious to heart wrenching on a dime.Mark Lively and Todd Black magically provide us with two conflicted lovers with whom we as audience fall in love from first glance to final exit. Michael Leopard, Johanna Jaquith and Brian Brooks turn in fine performances in supporting roles.

     It is however, Judy Phelan-Hill that you will remember most. This actor’s return to the stage after far too long gives us as audience a sterling performance that is hilarious. Phelan-Hill’s comic timing is impeccable and her command of the stage remarkable.

     It’s the kind of thing director Steve Tangedal loves to do most - rip out your heart and stomp on it and then gently put it back in as your exiting the theatre.
     it's being co-produced by Firehouse Theatre and Theatre Out Denver. A thoroughly satisfying evening of theatre!

Firehouse Theater and Theatre Out Denver present "Next Fall" running at the John Hand Theater/Colorado Free University, 7653 East First Place, Denver, CO.  Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 8 and 22 at 6:30 p.m. and Monday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 Adult; $18 for Students/seniors; $15 on September 9 and are available by calling 303-562-3232 www.firehousetheatercompany.com. 
 Marlowe's Musings