DENVER CENTER THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR 2012 COLORADO NEW PLAY SUMMIT

The Denver Center Theatre Company (DCTC) confirms its commitment to new works and solidifies its position as one of the nation’s top tier new play festivals with the announcement of the lineup of playwrights and directors for its Seventh Annual Colorado New Play Summit.  

Over three days, February 10 -12, 2012 in downtown Denver, DCTC will present multiple showings of four play readings, a multimedia workshop and two fully-produced main stage plays, including new works by Pulitzer nominee Lisa Loomer, 2011 Obie winner Samuel D. Hunter, and direction by Broadway veterans Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Ragtime) and Sam Buntrock (Sunday in the Park with George). The Summit also includes the Playwrights’ Slam, a late night gathering where invited playwrights read excerpts from their latest in-progress works. Members of the public are invited to join with artistic directors, literary managers, dramaturges, directors, and press representatives who travel from across the country to view the latest works by both well-established and exciting new voices in American theatre. 

Full Summit passes, which include guaranteed seating at all readings, admission to the two world premieres, plus meals, receptions, and discounts to nearby downtown Denver hotels, are now available. For more information and Summit registration, visit www.denvercenter.org/summit or call 303-893-6030.

DCTC presents The Taming of the Shrew

The Denver Center Theatre Company presents William Shakespeare’s comedy THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, playing the Stage Theatre through February 26.

Hilarity ensues when ladies-man Petruchio takes on the challenge of transforming the wild and stubborn Kate into his loving bride, putting her through a set of physical and mental hoops that grow more and more absurd. Once the dust has settled, could what emerges be called a marriage of true minds? Set in 1950’s America, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW boasts a visually fun and engaging set design as well as costumes of the same era (see photos included in this release below). DCTC Artistic Director Kent Thompson wanted a period that exemplified defined roles for men and women, “when men were anything they wanted to be and women were… well, housewives.” Although the play has come under criticism by feminists, it’s still very popular,” said Thompson who also directs the production.  Thompson views the play not as merciless gender warfare but as a battle of the equals, “the kind of fight between two people who are outside the norms of the conventional society…Two people with larger than life personalities who fight their way through their romance and end up being in love.”

The cast of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW includes Kathleen McCall (Othello) as the fiery Katherine, John G. Preston (Pierre, After Ashley) as ladies-man Petruchio, Christy McIntosh (debut) as Bianca, John-Michael Marrs (The Liar) as Hortensio, Drew Cortese (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Liar) as Lucentio, Robert Sicular (The Liar, Superior Donuts) as Baptista Minola and Andrew Schwartz (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, To Kill a Mockingbird) as Grumio.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW is directed by DCTC Artistic Director Kent Thompson. Set design is by David M. Barber (Map of Heaven, Richard III) while costume design is by Susan Branch Towne (A Flea in Her Ear, King Lear).  Lighting design is by Tom Sturge (White Christmas), sound design is by Craig Breitenbach (To Kill a Mockingbird, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), fight direction is by Gregory Hoffman (debut) and musical composition is by Gregg Coffin (The Liar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Dramaturgy is by Ely Bowlby (The Liar) while dialect and vocal coaching is by Kathryn G. Maes, Ph. D (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, To Kill a Mockingbird). Fight captain is Andrew Schwartz.

Single tickets for THE TAMING OF THE SHREW start at $35 (non-SCFD) and also are available for $10 (SCFD 10 for $10 program) and are on sale now. To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100.  Groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829.  TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Tickets also may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.

Amazing upcoming shows from Denver Center Theatre Company

The Denver Center Theatre Company has some amazing shows coming down the pipeline including 'Mama Hated Diesels' – a Denver Center World Premiere!; an intimate production of William Shakespeare’s 'Othello'; and the winner of the National Latino Playwriting Award, 'Mariela in the Desert' by Karen Zacarías.

And for more information about what's new and hot from the Denver Center Theatre Company, tune in each month to '10 Minutes to Curtain', the Denver Center Theatre Company's online video series, where creator and host Charlie Miller explores never-before-seen aspects of the production process.

Legally Blonde comes to Denver

The first national tour of 'Legally Blonde The Musical' will begin performances at Denver’s Buell Theatre February 2 for two weeks only.  Tickets for this hit musical, written by Colorado native Heather Hach, are on sale now.

Sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take "no" for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

Buy and print tickets online at www.denvercenter.org. 

2010 Colorado New Play Summit: World premiere of When Tang Met Laika and Eventide

The Denver Center Theatre Company is set to open the two world premiere productions that will be the centerpiece of the 2010 Colorado New Play Summit.

Artistic Director Kent Thompson and Director of New Play Development Bruce Sevy commissioned 'When Tang Met Laika' by Rogelio Martinez and 'Eventide' by Eric Schmiedl – based on the novel by Kent Haruf, read both new works at the 2009 Summit, and now will unveil the full productions.

Buy and print tickets on-line by visiting www.denvercenter.org.