The Oldest Boy

Vintage Theatre and Theatre Esprit Asia : 9/16 – 10/23

L-R: Peter Trinh, Robert Payo and Candace Joice

Vintage Theatre and Theatre Esprit Asia’s collaboration on “The Oldest Boy” is yet another example of Craig Bond’s championing of diversity in Denver Theatre.

    Sarah Ruhl’s play invites us as audience to take a mystical journey with an American mother and her three-year-old son.

     When a Buddhist monk and his companion knock on the Mother’s door how is she to know that their arrival will send life-changing ripples through her family’s life?

    In her Vintage Theatre debut Candace Joice is radiant as Mother. Her performance of this journey is heart-opening!

     As Lama and Monk, Robert Payo and Peter Trinh are a heart-tickling duo of infectious joy and knowledge!

     Charlee Chiv brings such warmth and life to the underwritten character of the Father that one wishes to see him again very soon upon the Denver stage.

     The Oldest Boy is a puppet created by Sushma.

     This artist’s work is so amazing you will swear that the puppet changes expressions at key moments.

     Kenneth Berba, Sushma and Deepali Lindblom perform the puppetry with dream-like precision.

     Douglas Clark’s set design with its exquisite back drop of delicately torn and rewoven paper reflects the transitory nature of life.

     Craig Bond has directed Ruhl’s play with the eye of a poet. His vision is reverential, gentle and hopeful.Marlowe's Musings

Vintage Theatre presents

"The Oldest Boy"

Sept 16 - Oct 23

An American child is identified by monks as the reincarnation of a revered Buddhist teacher.

Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, October, 1 at 2:30 p.m.

$15 - $30

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

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010

PERFORMANCE NOW THEATRE COMPANY: 9/9 – 9/25

It’s always a treat to see the classics of the American Musical Theatre revived and onstage again. The most recent example of this is the Performance Now Theatre production of the musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.”

     This musical presents us with the story of Conrad Birdie, a rock and roll singer and matinee idol who’s been drafted into the army. More than that, it’s about the hysteria of the thousands of loyal members in the Conrad Birdie Fan Club when they hear the tragic news.

     Those of us old enough to know the show from its beginning realize that the rock star in question was modeled upon the King of them all, Elvis (the Pelvis) Presley. Beyond that the show is a satire on the United States of America in 1958.

     “Bye Bye Birdie” has music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Lee Adams and a book by Mike Stewart.

     “Birdie” garnered four Tonys at the 1961 Awards Presentation. Besides getting the Tony Award for Best Musical, Gower Champion received two: Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography. Dick Van Dyke got Best Actor in a Musical.

Some of the great old tunes you may recall are: “Put on a Happy Face,” “Kids”-(“I don’t know what’s wrong with these kids today!”) and “Hymn for a Sunday Evening” when the family waxes rhapsodic about getting to be on The Ed Sullivan Show.

     This enthusiastic and youthful production features Denver favorite, Carla  Kaiser Kotrc in the hilarious role of Mae Peterson, Alanna Vaughn as sexy Rose Alvarez, Katherine Jackson as Kim Macafee and Kalond Irlanda (last seen as Jack in Candlelight Dinner Playhouse’s “Into the Woods”) as Hugo Peabody.Marlowe's Musings

Performances are held at The Lakewood Cultural Center,470 S. Alison Parkway in Lakewood, CO, 80226.

 performancenow.org or 303-987-7845

For ti

SISTER ACT

THE ARVADA CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES: 9/9 - 10/2

 

L-R: Megan Van De Hey and Brit West (Photo credit: P Switzer Photography)

 Arvada Center’s production of “Sister Act” is the most entertaining evening of theatre onstage this Fall.

Thanks to Rod A. Lansberry’s expertise in directing the American musical comedy the Denver audience can once again experience top drawer Broadway Quality theatre at Arvada Center.

Based upon the 1992 Touchstone movie, this show has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glen Slater and book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner.

It’s the 1970s in Philadelphia and nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder committed by her boss. While the police are tracking him down, she hides out in a convent. While there, Deloris transforms the abysmal choir into one of rock star quality.

     Brit West does an exceptional job portraying Deloris Van Cartier, the character portrayed by Whoopee Goldberg in the movie.

     Megan Van De Hey is luminous as Mother Superior. This artist sings so heavenly you’ll be transported back to the celestial memory of her Henry Award performance as Mother in “Ragtime.” And for those few who were unable to get a ticket for Arvada Center’s “Ragtime,” her singing of "Here Within These Walls” and “I Haven’t Got a Prayer” will be the new standard for such auditory pleasure.

       In supporting roles you can thank the Lord for Emma Martin(Sister Mary Robert), Stephen Day(Monsignor O’Hara), Sharon Kay White(Sister Mary Patrick), Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck(Sister Mary Lazarus) and Keith L. Hatten (Curtis Jackson). New to this reviewer were the show-stopping talents of David Kaverman (Sweaty Eddie) and a trio of hilarious gangstas played by Napoleon M. Douglas, Anthony Alfaro and Aaron Fried.

      I kid you not when I say that even the ensemble runneth over with superb local talent: Piper Lindsay Arpan, Rob Costigan, Reace Daniel, Maggie Davenport, Brian Jackson, Heather Lacy, Norrell Moore, Sarah Rex, Mark Rubald, Maggie Tisdale and Krisangela Washington.

       Miraculous is the word to describe the Music Direction(David Nehls), Lighting Design(Shannon McKinney) and Costume Design(Brianna Diaz) of this show.

     The real star of this show however, is choreographer Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck! This artist’s choreography is exhilarating, breathtaking and often hilarious! Her work as choreographer enhances this production so much that it’s impossible to look away.  

Marlowe's Musings

Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities • 6901 Wadsworth Blvd • Arvada, Colorado 80003-9985

Main Stage Theatre

September 9 – October 2, 2016

Previews: September 6 – 8 @ 7:30 p.m.

Performances: Tues – Sat @ 7:30 p.m., Wed @ 1:00 p.m., Sat – Sun @ 2:00 p.m.

Ticket Pricing:

Previews $36

Performance run starting at $53

For tickets call 720-898-7200 or go online at arvadacenter.org

Murder Ballad

THE EDGE THEATRE: 8/26 – 9/25

L-R: Kent Randell, Shannan Steele, Robert Michael Sanders and Mary McGroary 

 Naturally we expect a show to have an edge at The Edge Theatre, and we get it with this musical, "Murder Ballad." In this case it’s less like the sharpness of a razor’s edge than the blunt crack of a baseball bat.

     The music direction by Jason Tyler Vaughn is stunning.

      The sound design by Tom Quinn and Kenny Storms supports the vocals beautifully.

      The lighting by Kevin Taylor enhances the story’s moods.

     Director Rick Yaconis has assembled a very fine cast: Shannan Steele, Kent Randell, Robert Michael Sanders and Mary McGroary.

      The insidiously cynical presence of Mary McGroary in the role of Narrator is the very essence of desperation and deceit.

      Shannan Steele, Kent Randell and Robert Michael Sanders ‘flesh out’ the love triangle that fuels this steamy musical thriller.
   With book and lyrics by Julia Jordan and music by Juliana Nash,"Murder Ballad" is inventive, unusual and lends itself perfectly to the intimacy of the Edge Theatre.

     Marlowe's Musings

The Edge Theater presents

"Murder Ballad" 

A steamy and fun musical thriller with a razor's edge.

Aug. 26 - Sept. 25

Fri./Sat. @ 8 p.m.; Sun. @ 6 p.m.; Industry Night, Mon., Sept. 12 @ 8 p.m.;

Sat. Sept. 24 is a special 11:45 p.m. cabaret performance (no 8pm performance)

Tickets: $32 - $40

90 minutes - no intermission.

303-232-0363 or online at www.theedgetheater.com.

The Edge Theatre, 1560 Teller Street, Suite 200, Lakewood CO 80214. Free Parking.