COMPANY

AURORA FOX ARTS CENTER: 9/22 – 10/22/17

              L-R: Lindsey Falduto and Jeremy Rill

With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by George Furth, the 1970 production of COMPANY was nominated for 14 Tonys and won 6.

     One of the first musicals to deal with adult themes, COMPANY revolves around a man who is unable to commit to a romantic relationship.

     Director/choreographer Kelly Van Oosbree has cast the show impeccably. Her choreography of “Side by Side by Side”/”What Would We Do Without You?” exhilarates!  

     Jeremy Rill’s Bobby is awesome beyond expectations. His singing of “Being Alive” stuns!

      Heather Lacy’s “The Ladies Who Lunch” is outstanding!    Purists remembering Elaine Stritch in the role of Joanne, may find this glamorous actor a little short in the tooth and way too beautiful for the role. Nevertheless… her sophisticated take on “The Ladies Who Lunch” is musical theatre ice cream!

     Lindsey Falduto’s “Another Hundred People” will rock your world! BRAVA!

     Rebekah Ortiz’s “Not Getting Married Today” reveals this actor’s talent for outrageously funny comedy.

     Leiney Rigg, Heather Doris and Ms. Falduto excel in the harmonies and humor of “You Could Drive a Person Crazy!”

     This phenomenal cast also includes the exceptional musical theatre talents of Lauren Shealy, Andy Sievers, Michelle Merz-Hutchinson, Carolyn Lohr,Timmie Antoine, Frank Oden,Patrick McAleer and Kyle Dean Steffen.

     The eye-pleasing set by Brandon Philip Case is enhanced by Brett Maughan’s very fine lighting design. Music Director Andrew Fischer conducts the onstage orchestra with style.

     You don’t need to go to New York for great theatre, folks. Just go to Aurora!

     Run to get at ticket! Marlowe's Musings

Aurora Fox Arts Center is located at 9900 E. Colfax in Aurora, CO.,80010

For Tickets call 303-739-1970 or go online at aurorafoxartscenter.org

FROZEN

The Buell Theatre: August 17 through October 1

The cast of FROZEN, Disney's Broadway-Bound Musical(Photo credit: Deen van Meer)

This reviewer must confess at the get go that he has never seen the animated film, “FROZEN.” The story is not really his cup of iced tea. So please take all of this with a block of salt or ice as you like.

     Visually spectacular, and with talent galore, FROZEN has one problem.

   The performances are all superb. So are the projections, lighting, scenic and costume designs.

     The special effects dazzle!

      An interminable parade of ballads blend one into the other with pleasant, if forgettable affect.

       The vocals, especially those of Elsa(Caissie Levy) and Anna(Patti Murin), mesmerize us. The snowman and the reindeer enchant us, and one wishes they had lots more to do in the show.

     This reviewer’s main problem with the show has to do with the emotional connection between the central characters, and the show’s emotional engagement of the audience.

     The experience one usually has at the end of Disney productions of having a tear in the eye and a lump in the throat is missing here. At final curtain one feels very much like Morales in “A CHORUS  LINE” when she sings, “I felt nothing.”

     That said, one must admit that the audience at The Buell seemed to be loving every minute of it.

     It’s a work that’s unfinished; as all productions are that are on their way to Broadway. At this point in time it’s still getting constantly reformed by script doctors performing their various operations. 
     It’s this reviewer’s not so humble opinion that the show needs to be much more able to communicate the intense pain of separation felt by the sisters at the top of the show so that we as audience can experience the joy of their reconciliation at final curtain.

     So far we don’t.

For tickets call  720-865-4220 or go online at denvercenter.org

ROCK OF AGES
BDT STAGE: 8/25 - 11/11

Barrett Harper and the cast of Rock of Ages at BDT Stage

     Nominated for five Tony Awards, BDT Stage’s current production of ‘ROCK OF AGES” is tons of fun! It’s a jukebox musical that features rock music from the ‘80s framed by a slim book about two youngsters who are wannabe rock and film stars. They and their hip cohorts are at war with corporate suits trying to buy up the strip and their favorite hangout.

     Director Scott Beyette has cast this campy, kitschy, kookie show full to the brim with actors who are super-talented.

     Denver favorite Tim Howard plays our young hero, Drew, wielding a custodian’s mop while fantasizing about becoming the rock star of the ages. His renditions of “I Wanna Rock” and “Don’t Stop Believing” are phenomenal.
     Olivia Sydelle, who plays Sherrie, the young wannabe actress, sings such songs as “Harden My Heart” with power. It’s a no brainer to see that Ms. Sydelle is already a star!

     Barrett Harper turns in a brilliantly animated and superbly entertaining portrayal of the narrator, Lonny.  His “I Can’t Fight This Feeling” with Scott Beyette is hysterical!

     Joanie Brosseau – Rubald is a joy to see onstage! And how does it get any better than hearing her singing such songs as “Any Way You Want It?”

     Brian Burron and Brian Cronan do a great job with “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”

     As raunchy rocker Stacee Jaxx, Scott Severtson creates his signature brand of onstage magic singing such songs as “Gonna Take a Little Time.”

     The ensemble is totally awesome, rad and gnarly!

It includes: Tracy Warren, Alejandro Roldan, Brian Jackson and Jessica Hindsley.

     McKayla Marso gives us a punch and stomp variety of Jack LaLanne aerobic choreography.

    Neal Dunfee’s renowned onstage band is amped up by the intensity of the outstanding electric guitar playing of Ryan Millard.

     This show’s a little grittier than what one may be used to at BDT Stage.

      So it’s your perfect chance to have a memorable evening of theatre without the kids. Just promise to take them to BDT Stage’s next production, ANNIE, in November!

BDT Stage is at 5501 Arapahoe Ave
Boulder, CO 80303 United States

 For tickets call (303) 449-6000 or go online at  www.bdtstage.com