MORNING AFTER GRACE

MINERS ALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

January 24 - March 2

 L-R: Kevin Hart, Tammy Meneghini and Dwayne Carrington (photo credit:McLeod 9 Creative)

Morning After Grace by Carey Crim is a little gem of a play now on view at the Miners Alley Performing Arts Center. (If you haven’t experienced a play at this venue, you need to. Lisa DeCaro and Len Matheo have co-created a magnificent new facility.) 

 

     In this play, a one-night stand following a random meeting at a funeral provides the set-up. 

     Shortly after meeting Abigail (Tammy Meneghini) and Angus (Kevin Hart), we as audience learn that the deceased was Angus’s wife. Grief is compounded by guilt when it is made evident that their marriage was unraveling, and his late wife was having an ongoing affair. 

     Abigail’s gift is of the therapeutic variety, and she sets about attempting to begin the healing process. 

       Ollie, a longtime friend and neighbor of Angus, played brilliantly by Dwayne Carrington, provides warmth and laughter in his portrayal of a man who, late in life, has still not come to terms with his being gay. Struggling with his inability to tell his father, Ollie provides another opportunity for Abigail to extend a helping hand. 

      This play is a tragicomedy of the reality therapy variety, and it merits your attendance!!! We all must deal with grief and anxiety in our lives, and this play delves into the subject with compassion and clarity. 

     Director Abby Apple Boes paces the play in such a way as to keep us as audience engaged throughout. The director’s casting is impeccable. 

           Kevin Hart has been a Colorado favorite for many years. His performance in Christopher Durang’s “The Actor’s Nightmare” still resonates. His Willy Loman in The Edge Theater’s “Death of a Salesman,” was outstanding.

     Ms. Menighini’s portrayal of the adult Scout in Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s indelible production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” was luminous indeed. 

     Mr. Carrington has delivered numerous indelible performances in everything from Vintage Theatre’s “The Scottsboro Boys” to “Ain’t Misbehavin.” You really must go and see the magic that these three actors deliver as an ensemble.

     Jonathan Scott McKean has created a very well-executed set for the show. The lighting by Vance McKenzie is especially well done. 

     Having swept the Marlowe Awards with their astonishingly well produced stage version of Stephen King’s “Misery” last season, it’s no surprise that Miners Alley Performing Arts Center’s “Morning After Grace” is so poignant.

     I hope you get a chance to see this heart-tugging play!

 

For tickets call 303-935-3044 or go online at minersalley.com

 

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                     SISTERS OF SWING

                         VINTAGE THEATRE: JAN. 10 - 19

            (In Partnership with Ovation West Theatre Company)

             &  CENTER STAGE, EVERGREEN: JAN 24 - FEB 2

A THOROUGHLY ENTERTAINING EVENING OF OLD STANDARDS DONE WITH CLASS! 

Written by Beth Gilleland and Bob Beverage, this production of "Sisters of Swing, the Story of The Andrews Sisters" is an ear-pleasing jukebox musical that delivers the music that turned Maxene, LaVerne, and Patty Andrews into one of the best-selling female vocal groups ever! The musical arrangements by Raymond Berg are outstanding!

     This is the group that sold over 90 million records and gave us more Top Ten hits than Elvis or the Beatles! Besides the upbeat tunes and rhythms, this intimate musical gives us the poignant story behind their songs, letting us as audience in on their triumphs and  disappointments.

     The 1930s and 40s witnessed the heyday of the Big Band Swing era in America, and "The Andrews Sisters," was one of its most beloved signature vocal groups. Such songs as "Ac-Cen-Tchu-Ate the Positive" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" were just two of the big hits that made this trio harmonize their way into the hearts of America. 

      This production traces these women's trajectory from their humble roots to their success by way of entertaining troops during World War II, to the reasons they eventually split up. Directed and choreographed by Stephanie Faatz Murry, the show stars the harmonizing talents of Sam Barrasso as Patty, Bethany Luhrs as Maxene and Tracy Denver as LaVerne. All three women are talented vocalists. Sam Barrasso was last seen at Vintage Theatre in her superb performance as Fraulein Kost in "Cabaret." Ms. Barrasso, who leads the trio, can really belt! Ms. Luhrs was last seen at the Vintage in her stellar performance as Harriet in "Emma." Tracy Denver portrayed  Denise in "Banned the Musical," which went on to play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  Zach Stailey and Drake Susuras provide the male element in the show. Both men get to shine in "Six Jerks in a Jeep." Mr. Stailey is hilarious in his take on "All I Want For Christmas." Mr. Susuras is very funny in an audience interaction surprise. No spoilers here! Heather Iris Holt's music direction is superb. Colin Roybal's minimalist scenic design allows the actors to really pop!

The show sold out every seat this weekend at Vintage, with one weekend remaining. And if you're unable to make it then, the show will be presented at Center Stage in Evergreen from January 24 to February 2.

For tickets call the boxoffice at 303-856-7830 or go online at vintagetheatre.org

 THE MARLOWE AWARDS FOR 2024

 

Best Production of a Play, Misery, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center.

 

Best Actor in a Musical, Lars Preece, Fun Home, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Actress in a Musical, Mary Louise Lee, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center 

 

Best Actor in a Play, Andrew Uhlenhopp, Red, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Actress in a Play, Emma Messenger, Misery, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center

 

Best Actress in a one-person play, Deborah Persoff, Eleanor, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Supporting Actress in a Play, Clara Papula, The Glass Menagerie, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Supporting Actor in a Play, Cameron Davis, The Glass Menagerie, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Sound Design, John Hauser, Misery, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center

 

Best Lighting Design, Vance McKenzie, Misery, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center

 

Best Scenic Design, Don Fuller, The Glass Menagerie, Vintage Theatre Productions.

 

Best Ensemble, Musical, Nunsense, Veritas Productions and Parker Arts

 

Best Choreography, Christopher Page-Sanders, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, Lexi Lubotsky, Urinetown, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Mathenee Treco, Once Upon a Mattress, Arvada Center

 

Best Director of a Play, Warren Sherrill, Misery, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center

 

Best Director of a Musical, Christopher Page-Sanders, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Music Director, Trent Hines, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Music Tracks for a musical, Donna Debreceni, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center

 

Best Production of a Musical, Raisin, Town Hall Arts Center 

 

Best New Play, 125 Nos, Buntport Theater

 

Best Costume Design, Cole Emarine, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Vintage Theatre Productions

 

Best Production of an Opera, Street Scene, Central City Opera

 

Best Choral director, Michael Poll           Pirates of Penzance, Central City Opera

 

Best Conductor of an Opera, Brandon Eldredge, Pirates of Penzance, Central City Opera 

 

Best Female Opera Singer, Christie Conover, Street Scene, Central City Opera

 

Best Male Opera Singer, Grant Youngblood, La Fanciulla Del West, Central City Opera