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Theater Companies, Theater Productions & Show in Boulder County, Colorado
The Aluminous Collective is a new group founded by graduates of Naropa University’s MFA program in Contemporary Performance. See “Lear in Process: Scenes and Images from Shakespeare’s King Lear” on Dec. 5; and the “Viewpoints Project,” Dec. 9-10. All events are at 7:30pm in the Nalanda Studio Theater at Naropa, 2130 Arapahoe Ave. 303-444-0202. ARVADA CENTER FOR THE ARTS & HUMANITIES The Arvada Center stages productions in its two distinct venues: the Mainstage Theater and the Black Box Theater. “A Man for All Seasons” runs Feb. 2-March 7; other season highlights are listed below. Also offered are insiders’ talks and special ASL-interpreted performances. The Arvada Center is at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada. 720-898-7200.
Visis the website for schedule of performances. 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver. 303-321-5925. BINDERY | space is a warehouse in downtown Denver that was once a book bindery. Now it’s a home for Denver-area performing and multimedia artists. “BALLS! A Holiday Spectacular” is a "PG-16" variety show conceived and performed by Melanie Owen Padilla and Mare Trevathan; it plays through Dec. 19 at 7:30 pm at 2180 Stout St. Tickets are “pay what it’s worth.” Visit the website for more events. BOULDER ENSEMBLE THEATER COMPANY BETC’s “new recipe for holiday hilarity” is “The SantaLand Diaries” by popular writer David Sedaris; it plays Dec. 4-20. “The Clean House” by Sarah Ruhl is on stage April 1-17; it’s a play about uncommon romance and uncommon comedy. BETC’s productions are staged at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St. Info: 303-665-1841; www.boulderensembletheatre.org. Tickets: 303-444-7328; www.thedairy.org. “Singin’ in the Rain,” the most requested show in BDT history, runs through Feb. 14. Then, Feb. 19-May 9, see the Tony Award–winning “Chicago,” a story of the American dream: fame, fortune and acquittal. The timeless classic “Peter Pan” opens May 15. The theater’s Cabaret Series presents live music periodically; check website for updates. Boulder’s Dinner Theatre is at 5501 Arapahoe Ave. 303-449-6000 ext. 4. The six-person Buntport ensemble really does it all—they’re the directors, the performers, the technicians, even the playwrights for every production. Dec. 3-19, see a special limited engagement of “Something Is Rotten,” one of the group’s most popular shows. From Jan. 29-March 6, catch a yet-to-be-named production about the playwright Eugene O’Neill, in collaboration with Paragon Theatre Company, which is staging O’Neill’s “A Long Day’s Journey Into Night” around the same time. Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St. in Denver. Every Third Tuesday, join the Buntport company for a night of “weird and risky fun” with alternative shows. 720-946-1388. Celebrationworks Theatre Ensemble Celebrationworks strives to provide a supportive environment for the production of original plays, as well as encouragement for writers and actors of all ages, especially those over 55, minorities and women. Performances are at 7:30pm on the second floor of the historic Emerson Building at 1420 Ogden St. in Denver. 303-282-5391.
CenterStage delivers productions by and for Boulder County youth at various locations around Boulder and Louisville. “Jane Eyre” is the spring production; check online for details as they become available. 303-673-0744. Tacky tree trimmings, gaudy garlands and redneck ribbons festoon the town of Tuna, Texas, in the unique holiday story “Tuna Christmas.” Look online for December dates and times. At the Louisville Center for the Arts, 801 Grant St. 303-665-0955. Colorado Homegrown Tales presents programs of selected short stories, organized around a theme or an author, read aloud by professional actors. “Just My "Magination” is Feb. 27-28; “Thicker Than Water” is May 1-2. See the website for Denver venues and times. COLORADO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and the spirits of Christmas come to life through Dec. 27 in CSF’s faithful stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” Evening performances and matinees are at the University Theater on the CU campus; call 303-492-0554 or visit the website for schedule and more information. The world premiere of Terry Dodd’s “Home by Dark” is Jan. 9-Feb. 13, and “OPUS,” by Michael Hollinger, runs March 13-April 24. Curious Theatre Company is at 1080 Acoma St. in Denver. 303-623-0524. The Dairy’s two theater spaces are home to several local independent and resident groups, including Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, The Upstart Crow, Imagination Makers Theater Company, 3rd Law Dance/Theater, CenterStage Theatre Company, Stories on Stage and Helander Dance Theater. For information about specific shows, call theater groups, visit the Dairy's website or see their individual listings. DENVER CENTER ATTRACTIONS & DENVER CENTER THEATRE COMPANY The Denver Center for the Performing Arts hosts a variety of shows through two theater divisions—Denver Center Attractions, which brings in productions from around the country, and the resident performing ensemble, Denver Center Theatre Company. Since the current season schedule is so jam-packed, just a few highlights are listed below; check online for many more. DCPA is at Speer and Arapahoe avenues in Denver. Ffor tickets, call 303-893-4100, or go to TicketsWest outlets at all King Soopers.
Fhe name of the place has changed a few times, but for 95 years, this Victorian house has packed theatergoers into its basement, a few dozen at a time. Upcoming productions include John Pielmeier’s “Voices in the Dark,” Jan. 2-Feb. 20; “Creation of the World and Other Orders of Business” by Arthur Miller, March 6-April 24; and “True West” by Sam Shepard, opening May 8. The Vic is at 4201 Hooker St. in Denver. 303-443-4343. The Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Every seat is a good one at this murder- mystery dinner, since the actors are hidden in the crowd. Held most Saturday nights in Boulder (at the Millennium Harvest House, 1345 28th St.) and Denver (at The Broker Restaurant, 821 17th St.). Ticket price includes a four-course dinner, and the show begins at 6:30pm. 888-575-3884. “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney, running Feb. 12-28, features love letters read aloud, and audience members are asked to bring a personal love letter to a lover, partner, parent, child, friend, etc.; one letter will be read at each performance, and if yours is chosen, you win dinner for two. Check the website for more about this show and the one listed below. 5665 Old Wadsworth Blvd., in Old Town Arvada. 303-422-4090. Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies Since 1958, the nonprofit Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies has offered musical and dramatic productions and art classes in the Estes Park area. On Feb. 12-21, the group presents Neil Simon's “Barefoot in the Park”. At Park Village Playhouse, 900 Moraine Ave. in Estes Park. The Firehouse Theater Company presents "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," the musical comedy that celebrates the mating game and the truths and myths behind relationships, from Jan 22-Feb 13. David Mamet's "Oleanna" runs April 9-May 8; and "Murderer" is July 9-Aug. 7. Performances at the John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place in Denver. Visit the website for complete schedule. 303-562-3232. Heritage Square Music Hall is at 18301 W. Colfax Ave., D-103, in Golden. 303-279-7800. Visit the website for schedule of performances in 2010. Want to see or be part of mini-plays that are written, cast, directed and rehearsed in 10-and-a-half hours? Hitching Post Theater started producing these monthly events in October at Kelly’s Big Blue Barn, 1360 Sumac Ave. Each performance includes five short works, each with two actors. Performaces are the second Sunday of every month (Jan 10, Feb 14, March 14) at 7 and 8:30pm. IMAGINATION MAKERS THEATER COMPANY Imagination Makers tours extensively, mainly throughout Colorado, presenting innovative theater to young people in schools—and sometimes in a non-school venue. Feb. 26 at 7pm, Imagination Makers comes to the Boulder Public Library for a free performance called “Pajama Party,” complete with milk and cookies afterward. Best for ages 5-11, and everyone should wear PJs. The Main Library is at 1001 Arapahoe Ave. 720-565-1055. Jesters is Longmont’s dinner theatre, serving up musicals and dinner all year long. “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” runs through Oct. 4; see website for updates on future productions. Jesters Children’s Theatre also stages productions on Saturday afternoons at 3pm; “Narnia” runs through Oct. 3. 224 Main St., Longmont. 303-682-9980. LAKEWOOD CULTURAL EVENTS CENTER The national touring group ArtsPower presents “Laura Ingalls Wilder,” a one-hour musical theater adventure across the prairie of 1800s America. Nov. 5 at 7:30pm at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway. 303-987-7845. Since 1992, this nonprofit women’s history and theater group has been sharing its love of Western history at venues along the Front Range. Visit the website for upcoming shows and booking information. Northern Colorado’s oldest continually operating community theater opens its 52nd season Sept. 18 with “Brigadoon,” on stage through Oct. 3. “Communicating Doors,” a time-traveling comic thriller for mature audiences, plays Nov. 6-21. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is on stage Dec. 11-20. Longmont Performing Arts Center, 513 Main St. 303-772-5200. Madcap hosts improvisational comedy three nights at week, Thursdays at 7pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and 9:30pm. Take a date or take your kids —the silliness is suitable for all. The theater (which has a bar) is at 10679 Westminster Blvd. 303-460-3854. Miners Alley, in downtown Golden (1224 Washington Ave.), is home to several theater companies and host to classes and workshops, music nights, a wine bar and art gallery showings. “Enchanted April” is on stage through Sept. 13; “A Picasso” runs Sept. 25-Nov. 1, and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Nov. 13-Dec. 20. 303-935-3044. MMTC is a nonprofit theater company that stages a variety of productions at Denver venues; see website for details about the 2009-2010 season. 303-780-7836. MURDER MYSTERY SERIES AT HOTEL BOULDERADO The Hotel Boulderado is the scene of the “crime” and the guests are the sleuths for the Fall Murder Mystery Series, “It’s My Party, I Can Die If I Want To.” Cocktails and clues begin at 6:45pm, the crime scene opens at 7pm, and the dinner buffet begins at 7:30pm. Show-only packages and packages with overnight accommodations are available. Oct. 9, 23 and 30 at the hotel, 2115 13th St. 303-440-2880. NAROPA UNIVERSITY THEATER PRODUCTIONS Boulder’s Buddhist-inspired university theater presents performances by students and faculty at its Performing Arts Center, 2130 Arapahoe Ave. For up-to-date theater and music information, visit the website. This two-theater complex, which also has an adjacent art gallery and a cafe, presents theatrical productions, music and dance programs, and private events. “V Burlesque,” a tantalizing tease of 1930s-1960s entertainment, has an open-ended run at the theater, playing most Friday and Saturday nights at 10pm. 721 Santa Fe Drive. 303-309-3773. Founded in 1973, OpenStage mounts six productions each season. OpenStage also sponsors Rabbit Hole Radio Theatre, broadcast over the radio. Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins. 970-484-5237. Some of Boulder’s most talented young people perform Mark Twain: A Musical Biography July 23-26; it features comedy and music selections from Twain’s major works. The group’s unique performance of Godspell, Aug. 14-15, draws from various theatrical traditions such as clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville. Performances are at the Harlequin Center for the Performing Arts, 990 Public Road in Lafayette. See website for more information. 303-786-8727. Now celebrating its 20th season, PHAMALY (The Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League) is composed entirely of performers with physical challenges. On June 7, PHAMALY collaborates with Stories on Stage for “We Are Phamaly” (see Stories on Stage listing). Man of La Mancha, running July 25-Aug. 16, is the classic production inspired by Cervantes’ 17th-century masterpiece Don Quixote. In the Space Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street in Denver. 303-893-4100. This troupe presents “improvisational theater with inspirational energy.” After audience members share experiences from their lives, the group re-enacts them on stage. The result is sometimes dramatic, sometimes funny. Performances are at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St. Visit the website for schedule. 303-320-4669. This company concentrates primarily on “swashbuckling plays written or set between 1575-1830. See website for more details. 970-232-8912. ROCKY MOUNTAIN REVELS, annually in December The Christmas Revels, a celebration of the winter solstice, is an annual favorite. Call or visit the website for 2009 dates. 303-440-9056. ROCKY MOUNTAIN THEATER FOR KIDS As part of its ambitious summer camp programs, this all-youth company presents performances of The Sound of Music June 26-28 and Seussical Aug. 7-9. All performances are at the Magic Playhouse, 5311 Western Ave., Suite D. For performance times and ticket information: 303-245-8150. 73rd Avenue Theatre Company The company presents The Pirates of Penzance, July 10-Aug. 23. A children’s presentation of The Wizard of Oz plays through June 28. The theater is at 7287 Lowell Blvd. in Westminster. 720-276-6936; the73rd.avecompany @ yahoo.com. This Aurora repertory company presents performances that focus on the African American and Latino communities. CRUNK (Creative Resources Uniting Neighborhood Kids) is a free community arts program for young people; the world premiere is Aug. 6-16. 1468 Dayton St. in Aurora. 303-321-3858. Call or visit the website for upcoming performances. 720-880-8727. Snuggle into your seat while some of the country’s best actors tell you a story. This “theater of the imagination” presents themed programs of outstanding short literature. On June 7 at 1:30pm and 6:30pm, the group collaborates with PHAMALY for “We are Phamaly,” a series of stories about people with disabilities. See website for details, and for information about the 2009-2010 season. Performances are at the Stage Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts. 303-494-0523. TARA PERFORMING ARTS HIGH SCHOOL Boulder County’s only performing arts high school presents its annual all-school musical, Fiddler on the Roof, June 11-14. Two performances each day—2pm and 7:30pm—are at The Nomad Theater, 1410 Quince Ave. 303-443-4510. This summer, TCL presents the world premiere of Red Herring, a comedic murder mystery by award-winning local playwright Don Fried. June 12-27 at the Mary Miller Theater, 300 E. Simpson St., Lafayette. 720-209-2154. Its mission is to “mount evocative, contemporary shows that excite the palate and seduce the senses.” Call or visit the website for schedule of upcoming productions. 1-877-862-6752. UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE The spring semester’s productions include The Awakening of Spring, March 5-15. “Shakespeare Unplugged” closes the season with performances April 2-5. All performances are held in the University Theatre Building. 303-492-8181.
THE UPSTART CROW THEATRE COMPANY Catch the last performances of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, with its intertwined stories of longing and desperation. Curtain time is 7:30pm Thurs-Sat, through May 30, at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St. 303-442-1415. UNQUIET GRAVE —a courtroom drama and a mystery about the identity of a corpse The play, a courtroom drama, is inspired by the 1892 Supreme Court case of Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Hillmon. The Hillmon case, a dispute over the payment of life insurance proceeds, pitted a young Kansas woman named Sallie Hillmon against three of the giants of the insurance industry, and lasted for nearly 25 years. The Hillmon decision is one of the great cases in the law of evidence, but it also contains a mystery about the identity of a corpse, a mystery that persisted for more than a century. Forensic anthropology solved the mystery! This is the case that gave one of the most important rules of evidence the shape it retains today. The Hillmon case was tried six times before it was finally settled; Jordheim’s play is based on the sixth and last trial. The reading will be directed by Lynne Collins, who has in the past directed productions of MACBETH and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and actors from CSF’s core company will read the parts. Playwright Brent Jordheim and Professors Mimi Wesson and Dennis Van Gerven, as well as members of the cast, will be present to discuss the play. Sunday, Nov 1 at 1pm, Witemyer Courtroom, University of Colorado at Boulder campus. The Vagina Monologues dives into the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage and excitement buried in women’s experiences. Check back for upcoming performances in the Boulder/Denver area. Vintage Theatre presents Kimberly Akimbo, a quirky new comedy by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, set in the wilds of suburban New Jersey. Through June 14. From July 10-Aug. 9, catch the regional premiere of The Violet Hour, by Richard Greenberg, produced in collaboration with Hunger Artists. Dial “M” for Murder opens Aug. 21. The theater is at 2119 E. 17th Ave. in Denver. 303-839-1361. Vox Feminista celebrates it's 20th anniversary this fall. Visit the website for details about their big 20 Year Anniversary Show. Woof! presents the acclaimed I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change November 6-21, 2009. Visit the website for more information. The aspiring young actors in Wolf Theatre Academy’s summer program participate in three-week performance workshops, then stage the productions on the main stage. Catch As You Like It July 15-19; and West Side Story Aug. 5-9. All performances are in the Shwayder Theater at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver. 303-316-6360.
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University dance events can be found under 
