THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

BDT STAGE: MAY 27 – SEPTEMBER 3

 

                 L-R: Riley Fisher,Abigail Kochevar and Patric Case

BDT STAGE’S production of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL IS THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN this summer as far as family entertainment goes. 

 

Riley Fisher is OUTSTANDING in the role of SpongeBob. The short, muscular actor has the good looks and voice that make him the perfect casting choice! Fisher’s athletic performance even includes walking on his hands at one point. His renditions of “Bikini Bottom Day” and “Best Day Ever!” are just two of Fisher’s amazing vocals.

     Patric Case portrays SpongeBob’s best friend, Patrick Star, with an endearing performance, and a voice that can really wail! His Gospel-flavored “Super Sea Star Savior” rocks!!! “BFF,” his duet with SpongeBob, is hilarious.

     The lovely Abigail Kochevar portrays SpongeBob’s underwater squirrelfriend…er girlfriend, who gets to unleash her awesome voice in the Flaming Lips song, “Tomorrow is.”

     Bob Hoppe gets the plum role of Squidward Q Tentacles. This actor’s exhilarating performance of the glitzy “I’m Not a Loser,” by They Might Be Giants, is one of the truly memorable numbers in the show.

     Brian Murray is a sensational Eugene Krabs!

     Scott Severtson is hilariously bombastic in the role of Patchy, the Pirate. His singing of “Poor Pirates” is the very fun number that leads us out of Intermission and into Act Two.

     When Chas Lederer had to miss opening night due to illness, Matthew Peters stepped in with only 36 hours notice.  This actor gave a terrific performance in the role of Sheldon J. Plankton, the villainous and naughtical (sorry!) organism you love to hate. Together with the beautiful Ray Leigh Case as Karen, his computerized accomplice, they try to assure us that Bikini Bottom will indeed be destroyed!!!

     Based upon Steven Hillenberg’s beloved Nickelodeon cartoon series, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL will enthrall children and parents alike this summer at BDT STAGE. 

      When on Broadway this show tied with MEAN GIRLS for the most (12) nominations at the 2019 Tony Awards ceremony. Having become such a national pop culture hit, many artists were thrilled to write music for the show. Panic at the Disco, The Flaming Lips, John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, They Might Be Giants and more, created songs for this show that really Rock! The production also secured the rights to use “No Control,” a David Bowie/Brian Eno number.

     The story involves the ever-optimistic SpongeBob and his quirky band of friends in the undersea world of Bikini Bottom.  As our story begins, the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom discover that Mount Humungous, a nearby volcano, is going to erupt and wipe out their world within 48 hours. Our hero decides that he must mobilize his friends and neighbors to prevent this disaster from occurring.

      Boulder/Denver favorite Alicia K. Meyers, who directs the show also plays the local news reporter, Perch Perkins. Director Meyers has cast the show with true expertise, as well as bringing in the usual excellent techies at BDT STAGE. 

     Wayne Kennedy’s expertise with Sound Design even extends into a just off stage foley artist gig, which enhances the show with numerous sound effects. Kennedy also narrates the proceedings.

     Upon entering the dining area theatregoers are regaled with an enormous goldfish bowl – one of several wondrous projections by Tom Quinn. Flanking the bowl there are numerous nautical tools. Wooden posts and rope figure prominently in M. Curtis Gritner’s scenic design, indicating that we, as audience are just inside the pier that overlooks Bikini Bottom.   

    Linda Morken’s ingeniously mismatched and super-colorful costume design is delightful.

     Brett Maughan’s lighting design is his usual professional work.

     Music Director Neal Dunfee conducts the world class BDT orchestra magnificently. Mary Dailey contributes her excellent skills as Vocal Director.

     

The menu is as great as ever!!! Try the delicious Tuna Poke as hors d’oevre! It’s yellow fin ahi tuna dressed in sesame, tamari, green onion and cucumber, served with rice puff chips. Deelish.

     My guest for the evening enjoyed the Chicken Cordon Bleu and yours truly sampled the Chef’s Special. On this evening it was Osso Bucco! Absolutely Divine!!!

     And don’t forget the award-winning key lime pie for dessert!

 

Get over to BDT STAGE and experience this entertaining evening of musical theatre. You’ll be glad you did!!!

 

 

For tickets call the Box Office at 303-449-6000 or go online at bdtstage.com

 BLACKADEMICS

VINTAGE THEATRE: MAY 20 – JUNE 19

L-R: Chelsea Frye,Stephanie Saltis and Tobi Johnson-Compton (Photo credit: RDG Photography)

 BLACKADEMICS is a brilliant example of edgy absurdist comedy dealing with white supremacy and layered with dark satire. 

     At the start of Idris Goodwin’s play two female African American educators arrive at a special restaurant at which they have reserved a table. Their dinner is to be a celebratory one, and the two women are famished. Once they’ve both arrived there seems to be no way out. 

     Ann appears first. The usual restaurant furnishings being absent, she takes out her phone and begins checking her mail.  Shortly thereafter, Georgia, the white waitress, arrives, introducing herself, and taking Ann’s phone. Georgia assures her that it will be returned after the meal.

     Not long after the waitress disappears, Rachelle arrives.  Both Ann and Rachelle greet each other and then begin to wonder why the restaurant has no furnishings. There is a lot of banter between the two guests regarding their experiences in the world of academia, which is punctuated periodically by the arrival and disappearance of the smarmy, waiter.

      When the waiter brings in a table and/or chair, the two women compete for a chance to sit down.

       What started as a cozy meeting, becomes a raucous battle of wits, punctuated intermittently by the unsettling arrival and disappearance of the waiter.

        What started as a seemingly pleasant evening dissolves into one of “endurance cuisine.” 

       One hesitates to say more about the action, so as not to give too many spoilers.

       Let me just say that Mr. Goodwin’s play may cause the theatregoer to reflect on Sartre’s NO EXIT, where Hell is other people, and Bunuel’s award-winning screenplay for THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE, where it’s nearly impossible to have dinner. 

      Tobi Johnson-Compton is an affecting, slightly stuffy Ann.  Chelsea Frye is delightfully exuberant as Rachelle, the woman from Omaha. Stephanie Saltis is just right as the insufferably arrogant and annoying waiter.

      One hopes to see all three of these women onstage again soon.

     Phil Cope’s scenic design, which transcends minimalist, is superb.

     Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry’s costume design is her usual professional work.

 

     Director Betty Hart is at the top of her game here. Hart’s ability to get this cast to unveil so many levels of Mr. Goodwin’s rich, disturbing text, is remarkable. Her directorial concept may well be:

Racism has consequences.

 

May 20 – June 19

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

$20-$34
303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.org

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 8001

1 hour - no intermission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 FIREFLIES

CURIOUS THEATRE: 4/28 – 5/28

 

L-R: Jada Suzanne Dixon and Cajardo Lindsey

     Heartbreaking, sobering and deeply saddening, Curious Theatre’s excellent production of Donja R. Love’s play, “FIREFLIES,” is an elegy.

     Ostensibly dealing with a black couple’s coming to grips with a church bombing in the Jim Crow South during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, it mirrors much of the racism that we see on the evening news almost nightly.

       Charles Grace is a Baptist preacher, whose wife Olivia, not only writes the scripts for his fiery sermons, but also directs his delivery.

     This couple is currently in the devastating emotional grip of a recent church bombing in which four little black girls died. As horrible as this is, it is only one among many recent experiences of the like, including burning crosses, shootings, and other examples of racial hatred.

     Cajardo Lindsey is one of Denver’s premier actors, and his performance as the Reverend Charles Grace ranks with his best! One moment in which his raucous laughter descends into tears is unforgettable.

      Jada Suzanne Dixon stuns as Charles’ wife, Olivia!  This artist’s ability to address the psychological impact of racism, while addressing the issues of women’s rights in the context of the couple’s personal life, astounds.

     Shannon McKinney’s Lighting Design not only illuminates Regina Garcia’s realistic scenic design, but also shifts the mood with her usual expertise. 

     Costume Designer Madison Booth has created eye-pleasing costumes which often contrast brightly with the play’s various moods.

     The sound design credit is shared by CeCe Smith and Brian Freeland, who also did the projections.

      Director Steven Sapp’s light touch allows the play to unfold organically without ever becoming heavy-handed. 

     Few stood at final curtain for this excellent production, not because the show was not worthy of a standing ovation, but because the audience was still reeling from the heavy material and its ramifications, which even now continue in our world.

      This production comes highly recommended for those loving serious drama. 

 

For tickets call the Box office at 303-623-0524 or go online at boxoffice@curioustheatre.org

 THE ONE ACT PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

VINTAGE THEATRE: April 15 to May 22

THE CAST IN THE WINDOW   Photo Credit: MATTHEW GALE PHOTOGRAPHY

When you go to see "The One Act Play That Goes Wrong" - AND YOU MUST!!! – your funny bone will experience MFS - Multiple Fracture Syndrome!!!

   The insanity of the last several years will roll off of you like water off of a duck’s butt!!!

     Director Steve Wilson is a genius! Seldom has this critic laughed so hard for so long at so many gags, ploys and pratfalls!

     You will be gasping for air thanks to Director Wilson’s assemblage of this cast of clowns, as well as his choice of techies for the show.

     The brilliantly ordered chaos that surrounds Charles Haversham’s demise is without equal in the annals of Denver theatre. Never has a murder been so hideously hilarious. 

     Andrew Bates’ scenic design is a character all unto itself, allowing for myriad disasters of the spectacularly theatrical variety.

     Desperately seeking to put on this play, Denver favorite, Andrew Uhlenhopp(Chris/Inspector Carter) presents the funniest curtain speech in recorded history.

    Leslie O’Carroll is at the top of her game – and that is Way High Up, indeed! - as a hysterically inept stage manager. 

     Rachel Graham (Sandra/Florence) is as deliriously funny as she is deliciously sexy. 

     And that goes for Johanna Jaquith (Denise/Miss Polly) as well. It’s a treat to have Ms. Jaquith back on the boards again. One hopes to see her gracing the stage again soon.     

     Luke Terry (Robert/Thomas) has never been more on point as a comic!! 

     Brandon Billings plays Trevor, the cool ‘tech guy’ who just happens to be an adoring fan of the Violent Femmes. 

 Evan Marquez(Max/Cecil) and  Scotty Shaffer(Jonathan/Charles) were also superb. 

     In a nutshell, the whole cast will have you laughing like hyenas.

     And when you’re picking yourself up after rolling in the aisles, one can’t forget to appreciate the geniuses in the sound(Rick Reid) and light booth(Kevin Taylor). Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry’s costumes are knock-outs!

 

I would say again that the show is deliriously funny but that is to understate the obvious.

 

I have said WAY too much already. Just run to get tickets and ENJOY THE HECK OUT OF THIS PLAY!!!

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

Town Hall Arts Center: April 8 – May 8

 

                                                  Camryn Nailah

Run to get tickets for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND!!!

     Director Betty Hart and her outstanding cast will transport you to the august realm of Musical Theatre Heaven.

     With book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and music by Stephen Flaherty, “Once on This Island” is based on the novel “My Love, My Love,” by Rosa Guy, which is a re-working of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Little Mermaid.” (It is to be noted that Mr. Flaherty composed the brilliant score for the musical “Ragtime” and Ahrens wrote the lyrics.)

     IN 1991 this musical was nominated for nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book for a Musical and Best Original Score.

     

     Camryn Nailah’s performance in the role of Ti Moune enchants. Her breathtaking solo dance at the ball warrants the price of a ticket all on its own.

     Arabella Beaubrun’s volcanic belting of “Mama Will Provide” is magnificent!

    As Daniel, Stefan Beal delivers a lovely version of “Some Girls.”

     Robert Payo (TonTon Julian) and Marcelina Ramirez (Mama Euralie) create great chemistry as Ti Moune’s parents.

     The talents of Heidi Carann Snider(Papa Ge) ,Nicole Siegler(Erzulie) and Nnamdi Nwankwo(Agwe) complete this remarkable cast. All are excellent in their roles.

     Christopher Page-Sanders’ electrifying choreography is pulse-pounding.  Astounding throughout, his work on “We Dance” and the jaw-dropping solo of  Camryn Nailah are of special note. Page-Sanders’ name is one to search out in every theatre program. Genius!

     The divine Donna Kolpan Debreceni provides the excellent musical tracks.

     Award-winning Music Director Lee Ann Scherlong, provides her usual magic.

       Vance McKenzie’s lighting design stuns!!!

      Philip Cope’s minimalist scenic design is just right for allowing the actors to really pop.

     Curt Behm’s wondrous and thunderous sound design Rocks!

      The story revolves around racist elitism in an island in the Antilles in the Caribbean Sea between peasants of dark color and those of a lighter hue, the descendants of French plantation owners and their slaves.

     Director Betty Hart’s clear-eyed directorial concept is “racism kills.”

 

For tickets call the box office at 303-794-2787 or go online at townhallartscenter.org

 

 RICHARD

BUNTPORT THEATRE: APRIL 8 – APRIL 30

 

               Erin Rollman as Queen Margaret

Whether you’re “in the vein” (sorry!) for a ridiculously funny play, or willing to give up your “kingdom for a horse”- laugh, (sorry again!) Buntport’s RICHARD’s the one for you!

     Lucky for us, Buntport’s shows are never what anyone can possibly imagine.

      So…

Imagine yourself in a seat in a school gym where self-absorbed pundits eat strawberry snacks. 

 

     In a nut shell, The Richard the Third Society is having its meeting in the school gym this time. Having invited special guest, Philippa, a novelist and famed reporter on the finding of Richard’s bones neath a parking lot, this society of Richard enthusiasts is set for a grand interview.  

     Played with delightfully absurd propriety by Hannah Duggan, Phillipa goes from prim to explosive in a nano-second when sports activity from the other side of the gym interrupts her coy presentation.

     There’s also a wondrous representation of Queen Margaret by the dynamically gifted comic, Erin Rollman. In eye-popping period robes, headgear and pointy shoes, this actor punctuates the evening with hilariously engaging trivia involving  everything imaginable, from Victorian undergarments to a discussion of accents!

 

Arriving late for the festivities, George, the president of these Richard enthusiasts, played with preening narcissism by Erik Edborg, spars with every man ‘Also George,’ (Brian Colonna) who does everything from setting up and tearing down, to writing of the minutes once the meeting is over.

 

I hope I haven’t said too much about this 50^thoriginal play by these intrepid players. By now everyone knows that Buntport is a national treasure. All four of these astoundingly talented actors are famous for keeping us guessing as to which comic universe we’ll be exploring next.

 

Get set to be wondrously entertained!!! 

 

Oh, and let me know if the Bard actually did malign King Richard. I mean, Really!!! Isn't everyone 'discontent in winter?"(not sorry.)

 

Buntport Theatre is located at 717 Lipan Street in Denver.

For tickets call 720-946-1388 or go online at buntport.com

 The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes

BDT STAGE: showing through April 23

 

The cast of The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes (Photo credit: Glenn Ross)

Innovative, touching, and VERY funny, BDT Stage’s production of THE NOTEWORTHY LIFE OF HOWARD BARNES, is full of everything you love about the American Musical! 

 

It's truly refreshing to come upon a new musical comedy about which one knows nothing. Full of whimsy and surprise, The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes is exactly that. 

     With a fun concept designed for lovers of the American Musical Theater and their significant others who don’t, this show will WOW you!

     Howard Barnes is a middle-aged American male who hates musicals only to awaken one morning in ‘the musical show of his life’ that’s a relentless explosion of musical theatre moments from which he struggles helplessly to escape. 

      Peeping through the cracks of his new experience you may find your “Memories” of Jellicle “Cats”, “Phantoms” and little red-haired orphans as well as practically perfect nannies that are just “Misérables.” There’s even a pseudo coda in this show that may remind some in attendance of the final ghost light in “Pippin.” 

    One of my favorite musical sendups in this show that’s 'littered' (I know I already mentioned Cats!) with them, is that of the "Cell Block Tango" from "Chicago," featuring Howard’s ex girlfriends!

      Chas Lederer is stellar as our leading man, Howard. His great stage presence and dynamic singing voice make one know that this is just the first of many leading roles that he may enact upon the BDT Stage!

     As Howard’s guide through this labyrinth of musical mayhem, McKayla Marso - McDonough is smashing as she teaches Howard the wonders of vulnerability as he learns to "hear the music!" Lovely to look at, and with a soprano to die for, you can’t take your eyes - or ears - off her.

     Wayne Kennedy’s character, the musical producer Steven Von Shwartenheim, is a great deal like the great Wizard of oh, you know. Wayne also creates magic from the director’s chair as well as doing sound design. Kennedy is one of the BDT veterans who has stunned us with brilliant star turns from everything from "My Fair Lady’s" Henry Higgins to the King in "The King and I" to Tateh in "Ragtime" to Amos ("Mr. Cellophane") in "Chicago." 

      Tracy Warren, Alicia Meyers, Ben Hilzer, Brian Cronan, Matt Daley, Patric Case and Melissa Morris fill in the other roles in the ensemble with stellar work.

     Tom Quinn’s projections complement M. Curtis Grittner’s scenic design and Brett Maughan’s lighting design in such a way that the theatregoer is dazzled by the onslaught of reality one moment and a kaleidoscope of fantasy the next. The color palette for the show sometimes makes one feel as though these bright splashes of primary colors were just poured right out of the can.

     Matthew D. Peters choreography enhances the show immeasurably.

     Linda Morken’s costumes are eye-popping! 

     The music direction by Neal Dunfee of the BDT Stage band is ear-pleasing indeed! Mary Daley’s vocal direction is superb.

     The writing of the dialogue may leave one desiring a bit more at the top of the show, but after all it is a musical, and there’s enough spice in the vocals and dancing that come romping through so quickly that you’ll hardly notice. 

     The book and lyrics are by Christopher Dimond with music by Michael Kooman.

     PG13 for language and suggestive themes

 p.s. Don't forget they have a scrum diddly pre-show menu with all things yumma grande!!! On this particular night the chef's special was Short Ribs that were DEELISH!!!

 

BDT Stage is at 5501 Arapahoe, Boulder, CO.

For tickets call the box office at 303-499-6900 or go online at bdtstage.com