Central City Opera:This weekend only at Trinity United Methodist Church!

 Gian Carlo Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" is the first opera ever to be commissioned specifically for television. It debuted on NBC on Christmas Eve of 1951. 

      This tale of a poor crippled shepherd boy and his mother who are visited by the Magi on their way to Bethlehem, is perhaps Menotti’s most popular work. Nevertheless, it brings up memories of the critically acclaimed production Central City Opera delivered several seasons back of Menotti’s “The Saint of Bleecker Street.”

     Jennifer DeDominici is luminous in the role of Mother. This Diva's singing is powerful and exhilarating! You will remember her from her fiery portrayal of Franca in CCO’s exquisite production of “The Light in the Piazza” this past summer.

     Brian Erickson’s performance as Amahl is enthusiastic and endearing!

     Paul Griggsby’s bass in the role of King Balthazar and Armondo Contreras’ baritone cover for King Melchior are both remarkable. Javier Abreu’s superb tenor as King Kaspar was enhanced by some brilliantly funny acting!

     Under the baton of conductor John Baril, the scrumptious Central City Opera orchestra delivers Gian Carlo Menotti’s gorgeous score with consummate artistry.

     The choral work for the shepherds, elicited by chorus master Steven Aguilo-Arbues, is thrilling!

      Stage Director Iliana Lucero Barron, cast the show impeccably, and paced it to perfection.

     The kings’ eye-popping costumes have been furnished by Malabar Ltd. and Sarasota Opera.

       Architect Robert Roeschlaub, who built the Central City Opera House in 1878, also built the Trinity United Methodist Church in Denver, where "Amahl and the Night Visitors" is being presented.

     Both buildings have magnificent acoustics.

     The fifth oldest opera company in the country, Central City Opera has been in operation since 1932.

     Sunday’s matinee is nearly sold out already. Your best shot now is Saturday evening.

     The Holiday Season will be a lot brighter if you follow the Christmas star to Trinity United Methodist Church for this spectacular evening of opera.

     You owe it to yourself to see … and most of all, hear it!!! Heaven on Earth!

 

 For tickets go online at centralcityopera.org

 

                                                       DOT

VINTAGE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS: Nov 11 – Dec 18

L-R: Latifah Johnson and Tim Inthavong 

                             (Photo credit: RDG Photography)

 

In Colman Domingo’s play, “Dot”, it’s Christmas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and an African American family has come home for the holidays. This year however, besides gathering for celebration, the family is struggling to come to grips with a matriarch’s dementia.

     Dotty is that matriarch. 

     As played by Latifah Johnson, Dotty is by turns, elated, angry, confused, and afraid. Johnson’s performance is nuanced, multi-faceted and as heart-warming as it is heart-breaking. It’s a performance that makes us wish to see this actor again soon upon the Denver stage.

     The layered direction is superb! 

     In real life, people are always talking over each other and interrupting one another in conversation. This is certainly true when we’re arguing!  Some directors prompt their actors to speak their lines in what one might describe as a polite manner, one after the other. Director Mykai Eastman knows that life is “messy,” and delivers his audience overlapping dialogue that is much more ‘natural.’ 

     Director Eastman has also assembled a fine cast!

     Shashauna Staton gives a strong, affectionately drawn portrayal of Dot’s daughter, Shelly. Full of compassion and great good humor, Shelly’s constant dealing with the mental and emotional swings of her mother has left her with raw nerves soothed primarily by early morning drinking.

     Jedonn Bell’s portrayal of Dot’s anxiety-ridden son, Donnie, is white-hot and intentionally over-the-top. His explosive outbursts lead to a meltdown on Christmas Eve.

     Phil Luna has done what a truly great actor does. He has disappeared completely into the role. Having seen Luna in lots of shows over the years, it took this reviewer a couple of scenes to recognize him in the role of Adam, Donnie’s mild-mannered husband. Bravo!

     Kenya Fashaw portrays Dot’s daughter Averie, with true panache! This actor really knows how to make an entrance! Averie, who has had some financial struggles that have led her to return to live in her mother’s basement, is delivered with warmth, wit and great heart.

     Sarah Duttlinger plays Jackie, a friend of the family.

     Tim Inthavong is Fidel, Dot’s caretaker.

     In keeping with the core concept of the play, the self-effacing scenic design is adorned with family photos with blurry faces and a clock without hands.  

     Rick Reid’s Sound design delivers the goods with a brutal accuracy.

     Colman Domingo’s script is compassionate in that it makes us aware of the signs and the symptoms of dementia. One wishes that it would also have given tips regarding the dos and don’ts of interacting with a person suffering from memory loss.

    I hope you can get a ticket. I understand that it’s nearly completely sold out.

 

Vintage Theatre presents 

“DOT”  

A Regional Premiere 

Nov. 11 – Dec. 18 

Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun. at 2:30 p.m.; Mon. Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. 

$20 - $34 

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

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010 

 * Adult situations and explicit language. Recommended for ages 16+. 

Run time is 2 hours 15 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 THE 2022 MARLOWE AWARDS

 

Andy Sievers and the cast of Nice Work if You Can Get it !

Best Touring Company

 My Fair Lady, DCPA BROADWAY

 

Best Production of a Ballet

Romeo and Juliet, Colorado Ballet

 

Best Production of an Opera 

Die Fledermaus, Central City Opera

Brigadoon, Loveland Opera Theatre

 

Best New Play

RICHARD, Buntport Theater

 

Best Production of a Play 

The One Act Play That Goes Wrong, Vintage Theatre Productions

Much Ado About Nothing, Denver Center Theatre Company

 

Best Director of a play  

Steve Wilson, The One Act Play That Goes Wrong, Vintage Theatre Productions

Chris Coleman, Much Ado About Nothing, Denver Center Theatre Company

 

Best Actor in a Play 

Geoffrey Kent, Much Ado About Nothing, Denver Center Theatre Company

Cajardo Lyndsay, Fireflies, Curious Theatre Company

 

Best Actress in a Play

Dana Green, Much Ado About Nothing, Denver Center Theatre Company

Jada Suzanne-Dixon, Fireflies, Curious Theatre Company

Best Supporting Actor in a Play  

Rick Long, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Vintage Theatre Productions

Rob Nagle, Much Ado About Nothing, Denver Center Theatre Company

 

Best Supporting Actress in a Play

Kelly Uhlenhopp, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Vintage Theatre Productions

Leslie O’Carroll, The One Act Play That Goes Wrong, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Director of a Musical

Kelly Van Oosbree, 1776, Performance Now Theatre Company

 Bernie Cardell, Nice Work if You Can Get It

Performance Now Theatre Company

Best Production of a Musical

1776, Performance Now Theatre Company

Nice Work if You Can Get It, Performance Now Theatre Company

 

Best Actor in a Musical, 

Andy Sievers, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Performance Now Theatre Company

Brett Ambler, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, BDT Stage

 

Best Actress in a Musical  

Mary Louise Lee, Gypsy, Vintage Theatre Productions

Dallas Slankard, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Performance Now Theatre Company

 

Best Supporting Actor Musical

Cordell Cole, Into the Woods, Arvada Center

Matt LaFontaine,  Spamalot, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical

Annie Dwyer, Xanadu, Town Hall Arts Center 

Anna Maria High, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, BDT Stage

 

Best Costume Design

Kevin Copenhaver, Much Ado About Nothing, Denver Center Theatre Company

Cheryl Faulkner, Spamalot, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Lighting Design,

Brett Maughan, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, BDT Stage

 Shannon McKinney, Fireflies, Curious Theatre Company

Best Choreography, 

Christopher Page-Sanders, Nice Work if You Can Get it, Performance Now Theatre Company

Alissa Spooner, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, BDT Stage

 

Best Ensemble 

HAIR, Miners Alley Playhouse

Peter and the Star Catcher, Cherry Creek Theatre

 

Best Music Direction

Neal Dunfee, Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story, BDT Stage

Tanner Kelly, Mamma Mia, Stage Door Theatre

 

Best Scenic Design

M. Curtis Grittner, The SpongeBob Musical, BDT Stage

Justin Johnson, Mamma Mia, Stage Door Theatre

 

Best Audio Design

Kurt Behm, Once on This Island, Town Hall Arts Center

Wayne Kennedy, Buddy:The Buddy Holly Story, BDT Stage

 

Best Props Design

Becky Toma, Xanadu, Town Hall Arts Center