MERELY PLAYERS

by Tessa Nelson - April 29, 2026

Elham, playwright Sanaz Toossi’s brilliant character played by an equally brilliant Vanah Assadourian, frustratedly exclaims in a tongue unfamiliar to her mouth, “I want everyone to know I am not an idiot and also I am nice.” English, produced by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, capt...

by Tessa Nelson - April 21, 2026

Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts tells a perfectly coherent story—it’s just not a very interesting one. An overprotective mother badgers her daughter to stay safely in her apartment and away from the glitz, glamour, and danger of those pernicious New Y...

by Tessa Nelson - April 15, 2026

Brilliant musicianship, soulful performances, and expert craft make Next to Normal at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts deeply identifiable. Unfortunately, the pathos it creates through these immense talents may cast more doubt on mental health care than broker clarity surrounding mental ill...

by Tessa Nelson - April 07, 2026

Cryptic, co-produced by Fictive and OddKnock Productions turned a warehouse space into an immersive production that felt more like a fast-paced amusement park ride. Without spoiling too much, the premise is that a chipper tour guide (on my night played by Beau Fisher, though the role may alternately...

by Tessa Nelson - March 09, 2026

What did our critic think of BIRTHDAY CANDLES at Curious Theatre? Curious Theatre's talented team and more than capable actors show case a brilliant play new to the Denver area....

by Jon Bee - February 12, 2026

The national tour of Water for Elephants is the latest show to stop at DCPA as it makes its way across the country. I only just last year read the novel by Sara Gruen followed quickly by the feature film starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson. ...

by Jon Bee - January 26, 2026

DCPA Theatre Company's legacy of 'outdoing' themselves continues with their latest world premiere production of Cowboys and East Indians, based on the short story collection by Nina McConigley and written by McConigley and Matthew Spangler....

by Jon Bee - December 18, 2025

It is no wonder so many movies, tv shows, and musicals start out as the written word. I would argue the best stories are those that draw you in and keep you engaged from start to finish, regardless of how long it takes to finish. Perhaps that is why when I first read The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks ...