Colorado New Play Summit taps Laura Eason, Helen Thorpe, Karen Zacarías and more

Laura Eason graduated from Cherry Creek High School.

By John Moore Nov. 19, 2012 The lineup for the Denver Center Theatre Company’s 8th Annual Colorado New Play Summit in February will include the newest work by rising playwriting star Laura Eason, a graduate of Cherry Creek High School, and a collaboration between former Colorado First Lady Helen Thorpe and Karen Zacarías. Eason’s adaptation… Continue reading Colorado New Play Summit taps Laura Eason, Helen Thorpe, Karen Zacarías and more

Phamaly’s Jeremy Palmer accepts volunteer award, Denver mayor’s proclamation

Its Jeremy Palmer Day in Denver - and all wife Lyndsay got was a bag of cookies. Photo by John Moore

Phamaly Theatre Company actor and writer Jeremy Palmer accepts the Denver Foundation’s Minoru Yasui Volunteer Award, and Denver mayor Michael Hancock’s proclamation making Nov. 15, 2012, “Jeremy Palmer Day” in Denver. Video by John Moore of culturewest.org. Run time: 7 minutes.

John Hutton on Spielberg, Denver’s “Lincoln” connections, and being invited to the party

John Hutton talks about his role in "Lincoln." Photo by John Moore.

By John Moore Nov. 15, 2013 John Hutton has only five or six lines in the Steven Spielberg film “Lincoln,” opening nationwide Friday (Nov. 16). But, hey, the veteran Denver actor’s girlfriend reminded him, “You could have been in ‘The Three Stooges’ movie. That could have been the call you got.” Instead, the call he… Continue reading John Hutton on Spielberg, Denver’s “Lincoln” connections, and being invited to the party

Evan Weissman to launch Denver’s first “Civic Health Club”

Evan Weissman is out to change the world, one stomach at a time. Photo by John Moore.

  By John Moore Nov. 12, 2012 If asked about your physical health, emotional health, spiritual health or psychological health, you’d most likely have an answer at the ready, says Denver actor Evan Weissman. Perhaps you’ve recently discovered yoga; you’ve found God, a guru or a therapist. But what if you were asked about your… Continue reading Evan Weissman to launch Denver’s first “Civic Health Club”

A message on Veteran’s Day: Air Force Sgt., and actor, James Sherman

Air Force Sgt. James Sherman

By John Moore Nov. 12, 2012 On this Veteran’s Day, please consider  this monologue, “My Junk,” written by Air Force Sgt. James Sherman. He performed it as part of the local Phamaly Theatre Company’s fifth annual “Vox Phamilia,” a collection of original scenes and comic sketches offering an at-times times brutally honest perspective on living… Continue reading A message on Veteran’s Day: Air Force Sgt., and actor, James Sherman

60-second review: “How the World Began”

Ryan Wuestawald and Emily Paton Davies in "How the World Began."

  By John Moore Nov. 10, 2012 I so wish I could tell you the classroom drama “How the World Began” is nothing more than an obvious piece of playwriting propaganda — an infuriating pop-culture provocation that unfairly mocks that part of poor, stupid small-town America that still clings to its entrenched belief in “intelligent… Continue reading 60-second review: “How the World Began”

Miners Alley Playhouse making way for new artistic leadership

Rick Bernstein, Lisa DeCaro, Len Matheo, Brenda Billings and Paige Larson will be working together to run Golden's Miners Alley Playhouse in 2013. Photo by John Moore.

    By John Moore Nov. 8, 2012 Rick Bernstein has announced the “slow and steady” transition of the leadership of his Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden to a well-known local team headed by Evergreen Players board president Brenda Billings and director Len Matheo. Matheo and Billings will take over as co-executive artistic directors on… Continue reading Miners Alley Playhouse making way for new artistic leadership

What companies can learn from the reinvention of Denver’s Curious Theatre

Tara Falk stars in Curious Theatre's current offering, "Time Stands Still," Donald Margulies' drama about an injured photojournalist just home from Iraq. Photo by Michael Ensminger.

By John Moore Nov. 4, 2012 A tremor from a divisive national debate that has been growing among theater professionals nationwide for years finally rumbled its way to the picturesque Rocky Mountains — and Curious Theatre director Christy Montour-Larson felt it. You won’t find anyone more loyal to Denver’s primary mid-sized professional theater company than… Continue reading What companies can learn from the reinvention of Denver’s Curious Theatre

Creede Rep season will mark dawn of Jackson era – and zombies

Company veteran Christy Brandt will star in "The Language of Trees" in 2013. Photo by John Moore.

  By John Moore Nov. 2, 2012 The Creede Repertory Theatre’s first full season under new artistic director Jessica Jackson will reflect the company’s longstanding commitment to mixing groundbreaking new work with Broadway musicals and theater for children. But the 48th summer season at the acclaimed theater nestled in the mountains 250 miles south of… Continue reading Creede Rep season will mark dawn of Jackson era – and zombies

Curious again alone in offering annual “Free Night of Theatre”

By John Moore Oct. 30, 2012 The New York-based Theater Communications Group (TCG) has tried for eight years to organize a national night of free theater, but the initiative has failed to drum up much participation in Colorado. Not because audiences here don’t want a night of free theater, but because member theaters here just… Continue reading Curious again alone in offering annual “Free Night of Theatre”

Denver Post profile: TV host Eden Lane opens up about her life and challenges

Last week, Eden Lane participated in a community-wide staged reading of Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black's play "8," hosted by the Denver Center Theatre Company and featuring a cast of both professional actors and local celebrities. The play chronicles the historic constitutional challenge to California s Proposition 8, which would have eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry. (Photo by Jennifer M. Koskinen, provided by the Denver Center)

  By John Moore Oct. 21, 2012 Colorado Public Television’s Eden Lane is believed to be the first transgender journalist on mainstream TV anywhere in the United States. “But I don’t think of being transgender as any part of my identity, any more than I do that I am left-handed,” she said. But “the Eden… Continue reading Denver Post profile: TV host Eden Lane opens up about her life and challenges

Two ex-theater critics, sitting around having coffee

Former theater writer Mark Collins has gone from critical to presidential in square product theatre's "44 Plays for 44 Presidents."

  By John Moore Oct. 19, 2012 For 10 years, Mark Collins was one of the leading critical voices in the Denver/Boulder theater community, combining a compassionate eye for the art of making theater with an opinion backed by a master’s degree. As a freelance contributor to the Boulder Daily Camera, Collins was always understated… Continue reading Two ex-theater critics, sitting around having coffee

Colorado theater companies join forces for military families

Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora.

  By John Moore Oct. 18, 2012 A new national initiative will be announced tomorrow that will recognize “the profound contributions of military service families,” and seven Colorado theater companies are helping to lead the way. The Blue Star Theatres program, founded by the national Theatre Communications Group service organization, will team 57 of its… Continue reading Colorado theater companies join forces for military families

Video, photo coverage: “After the Darklights” web-series launch party

Emily Paton Davies and Mike Marlow. Photo by Brian Landis Folkins.

By John Moore Oct. 10, 2012 The 10-minute pilot episode of “After the Darklights,” a new post-apocalyptic web series written and directed by Denver’s Michael Morgan, was launched today as a free online offering. The video posted above chronicles the launch party held at the Laundry on Lawrence artists collective at 27th and Lawrence streets… Continue reading Video, photo coverage: “After the Darklights” web-series launch party

Review: “Memphis” lifts you higher and higher

Felicia Boswell as Felicia and Bryan Fenkart as Huey in "Memphis." Photo by Paul Kolnik.

  By John Moore Oct. 10, 2012 “Memphis” is a sparkling Broadway musical that, to start, takes on race relations in almost the vein of a superficial fairy tale: A well-meaning white man wanders into the danger of a blues club on the dark side of town with all the blissful naivete of Larry Kroger… Continue reading Review: “Memphis” lifts you higher and higher

Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 5: “Jackson Has It Going On”

Director Ben Dicke takes a moment in the Aurora Fox parking lot before taking to the stage in the delayed opening-night performance of "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" on Sept. Sept. 27, 2012. Photo by John Moore

  By John Moore Oct. 9, 2012 Part 5: Jackson Has It Going On 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 5, the final chapter, chronicles the triumphant rescheduled… Continue reading Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 5: “Jackson Has It Going On”

Podcast: Sarah Ruhl coming to Colorado Springs on Oct. 8

The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center recently staged Sarah Ruhl's "In the Next Room, Or The Vibrator Play."

  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

Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 4: “This Is Happening”

The day after Ben Dicke was released from the hospital, the cast met to discuss whether to postpone the run until January, or come back as soon as it was medically possible for Dicke. Photo by John Moore.

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: A rocking Curtain Call for Aurora Fox’s ‘Picasso’

Benjamin Cowhick and Jack Wefso in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile." Photo courtesy Aurora Fox.

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’

Deceased actor Johnny Lewis’ 2007 Boulder stay: “Seeking solitude in a modern world”

Johnny Lewis at the time of his stay in Boulder in 2007.

  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 …

Those "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" at the Arvada Center are charging the top ticket price in town. Photo by P. Switzer.

  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" follows the cast through the creative process to the even of opening night, one day before Ben Dicke was severely injured in a freak backstage accident/ Photo by John Moore

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

The late David Kristin starring in "The Well of the Saints" at Germinal Stage-Denver in 1979.

  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

On May 1, Ben Dicke ran for 24 hours on a treadmill on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver to solicit the donations that put his $10,000 "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" Kickstarter project over the top. Photo by John Moore.

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

Photos: Opening night of Local’s “Elijah: An Adventure”

Benjamin Bonenfant and Anna Faye Hunter. Photo by John Moore

  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”

Neck injury ends Thompson’s son’s football career at Drake

From left, Alex Thompson, then 11, with Kathleen McCall and Kent Thompson as they prepared to leave Birmingham, Ala., and move to Denver in 2005. Photo by Phil Scarsbrook, Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

  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”

Professional Scandinavian wrestler Lute-Fist (a.k.a. Erik Edborg) takes on an Invisible Giraffe at "Smackdown-A-Mania." Photo by John Moore.

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

"Make Sure It's Me" is the first production in the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center's new studio theater space. Photo by John Moore.

  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

For the record, this photo that aired without permission on KDVR last week was taken by Denver Post photographer Kathryn Scott Osler. Taken with my iPhone, without permission from anybody.

  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