BETRAYAL

VINTAGE THEATRE: 1/11 – 2/17

    L-R: Kelly Uhlenhopp and David L. Wygant

BETRAYAL is a fascinating look at romantic relationhips through the lens of playwright, Harold Pinter. The play begins as Emma’s marriage to Robert ends, spinning backwards in time to the moment when her love relationship with their friend, Jerry, began.
     Kelly Uhlenhopp, who dazzled Denver audiences in Vintage Theatre’s A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY and BOSTON MARRIAGE, delivers a luminous and nuanced portrayal as Emma.

     Perry Lewis (THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, IT’S ONLY A PLAY and A TIME TO KILL) turns in a superb performance in the role of Emma’s husband, Robert. 

     New to this reviewer, David Wygant is a credible Jerry.

     Director Craig Bond elicits performances from  his actors in such a way as to honor playwright Harold Pinter’s use of pauses, reticence and understatement to convey a character’s thought process, which is many times only hinted at, or altogether unspoken.

     Julie Lemieux, whose eye-pleasing set design suggests numerous locales, uses every inch of the intimate playing space.

     Emily Maddox’s lighting design shifts the moods superbly.

     Rachel Herring’s costumes for Ms. Uhlenhopp dazzle.Marlowe's Musings

Vintage Theatre presents

“Betrayal” 

A sharp look into the nature of romantic relationships.

Jan. 11 – Feb. 17

Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

$16 - $32 

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

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010.

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

CHERRY CREEK THEATRE COMPANY: 1/24 – 2/17

(In the Mizel Arts and Culture Center’s PLUSS THEATRE)

L-R: Megan Van De Hey and Rachel Turner

With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Hugh Wheeler, this Tony Award winner for Best Musical – it won seven! - is based upon Ingmar Bergman’s 1955 film, “Smiles of a Summer’s Night.”

     Directed by Kelly Van Oosbree, and with music direction by Traci Kern, this production is a complete delight.  

     Ms. Van Oosbree has cast the show impeccably and paced it at the lovely waltz tempo intended by Mr. Sondheim.

     Director Von Oosbree has brought in Tina Anderson for the ingenious scenic design, Kelly Gregson for the eye-popping costumes and Karalyn Star Pytel for the lighting design.

      Ms. Kern has guided the actors’ glorious voices into a trance-inducing perfection all throughout Sondheim’s daunting score. 

     Susie Roelofsz acts and sings the role of Desiree Armfeldt, the role played by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1977 film, with true luminosity. Her singing of “SEND IN THE CLOWNS” is heart-opening.

     Brian Merz-Hutchinson is in very fine voice as Desiree’s old flame, Fredrik Egerman.

     Rachel Turner gives an endearing portrayal of Ann Egerman, Fredrik’s giggly, naïve young wife.

     Susan Long is magnificent as Mme. Armfeldt. This actor's singing of “LIAISONS,” a recollection of elegant romance in bygone times, is sublime.

     Jeremy Rill’s stentorian singing in the role of Desiree’s paramour, Count Carl Magnus, is breathtaking. Rill’s singing of “IN PRAISE OF WOMEN” as well as “IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL,” the  duet with Mr. Hutchinson, are smashing.

     Megan Van de Hey’s nuanced portrayal of Carl Magnus’ wife, Countess Charlotte Malcolm, is outrageously well acted and sung. Her duet with Ms. Turner, “EVERY DAY A LITTLE DEATH,” stuns!

     Sophia Dotson is enchanting as Fredrika.

    My one criticism of the show is that there are too few seats in the theatre for everyone in Denver to see it. And they should!

For tickets go online at Cherrycreektheatre.org  or 

Call  303-800-6578Marlowe's Musings

THE PINTER PLAYS

(EARLY CLASSIC ONE-ACTS BY NOBEL LAUREATE HAROLD PINTER)

GERMINAL STAGE DENVER: at The John Hand Theatre: 1/4 - 2/2

Marc K. Moran in THE ROOM

     Ed Baierlein’s and Sallie Diamond’s Germinal Stage Denver is a national treasure. This reviewer has had the pleasure of following them through numerous venues since the late seventies. 

      I’m thrilled to report that finally, after several temporary locations, Germinal has found a great new home on Lowry in the John Hand Theatre.

      These artists carved out a niche that is unique. They’ve created a home for the great playwrights from Ibsen to Pinter, Chekhov to Albee, and from Tennessee Williams to Arthur Miller. Their productions reflect the artistic sensibilities of those playwrights as well as any company, and better than most.

      In this production of THE PINTER PLAYS we get a taste of two of Pinter’s early works: THE COLLECTION and THE ROOM.

    In the former, a wife tells her husband of her infidelity on a business trip. You get to decide if she’s telling the truth.

      In the latter, a domestic situation becomes disturbing as two contrasting characters struggle to communicate.  It’s all there in the subtext, between the lines, in the unspoken moments and in the pauses.  Everything remains in question until a mysterious guest arrives.

     Marc Moran, Michelle Moore, Clint Heyn and Stephen R. Kramer deliver superb portrayals. Mr. Moran is at the top of his game here! 

     Mr. Kramer’s direction shines in THE ROOM as does Ed Baierlein’s in THE COLLECTION.

     Go see what Pinter’s early plays are like.

     You’ll be glad you did.

Germinal Stage

Harold Pinter’s “The Collection” and “The Room” 

Classic one-acts by the Nobel Laureate!

Jan.  4 – Feb. 2

Fri./Sat. at 7:30 p.m. ; Sun. at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets $17 - $25

303-455-7108 or email germinalstage@gmail.com

@ John Hand Theater is located at 7653 East 1st Place, Denver, Colorado 80230

www.germinalstage.com

THE MARLOWE AWARDS for 2018

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF OUR GOOD FRIEND, ROSS HALEY, THE CREATOR OF BOULDER'S DINNER THEATRE (NOW BDT STAGE) RIP DEAR FRIEND

BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE, BACKSTAGE THEATRE

DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER COMPANY

DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

BEST ACTRESS

DEBORAH PERSOFF, THE AUDIENCE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

PATTY YACONIS, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER

CANDACE JOICE, DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

MAGGY STACEY, WHAT YOU WILL, BENCHMARK THEATRE

BEST ACTOR

KEVIN HART, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER

CHRIS KENDALL, DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

MARK RUBALD, SLEUTH, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

SAM GILSTRAP, THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

MARK PERGOLA, LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

ANTONIO AMADEO, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER

DAN CONNELL, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, SPOTLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY

CRIS DAVENPORT, DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

SUZANNA WELLENS, THE AUDIENCE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

LUANN BUCKSTEIN, LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

KATIE MANGETT, RUMORS, SPOTLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY

KRISTINA FOUNTAINE, DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

BEST NEW PLAY

WHAT YOU WILL, JEFFREY NEUMAN, BENCHMARK THEATRE

BEST ENSEMBLE

THE SUNSHINE BOYS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

BEST ACTRESS IN A SOLO ROLE

MISSY MOORE, THE PINK UNICORN, AND TOTO TOO PRODUCTIONS

BEST ACTOR IN A SOLO ROLE

LEROY LEONARD, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE RADIO SHOW, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

BEST DIRECTOR PLAY

CRAIG A BOND, THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

PAMELA CLIFTON, LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

WARREN SHERRILL, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATRE COMPANY

BERNIE CARDELL, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, SPOTLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY

BEST SOUND DESIGN

JASON DUCAT, THE HUMANS, CURIOUS THEATRE COMPANY

JOHN HAUSER, UNCANNY VALLEY, BENCHMARK THEATRE

CARLOS FLORES, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER COMPANY

 LUKE RAHMSDORFF-TERRY, THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS                                

BEST SCENIC DESIGN

BRANDON CASE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER COMPANY

AMY CAMPION, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

RYAN WALKOVIAK, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

M. CURTIS GRITTNER, MY NAME IS ASHER LEV, CHERRY CREEK THEATRE COMPANY

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN

CHARLES DEAN PACKARD, THE HUMANS, CURIOUS THEATRE COMPANY

KEVIN TAYLOR, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE EDGE THEATER COMPANY

VANCE MCKENZIE, DISTRICT MERCHANTS, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

NATHANIEL QUINN, LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

LINDA MORKEN, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

CHERYL FAULKNER, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

JEFF CONE, OKLAHOMA, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

 JULIE LEBLANC, LEND ME A TENOR, BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

BEST PUPPET DESIGN

KARL HERMANSON, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR

MITCH SAMU, FUN HOME, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

NEAL DUNFEE, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

DARIUS FROWNER, OKLAHOMA, THE DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

DAVID NEHLS, XANADU, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BEST ACTRESS MUSICAL

CAROLYN LOHR, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

LAUREN SHEALY, XANADU, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

LILLIANN BUONOCORE, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

SUSANNAH MCLEOD, FUN HOME, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

BEST ACTOR MUSICAL

ANTOINE L. SMITH, OKLAHOMA, THE DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

DAMON GUERRASIO, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

COLE LAFONTE, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

 MICHAEL O’SHEA, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

  

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR MUSICAL 

KALOND IRLANDA, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTION

AARON VEGA, XANADU, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BOB HOPPE, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

CHAS LEDERER, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS MUSICAL

ALICIA KING MEYERS, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

KERRI EMSWILLER, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE 

PRODUCTIONS

SHERYL MCCALLUM, OKLAHOMA, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

SARAH REX, XANADU, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BEST DIRECTOR MUSICAL

MATTHEW PETERS, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

CLAY WHITE, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS , VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

LEN MATHEO, FUN HOME, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

JOEL FERRELL, XANADU DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BEST MUSICAL

DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE 

DISNEY;S MARY POPPINS, THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

FUN HOME, MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

OKLAHOMA, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

ADRIANNE HAMPTON, DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

MATTHEW PETERS, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BDT STAGE

JOEL FERRELL, XANADU, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

DOMINIQUE KELLEY, OKLAHOMA, DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

BEST TOURING COMPANY

HAMILTON, DCPA BROADWAY

BEST PRODUCTION OF AN OPERA

IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST OPERA SINGER FEMALE

ALEXANDRA LOUTSION, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST SUPPORTING OPERA SINGER FEMALE

LYNDSAY AMMAN, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST OPERA SINGER MALE

JONATHAN BURTON, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST SUPPORTING OPERA SINGER MALE

MICHAEL MAYES, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST DIRECTION OPERA

JOACHIM SCHAMBERGER, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OPERA

DAVID MARTIN JACQUES, IL TROVATORE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OPERA

MADELEINE BOYD, DIE ZAUBERFLOTE, CENTRAL CITY OPERA

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OPERA

DANA TZVETKOVA,  DIE ZAUBERFLOTE,CENTRAL CITY OPERA