Friday, January 7, 2011

Mark Skousen and Ev Sequeira will be our speakers this afternoon at the Denver IDEA Cafe, the Phil Perington will share with us at the combined Community Room College and No Labels Meetup at 4:30 p.m. Join us for either or both!

We have a great Franklin Circle Alpha Group coming together. If you want to make continuous learning part of your life, this is a good way to do that in a very enjoyable and effective way.

We are looking for leaders for the IDEA Cafes, Franklin Circles, and Big Events the new, free Small Business Chamber is starting this year across the state. Let me know if you'd like more information.

No Labels is having a meeting with Dottie Lamm here in Denver next week, see it listed December 13 under the "Events" on http://nolabels.org/

Life's too short for any of us to learn from just our own experience! Hope to see you soon, or just call me and let's catch up on the telephone.

John

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

"next to normal" opens this week here in Denver at the DCPA features the actress who starred on Broadway. I'm going tomorrow (Wed, Jan 6) and will let you know what I think after that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8wexiZ8zUxg

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Denver Wins Third Straight

University of Denver men's basketball team junior guard Travis Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) and sophomore guard Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) both had 13 points to lead the Pioneers in a 65-52 win over Louisiana-Lafayette in the 2010-11 Sun Belt Conference opener at Magness Arena on Thursday night.
“This was big for our guys tonight,” head coach Joe Scott said. “We battled and we fought the whole game, and you have to give credit to our guys down the stretch because they did the things it takes to win.”

The Pioneers continue Sun Belt Conference play on Sunday, Jan. 2 by hosting Arkansas-Little Rock at Magness Arena at 2:30 p.m. MT. The game can be seen live on Pioneer Vision and heard on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510 and FM 93.7, as well as http://www.denverpioneers.com/.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010


THE PULITZER PRIZE AND TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAT AT THE ELLIE CAULKINS
JANUARY 4-16, 2011

DENVER — The startling new musical NEXT TO NORMAL, winner of the 2010
Pulitzer Prize for Drama, will start the Denver Center Attractions 2011 season on an
dramatic high note, playing the Ellie Caulkins Opera House January 4–16. Denver
audiences will have the privilege of seeing Alice Ripley reprise the role she created on
Broadway, for which she won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Single
tickets go on sale Sunday, November 28 at www.denvercenter.org or by phone and
walk-up Monday, November 29 at 10am.

Alice Ripley, winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for NEXT TO
NORMAL, will reprise her acclaimed performance in the musical’s engagement in Denver.
NEXT TO NORMAL also features Asa Somers (Dan), Curt Hansen (Gabe), Emma
Hunton (Natalie), Jeremy Kushnier (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine) and Preston Sadleir (Henry).
Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three 2009 Tony Awards – Best Score,
Best Actress in a Musical, and Best Orchestrations – NEXT TO NORMAL features music
by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, and direction by Michael Greif. With a
thrilling contemporary score, NEXT TO NORMAL is an emotional powerhouse of a
musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other.


NEXT TO NORMAL was chosen as “one of the year’s ten best” by The New York Times,
The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Time Out New York, New York Daily News, The
Bergen Record, and NY1 – more than any other musical from that season.

Single tickets for NEXT TO NORMAL start at just $20. To charge by phone, call
Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing
patrons): 303.893.9582. Groups of 15 or more, please call 303.446.4829. Tickets may also
be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre
Complex Lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.

NEXT TO NORMAL is part of the Denver Center Attractions 2011 season, which is
generously supported by United Airlines and Vectra Bank. Media sponsorship for DCA is
provided by The Denver Post, CBS4 and Denver Magazine. The Denver Center for the
Performing Arts is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Please
visit our website at www.denvercenter.org.

For more information on NEXT TO NORMAL, visit http://www.nexttonormal.com/

PERFORMANCE DATES January 4-16

Tuesday– Sunday 8pm

Saturday & Sunday 2pm

Friday, December 10, 2010

University of Denver Men's Basketball Team (2-7) vs. Portland (7-3)

Saturday, December 11, 2010 • 4 p.m. MT
Magness Arena (7,200) • Denver, Colo.
TV: FSN Rocky Mountain • Radio: AM 1510 & FM 93.7 • Web: http://www.denverpioneers.com/

About Denver: The Pioneers return nine players, including four starters and seven of their top eight scorers, from last season’s squad that went 19-13 overall, 10-8 in the SBC and 15-1 at home. Denver was picked third in the Sun Belt Conference West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll. Through nine games, junior Brian Stafford leads the Pioneers with 14.1 points per game, while sophomore Chase Hallam has averaged 12.0 points and a team-high 2.2 assists per game. Junior Travis Hallam is leading the squad with 3.3 rebounds per game. DU is looking for its second-straight home victory on Saturday.
About Portland: The Pilots were picked to finish fifth in the West Coast Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, and Jared Stohl was named to the Preseason All-WCC Team. Portland is 7-3 with its three losses coming to Kentucky, Washington State and Washington. UP’s lost 94-72 to the Huskies in Seattle on Dec. 6 in the team’s last game, which snapped a three-game winning streak. Stohl is leading the Pilots with 14.7 points per game, while Luke Sikma is averaging a double-double with 12.3 points and 12.1 rebounds per contest. Nemanja Mitrovic is adding 11.5 points per game.

The Match-up: The all-time series is tied 6-6, but the Pilots have won the past four meetings, including a 72-62 victory in Portland on Dec. 12, 2010.
Last Time Out: The Pioneers fell 77-47 to St. Mary’s at the McKeon Pavilion on Dec. 8. Junior guard Travis Hallam led the Pioneers (2-7) with 12 points, tying his career high, but Denver shot just 37.5 percent (18-of-48) from the field and 21.1 percent (4-of-19) from three-point range. St. Mary’s (7-2) shot a blistering 59.6 percent (28-of-47) from the field and was led by Rob Jones’ 17 points and 10 rebounds. Mitchell Young added 14 points, including 11 in the second half, for the Gaels.
Century Club: Senior guard Kyle Lewis played in his 100th game as a Pioneer on Wednesday against St. Mary’s. Saturday’s game against Portland will mark the 300th game as a head coach for Joe Scott.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Joe Scott's University of Denver men's basketball team  (1-6) takes on Cal State Northridge (2-5) Saturday, December 4 at DU's Magness Arena. Tip off will be at 4:30 p.m.  It will be televised on FSN Rocky Mountain, and on the  radio: AM 1510 & FM 93.7. Tickets available at the boxoffice and at http://www.denverpioneers.com/

The Pioneers return nine players, including four starters and seven of their top eight scorers, from last season’s squad that went 19-13 overall, 10-8 in the SBC and 15-1 at home. Denver was picked third in the Sun Belt Conference West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll. Through four games, junior Brian Stafford leads the Pioneers with 14.4 points per game, while sophomore Chase Hallam has averaged 12.7 points and a team-high 3.2 assists per game. Freshman Chris Udofia is leading the squad with 3.9 rebounds per game. DU enters Wednesday’s game looking to rebound from two-straight losses.

The Cal State Northridge Matadors were picked to eighth in the Big West Conference Preseason Media Poll. CSUN is 2-5 with wins over Vanguard and DePaul. The Matadors enter Saturday’s game on a two-game losing streak to Tulsa (80-63 on Nov. 28) and Air Force (72-63 on Dec. 2). CSUN is led by Rashawn McLemore’s 15.7 points per game, while Lenny Daniel is averaging close to a double-double with 13.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. The Matadors are averaging 70.3 points, 36.0 rebounds, 14.3 assists a game and 19.3 turnovers per game.

The series is tied at 1-1 with the Matadors winning 80-53 in Northridge on Dec. 9, 2008, and the Pioneers winning 89-82 last year at Magness Arena.

Last Wednesday the scrappy DU team lost to the three time defending WAS champion powerhouse Utah State. Senior guard Kyle Lewis had a season high 13 points and freshman forward Chris Udofia added 10 more, but it was not enough as the Pioneers fell 61-53. The Pioneers finished 11-of-22 (50.0 percent) from three-point range, but were just 5-of-21 (23.8 percent) from inside the arc.
 DU is collecting unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots at all men’s and women’s basketball games, as well as hockey games, through Dec. 18. Donation boxes will be located throughout the Magness Arena concourse.

Saturday’s game against Cal State Northridge will be broadcast live on FSN Rocky Mountain. Tom Helmer (play-by-play) and Greg Lackey (color) will call the action, while Alanna Rizzo reports from the sidelines. The Pioneers are 13-4 in games on FSN Rocky Mountain during head coach Joe Scott’s three years, including a 6-0 mark last season.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Joe Scott's Pioneers return home to take on three-time defending WAC champion Utah State at Magness Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live on FSN Rocky Mountain, as well as AM 1510 and FM 93.7. Follow DU athletics on the web at http://www.denverpioneers.com/

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 • 7 p.m. Joe Scott's University of Denver men's basketball (0-4) vs. Alcorn State. Magness Arena, Denver TV: None • Radio: AM 1510 & FM 93.7 • Web: http://www.denverpioneers.com/

This year the Pioneers return nine players, including four starters and seven of their top eight scorers, from last season’s squad that went 19-13 overall, 10-8 in the SBC and 15-1 at home. Denver was picked third in the Sun Belt Conference West Division in the annual coaches’ preseason poll, but they have yet to win a game. Through four games, junior Brian Stafford leads the Pioneers with 13.7 points per game, while sophomore Chase Hallam has averaged 10.5 points and a team-high 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Tonight one price tickets are available. For $15, fans can get a ticket and all the concessions they care to eat. The only exclusions are alcohol, bottled drinks and prepackaged candy. Regular priced tickets also are still available, starting at $9.
Dixie Longate, the fast-talking Tupperware Lady, packed up her catalogues, left her children in an Alabama trailer park and took Off-Broadway by storm! Now, join Dixie as she travels the country throwing good ol’ fashioned Tupperware parties filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, FREE giveaways, audience participation and the most fabulous assortment of Tupperware ever sold on a theatre stage. Loaded with the most up-to-date products and available for purchase, see for yourself how Ms. Longate became the #1 Tupperware seller in the US and Canada as she educates her guests on the many alternative uses she has discovered for her plastic products! “Not your grandmother’s Tupperware Party!” says NBC’s Today Show. DIXIE’S TUPPERWARE PARTY plays the Garner Galleria Theatre through January 2.
NOTE: This show is recommended for audiences 16+. For a video preview of the show, visit  http://www.denvercenter.org/
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
1101 13th Street, Denver, CO 80204
303.893.4100
Tickets

Monday, November 22, 2010

Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol Opens December 2.

What better way to shine a light in the dark of winter than to enjoy this holiday tradition, the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge who confronts his ghosts of past, present and future and finally finds redemption. A very special family event for the holiday season, this evergreen story of generosity, kindness and true Christmas spirit comes to joyous life with splendid period sets and costumes. A CHRISTMAS CAROL plays the Stage Theatre through December 24.
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
1101 13th Street, Denver, CO 80204
303.893.4100 Tickets
http://www.denvercenter.org/
Go behind the scenes with 10 Minutes to Curtain, the monthly online video series

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Coach Joe Scott's University of Denver Pioneers men's basketball team returns to Magness Arena to open their home schedule against in-state rival Colorado State on Thursday, November 17 at 7 p.m. MT. Denver has won 15-straight games at Magness Arena, tied for the sixth-longest current home winning streak in the nation. The game will be broadcast live on FSN, as well as AM 1510, FM 93.7 and Pioneer Radio. Follow DU athletics on the web at www.DenverPioneers.com

Monday, November 8, 2010

Shrek The Musical, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on the Broadway stage. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre—not a handsome prince—shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand…and his name is Shrek. Featuring a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, USA Today proclaims Shrek The Musical, “Altogether irresistible… A big fat hit!” Shrek The Musical is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone! SHREK The Musical plays the Buell Theatre Nov 16-28 only. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts

http://www.denvercenter.org/
Go behind the scenes with 10 Minutes to Curtain, Denver Center's monthly online video series

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

DU Men's Basketball is the Best Sports Entertainment Value in Denver!

Photo: DU men basketball's head coach Joe Scott at media day last year. See me, far left with red DU cap, drinking coffee.

The one sport I've been following and writing about here is University of Denver men's basketball. DU's coach Joe Scott returns with his radio show for its fourth year, beginning Nov. 8 from 7-8 p.m. MT on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510 and FM 93.7, the flagship stations of Denver basketball.
Once again, the show will air on Monday nights throughout the season at The Pioneer restaurant, located at 2401 South University Ave., just south of the DU campus. I don't know why they don't move it to University of Denver trustee Joy Burn's Burnsley Hotel, I think they'd have a much better chance of developing an alumni audience for the show. How about trying it this year once or twice, then make a change next year if it works out.

Back for his 12th season as the voice of DU basketball is Mitch Hyder, who will once again MC each show, which will also be webcast live on Pioneer Vision located at http://www.denverpioneers.com/.

I often join Mitch and Joe and DU basketball fans at the Pioneer restaurant to ask Coach Scott questions, as well as enjoying the great mexican food. Fans that cannot make it to the Pioneer Inn are invited to call in with questions during the live broadcast at 303-297-1510, or send e-mails any time prior to each week's show to michael.kennedy@du.edu.

The Pioneers open their season at the BTI Tournament in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 12-14, when they will face UC Santa Barbara, Oregon and North Dakota State over the three days, respectively. Denver opens its home schedule against in-state rival Colorado State on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. MT.

The Denver men's basketball team enters the season with a 15-game home winning streak, tied with NCAA runner up Butler and defending Missouri Valley champion Northern Iowa for the eighth longest in the nation, and have gone 36-7 (.837) at home in Scott's three years as head coach.

Season tickets for the 2010-11 Denver Pioneers are currently on sale. DU continues its commitment to provide the community with the most affordable and exciting entertainment in the Denver metro area. Ticket packages start at $64.
Individual game tickets also are on sale now with prices ranging from $9-$15 for adults. DU students get into the game free with their Pioneer Card.

For ticket information, please visit DenverPioneers.com or call the Pioneer Basketball Ticket Hotline at (303) 871-HOOP.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Do you remember Robert Dubac from his hit one-man show The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?.

I'm told hilarious, intelligent, provocative, and scorching, Robert Dubac’s new solo show Free Range Thinking is comedy on steroids. This time Dubac buckles us up for a fast-paced joy ride over the pot-holed highways of cultural hypocrisy. Armed with intelligent thinking and honest absurdity he crashes head first into the barriers of politics, religion and the media. And he’s not alone. With rapid-fire presentation, he portrays multiple hilarious characters. If you like your satire served up with a clever intelligent edge, don’t miss Robert Dubac’s Free Range Thinking. I'll be there with Mary this Saturday (Oct 30), runs through November
Tickets:
303.893.4100

http://www.denvercenter.org/
Follow the Denver Center on Twitter @DenverCenter
THINGS TO DO FOR HALLOWEEN




Come witness a murder - and then solve it - this Halloween! You are and "extra" in a 1960's movie, "Vampire Circus", when suddenly, there's a murder on the set. You and your table-mates will unravel a story that is not soon to be forgotten. Click here to see KMGH-TV7 interview

WHAT: "HORROR IN HOLLYWOOD" interactive, comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre AND, for Kids (8-14), "MURDER IN THE HAUNTED MANSION".
WHERE: Adams Mystery Playhouse, 2406 Federal Blvd., Denver, 80211
WHEN:

Friday, 10/29 - "Murder in the Haunted Mansion" (for kids) 12:00 noon - 2:15 pm (BYO sack lunch show) - $10 per person

Friday, 10/29 - "Murder in Hollywood" (for adults and families) 6:30pm - 9:30pm - $42 and $46 per person

Saturday, 10/30 - "Murder in the Haunted Mansion" (for kids) 1:00pm - 2:30pm (show only - no sack lunch) - $10 per person

Saturday, 10/30 - ""Horror in Hollywood" (adults&families) 6:30pm-9:30pm - $42 and $46 per person
Sunday, 10/31 - "Horror in Hollywood" (adults&families) 12:00noon - 3:00pm - $42 and $46 per person
TICKETS: Must be purchased in advance, by calling 303-455-1848, or buy online http://www.adamsmysteryplayhouse.com/.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

What happens when our best loved founding father is miraculously teleported into a 21st century television studio to face questions from an aggressive group of lively panelists?




There’s more to Ben Franklin than a kite in a storm, as audiences will discover when they attend Ben Franklin’s Tea Party at THEATREWORKS, 14-17 October in t...he Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater at UCCS. The production features Christopher Lowell as Benjamin Franklin. Tea will be served. Ben Franklin’s Tea Party plays Oct. 14, 15, 16 at 7:30p.m, with a 2:00 matinee on Oct. 16, and a 4:00 p.m. performance on Oct. 17. Each performance will be broadcast live on the on the UCCS cable television channel. For reservations and further information, contact the THEATREWORKS box office at (719) 255-3232 or (719) 255-3232, or online at http://www.theatreworkscs.org/.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Saw Dracula at the DCPA tonight,  a powerful performance of a powerful story. Message is still as relevant today, maybe more so, as when  the play was written in the late 1800s as we were ramping up the scientific revolution, "there are things in heaven and earth that are not dreamed of in your philosophy"  basics that just don't lend themselves to understanding through the scientific method.

Made me very glad to be a Catholic.

Non-christians might find the play tedious and difficult if not impossible to understand. The Denver Post reviewer gave it a bad review.

If you take your spiritual life seriously, I say don't miss it! See more about the play and information about how to get tickets below.
University of Denver coach Joe Scott talks about the drive for the conference championship this year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPkMP1nodtw&feature=channel

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Grease, TIME magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 musical of the year,” is rockin’ across the country in this new production direct from Broadway. Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins and T-birds. “Bad boy” Danny and “the girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again to the tune of your favorite songs: “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together” as well as additional songs from the hit movie: “Grease,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re the One That I Want.” So throw your mittens around your kittens and Hand Jive the night away with the show that’ll make you want to stand up and shout, “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop A-wop-bam-boom!” GREASE plays the Buell Theatre Oct 12-17 only.  http://www.denvercenter.org/
Follow the Denver Center on Twitter @DenverCenter

Monday, September 27, 2010

VAMPIRE CLASSIC DEBUTS ON DCTC STAGE


* * *

Dracula plays the Stage Theatre Oct 1 – 31

Opening Night Thurs, Oct 7

Denver — Charles Morey’s thrilling adaptation of Bram Stoker’s DRACULA will play the Denver Center Theatre Company’s Space Theatre October 1-31 (with a press opening night Thursday, October 7.) Tickets for the original vampire tale are on sale now, by calling 303.893.4100 or www.denvercenter.org.

Directed by Gavin Cameron-Webb, the DCTC production of DRACULA promises to be lushly staged and amply frightening. Charles Morey’s adaptation is loyal to Stoker’s original novel in both plot and style, and mirrors the novel’s overarching sense of threat and dread, says Cameron-Webb. He also notes that what makes this tale so thrilling is that our imagination and our fear of what lurks in the fog and might emerge from the gloom, is more frightening than anything in reality. He aims to play on those fears in the production, while staying true to the classic vampire tale.

Single tickets for DRACULA start at $18 and are on sale now. To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829. Tickets may also be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org. Student $10 rush ticket are available one hour prior to curtain with a valid student ID subject to availability. Senior and military rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability. No
children under six will be admitted to any theatre.
Special Events for DRACULA

Perspectives on the Play
October 1 at 6pm

The DCTC’s creative team gives audiences a unique viewpoint about the play they are about to see, which makes the stage experience even more rewarding. In the Jones Theatre.

Student Nights
October 1 at 7pm

Students with ID can purchase $10 tickets in advance along with other social activities. Use promo code STUDENT when ordering. On October 1, enjoy the pre-show “Perspectives on the Play”, the Student Lounge in the lobby and a special for a local restaurant.

Talkback hosted by the Higher Education Advisory Council
October 9

Join the cast for a post-show discussion led by members of our academic community.

DCTC at the TC
October 8 at 12pm

Part of our ongoing partnership with The Tattered Cover LoDo. In the event space on the second floor of the Tattered Cover on 16th Street downtown, DCTC Literary Manager Douglas Langworthy will examine the art of adapting works for the stage. Come and find out why the Charles Morey adaptation of Dracula was selected over several others.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Miners Alley Playhouse presents
“Art”
How much would you pay for a white painting?

How would you feel about your best friend if he suddenly did something you thought so colossally stupid, it made you doubt the very basis of the friendship? When an art lover Serge, buys what is in essence a pure white painting for a horse-choking sum, his best friend, Marc goes ballistic. A third friend, Yvan squeezed in the middle of the conflict, tries to please and mollify them both. Serious questions about the meaning of contemporary art and contemporary friendships (and how they're sometimes not all that different)are bought into sharp relief in this classic comedy “Art”.

Sept 10 – Oct 24
Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m.; *Sun. 6 p.m. *Sunday, October 24 will be at 2 p.m. There will be no evening show on this date

1224 Washington Avenue (13th and Washington 2nd floor entrance on 13th).
Tickets: $19 - $26.50
Call 303-935-3044 or online at minersalley.com
CARIDAD SVICH’S THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS

PLAYS THE DENVER CENTER THEATRE COMPANY’S SPACE THEATRE

SEPT 17-OCT 23

Denver — THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS, an adaptation of Isabel Allende’s epic novel written by award-winning playwright Caridad Svich, will play the Denver Center Theatre Company’s Space Theatre September 17-October 23 (opening night Thursday, September 23.) Tickets are on sale now, by calling 303.893.4100 or www.denvercenter.org.

THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS is a family saga that looks at four generations of political, social and familial upheaval, and the pride, passion and triumph of characters living in turbulent times. Playwright Caridad Svich’s English adaptation of Allende’s novel will receive its first major production at the DCTC. The play has previously been produced in Spanish both in Chile and at Repertorio Espanol in New York City.

Isabel Allende, who last Thursday was awarded Chile’s National Literature Prize, published her debut novel The House of the Spirits in 1982 and it quickly became an international best-seller and critical success. Set in a fictional Latin American country, the novel spans over 50 years and deals with themes of oppression, tyranny, gender and class issues, but also romance, love, healing and forgiveness. These themes greatly interested Svich as she approached the novel to adapt it for the stage, as they echoed topics in her previous plays.

The cast of THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS includes Meaghan Wolf (Alba), Franca Sofia Barchiesi (Clara), Allison Pistorius (Rosa the Beautiful/Blana), John Hutton (Esteban Trueba), Drew Cortese (Esteban Garcia), Dena Martinez (Pancha/Woman 1), Jeanne Paulsen (Nivea/Woman 2), Jeanine Serralles (Ferula/Count Satigny/Woman 3), Lanna Joffrey (Transito Soto), Lawrence Hecht (Severo/Pedro Garcia/Fr. Antonio) and Dion Mucciacito (Pedro Tercero/Guard/Barrabas).

THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS, a play with songs by Caridad Svich, is directed by Jose Zayas, who directed last season’s staged reading of the play, the Spanish language version of the play at Repertorio Espanol in NYC, and the Chilean premiere of the adaptation. Costume design is by Deborah Dryden (DCTC’s The Trip to Bountiful). Scenic design is by Robert Mark Morgan (The Diary of Anne Frank), with projection design by Charlie I. Miller (When Tang Met Laika, Mama Hated Deisels) and lighting design by Jane Spencer (Well, The Voysey Inheritance). Arrangements and additional music is by Jane Shaw, with sound design by Jason Ducat (DCTC’s Othello, When Tang Met Laika).

About the playwright: Caridad Svich is a US Latina playwright, translator, lyricist and editor whose works have been presented across the US and abroad at diverse venues including Repertorio Espanol, The Women’s Project, INTAR, 59East59, Cincinnati Playhouse, McCarren Park Pool, 7 Stages, Salvage Vanguard Theatre, ARTheater-Cologne, and Edinburgh Fringe Festival/UK. Among her key plays are 12 Ophelias, Any Place But Here, Alchemy of Desire/Dead-Man's Blues, Fugitive Pieces, Iphigenia...a rave fable, Instructions for Breathing, and the multimedia collaboration The Booth Variations. She is currently working on new play A Little Story and In the Time of the Butterflies (based on the novel by Julia Alvarez). She has translated nearly all of Federico Garcia Lorca’s plays as well as works by Lope de Vega, Calderon de la Barca, Julio Cortazar and new plays from Spain, Cuba and Mexico and has freely adapted works by Wedekind, Sophocles, Euripides and Shakespeare.

Single tickets for THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS start at $18 and are on sale now. To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829. Tickets may also be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org. Student $10 rush ticket are available one hour prior to curtain with a valid student ID subject to availability. Senior and military rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability. No children under six will be admitted to any theatre.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Want me to attend your event and publicize it here? Call me on my cell (720)495-4949 and I'll see if the date is available.
I'll be attending this next Saturday, July 24. Join us?


Miners Alley Playhouse presents
The Underpants
By Steve Martin
Adapted from Carl Sternheim original 1913 play Die Hose
Directed by Rick Bernstein
Miners Alley Playhouse presents “The Underpants” through August 29, with performances every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m.; *Sunday, August. 29 will be at 2 p.m.—no evening performance on this date.* Regular Tickets are $20 ($21 online). Senior, Student and Group rates available. Tickets are available by calling 303-935-3044 or online at minersalley.com.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

  Attended preview of the new Biennial of the Americas today (click here for my Facebook photos) 

This should be a lot of fun, events throughout the month of July, starting with concerts this week, including the Colorado Symphony with fireworks in Civic Center Saturday, July 3.

Some of these roundtables, concerts and other events will sell out, so order your tickets now.For complete schedule go to: http://www.biennialoftheamericas.org/
 
This should be fun, click below for more:

Monday, June 28, 2010

Miners Alley Playhouse presents
The Underpants
By Steve Martin
Adapted from Carl Sternheim original 1913 play Die Hose
Directed by Rick Bernstein

Miners Alley Playhouse presents “The Underpants” July 9 through August 29, with performances every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m.; *Sunday, August. 29 will be at 2 p.m.—no evening performance on this date.* There will be one Industry Night on Thursday, July 15 at 7: 30 p.m., industry night tickets $15. Regular Tickets are $20 ($21 online). Senior, Student and Group rates available. Tickets are available by calling 303-935-3044 or online at minersalley.com.

Opening night features a great, gala hors d’ oeuvres reception after the show; audience is invited to join the festivities and mingle with the cast. On Saturday, July 17, Miners Alley holds its "Second Saturday" talk back with the cast after the performance. 

In The Underpants, actor-writer Steve Martin has adapted the 1910 social comedy by German playwright Carl Sternheim and turned it into a hilarious, over-the-top farce centered on an unruly pair of knickers. Louise is a pretty, young housewife in turn-of-the-century Germany, whose frilly pantaloons accidentally fall to her ankles while watching the Kaiser's parade, it causes a scandal and sets in motion a zany chain of events. A foppish poet and a nebbish barber, both entranced by the brief glimpse of her underwear, vie to become Louise's lover. Her new-found fame terrifies her husband, thrills her neighbor and brings out her own parade of bizarre suitors.

In "The Underpants" actor-writer Steve Martin turns the 1910 social comedy by German playwright Carl Sternheim into a hilarious, over-the-top farce centered on an unruly pair of knickers.
The cast includes: John Greene as Theo Maske, Haley Johnson as Louise Maske, as Paige L. Larson Gertrude Deuter, Chris Bleau as Franklin Angelo “The Cat” Luigi Versati III, Christian Mast as Benjamin Cohen,  Del Domnik as Herr Klinglehoff.

”Not since Monica Lewinsky's thong almost toppled a presidency has a pair of panties caused such a national fuss. ...a hilarious, over-the-top farce" -The New York Daily News

Miners Alley Playhouse presents
The Underpants
“Never underestimate the power of a glimpse of lingerie”!
July 9 – Aug 29
Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m.; *Sun. 6 p.m. \  *Sunday, August 29 will be at 2 p.m. There will be no evening show on this date
Industry Night – Thur. July 15 @ 7:30 p.m.. (Industry Night Tickets $15)
1224 Washington Avenue (13th and Washington 2nd floor entrance on 13th).
Tickets: $20 ($21 online)
Call 303-935-3044  or online at minersalley.com

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Denver Gains First SBC Road Win
Chase Hallam stars with 19 points and six rebounds

NEW ORLEANS – Freshman Chase Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) scored a career-high 19 points to lead Denver to a 53-45 win over New Orleans in Sun Belt Conference action at Lakefront Arena. Denver earned its first SBC road win of the season and improves to 16-11 overall and 9-7 in the SBC. New Orleans falls to 8-19, 3-13 SBC.

“I really like the way we are playing right now,” DU head coach Joe Scott said. “We overcame a lot of adversity tonight to get this road win. All of our players have been getting better and it was nice our senior Nate Rohnert played at his best when it mattered tonight.”

Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) added 17 points, including 10 late in the second half, and a career-best 13 rebounds as DU won for the first time ever in New Orleans.

DU led 20-10 at the half by outplaying UNO and turning in a stellar defensive effort. Chase Hallam scored 10 points, including DU’s first eight. The Pioneers held the Privateers to a paltry 2-for-17 from the floor, but went 2-of-12 from three-point range, and missed three layups and five charity attempts.

UNO went on an 8-0 run to start the second half, but five points from Travis Hallam (Mesquite, Texas) and a three-pointer from Justin Coughlin (Yuma, Colo.) gave DU a 28-22 lead.

The Privateers cut the DU lead to 39-38, but eight free throws by Nate Rohnert (Parker, Colo.) and four points from Chase Hallam in the last four minutes iced DU’s first SBC road win.

Denver returns to action at South Alabama on Feb. 25. The Pioneers close out the regular season against Louisiana Lafayette on Feb. 27.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

DENVER – The Denver Center Theatre Company prepares to welcome nearly 300 theatre professionals and press representatives from across the nation to Denver and the 2010 Colorado New Play Summit this weekend.  For video overview see  http://www.denvercenter.org/10Minutes

Photo: (L to R front) Mike Hartman, Philip Pleasants, Reema Zaman and members of the cast in a Colorado New Play Summit reading of Eventide by Eric Schmiedl, based on the novel written by Kent Haruf. Photo by Kyle Malone
 
In just four seasons, the nation’s youngest major new play festival has premiered nine full productions, read 20 new plays, and presented panel discussions on the subjects of new voices for women, crossing cultures, writing for the stage and television, and what’s next in new play development.  New plays commissioned by the Denver Center Theatre Company for the Summit have been produced Off-Broadway and at major regional theatres from Yale Repertory Theatre to the Center Theatre Group’s Mark Taper Forum, and have been among the finalists for some of the nation’s most prestigious new play awards. 
Centerpiece of the fifth annual Summit are the commissioned world premieres of When Tang Met Laika by Rogelio Martinez – the love story imaginatively set on the International Space Station and Eventide by Eric Schmiedl based on the novel by Kent Haruf – the company’s signature poignant story of Holt, Colorado and the companion piece to the critically-acclaimed play Plainsong (commissioned and premiered by the Denver Center Theatre Company in 2008).  In addition, four playwrights will hear two readings of their new works in development: Caridad Svich based her new play on Isabel Allende’s novel The House of the Spirits, looking at four generations of political and social upheavals through the powerful lens of memory.  Michele Lowe (Inana) introduces Map of Heaven, a contemporary drama with tragic undertones, exploring the devastating consequences of a single lapse in judgment.  In Ken Weitzman’s The Catch, America’s national pastime meets America’s financial meltdown when a failed dot-commer plots to regain his fortune by catching a star slugger’s record-breaking home run ball.  And Jason Grote (1001) interweaves a giant pig on the rampage, mass choreography, Washington and Jefferson selling snacks to the inner city and the search for love and meaning in Civilization (All You Can Eat).

A highlight of the fifth annual Summit is the mid-winter meeting of the American Theatre Critics Association with theatre reporters from Chicago Public Radio, Salt Lake Tribune,
Miami Herald, Albuquerque Journal, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Chicago Tribune, Pittsfield Gazette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and many of the nation’s top theatre websites.  National theatre philanthropist Jim Steinberg of the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust will moderate a discussion of “New Works and the Critics” with four ATCA members – Christine Dolen from The Miami Herald, Jeffrey Eric Jenkins editor of Best Plays Theatrical Yearbook, Chris Jones from The Chicago Tribune and Christopher Rawson from The Pittsburgh Post - Gazette.

Theatre professionals scheduled to participate in the Summit February 11 -13 include artistic directors, literary managers, agents, actors, dramaturgs and directors.  They represent: Utah Shakespearean Festival; New York’s Lark Play Development Center, Primary Stages, Chautaqua Theatre Company and Clubbed Thumb; California’s Cornerstone Theatre, TheatreWorks, Center Theatre Group and Native Voices at the Autry; Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre Company; Chicago Dramatists; and Denver’s Paragon Theatre and Buntport Theatre.


For more information visit www.denvercenter.org/summit.
Some of the readings are open to the public.