Survey: Most Denver theatregoers aren’t coming back anytime soon

Audiences, and artists, express deep concerns over going on with the show By John Moore Senior Arts Journalist The spirit is ready and willing, but when it comes to returning to our local theatre stages during an ongoing pandemic, the flesh is weak. Local theatre companies are all wondering when they will be allowed to… Continue reading Survey: Most Denver theatregoers aren’t coming back anytime soon

Costume Designer Kevin Brainerd was epitome of class and panache

Kevin Brainerd designed costumes for 18 productions at Curious Theatre Company. Photo courtesy Markas Henry.

  Death at age 58 has theatre community’s heart on its linen sleeve By John Moore, Senior Arts Journalist The clothes may not make the man, but under his meticulous eye, Kevin Brainerd’s clothes made hundreds of fictional characters come to vivid life on stages from Broadway to Boulder. Brainerd, an acclaimed theatrical costume designer… Continue reading Costume Designer Kevin Brainerd was epitome of class and panache

Back to Africa: My 2002 review of ‘The Lion King’ in Denver

A journey to the heart of Julie Taymor’s imagination By John Moore Denver Post Theater Critic Originally published April 28, 2002 It turns out “The Lion King” doesn’t bring Broadway’s most highly sought national tour to Denver after all. Instead, it transports the people of Denver nearly 10,000 miles away to the magical splendor of… Continue reading Back to Africa: My 2002 review of ‘The Lion King’ in Denver

Arvada Center actor: ‘George H.W. Bush groped me,’ too

Jordana Grolonick, second from left, made a benefit appearance for the Denver Actors Fund with her Arvada Center ‘A Chorus Line’ castmates at the Denver Alamo Drafthouse on Aug. 28. Photo by John Moore. The claim by Jordana Grolnick of Longmont has been confirmed by an official, and an apology has been issued Posted by… Continue reading Arvada Center actor: ‘George H.W. Bush groped me,’ too

Denver Actors Fund announces statewide expansion

Daniel Langhoff, a cancer survivor and Denver Actors Fund recipient, announced the DAF's Community Impact Award with his wife, Rebecca Joseph, at the recent Henry Awards. Photo by Brian Landis Folkins.

In the video above, new parents Rebecca Joseph and Daniel Langhoff present Denver Actors Fund President Will Barnette with the Colorado Theatre Guild’s first Community Impact Award at the 2016 Henry Awards.   The Denver Actors Fund, which in three years has directly distributed more than $55,000 to metro-area theatre artists in situational medical need,… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund announces statewide expansion

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 78: Erica Lee Johnson

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 78: Erica Lee Johnson

Denver Actors Fund in Action: Joe Majestic

Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have his or her story told. Financial-aid recipient: Littleton native Joe Majestic, a graduate of Arapahoe High School, appeared as Lewis in Ignite Theatre’s “Pippin,” and as Bobby in “Cabaret.”  He also played a… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Joe Majestic

Young ‘Oz’ actor speaks up for Denver Actors Fund

  On Saturday morning, young Theatre of Academy Arts actor Hannah Katz spoke to audiences at the Town Hall Arts Center in support of the Denver Actors Fund. “We are lucky to have so many gifted, talented, caring, dedicated actors in the professional theatre community who set great examples for us both onstage and off,”… Continue reading Young ‘Oz’ actor speaks up for Denver Actors Fund

Denver Actors Fund in Action: Shelly Bordas

Actor, teacher and mother’s long and defiant battle galvanized the Colorado theatre community Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have his or her story told. Financial-aid recipient: Shelly Bordas was a Denver actor and teacher who appeared in dozens… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Shelly Bordas

DSA students make remarkable, record donation to Denver Actors Fund

From left: Amelia Corrada (Penny), Madison Kitchen (Tracy), Jeremy Willis (Seaweed), Claire Willcutt, John Moore and Jimmy Bruenger (Link Larkin). Twelve days before Denver School of the Arts was to open its fall all-school musical “Hairspray,” cast members Jimmy Bruenger and his little sister, Damiana, learned their father, James, had died of a sudden heart… Continue reading DSA students make remarkable, record donation to Denver Actors Fund

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 91: Sam Gregory

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 91: Sam Gregory

Performers: Cast yourselves in ‘Miscast 2014’ for Denver Actors Fund

By John Moore “Miscast 2014″ is an opportunity for some of the local theatre community’s top performers to sing songs and act out scenes they would never … ever! … get cast to perform on any legitimate stage. This popular tradition is being brought back by the Aurora Fox for one night only on Sept.… Continue reading Performers: Cast yourselves in ‘Miscast 2014’ for Denver Actors Fund

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 31: Sean Scrutchins and Devon James

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 31: Sean Scrutchins and Devon James

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 10, Augustus Truhn

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 10, Augustus Truhn

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 6, Joe Von Bokern

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 6, Joe Von Bokern

The Denver Sonnets Project, No. 144: Cailin Doran

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading The Denver Sonnets Project, No. 144: Cailin Doran

A Message from Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield …

When movie stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone were being hounded by paparazzi at lunch, they put their celeb status to clever and good-hearted use: By hiding their faces with note cards calling attention to worthy non-profit organizations. And, well … we took it from there. The Denver Actors Fund provides financial and support assistance… Continue reading A Message from Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield …

The Denver Sonnets Project, No. 73: Jim Hunt

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading The Denver Sonnets Project, No. 73: Jim Hunt

Denver Actors Fund in Action: Traci Kern

Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have his or her story told. Financial aid recipient No. 7: Longtime actor and 17-year vocal coach Traci J. Kern has appeared in many productions for many local theatre companies, including recently in… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Traci Kern

The Denver Sonnets Project, No. 131: Josh Nelson

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading The Denver Sonnets Project, No. 131: Josh Nelson

The Denver Sonnets Project, No. 124: Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s ‘The Tempest’

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading The Denver Sonnets Project, No. 124: Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s ‘The Tempest’

Denver Actors Fund in Action: Meghan Ralph

Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have his or her story told. Financial aid recipient No. 6: Meghan Ralph has been heavily involved in the Denver theatre community since 2004, working as actor, stage manager, assistant director, run crew,… Continue reading Denver Actors Fund in Action: Meghan Ralph

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 47: Adrian Egolf

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 47: Adrian Egolf

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 44: John Carroll Lynch

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 44: John Carroll Lynch

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 90: Adam Stone

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 90: Adam Stone

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 74: Lowry Elementary School

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 74: Lowry Elementary School

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 1: Cult Following

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 1: Cult Following

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 2: Josh Robinson

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 2: Josh Robinson

Denver Sonnets Project, No. 94: James O’Hagan-Murphy

By John Moore CultureWest.Org is endeavoring to make short films out of all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, each featuring actors with Colorado connections. The artistic intent is primarily to further CultureWest’s mission to spotlight the local theatre community and their current or upcoming productions. It’s also an attempt to promote Shakespeare education in a fun… Continue reading Denver Sonnets Project, No. 94: James O’Hagan-Murphy

Save the dates: Late-night Denver Actors Fund parties

Seth Caikowski and Joel Adam Chavez singing “Can’t Fight This Feeling” at the Denver Actors Fund’s inaugural party last June 1 at the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse. Theatre Karaoke Nights return this summer.  Photo by Kevin Lowry.  By John Moore With summer fast approaching, the Denver Actors Fund is happy to announce the return of its signature late-night parties filled… Continue reading Save the dates: Late-night Denver Actors Fund parties