By John Moore Oct. 4, 2012 Sarah Ruhl, one of America’s most produced playwrights, is coming to Colorado Springs’ TheatreWorks for a free evening of discussion on Monday, Oct. 8. Ruhl’s “The Clean House,” “Eurydice” and “In the Next Room, Or The Vibrator Play,” have been produced at the Denver Center, Curious Theatre, Equinox, TheatreWorks… Continue reading Podcast: Sarah Ruhl coming to Colorado Springs on Oct. 8
Year: 2012
Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 4: “This Is Happening”
Part 4: This is Happening Veteran arts journalist John Moore followed the making of Ben Dicke’s “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” from inception to an opening night postponed by a serious backstage accident that hospitalized the director/starring actor. Part 4 chronicles the crucial decision-making in the wake of the accident, and why and how this show… Continue reading Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 4: “This Is Happening”
News: Town Hall executive director Nancy Stalf resigns
The board of directors for the Littleton Town Hall Arts Center has accepted the resignation of executive director Nancy Stalf, effective at the end of November. Stalf has been E.D. since October 2008 and is leaving to pursue other professional opportunities, according to a press release issued by Town Hall. “We appreciate the leadership that… Continue reading News: Town Hall executive director Nancy Stalf resigns
Video: Churchill, Barcelona and Navy at the Bluebird Theater
By John Moore Oct. 1, 2012 Churchill celebrated its recent major-label signing with two headlining shows at the Bluebird Theater in Denver on Sept. 29-30, 2012. On Day 2, the set included “Ark in a Flood,” above. The lineup included Navy and Barcelona. Video by John Moore. Barcelona: Seattle’s Barcelona played in support of Denver’s… Continue reading Video: Churchill, Barcelona and Navy at the Bluebird Theater
Video: A rocking Curtain Call for Aurora Fox’s ‘Picasso’
Not every Curtain Call is as fun as this one for “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” presented by Ashton Entertainment at the Aurora Fox Theatre. Performers include Johnny Barber, Eric Mather, Benjamin Cowhick, Steef Sealy, Tupper Cullum, Jack Wefso, Kurt Brighton and Talia Liccardello. Info: Through Oct. 14. Info: 303-739-1970 or aurorafoxartscenter.org. Video by John… Continue reading Video: A rocking Curtain Call for Aurora Fox’s ‘Picasso’
Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 3: “Life Sucks”
Part 3: Life Sucks Veteran arts journalist John Moore followed the making of Ben Dicke’s “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” from inception to an opening night postponed by a serious backstage accident that hospitalized the director, who also happens to be the starring actor. Part 3: “Life Sucks” (a quote from the show) follows Dicke to… Continue reading Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 3: “Life Sucks”
Deceased actor Johnny Lewis’ 2007 Boulder stay: “Seeking solitude in a modern world”
By John Moore Sept. 29, 2012 LISTEN TO JOHN MOORE’S INTERVIEW WITH JOHNNY LEWIS AND GRETA SEACAT Johnny Lewis, the “Sons of Anarchy” star who was found dead in a driveway near Hollywood on Wednesday after allegedly murdering his 81-year-old landlady and her cat, performed in a play with his friends in Boulder in… Continue reading Deceased actor Johnny Lewis’ 2007 Boulder stay: “Seeking solitude in a modern world”
The average price of a live theater ticket in Colorado is …
By John Moore Sept. 28, 2012 Earlier today, I solicited comment from Facebook followers on my anecdotal observation that the fall theater season in Colorado seems to be off to a sure-no-fire start. Some of the most anticipated new works of the fall appear to be playing to houses that are far more empty… Continue reading The average price of a live theater ticket in Colorado is …
Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 2: “The Perfect Mission”
Part 2: The Perfect Mission Veteran arts journalist John Moore followed the making of Ben Dicke’s “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” from inception to an opening night postponed by a serious backstage accident that hospitalized the director, who also happens to be the starring actor. Part 2: “The Perfect Mission” follows the cast through the creative… Continue reading Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 2: “The Perfect Mission”
Germinal mourns death of actor David Kristin
By John Moore Sept. 25, 2012 Germinal-Stage Denver is mourning the death of actor David Kristin, who was also one of the early members of the Denver Center Theatre Company. Kristin died March 31 in Massachusetts after a long bout with cancer, but word of his death has only recently reached Germinal founder Ed… Continue reading Germinal mourns death of actor David Kristin
Video : The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 1
Part 1: Before the Fall Veteran arts journalist John Moore followed the making of Ben Dicke’s “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” from inception to an opening night postponed by a serious backstage accident that hospitalized the director, who also happens to be the starring actor. Running time: 9 minutes. Here is a link to Part… Continue reading Video : The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 1
Fall at the Denver Center: No big breakthrough for local actors
By John Moore Sept. 22, 2012 The Denver Center Theatre Company on Thursday opened its 33rd season, eighth under artistic director Kent Thompson, and first since its National Theatre Conservatory grad program closed down. The end of that highly regarded masters training program – and free talent pool for Thompson’s company – has resulted… Continue reading Fall at the Denver Center: No big breakthrough for local actors
Photos: Opening night of Local’s “Elijah: An Adventure”
By John Moore Sept. 22, 2012 Photos from the party following the opening-night performance of Local Theater Company’s “Elijah: An Adventure,” by Michael Mitnick. It’s one of our “11 most intriguing titles of the fall season.” More on the production here. I crashed (what else?) the party after seeing Abster Productions’ “August, Osage County,”… Continue reading Photos: Opening night of Local’s “Elijah: An Adventure”
Photos, video: Churchill performs “Change” at Denver party
By John Moore Sept. 21, 2012 Just two weeks after signing with national label A&M Octone Records, home of Maroon 5, Denver acoustic indie-rock band Churchill played a down-low private party on Sept. 20 at a Denver art studio. The evening of mostly casual, unplugged goodness included a rendition of the popular new radio hit… Continue reading Photos, video: Churchill performs “Change” at Denver party
Neck injury ends Thompson’s son’s football career at Drake
By John Moore Sept. 21, 2012 Except for perhaps opening nights, nothing made Kent Thompson’s face light up like watching his son play football. Check that: Nothing made Kent Thompson’s face light up like watching his son play football. The Denver Center Theatre Company artistic director and proud papa loved talking about Alex Thompson’s… Continue reading Neck injury ends Thompson’s son’s football career at Drake
Photos: Curious Theatre vs. Buntport at “Smackdown-A-Mania”
By John Moore Sept. 20, 2012 “Wrestlers” from the Curious and Buntport theater companies joined local comedians on Wednesday for “Smackdown-A-Mania,” a ridiculous night of silliness filled with spandex, swerves and several incidents of … self-flagellation. The night was part of Curious Theatre’s “urban adventures” series, designed not only to promote current programming but to… Continue reading Photos: Curious Theatre vs. Buntport at “Smackdown-A-Mania”
Brain injuries: The Agent Orange of the Iraq War
By John Moore Sept. 19, 2012 The Vietnam War had Agent Orange, a lethal herbicidal toxin that exposed up to 5 million Vietnamese people and at least 70,000 soldiers on both sides to cancer as well as nerve, digestive, skin and respiratory disorders. The signature injury of the Iraq War is TBI: Traumatic Brain… Continue reading Brain injuries: The Agent Orange of the Iraq War
KDVR apologizes for borrowed photo flap
By John Moore Sept. 17, 2012 It’s hard out there for a journalist in the internet age, when anyone can steal your work in a second using cut-and-paste, a screen-grab, a right-click or even an iPhone (see above). If you are a freelance photographer, forget being adequately paid for your work. Most would settle… Continue reading KDVR apologizes for borrowed photo flap
George Hamilton out of Denver run of “La Cage Aux Folles”
By John Moore Sept. 14, 2012 George Hamilton, the 73-year-old star of the national touring production of “La Cage Aux Folles,” will not perform in any remaining performances of the run in Denver, which closes at the Buell Theatre on Sept. 16. The Denver Center released only the following statement: “Due to unforeseen circumstances,… Continue reading George Hamilton out of Denver run of “La Cage Aux Folles”
Short story: “-30-“
From the “Recurring Dreams” series By John Moore -30- That’s the international copy-editing symbol for “end of story,” and when Ralph Moore silently pushed those buttons on his cursedly modern laptop computer keyboard, the grizzled old newspaper reporter savored the thrill. Though the final dash was hardly the sensuous clack of a… Continue reading Short story: “-30-“
Audience: “A Happy End,” a sobering lesson we need to learn
By John Moore Sept. 12, 2012 Talkbacks following performances of Iddo Netanyahu’s family drama “A Happy End” have brought spirited response from audience members like Ralph Stern of Denver, to whom the sobering message of play is clear: “I think it’s important for this play to be presented over and over and over again,”… Continue reading Audience: “A Happy End,” a sobering lesson we need to learn
Photos: Arvada Center’s “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”
A look at the Arvada Center’s 2012- 13 season-opener, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” running through Sept. 30. Photos by P. Switzer, Arvada Center Principal cast: Dennis Parlato (Lawrence Jameson); Ben Nordstrom (Freddy Benson); Laura E. Taylor (Christine Colgate); Gary Lynch (Andre Thibault); Susie Roelofsz (Muriel Eubanks) and… Continue reading Photos: Arvada Center’s “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”
Video: “Bloody Bloody” announces new opening date: Sept. 27
By John Moore Sept. 11, 2012 “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” producer and star Ben Dicke, injured in a serious fall just before the opening performance was to begin on Sept. 7, has announced that the regional premiere of the emo-rock political history lesson will now open at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, in the studio… Continue reading Video: “Bloody Bloody” announces new opening date: Sept. 27
Robert Garner given Lifetime Achievement Award at memorial
CultureWest.Org video from the Garner ceremony: Click here By John Moore Sept. 8, 2012 Longtime Denver theater producer Robert Garner was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Broadway League of New York at a celebration Saturday honoring Garner, who died July 19. The award was presented via videotape by Nick Scandalios, chairman of… Continue reading Robert Garner given Lifetime Achievement Award at memorial
“Bloody Bloody” star released from Aurora hospital
By John Moore Sept. 9, 2012 Ben Dicke, the producer, director and star of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” whose fall down a trap door at the Aurora Fox Theatre forced a cancellation of the opening performance less than two hours before it was to begin, was released this morning from the University of Colorado… Continue reading “Bloody Bloody” star released from Aurora hospital
Denver Post: Colorado’s Melissa Benoist joins “Glee”
Today, I am back in the pages of The Denver Post for a day, contributing a story on Colorado’s Melissa Benoist joining the cast of “Glee.” Benoist’s life has changed forever: The Littleton native has been cast on “Glee” — and she already has been Slushied. That’s when a bully throws a Slurpee-like frozen… Continue reading Denver Post: Colorado’s Melissa Benoist joins “Glee”
Injury cancels “Bloody Bloody” opening night at Aurora Fox
By John Moore Sept. 7, 2012 Friday night’s opening performance of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” at the Aurora Fox was canceled because of a backstage accident that sent director, producer and star Benjamin Dicke to the nearby University of Colorado Hospital. Dicke fell about 8 feet down an open trap door at about 5… Continue reading Injury cancels “Bloody Bloody” opening night at Aurora Fox
Video: Actor Christopher Sieber on Broadway’s support for bullied Colorado teen
By John Moore In 2008, Adrian Ulm made national news when it was learned that the 14-year-old middle-schooler from Centennial, Colo., was being beaten up for, among other reasons, taking part in theater. He endured taunts including “Nazi,” “Jew” and “gay” for two years until an inevitable confrontation left him with a broken collarbone and… Continue reading Video: Actor Christopher Sieber on Broadway’s support for bullied Colorado teen
Video: Three minutes with … George Hamilton
In this new web series, journalist John Moore interviews prominent visitors to Denver. George Hamilton, star of the national touring production of “La Cage Aux Folles,” talks along with co-star Christopher Sieber. Episode 2. “La Cage Aux Folles” plays through Sept. 16 at the Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. For tickets, call… Continue reading Video: Three minutes with … George Hamilton
Public invited to celebrate theater producer Bob Garner on Saturday
By John Moore for CultureWest Friends of legendary Denver theater producer Robert Garner know the last thing the tireless bon vivant would probably want is a memorial party on his behalf to be held in a classy ballroom, but … I’m guessing, that will be just the start of a party to celebrate a… Continue reading Public invited to celebrate theater producer Bob Garner on Saturday