Title: Next Stage – 18 Holes – Opening Night
Location: The Aurora Fox Studio Theater
Description: A World Premiere written by Gene Kato
Directed By Jessica Clare

The setting is the eighteen greens of the Brazoria Bend golf course in Southeast Texas where four sets of golfers make their way around the course. There is a father who has been given the task of telling his young son that his wife is leaving him, a golden years couple who constantly bicker over the winning power of a pink golf ball, two slackers who are in hot pursuit of the beer girl, and a collection of ladies from the Sunset Society (an organization of women who wear orange hats). The audience is guided through the evening by the course greenskeeper, Lyle – who watches each group as an interested observer. Featuring scenes that range from slapstick comedy to heartfelt drama, Gene Kato’s 2007 award-winning script is bound to have something for everyone.

7:30 curtain
Performed at the Aurora Fox Theatre, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Start Time: 19:30
Date: 2008-08-01

PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY! Credit card sales online only – cash or check at the door.

Deb Flomberg of the Examiner has done a great article on Carla Kaiser Kotrc, one of Denver’s most talented and well-loved performers.

Andrew Lagerborg and Carla Kaiser Kotrc in Annie at THAC

Click here to see the Examiner article!

Technorati Profile

Leadville or Bust

This summer just got a bit hotter at the Crossroads Theater, 2590 Washington Street as “Leadville or Bust” performs Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. from July 22 – August 13. Tickets are $19 and available by calling 303-832-0929 or online at www.denvercrossroads.com or www.leadvilleorbust.com.

Reyna Von Vett and Hell's Belles

“Leadville or Bust” is a celebration of the original girlie shows enjoyed by the miners and settlers of the Old West. As an almost lost art, the origins of Burlesque were naughty and bawdy shows full of double entendre and gorgeous dancing girls in tights. Before burlesque became “strip-tease,” old time burlesque shows were simply “tease.”

Reyna Von Vett and Hell’s Belles dance and sing in tight four-part harmonies to fun, turn-of-the-century songs like “Ragtime Cowboy Joe,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “Seeing Denver” to bawdy songs like “Sam the Hot Dog Man,” “Hot Nuts (Get ‘Em From The Peanut Man),” “Press My Button (Ring My Bell)” and many more…

Reyna Von Vett is an accomplished singer and actress who performed for over one million guests as Tanya in the smash Broadway hit Mamma Mia! at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for over 3 years. Most recently, she and her Belles (Elizabeth Welch, Michelle Sergeeff and Melinda Smart) appeared in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ production of The Taffetas.

Reyna said: I loved singing with these girls so much that I incorporated them into my show. If you liked The Taffetas, you’ll love Reyna Von Vett and Hell’s Belles in “Leadville or Bust.” Whether it’s music from Nifty 50’s or Naughty 90’s, these girls are gorgeous and they can sing! I am just so thrilled to have them singing with me once again. This show is a dream come true!”

There is another Colorado connection – The music of “Leadville or Bust” was arranged by Wendell Vaughn, the Country Dinner Playhouse’s 13-year musical director who is currently conducting the national tour of Mamma Mia!

Reyna Von Vett and Hell’s Belles in “Leadville or Bust”
July 22 – August 13
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $19
The Crossroads Theater
2590 Washington Street
Denver, CO 80205
Get your tickets by calling 303-832-0929
or online at www.denvercrossroads.com or www.leadvilleorbust.com

The Crossroads Theater is at the corner of Welton Street and 27th next to Blackberries Ice Cream and Coffee Lounge. There is free, covered parking located directly behind the theater. Or, take Light Rail to the 27th and Welton station and you are there!

See this week’s article about Leadville or Bust in Westword!

Theater companies are always trying to come up with ideas for fundraising. It is one of the biggest challenges any non-profit theater company faces. I know of some companies who have wanted to sell their logo merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, hats etc., but few have the available capital to do bulk orders then take the chance of not selling them all.

Cafepress has changed all of that. For free (yes, I said FREE), your theater company can create your very own Cafepress shop online. No minimum orders, no handling merchandise, just upload your images, create your products and get the link to your supporters! For an example, see what Next Stage theater company has available online: Next Stage Theater Shop. Next Stage does have an upgraded shop that costs $6.95 per month which gives you unlimited categories and products, and a totally customizable shop front. The free option works just fine if you want just a few products. Check it out – it’s a great way to show your theater spirit and raise funds for your theater company! Click the button below and find out for yourself just how simple fundraising can be!

Main Street Players and Ovation Players present A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Lakewood Cultural Center. The show opens July 18 and runs weekends through July 27.

“Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight!” With unforgettable characters, a hysterical script, and music by Stephen Sondheim, this tour de force of American comedy comes alive under the direction of Jerry Schell. The Ovation and Main Street Players team up again to bring you one of the funniest musicals ever written.

Order Tickets Today!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Seen most recently as the Narrator in Town Hall Arts Center’s record breaking “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and Next Stage Theater/Denver Gay Pridefest’s OutCast…

Traci Kern
in concert
Saturday, July 19, 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 20, 7:30 pm

Avenue Theater–417 E 17th Avenue, Denver
$10 / general admission

With
Donna Debreceni, Piano
Rick Thompson, Bass
Mark Emmons, Drums
Special Guests
Elizabeth Welch
Ryan Belinak
Joel Sutliffe

For reservations, call 303-321-5925 or www.avenuetheater.com

The Candlelight Dinner Playhouse will hold auditions for the musical SWING! On Monday, August 11, 2008 at the theater. This production will be directed by Nick Turner and co-directed and choreographed by Scott Wright, with musical direction by Troy Schuh.

Roles are available for “Singers,” “Dancers” and “Dancers Who Sing.” Auditions are by appointment only and can be made by calling the box office at (970) 744-3747.

Equity “Singer” auditions will be held at 10:00 AM on August 11, followed by Equity “Dancer” auditions at 11:30AM. If you are a “Dancer Who Sings,” you can sign up for both calls.

Open auditions for “Singers” will be held at 1:30 PM on August 11, followed by Open auditions for “Dancers” at 3:00PM. If you are a “Dancer Who Sings,” you can sign up for both calls.

This is an Equity production operating under an Equity Dinner Theater contract, although non-equity actors are welcome to audition. Actors should prepare 16-32 bars of two contrasting songs from the Swing era. Bring Headshot/Resume and sheet music in the key you will be singing in. An accompanist will be provided. No taped accompaniment or a capella singing will be accepted. Equity members must have current ID card.

Swing! Opens on December 5, 2008 and runs through March 1, 2009. Rehearsals will begin in mid November 2008.
For more information on the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, visit the website at Coloradocandlelight. com.

Evolution Theatre Company – Colorado’s newest non-profit theater company is opening in Denver early Spring of 2009!

Evolution Theatre Company’s mission is to provide top-quality theatrical productions that are both challenging and accessible. ETC aspires to create a community within the Denver area that includes actors, musicians, technical and artistic professionals, supporters and patrons. With this collaboration, we aim to give back to the greater Denver community through volunteerism and philanthropy.

The Board of Directors for Evolution Theatre Company are:
Bryan Bell – Co-Founder/Artistic Director
Britta Laree – Co-Founder/President
Aaron Quintana – Co-Founder/Treasurer
Jennifer Schmitz – Secretary
Carla Kaiser Kotrc – Director
Marsha Whitaker – Director
Eric Sammons – Director
Jim Miller – Director

ETC Board of Directors

ETC’s 2009 Season will be announced at the Masquerade Ball in October.

Tax deductible contributions can be mailed to: Evolution Theatre Company 16034 East 97th Avenue, Commerce City, CO 80022

For more information contact evolutiontheatrecompany@gmail.com

The Colorado Theatre Guild‘s 2008 Henry Awards ceremony was held at the Town Hall Arts Center last night, July 7, 2008. Congratulations to all the worthy winners!

Outstanding Actor in a Play
Gene Gillette, Curious Theatre Company, “The Lieutenant of Inishmore”

Outstanding Actress in a Play
Jeanne Paulsen, Denver Center Theatre Company’s “Doubt”

Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Michael E. Gold, Arvada Center, “La Cage aux Folles ”

Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Juliet Villa, PHAMALY, “Urinetown, the Musical”

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play
Mike Hartman, Denver Center Theatre Company, “Plainsong”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play
Barbra Andrews, Paragon Theatre Company, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
Marcus Waterman, Arvada Center, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
Megan Van de Hey, Town Hall Arts Center, “Company”

Outstanding Sound Design
Craig Breitenbach, Denver Center Theatre Company, “Plainsong”

Outstanding Lighting Design
Stephen D. Mazzeno, PHAMALY, “Urinetown, the Musical”

Outstanding Costume Design
Nicole Harrison, Arvada Center, “La Cage aux Folles”

Outstanding Scenic Design
David Lafont, Paragon Theatre Company, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

Outstanding Choreography
Debbie Stark and Cindy Bray, PHAMALY, “Urinetown, the Musical”

Outstanding Ensemble Performance
Denver Center Theatre Company, “Lydia”

Outstanding New Play
“Lydia”, Octavio Solis, Denver Center Theatre Company

Outstanding Production of a Play
Denver Center Theatre Company, “Lydia”

Outstanding Production of a Musical
Arvada Center, “La Cage aux Folles”

Outstanding Direction of a Play
Warren Sherrill, Paragon Theatre Company, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Steve Wilson, PHAMALY, “Urinetown, the Musical”

Outstanding Season for a Theatre Company
Denver Center Theatre Company

Special Achievement in Musical Direction
Donna Debreceni

Special Achievement in Children’s Theatre
Buntport

Special Schievement in Theatre Technology and Engineering
El Armstrong

Outstanding Regional Theatre
Bas Bleu Theatre Company, Fort Collins, Colorado

Lifetime Achievement
John Ashton

Title: Platte Valley Players – The Trip to Bountiful
Location: Prairie View High School Theatre 12909 East 120th Avenue Henderson, CO 80640
Description: THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL by Horton Foote
July 18-27

Directed by Kelly Van Oosbree
Date: 2008-07-19

This is the poignant story of Mrs. Watts, an aging widow living with her son and daughter-in-law in a three-room flat in Houston, Texas. Fearing that her presence may be an imposition on others, and chafing under the watchful eye of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Watts imagines that if she can get away and return to her old home in the town of Bountiful, she is sure to regain her strength, dignity and peace of mind. So she attempts to run away, and when she reaches a bus station on the last part of her short journey, she falls into the hands of a sheriff whom her son and daughter-in-law have put on her trail. The sheriff, a kindly fellow, allows her to complete the final stage of her journey, so she proceeds to Bountiful and makes a lonely pilgrimage to the scene of her old home. Only too soon she learns that the friends of her youth have all died or scattered, and her home is no longer the spacious mansion of her memories but a crumbling wreck. But she has the supreme satisfaction of plunging her hands into the strength-giving earth, and this leaves her with a sense of that strength and dignity that will give her the courage to survive. When her son and daughter-in-law appear on the scene to take her back to Houston, she consents to return quietly, secure in the knowledge that the remainder of her existence will be enriched as a result of her last contact with Bountiful.