I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE

BDT STAGE: 9/15 – 11/3

 

L-R: Brian Jackson, Heather Marie Doris,Bob Hoppe and Anne Terze-Schwarze

Tuneful and hilarious, I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, is the smash hit musical comedy currently being presented at BDT STAGE in Boulder. It’s full of snappy and sometimes snarky vignettes and sketches about the mating rituals of American couples in the modern age from first date to third base to marriage, kids and beyond. In a nutshell, it’s what Nikos Kazentzakis’ life-embracing Zorba, the Greek once celebrated as ”the full catastrophe!”

     Neal Dunfee leads the onstage orchestra with passion and pizzaz. Dunfee’s outstanding performance at the piano, enhanced by the other superb musicians on sax, clarinets, flutes, guitar and drums, add up to a delicious accompaniment to the scrumptious vocals of Heather Marie Doris, Anne Terze-Schwarze, Bob Hoppe and Brian Jackson.

      The four-person cast that’s both easy on the eyes and ears, is by turns enthusiastic, exuberant, ebullient, and enchanting.

      Anne Terze-Schwarze even gets a moment to bring a tear to the eye in her masterful portrayal of a newly divorced woman in “The Very First Dating Video of Rose Ritz.”

     Heather Marie Doris astounds with her hilarious take on “Always a Bridesmaid.”

     Brian Jackson gets a chance to unleash a heart-opening rendition of “Shouldn’t I Be Less in Love with You” that really shows off his vocal chops.

     One of the highlights of the show is Bob Hoppe’s portrayal of a prison inmate named Trent Trindelle, who scares couples, who are looking for that utopian partner, into realizing that the one that they’ve got is worth holding onto.

     Although the lighting and set designs for this show are of the professional caliber for which BDT Stage has become famous, this is not one of those mega-musicals with all the laser lights and high-tech special effects. It’s an intimate romp that’s sometimes punctuated with moments of heart felt and poignant insight.     

      Ultimately it’s a celebration of love and romance at every age that’s truly universal.

     Do yourself a favor and get tickets now for I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE.Marlowe's Musings

For tickets go online at bdtstage.com or call the box office at 303-449-6000

UNCANNY VALLEY

benchmark theatre: 9/15 – 10/13

Anne Myers and Neil Truglio

“Uncanny Valley” is a play about the probabilities – and problems - involving androids or humanoid robots. 

             Anne Myers (Marlowe Award for Best Actress for her astounding portrayal of Amanda in Germinal Stage Denver’s “THE GLASS MENAGERIE,”) is one of our most accomplished actors. As Claire, she gives a nuanced portrayal of a woman, who, at the end of her successful career, is haunted by family traumas. One wonders from the start if she will fall in love with her android creation or be destroyed by it.

       As Julian, Neil Truglio gives us well enacted bio-mimetic mimicry. Mirroring his creator right from the start, Truglio punctuates his performance with well-timed humor. One looks forward to seeing Mr. Truglio again soon upon the Denver stage.

     Director Rachel Rogers has done an admirable job casting and pacing the show.

       John Hauser’s sound design successfully creates tension by bridging the scenes with the grinding and ratcheting of gears as well as the insistent ticking of an imaginary clock. Hauser also provides original electronic music for atmospheric effect during Intermission.

       Perhaps one expects too much of playwright Thomas Gibbons’ script due to memories of other works about artificial intelligence such as those of the machines in Spielberg’s AI, the robotic gunslinger in West World, and the malevolent Hal in Kubrick’s 2001. Both AI and West World can be appreciated on many levels. Nevertheless, they both left this reviewer feeling empty. 

        Although one respects playwright Thomas Gibbons’ ingenious concepts about the evolution of the science of artificial intelligence, this production never delivers the unsettling emotions or creepiness one expects.  Marlowe's Musings

Benchmark Theatre is located at:

1560 Teller Street

Lakewood, Colorado, 80214

For tickets call the Box Office at:   303-519-9059 

or go online at benchmarktheatre.com

THE KENTUCKY CYCLE

PARTS 1 & 2

VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS: 9/7 – 10/21

       BRUTALLY HONEST AND DISTURBING IN ITS DEPICTION OF AMERICAN HISTORY, "THE KENTUCKY CYCLE" IS A SWEEPING HISTORICAL DRAMA THAT CRIES OUT TO BE SEEN.

 

DARCY KENNEDY (PHOTO CREDIT: MATTHEW GALE PHOTOGRAPHY)

     Robert Schenkkan’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, spans two centuries from 1775 to 1975. More than just the story of three families, who are Black, White and Native American, and whose histories are irrevocably interwoven, THE KENTUCKY CYCLE encompasses all things Americana from mythology to reality and back again in nine short plays.

     Playwright Schenkkan is a three-time Emmy award nominee who has written for stage, film and television. Among his more recent works are the Henry Award-winning musical, THE TWELVE, the critically acclaimed play about Lyndon Johnson, ALL THE WAY, and the screenplay for the film, HACKSAW RIDGE. 

     Craig A. Bond’s deft direction paces this epic production in such a way that the matinee and evening performances fly by. Bond’s unflinching ability to give us a clear-eyed vision of things not always found in our history books, rivets us.    

     Kevin Taylor’s projections provide lush natural backgrounds and locations for us as we go along the journey. 

      Luke Rahmsdorff-Terry’s sound design, which bridges the scenes with folk tunes and other environmentally descriptive sounds, is most memorable.

     Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry’s costume design provides just the right look. 

     There are many luminous and nuanced performances in this two-part play. Standing out in this huge cast are: Sam Gilstrap, Perry Lewis, Joe Mack, and Darcy Kennedy, along with, Jeff Jesmer, Christin Mason, David Harms & Cris Davenport.

     Not for the faint of heart, this production deals honestly with those things that we of this generation were only told about, and not there to see.

    It’s a gift to have Vintage Theatres produce this two-part opus. The fact that it’s done with such skill makes the two parts of THE KENTUCKY CYCLE unmissable. Run to get tickets. Marlowe's Musings

Vintage Theatre presents

“The Kentucky Cycle”

Parts 1 & 2

Sept. 8* – Oct. 21

Part 1: Sat./Sun. at 2 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m.

Part 2: Sat./Sun. and Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

$32 

www.vintagetheatre.org or 303-856-7830. 

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010.

Vintage will be serving dinner during intermission for the Kentucky Cycle for $15 per person. To make a dinner reservation please call the box office at 303-856-7830.

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU

LOWRY’S SPOTLIGHT THEATRE: 9/1 – 9/29  

Dan Connell above and L-R: Jan Cleveland, Kelly Alayne Dwyer, Eddie Schumacher, Carolyn Lohr,Charlie Wingerter and Brandon Palmer

(photo credit: Soular Radiant Photography)

     HEART-OPENING, LIFE-AFFIRMING AND MAGICAL, SPOTLIGHT THEATER’S PRODUCTION OF “YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU” DAZZLES!

     Hopefully you can still get a ticket for this utterly charming production that’s directed by Bernie Cardell.

     In 1937 George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s “You Can’t Take It With You” won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. When it was adapted for the screen it won the Academy Award(s) for Best Picture and Best Director. 

Director Bernie Cardell has cast Spotlight favorites: 

Dan Connell (Grandpa Vanderhof), Katie Mangett (Penny Sycamore), Charles Wingerter (Paul Sycamore), Carolyn Lohr (Alice Sycamore), Kelly Alayne Dwyer (Essie Carmichael), Luke Rahmsdorff-Terry (Ed Carmichael), Eddie Schumacher (Mr. DePinna), Brandon Palmer (Tony Kirby), Molly Turner (Mrs. Miriam Kirby), John Green (Mr. Anthony Kirby), Gracen Porreca (Donald), Meg Ralph (Rheba), Mari Geasair (Kolenkhov), Scott Hogg (Wilbur C. Henderson), Jan Cleveland (Grand Duchess Olga Katrina) and Kerry Beebe (Gay Wellington).

     This entire cast is superb to a man/woman. Nevertheless

Special kudos go to Dan O’Connell as Grandpa Vanderhof, Jan Cleveland as the Grand Duchess, Olga Katrina, Mari Geasair as Kohlenkov and Katie Mangett as Penny Sycamore.

     This beloved old war horse is a perennial favorite that’s full of warmth and great good humor. Do yourself a huge favor and get on over to The John Hand Theater on Lowry and see SPOTLIGHT THEATER’S enchanting Grand Finale!  It’s a glorious swan song you will long remember.

Thanks, Spotlight Theater, for all the wonderful memories!!!Marlowe's Musings

Lowry’s Spotlight Theater

"You Can’t Take It With You"

At first the Sycamores seem mad, but if they are mad, the rest of the world is madder.

Sept. 1-29

Fri/Sat & Mon., Sept. 10 & Thurs., Sept. 27 @ 7:30 p.m.; Sundays @2:00 p.m.; Sat, Sept. 29 @2:00 p.m.

Tickets $12 – $25

ThisIsSpotlightTheater.com or call 720-530-4596.
@ The John Hand Theater, 7653 East 1^st Place, Denver, Colorado 80230 

2hr 15 min (1 intermission)