2014 Denver Fall Theater Preview
The fall theater season in Colorado brings lots of exciting new shows to the many stages throughout the Denver area. With several big musicals, some small dramas and plenty of great comedies, there is a little something for every theatrical taste. The five shows listed below are some of the more exciting productions coming to the Denver scene. All will be wonderful showcases for some truly incredible local talent. Grab your tickets and your sweetheart and set out for a night filled with the magic of live theater.
"Once On This Island"
Aurora Fox Arts Center
9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 739-1970
www.aurorafoxartscenter.org
Playing: Sept. 15 through Oct. 5, 2014
"Once On This Island" is an island-style calypso re-telling of the classic "The Little Mermaid" story. It tells the tale of a young peasant girl named TiMoune who falls in love with the wealthy Daniel from the other side of the island. The Gods of her culture guide TiMoune and Daniel on a journey filled with love, prejudice and conflict, all set to a stunning score by the brilliant composers behind hits like "Ragtime" and "Seussical." This show is filled with lots of wonderful dance numbers and is the perfect example of classic storytelling.
"The Unsinkable Molly Brown"
Stage Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company
1101 13th St.
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 893-4100
www.denvercenter.org
Playing: Sept. 12 through Oct. 26, 2014
Meredith Wilson, the brilliant mind behind the classic musical "The Music Man," brings this refreshed and updated version of "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" to Denver for this exciting premier. This musical traces the rags-to-riches story of Denver's own heroine, Molly Brown, and everything that helped make her a legend. From the Silver Boom to the Gold Rush and the famous Titanic, Molly Brown survived it all, as highlighted in this wonderful musical. The original musical premiered in 1960 but this brand-new version has been completely refreshed for this exciting new production.
"Bug"
Equinox Theatre Company
3654 Navajo St.
Denver, CO 80211
(720) 984-0781
www.equinoxtheatredenver.com
Playing: Now through Sept. 19, 2014
For something a little darker, check out "Bug" by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts. This dramatic thriller is the story of a lonely cocktail waitress living in a hotel room while hiding from her violent ex-husband. A friend introduces her to Peter, a Desert Storm veteran with a mysterious past. When the two hit it off, Peter begins to show his own paranoid schizophrenic tendencies as he drags Agnes down into an abyss filled with conspiracy theories and paranoia. The hit film based on this play staring Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon premiered in 2006, though the play is far more intense and intimate when you see this brilliant production live.
"I Do! I Do!"
Vintage Theatre Productions
1468 Dayton St.
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 856-7830
www.vintagetheatre.org
Playing: Sept. 26 through Nov. 2, 2014
Vintage Theatre brings another wonderful musical to the stage with "I Do! I Do!" based on the play "The Fourposter" by Jan de Hartog. This is a two-person musical that spans 50 years from 1895 to 1945. It traces the love story of one couple and all of the trials and tribulations of a long-lasting marriage. The simplicity is truly brilliant with this show, as the entire show takes place in the bedroom of the couple with a large four-poster bed. With music and lyrics by the well-known team of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (the same team behind "The Fantastics"), you'll love the catchy score and beautiful tunes of this romantic musical.
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Town Hall Arts Center
2450 W. Main St.
Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 794-2787
www.townhallartscenter.org
Playing: Sept. 12 through Oct. 12, 2014
One of the most beloved musical satires comes to the stage with "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." The musical traces the story of young J. Pierrepont Finch who, with the help of his handbook, climbs the corporate ladder and goes from window washer to high-powered executive. Along the way, his trusty handbook helps him tackle all of the challenges of the corporate world, from backstabbing coworkers to caffeine addictions and everything in between. Of course, no musical would be complete without the leading man finding his true love. With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, who also wrote the music for "Guys and Dolls," you know you are in for a treat of classic Broadway-style proportions.
Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
