DISENCHANTED

BDT STAGE: 3/3 – 5/6

L-R: Tracy Warren, Alicia K. Meyers, Jessica Hindsley, Anna High, Annie Dwyer and Marijune Scott

     Happy Ever After isn't all that it’s cracked up to be in the hilarious hit musical, “Disenchanted.” Now on view at BDT Stage, this musical is a kind of reality therapy for the Disney princesses who thought that everything would be coming up roses for them after that first magical kiss. However…that was Once Upon a Time and now the royal honeymoons are over.

With music, lyrics and book penned by Dennis J. Giacino, the show was a big hit off Broadway being nominated for the 2015 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off Broadway Musical as well as a 2015 Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical. Now Michael J. Duran, the artistic director of BDT Stage, wisely brings it to the Colorado audience.

      It’s deliriously funny material that’s brought to life by the most talented and beautiful ladies of the BDT Stage family.

Jessica Hindsley is adorable as Snow White, the ring leader of this posse of princesses. Broadway veteran Tracy Warren is the bambi-like waif, Cinderella. Annie Dwyer(Marlowe Award for Frau Brucher in Young Frankenstein) is utterly hysterical in her portrayal of Sleeping Beauty. MariJune Scott performs the roles of Hua Mulan and Pocahontas/Jasmine in this royal vaudeville with great good humor. Alicia K. Meyers(Marlowe Award for Thoroughly Modern Millie) is The Little Mermaid and Belle, a girl who’s dating a guy with mange and having conversations with her bidet. The super-talented Anna High(Marlowe Award for Serena in Porgy and Bess) is the Princess Who Kissed the Frog.

     Shhhhhhhhhh! Either Scott Severtson or Seamus McDonough provide a deliciously comic surprise at one time or another in this sassy, irreverent and hysterical production. Wait for it! On the night this reviewer was in attendance Mr. McDonough stunned.

     Huge gratitude must be extended to Neal Dunfee for his outstanding conducting of the just off (and above) stage orchestra.

     Alicia K. Meyers directs and co-choreographs the proceedings with Matthew D. Peters.

     Linda Morken’s genius is once again on view in her spot-on costume design. Morken’s work is always eye-popping. However…you will have to see these costumes to believe how ingenius they are! The hilarious one for Marijune Scott as Princess Jasmine is a case in point.

     Brett Maughan and Seamus McDonough bless us with their superb lighting as Amy Campion delivers yet another glorious story book set design.

     For this show one has to mention Debbie Spaur whose expertise in the Hair and Wig Design department enhances the show immeasurably.

      One would be remiss not to mention Eva Wheelock, the talented Executive Chef in BDT Stage’s kitchen. Delectable prime rib and pork chops on beds of ravioli, not to mention tasty hors d’oeuvres and sinfully delicious desserts make the dinner portion of the evening scrum diddly!

     I’m told that there’s already been a lot of repeat attendance so run to get a ticket now! It’s silly and fun and gets your mind off the insanity of the five o’clock news. How does it get any better than that?

     Even though the show is hysterically funny for adults, you can leave the kiddos at home. Adult themes and language send up Walt’s animated princesses with spark and panache making this production unsuitable for the little ones. So take all the adults on your block instead and laugh your proverbial asses off at BDT Stage’s  DISENCHANTED!

BDT STAGE is located at 5501 ARAPAHOE AVENUE, BOULDER, CO. 80303

For tickets call 303-449-6000 or go online at bdstage.com.

THE NANCE

The Edge Theater Company:

Through April 2

 

                     Warren Sherrill 

By turns funny and heartbreaking, this Tony Award-winning show is not to be missed.

     Douglas Carter Bean’s script takes us back to a New York City besieged by the anti-Gay administration of Mayor LaGuardia in the late 1930s.

     The Nance was a stock vaudeville  character that poked fun at homosexual men in the burlesque theatre of the day.

      On Broadway the lead character was portrayed by Nathan Lane.

    In The Edge Theater’s production Warren Sherrill brings an onstage joy and offstage pathos to the central role of Chauncey Miles. It’s one of the best performances by an actor so far this season.

     John Ashton turns in a very fine performance as Ephram, Chauncey’s straight man.

     New to this reviewer, Jihad Milhem delivers a moving portrayal of Ned, Chauncy’s handsome love interest.

     Patty Ionoff, Emily Tuckman, Amy Gray and Emily Gomes light up the stage with exuberant song and dance numbers that have been well choreographed by Marquette Lia Carrington. Traci Kern’s music direction is her usual professional work.

    Douglas Clarke’s set design, which transforms the playing space into a vaudeville stage and dressing room, is a stunner that’s greatly enhanced by Kevin Taylor’s lighting.

     Rick Yaconis’ superb job of casting and pacing “The Nance” puts his direction right up there with the best of them.

Marlowe's Musings

The Edge Theater

“The Nance”

Mar.3 - Apr. 2

In the 1930s it was easy to play gay and dangerous to be gay.

Fri./ Sat. & Mon, Mar 20 at 8:00 p.m.; Sun. at 6 p.m.;

No performance on Sunday, March 19.                              

$22-$28

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

The Edge Theater, 1560 Teller Street, Lakewood CO 80214. Free Parking.

Adult themes.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

THE BUELL THEATRE: 3/8 -3/19

 

        L-R: Sara Esty as Lise Dassin and Garen Scribner as Jerry Mulligan

     Garen Scribner and Sara Esty are mind-blowing perfection in singing and dancing the roles originated by Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron in the classic MGM movie.

     “An American In Paris” is that Tony Award winning musical about an American soldier who falls for a French girl and The City of Lights just after the end of World War II. 

     The show won more awards than any other musical that season. Christopher Wheeldon got the Tony Award for Best Choreography. 

     The magic of Paris, the glory of George and Ira Gershwin’s musical composition and Mr. Wheeldon’s superb choreography/ direction conspire to create a  spectacular evening of theatre. 

     Some of the numerous classics woven into this magical experience are: “I Got Rhythm,” “’S Wonderful,” and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.”

     It’s great to get to see the fine work of local artist Barton Cowperthwaite featured in the role of Lise’s Ballet Partner.

     The live orchestra’s delivery of the Gershwins’ magnificent score is outstanding.

     The lighting and scenic designs, here done by Natasha Katz and Bob Crowley respectively, which also won Tonys in 2015, are jaw-dropping perfection! Mr. Crowley also did the eye-popping costume design!

     It is this reviewer’s great wish that this outstanding work will be honored by the  SRO crowds it so deserves at every performance.

     YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO SEE AND HEAR THIS MAGNIFICENT SHOW!

For tickets call: 303-893-4100 or go online at denvercenter.org Marlowe's Musings