One of my earliest Christmas memories is watching the movie version of White Christmas with my family. To this day, it is still a valued family tradition to sit back and tune in to a film that defined part of my childhood, as I'm sure it did for many. With the stage version on the road, it is the pe... (more...)
Some shows in the Christmas theatre canon are taken from classic stories such as A Christmas Carol, while others perhaps form a more original holiday tale. And then there are the special few that can only be described as "cult-classic." In A Christmas Story, we once again meet little Ralphie and his... (more...)
A Christmas Carol in and of itself, is a Christmas tradition, if not for all, certainly for many families across the world. In fact, when the book first went to print on December 19, 1843, it sold out by Christmas Eve. I suppose the story has been a tradition for some stemming back generations; back... (more...)
It's easy to see why Elf has become a modern-day Christmas classic, and the 2003 holiday flick starring Will Ferrell makes a smooth transition from screen to stage, even without Ferrell's infectious charm.... (more...)
Opera is not just a classical style of performance. It is the foundation for everything that would come after. Thus, knowing where we came from is just as important as knowing where we're going. In Opera Colorado's production of Verdi's La Traviata, the classical art form is presented at it's best w... (more...)
You probably remember a few random details of your life on the day of the September 11th attacks. Not just what you saw on the television--but who was with you, where you were, how you felt. On that day, 38 airplanes were redirected to a small Canadian town--Gander, Newfoundland--the site of a large... (more...)
Most musical theatre fans would probably agree the movie-musical Xanadu isn't the finest. You've got Olivia Newton-John in as a Greek muse in legwarmers and roller skates, on Earth to help a struggling artist build a roller disco. It's campy at best with some standout songs, visually fun but a reaso... (more...)
Art, as we know, is subjective. It can also be beautiful, controversial, awe-inspiring, or sometimes all of the above. But what happens when art comes between religion and family? In the current production at Cherry Creek Theatre, My Name is Asher Lev, a boy learns these struggles at an early age, b... (more...)
Did you ever have an imaginary friend as a child? Perhaps something like a "heffalump" or even fairy godparents? Creative minds will take children far, but what about an adult man whose best friend is a six foot tall invisible rabbit? We might say he is in need of some psychological assistance. In t... (more...)
You probably have an idea of what you're getting yourself into if you're going to see The Toxic Avenger musical with Longmont Theatre Company. Much like its '80s cinematic counterpart, it's campy and doesn't take itself too seriously.... (more...)
It's no secret that entertainment culture has an obsession with sequels and beyond. Movie trilogies become sagas and soon enough Jude Law is playing young Albus Dumbledore. This desire to expand the story; to pick up where you left off is prevalent even on the stage, although perhaps not as regularl... (more...)
Since Dear Evan Hansen launched its tour in Denver, my Facebook feed has been filled with friends obsessing over its emotional magnitude, and rightfully so. The Tony-winner for Best Musical is a powerful piece. It tackles the kinds of subjects you don't often see in musical theatre.... (more...)
Not all shows need to have exuberant sets, notable actors, or even a solidified plotlines to be impactful. As we move further and further into the age of 'contemporary musical theater,' more song cycles - shows composed primarily of music with no dialogue and presented themes instead of a plot - are... (more...)
I'm probably not the only person catching their first professional production of Oklahoma! with the Denver Center Theatre Company. While the first Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration has been performed plenty since its Broadway premiere in 1943, the DCPA's production is unique-nearly the entire ca... (more...)
Teen angst is not something to ignore. Often times, it is the only semblance of emotion that youths exhibit in hopes of finding comfort from others and answers from themselves. Just as these emotions are real, so too is the music that exemplifies these feelings. The combination of these ideas leads ... (more...)
In today's musical theater songbook, you'd probably find a handful of tunes from bio-shows and juke box musicals. From Carole King to Elvis Presley, there plenty of stories to tell, even if they are not those of the music artists. In Arvada's latest production, Mamma Mia, music sensation ABBA is hig... (more...)
Not every tale begins with 'once upon a time' just as they are not always a love story. Rather, a different kind of love - an equally important love - is presented. In Candlelight's Dinner Playhouse's latest production, Mary Poppins, the love between children and adults, whether it be between kids a... (more...)
In some ways, history is all we have in terms of building a brighter future. At times, we either forget that history, or we never learn about such events that would lead us to make more informed decisions. Remembering historical events clearly isn't the most sought after activity to spend your time.... (more...)
Throughout history, performance artists have become staples in pop culture, many of which can rightfully claim "icon" status. However, aside from music performance, songwriting has long been an underrated quality in the music industry. Even if songwriters become notable performers, it is not always ... (more...)
Art, above all, is subjective. It can be anything and everything if artistic intent is the drive behind the creation. With that in mind, art can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and quality. Such was the case for the touring production of Waist Watchers, The Musical at Lakewood Cultural Center. ... (more...)
Icon. A word of only four letters, and yet it holds so much weight for many people. It is not hard to think of musical icons: Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, even Britney Spears. Among the elite is also Gloria Estefan, whose own personal life is on full display in the latest show to come to DCPA, ... (more...)
In the history of musical theater certain shows have had their place in time while others seem to transcend lifetimes. Parents bring their children to the same musical that their parents brought them to at their age and suddenly a new family tradition has started. The nice thing about traditions is ... (more...)
You won't hear me complain about a musical with male strippers, but I got a lot more than I bargained for with The Full Monty, now playing at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre.... (more...)
Let's be honest - you probably know exactly how you feel about Annie before you take your seat. You're either set to swoon over the spunky little orphan or groan after she reprises 'Tomorrow' a third time.... (more...)
BWW Review: WHITE CHRISTMAS at Denver Center for the Performing Arts
BWW Review: A CHRISTMAS STORY at BDT Stage
BWW Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at DCPA
BWW Review: Arvada Center's ELF Will Set You in the Holiday Spirit
BWW Review: LA TRAVIATA at Opera Colorado
BWW Review: COME FROM AWAY is a Much-Needed Reminder of the Human Spirit
BWW Review: More than neon lights shine at DCPA's XANADU
BWW Review: MY NAME IS ASHER LEV at Cherry Creek Theatre
BWW Review: HARVEY at Phamaly Theatre Company
BWW Review: TOXIC AVENGER at Longmont Theatre Company
BWW Review: LOVE NEVER DIES (Or Does It?) at DCPA
BWW Review: The Bug's CANNIBAL! Will Eat Your Heart
BWW Review: DEAR EVAN HANSEN at the Denver Center
BWW Review: SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD at Aurora Fox Arts Center
BWW Review: DCPA's OKLAHOMA! is Somethin' Special
BWW Review: GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT at Town Hall Arts Center
BWW Review: MAMMA MIA at Arvada Arts Center
BWW Review: MARY POPPINS at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
BWW Review: VIETGONE Gives New Light to the War at DCPA
BWW Review: BEAUTIFUL, THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at DCPA
BWW Review: WAISTWATCHERS, THE MUSICAL at Lakewood Cultural Center
BWW Review: ON YOUR FEET at DCPA
BWW Review: Touring Production Gives New Life to LES MISERABLES at DCPA
BWW Review: THE FULL MONTY at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre
BWW Review: ANNIE at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre
