Friday, June 13, 2014

 JOHN AND JEN
CHERRY CREEK THEATRE: THROUGH JUNE 22


    Thanks to Pat Payne’s sensitive direction Cherry Creek Theatre has another winner on its hands with “John and Jen.”
     It’s a two-act musical with lyrics by Tom Greenwald and music by Andrew Lippa.  Lippa’s best known for having composed the music for the Broadway musical, “The Addams Family” as well as for the recent musical,“Big Fish.”
     Director Payne has cast the show with two of Denver’s finest: Megan Van De Hey and Casey Andree.
                        Megan Van De Hey and Casey Andree

     Ms. Van De Hey recently stunned us as Little Edie in Vintage Theatre’s funny and heart-breaking musical,“Grey Gardens.”
     You will remember Mr. Andree for his outstanding portrayal of Claude in Town Hall Arts’ production of “HAIR.”
     Both actors turn in studied performances that allow this slim, intimate musical about the love of siblings for each other and of parents for their children to become a truly memorable evening of theatre.
     The intimacy of the Shaver-Ramsey Showroom is perfect for the piece. Slide projections take us from the nineteen-fifties through the eighties reminding us of our own journey as brothers, sisters and parents. If you have an emotional charge that still comes up around memories of the time of the war in Viet Nam your heartbeat will be on hyper-drive. Trent Hines’ piano and Anna Maria Lee Blocker Leavitt’s cello enhance the evening immeasurably.
     The book by Greenwald and Lippa is nearly non-existent. You won’t notice though. With the spectacular voices of Ms. Van de Hey and Mr. Andree coupled with their fine acting you can be assured of a thoroughly enjoyable evening of theatre.

Cherry Creek Theatre presents ""John & Jen"
May 30 through June 22
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
Shaver-Ramsey Showroom, 2414 East 3rd Ave.


Multiple Henry, Ovation, True West and Marlowe award winner Megan Van De Hey* returns to CCTC as Jen and Casey Andree makes his CCTC debut as John.Marlowe's Musings

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