Top 2014-2015 College Productions In Denver
(credit: DU Department of Theater)
Check out all of the big stars of tomorrow, today. College productions are often some of the best, most complex and brilliant works of theater, and they are always open to the public. You can catch rare works that aren't often done, big musicals, small dramas and everything else you can imagine. Plus, with so many colleges all over the Denver area, you can find a lot of great new theater to enjoy, usually at much lower prices than most other theater companies in town. Here are a few of the best upcoming college shows to check out.
"Seagull"
University of Denver: Byron Theatre
2344 E. Iliff Ave.
Denver, CO 80208
(303) 871-7720
www.du.edu
Dates: Oct. 30 – Nov. 9, 2014
Check out the amazing talent from the students at the University of Denver with this upcoming production of a true theatrical classic. Written by Anton Chekov, "Seagull" first premiered in 1895 and is considered to be his first major play. The subtext-filled script deals with issues of unrequited love, bungled seduction, family quarrels and the one constant of time quickly passing. If you are a fan of theater history, then this is one show that you should definitely make time to check out. It's rarely done, yet is one of the biggest and most influential scripts by the brilliant Anton Chekov.
"Side Show"
University of Northern Colorado: Norton Theatre
1813 8th Ave.
Greeley, CO 80639
(970) 351-2200
www.arts.unco.edu
Dates: Oct. 30 – Nov. 9, 2014
Take the trip to Greeley to catch "Side Show," one of the most haunting and amazing musicals of modern times. It's the true story of conjoined twins Violet and Daisy who were major stars during the Depression. It's told almost completely through song, as the twins travel the vaudeville circuit from England to America, and even talks about their appearance in the 1932 film "Freaks." This musical is not often done but is one that all musical fans should take the time to see, and the students at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley are sure to provide an impressive experience.
Related: Top Small Theatre Companies In Denver
"Arcadia"
Metro State University: King Center
855 Lawrence Way
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 556-2296
www.msudenver.edu
Dates: Nov. 13 – 23, 2014
Tom Stoppard brought the brilliant script "Arcadia" to the world in 1993 and it's been a favorite among college and professional theaters all over the country ever since. It's been called one of the best plays from one of the most significant contemporary playwrights in history. "Arcadia" takes place in both 1809 and the present day. It deals with the activities of two scholars that both live in the same house, a century apart. It's the relationship between the past and the present that really make this play work. Stoppard is a master of dialogue which makes this a definite must-see for any fan of his work.
"Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio"
University of Northern Colorado: Langworthy Theatre
17th St. and 9th Ave.
Greeley, CO 80639
(970) 351-4849
www.arts.unco.edu
Dates: Nov. 20 – 22, 2014
When you are considering different college productions to attend, you can't ignore the amazing opera department at the University of Northern Colorado. This upcoming production of "Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio" tells the story of a British nobleman whose betrothed is abducted and taken into a Turkish Harem. It will be performed with English and German supertitles and features the University of Northern Colorado Wind Ensemble as well. It's a full evening of brilliant student artists, and totally worth the drive to Greeley.
"A Broadway Christmas Carol"
University of Colorado
261 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309
(303) 492-8008
www.colorado.edu
Dates: Dec. 4 – 21, 2014
When the holiday season rolls around, many local theaters pull out all of the classic offerings, bringing you lots of familiar seasonal choices. However, "A Broadway Christmas Carol" by the production team at the University of Colorado in Boulder is something a little different. It's described as a show that would have been written if Rogers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trey Parker and Matt Stone all met with Charles Dickens to write a holiday script. It's a charming re-telling of the classic Dickens story but with fabulous new music all set to well-known Broadway show tunes. Grab the family for this one.
Related: Top Live Theater Venues In Northern Colorado
Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
