The Best Of Times Is Now! La Cage Aux Folles Premieres Tonight

By Mona Lott

“Remember, your eyebrows don’t have to be twins, just sisters,” elicited a laugh from the rather small dressing room stage right that houses the “Cagelles” in Ignite Theatre’s current production of La Cage Aux Folles. I got to spend some time with the “girls” during their first dress rehearsal as I was asked to come in and give them some basic instructions in “drag” makeup. For those of you who are not in the know, La Cage Aux Folles, at over thirty years old is the masterpiece of Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman and features a chorus of boys dressed as girls, known as The Cagelles and a leading lady who, like The Cagelles, is a man.

IgniteTheatre will bring this show back to life when it opens on Friday August 14th at The Aurora Fox.

A show that has been sitting on my “bucket list” for some time, I was thrilled when my husband of over twenty years was cast as the husband of the star attraction Albin and owner of the club that houses Albin and her bevy of beautiful show girls. Georges the character is a whole “Lott” like the actor portraying him, Jim Hitzke . Being married to a drag queen and creating all her costumes in real life gives Hitzke more than enough life experience to draw on as George. Hitzke looks at John White, who plays Albin, when he says, “we just put the face of our husbands on each other” while describing how they have managed in creating the characters Georges and Albin.

White is rather new to Colorado. Having moved her seven years ago from Florida where he had a long career with Disney performing among other things as the costumed character, The Queen Of Hearts, La Cage Aux Folles is his first show since coming to Denver. White states that he had decided to take some time away from the stage, but when he saw the casting notice for La Cage he thought, “that could be fun, why not give it a try?” Hitzke, on the other hand, is a long time Denver performer having recently tackled roles in Urinetown, Spamalot and The Drowsey Chaperone. Directing these two accomplished performers is Denver director, Bernie Cardell.

When asked about the challenges in casting this show Cardell states, “Finding the right Georges and Albin is always a challenge with this show. You’ve got to have two men of a certain age who can sing, dance, act AND have that spark of chemistry between them. We got very lucky with two talented men who showed up to auditions.” That “certain age” Cardell speaks of is one that makes possible having a twenty something year old son who is about to be married, as in the character of Jean-Michel played by Darren Koehler.

Jean-Michel, the biological son of Georges and the much loved “step” son of Albin comes to see his father early on in the play announcing his engagement to the daughter of some very conservative parents. To make matters worse, Jean-Michel’s future in-laws are coming to have dinner with Georges. Therein lies the crux of the show as Jean-Michel in an effort to shield the in-laws would like his “surrogate” mother Albin to leave for a couple of days.

For those of you who have seen the movie, “The Birdcage” this may all seem rather familiar as the movie is based on the same 1973 French Play that the musical is also based on. The play by Jean Poiret was adapted by Fierstein with music by Jerry Herman and made it’s Broadway debut in 1983. Since then it has lived many resurrections including a 2004 Broadway revival, a 2008 London revival and another revival in 2010 that at one point featured Fierstein himself in the lead role ofAlbin. La Cage Aux Folles is the first musical to ever win two Tony Awards for Best Revival and a best musical for the original production.

So I asked Cardell, in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality, why bring this show out of storage again. Cardell answered, “One of the first things I said to my cast at our first rehearsal was, Love wins.” He went on to tell them that, “love wins” would be the theme of the production, that the Supreme Court decision was a momentous occasion and a show that features a gay couple who have been together for over twenty years is a great way to celebrate that. White echoed those sentiments stating that the court decision had not come out yet when the show was auditioning and that Ignite was smart in choosing to do the show now. Hitzke agreed saying that the show represents so many of the kind of relationships that will benefit from the ruling on marriage equality.

Being a show also of that “certain age” I asked them all what they had done, if anything to make the show more relevant. White states that they have updated a line or two with the name of a more modern celebrity, just to bring it more up to date. Cardell said he’s given it a more modern setting which will help the themes come through to a younger audience.

White went on to explain that playing an iconic role like Albin was a challenge just in trying to make it his own and not a copy of any of the stars who have played it before. That is a huge challenge, considering that George Hearn won a Tony in the original production as did Douglas Hodge who won The Laurence Olivier award in the 2008 London Revival and a Tony in the 2010 Broadway revival. Hitzke has his work cut out for him as well, taking on the role ofGeorgesin the shadow of Gene Barry, Van Johnson, Peter Marshall, Robert Goulet,KelsiGrammer and George Hamilton.

My makeup tutoring session with the Cagelles came to a somewhat clumsy end as the “girls” hurriedly tried on costumes for the first time, discovering that they might have some uncomfortable shaving to do before opening night. I quickly gave a few last second tips to a few of them who still lingered as “places” was called for the rehearsal. Next time you should soften that crease line a bit more and be more bold in those highlights under your eyes, I suggested to one and have fun I told him…errr her. Fun is the operative word when I asked Hitzke and White why anyone would want to come to this show. Cardell elaborated by stating, “This is the type of show that will make you forget anything bad going on in your life.” “Run for tickets” he says, “Run!”

La Cage Aux Folles runs Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM and Sunday afternoons at 2:30PM from August 14th to September 6th. Tickets can be purchased at 866-811-4111

Mona Lott is an entertainer performing regularly in clubs, theaters and seedy bars. To laugh at her OUTstanding comedy follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Queenmonalott, friend her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mona.lott.5891 or stalk her on monalott.org.

5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche Comes to Denver and Avenue Theater Invites You For a Taste

5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche assembles the members of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein, all self-described widows, in 1956. (The members include all of us, by the way, and we have been given name tags to prove it.)

The occasion is the society’s annual quiche breakfast, overseen by its five officers. Dressed in Easter-egg colors, with matching hats and New Look knockoff skirts, these chipper leading ladies conduct business as usual as they work the aisles to compliment us on our floral decorations for the community center (a bleakly cheerful room) and for the quiches we have submitted for competition.

5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche is presented in Denver by the Avenue Theater, January 23 – February 14.

See 'Moulin Scrooge' This Friday at The Bug!

The Catamounts and Band of Toughs serves up the ludicrous and saucy musical Moulin Scrooge premiering this Friday at The Bug Theatre.  

A mash-up of Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge and A Christmas Carol written by Peter Gwinn of the Colbert Report, Moulin Scrooge is totally outrageous and hilarious enough to cheer up even the Bah Humbugest of holiday grumps.

Call For Actors & Directors: Denver Element and Theatre Out Team Up For Production of 'The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me'

Theatre Out Denver and The Denver Element have announced they they will be producing 'The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me' at Crossroads Theatre from May 8-17. 

The show is a series of 14 monologues and 10 characters and will be produced as a community building experience to help fulfill the mission statement of The Denver Element with participation available for several actors/directors. Producers will be looking for a number of actors and directors for the production. If interested you are invited to send an email with your area of interest, headshot and/or resume to TheatreOutDenver@yahoo.com. Deadline for submissions will be March 10th.

Denver to Host World Premiere of Dixie Longate's New Show!

Dixie Longate, America’s favorite Tupperware lady, launches the World Premiere of her new show Never Wear A Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull (and 16 Other Things I Learned While I Was Drinking Last Thursday) here in the Mile High City at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.


Put on your cowboy boots and walk into her favorite honkytonk as she shares lessons learned after a hard night of drinking. What do a jeweled crown, a cardboard cutout of Julie Andrews and a box of moon pies have in common? Spend the night with Dixie and find out as she swaps her Tupperware bowls for a mechanical bull. 

“Three things that work perfect together: Denver, honkytonks and ME! I couldn't think of a better place to launch my new show. When DCPA said yea, I almost had to put down my drink from excitement,” says Dixie. “Clutching my legs into the sides of a mechanical bull and riding it for dear life is even more challenging in the Mile High city. It's like a late Christmas present to both you and me.”

What A Way to Make a Living! Candlelight Dinner Playhouse Presents '9 To 5: The Musical'

Pushed to the boiling point, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse presents the story of three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. They conspire to take control of their company and learn there's nothing they can't do -- even in a man's world. Set in the late 1970s, "9 to 5: the Musical" is a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. Outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic, 9 to 5: the Musical is about teaming up and taking care of business.

Spark Theater Presents Local Playwright Gwylum Cano's Comedy "The Eclipse of Lawry"

Spark Theater is proud to present local playwrite Gwylym Cano's "The Eclipse of Lawry" January 10 through February 8. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday's @ 7:30 p.m. *No show on February 7. Tickets are $15 - 20 and are available online at www.sparktheater.org.

Part myth-making, part absurdist exercise, part political allegory and part youthful hell-raising, this story of three cowboys, whose plot to steal the moon, is a wild and woolly one. A bad of Brecht, a pinch of Freud, a handful of surrealism and a cup of Marx Brothers craziness makes this a rich ethnic broth that's politically piquant

Says a rep for Spark Theater, "Gwylym is a talented artist with a unique voice. Spark chose this script because we are committed to the recognition of Denver playwrights and bringing local voices to the Spark stage. This play is fresh and enjoyable. The mix of slapstick and philosophical thought is sure to elicit a reaction. The characters of Humphrey, Gezebell, and Dogwould are wonderful guides through this crazy magical story and we know our audience will fall in love with them."

Everybody Loves Balls ... the Holiday Spectacular!

An annual tradition for merry-makers of all creed, "BALLS! A Holiday Spectacular" is a rollicking variety show with flashy guest stars, audience sock puppet sing-alongs, spontaneous haikus and a white elephant.

The show began in 2009 as a sort of potluck-meets-variety-show, with Mare Trevathan, Melanie Owen “and all their friends” dishing out stories and songs in both homage and parody to the fervor of the holiday season. After ditching the crockpot and adding GerRee Hinshaw and Jim Ruberto in 2010, the show has become a holiday tradition for Denverites that has found its home downtown at the cushy Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret.

Guest stars include musicians John Common and Jess DeNicola, Lannie’s emcee Naughty Pierre, comedian Matt Monroe, comedienne/songstress Shayna Ferm and juggler Reid, Belstock.

“The real stars, though, are the sock puppets,” says Owen. “We’ve made one for every member of the audience to adopt during the show. It’s amazing how willing people are to belt out ‘Mele Kalikimaka’ with us if they can do it via their sock puppet!”

Proceeds from “BALLS!” go to a different non profit every year. Past recipients include Project Angel Heart, Concert for Cash, Fresh City Life, Platte Forum, Slow Food Denver and Dani’s Foundation. The 2013 beneficiary is the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, a non profit promoting safety, justice, and healing for survivors while working toward the elimination of sexual violence.

Pre-Sale Tickets for The Book of Mormon on Sale Today!

Back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON which played a record-breaking three-week run in the fall of 2012 returns for a limited engagement October 22-November 24 at The Buell Theatre. 

Single tickets for the engagement go on sale Monday, June 10 at 10am, limit eight (8) per household. An exclusive pre-sale for American Express Card-members will begin at 10am on Wednesday, June 5, online only.

Colorado's 1st Asian American Theatre Company, Theatre Esprit Asia (TEA), Announces Inaugural Season at Vintage Theatre in Aurora

In the summer of 2012, while celebrating the success of Vintage Theater's production of "The Joy Luck Club," cast mates Tria Xiong and Maria Cheng sparked an idea for a new venture. After a glass of wine [or two], they realized with utter certainty, the need for an Asian American company in Colorado's theater climate, and thus, like all great wine-induced ideas, Theatre Esprit Asia (TEA) was born.

Maria Cheng says, "Theatre Esprit Asia (TEA) is an idea overdue to happen. The national Asian American theatre movement has been for years waiting and wanting a presence in the Rocky Mountains region. Well, finally we are here, due to phenomenal grass roots support from Colorado's Asian American theatre artists and enthusiasts. The response has been humbling and TEA aims to fulfill the expectations of bringing passionate, truthful and humorous narratives on the contemporary human condition, inspired by the wisdom of the Asian cultures."

Tria Xiong proudly states, “Part of TEA’s mission is to present original voices as well as produce plays by established playwrights. Our first season features critically acclaimed plays that draw from the great traditions of China, Japan and Korea. In our second season, to fulfill the latter part of our mission, we will produce David Henry Hwang’s Pulitzer prize winning drama "M. Butterfly," Lisa Loomer’s poignant "The Waiting Room" and Phillip Gotanda’s "Yohen."

Cherry Creek Theatre presents Doubt: A Parable

Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, Doubt is a gripping story of suspicion cast on a priest's behavior. In this brilliant and powerful drama, set in 1964, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the male students.

Cherry Creek Theatre presents "Doubt: A Parable" March 8 through 31 at the Shaver-Ramsey Showroom, 2414 East 3rd Ave. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m. Single tickets are $28; $25 for seniors/students; $23 for groups of 10 or more.  303-800-6578 or online at www.cherrycreektheatre.org.

Firehouse Theater presents Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

A new and shocking version of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of depravity, lust, love and horror. On the fog-bound streets of Victorian-era London, Henry Jekyll's experiments with exotic powders and tinctures have brought forth his other self-Edward Hyde, a sensualist and villain free to commit the sins Jekyll is too civilized to comprehend. When Hyde meets a woman who stirs his interest, Jekyll fears for her life and decides to end his experiments. But Hyde has other ideas, and so the two sides battle each other in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse to determine who shall be the master and who his slave.

Firehouse Theater presents the regional premiere of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” running October 5 through November 3 at the John Hand Theater/Colorado Free University, 7653 East First Place, Denver, CO.  Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 15 and 29 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 Adult; $18 for Students, Seniors, and Military and are available by calling 303-562-3232. For more information go to www.firehousetheatercompany.com.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change extended through October 14

Due to popular demand, Denver Center Attractions announces an additional extension of I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE to feature a new summer schedule and prices. For performances July 3 – September 1 all tickets to the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinee performances are $24. The summer performance schedule begins July 17. Tickets are now on sale through October 14 at www.denvercenter.org or by calling 303.893.4100. 

Click here to check out the MileHighGayGuy review of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change by Philip Doyle.

Auditions: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at The Arvada Center

The Arvada Center will hold auditions for the musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., June 28 and 29; and in New York City, July 9 -11.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels will be directed by Arvada Center Artistic Producer Rod A. Lansberry, with musical direction by David Nehls and choreography by Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck.

Denver auditions are June 28 and 29, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., by appointment only. Call the Arvada Center at 720-898-7200 to schedule a time. Actors must be 18 years & older to audition.

Wojcik/Seay Casting will coordinate the New York City auditions, June 9-11. To be considered for a New York audition, mail a hard copy of your headshot and résumé and indicate the role you are interested in (if known) to the following address:

Wojcik/Seay Casting
Attn. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Arvada CO production
247 West 38th Street 10th Floor
New York, NY 10018
NO CALLS PLEASE – qualified actors will be contacted to schedule an audition

Experienced performers with strong acting and singing abilities are needed. Dance and/or strong movement are required.  See the character breakdown (below) for specifics on available roles. Actors should prepare 16-32 bars from a song appropriate to the style of show. Please bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. Recorded music or a cappella audition will eliminate casting consideration. A current headshot and résumé are required. Equity members must have a current equity ID card.

This is an Equity LORT B production, non-equity actors will be considered. Individuals of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds including a wide range of physiques are needed and encouraged to audition for all roles.

Rehearsals for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels begin on August 21, 2012. The show opens on September 11 and runs through October 14. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for a total of eight shows per week.

Character breakdowns after the jump.

The Oscar Wilde Experience comes to the Byers-Evans House

The world premiere of “The Oscar Wilde Experience” comes to the Byers-Evans House June 1- 23. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with an Industry night at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 11 at The Byers-Evans House Museum, 1310 Bannock Street, Denver. Tickets are $16 and available by calling 303-620-4933.

Adapted by Maggie Stillman, The Oscar Wilde Experience weaves its tale through his short stories, novellas, and poems. Selections include "The Nightingale and the Rose," "The Happy Prince," and "The Canterville Ghost." These stories are often overlooked through the fame of Wilde’s plays and his novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

The cast, under the direction of Wade Wood, includes Bevin Antea, Terry Herron, Sarah Mac, Brandon Palmer, Mike Pearl, Melissa Pear, Maggie Stillman and Joey Wishnia.

The show takes place in the library of the historic Byers-Evans House Museum, amid the Evans family’s furnishings. The room serves as the stage and creates the atmosphere appropriate to the historic nature of the readings. The museum has always supported local theatre by serving as a venue for various small companies. All ticket proceeds help support museum programs, operations and education.

Theater Review: Forever Plaid

By Philip Doyle

There is a reason why Forever Plaid has been resurrected numerous times since its off-Broadway debut twenty-two years ago.  It’s a charming musical review.   The four male characters possess quirky yet endearing characteristics. The songs are catchy (and nostalgic for people of a certain age).  It can go from lighthearted camp and then become hauntingly and even eerily touching.  For the most part, Forever Plaid presented by the Spotlight Theater Company and the Firehouse Theatre Company succeeds in delivering a fun, toe-tapping musical experience.

Forever Plaid is an homage to male quartet groups of the 1950’s.  The action starts when four men descend to the stage and explain that they are The Plaid.  They have returned to the world after their untimely demise some forty years ago.  It seems that the car they were driving to a gig was t-boned by a bus of Catholic schoolgirls.  So, they have returned, “like Lazarus,” to our earthly plane to put on the show they never had the chance to give.

The songs range from lighthearted beat-bopping rhythms of  “Crazy ‘Bout, Ya Baby” and “Heart and Soul” to the romantic crooning of standards like “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing”. 

Under the Musical Direction of Timothy Kennedy, the numbers are solid in harmonious delivery.  He also plays the part of Francis, a high-spirited motivator of the Plaid. 

Paul Jaquith is energetic and fearless as Sparky.  Ken Paul portrays Smudge, the bass behind the song “Sixteen Tons”.  At the tenor end of the Plaid’s vocal spectrum is Adam Shelton as Jinx.  Shelton is as appealing for his melodic stylings as he is likable for his playful naiveté.

Each member of the Plaid has a delightful and earnest breeziness.  The heights of this musical review lie within the bond of its four characters.  After all, they have experienced life and death together.  They are a tight-knit cadre and this show finds its momentum when the Plaid bro-code is celebrated in song. 

Director Pat Payne has done a very fine job of staging this production that the nearly packed house seemed to love.  Trent Hines playing the piano upstage gives his own performance that endeared him to the audience. 

This collaboration by the Firehouse Theatre Company and Spotlight Theatre Company caught me by surprise.  As I walked into the theater I was a bit shocked by all the people in the audience.  People know a good thing when they see it, and I have a hunch they will be back for more.

Forever Plaid plays through May 13th at The John Hand Theater.

(Editor's Note: Forever Plaid is now a movie available online.)

Theater Review: CHESS

By Susan Hennessey

If you missed CHESS at the Arvada Center, fear not, you can still catch it at its new home, the Lone Tree Arts Center.  You won’t miss it – it’s big, big, big!  CHESS, written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus with lyrics by Tim Rice, allows no time for the viewer to get complacent.  As soon as you’ve been seated, there is an immediate onslaught of songs that quickly establish the story, which is set during the Cold War and played out via a National Chess Match in Merano, Italy between the Soviet champion Anatoly Sergievsky and US champion, Frederick Trumper. 

The game of chess acts as a powerful allegory between these powerhouses throughout the play. CHESS is directed with clever staging by Rod Lansberry, suggesting The Arbiter has his hands on the game at all times. (SPOILER) The Soviets clearly have the upper hand in this one, not only in their inevitable win at the chess match, but also in the music that was written for them, which favors the angst and passion of the Soviets, namely the character of Anatoly, who is masterfully played by Tally Sessions. (END SPOILER) In Act I his “Where I Want to Be” holds the audience captive.  “Anthem” the final number in Act I is so riveting, you’re glad that there’s an intermission.

There aren’t many productions of CHESS still being offered 30 years after it was first written. Mostly because it’s a difficult musical to do well.  In this version, there are 23 songs in Act I and 18 in Act II - and this music is demanding.  With such a challenging musical, it seems that a director has two options - to pick either a clear story with less music, or go for all of the music that was added over several productions over the course of several years with the result being a convoluted outcome.  For the size of stage available at the Lone Tree Arts Center, less would have been preferred as it would have allowed the story to unfold while still retaining the musical numbers the audiences long to hear. 

Act II opens with crowd favorite “One Night in Bangkok," with flashy costumes and lots of skin.  Very fun!  This Act also features solos by Anatoly’s wife Svetlana, played by Megan Van De Hey.  She fights for Anatoly in “You and I” and keeps the audience spellbound.  Passion reigns in this two and half hour piece, and love allows the natural course of things to settle, but like any game, someone will lose.  Who?

The Arvada Center production of CHESS, A MUSICAL is at the Lone Tree Arts Center plays through April 29. For dates and times visit LoneTreeArtsCenter.org. 

(Editor's Note: Video of One Night in Bangkok is the classic Murray Head version from the 1980s)

Theater Review: The Busy World is Hushed

By Philip Doyle

Ignite Theatre kicks off its ambitious 2012 season with The Busy World Is Hushed. It is the only non-musical in a line up that includes The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Spring Awakening, Sweeney Todd, and Next to Normal. A deceptively modest season entry, The Busy World Hushed has more than enough provocative power to set the rest of the Ignite Theatre’s season ablaze.

The more you think about The Busy World Is Hushed, the more complex it becomes. On its surface it is a play about faith, family, and discovering life’s purpose. Its depths contain questions that confront our accepted beliefs of love, suffering, the frailty of existence, and our grandiose assumptions of life.

Playwright Keith Bunin has created a world that brings a widowed Episcopal minister Hannah (Mari Geasair), her doubting and wayward son Thomas (Tim McGrath), and a handsome, witty writer Brandt (Chris Silberman).

Brandt has been hired by Hannah to ghostwrite a new translation of a gospel. In the process Brant begins to coalesce Hannah’s random notes and thoughts into a book. He is also a gay man, and a dutiful son. Silberman's portrayal of Brandt is smart in purpose, and desirable in human frailty.

Hannah’s son Thomas never knew his father and has become somewhat of a journeyman. He prefers to wander through life on a quest to discover his self, and connect with his father’s spirit. Even in his youth he frustrated his mother by playing a game of “get lost," in which he would disappear to discover his ability to be self reliant. Tim McGrath plays Brandt with a perfect sense of laissez faire curiosity, and a dash of sexy rebel. This part could have easily come off as anti-establishment hippie, but McGrath gives us a very real person.

Hannah is a conflicted mother. She places her faith in God’s grand plan, yet struggles with translating her spirituality into real life. She has a disdain for the stained glass windows in her office because they are conveniently simple portrayals of the struggles of human existence. All of her books are stacked vertically, because she hopes desperately for the day her son will build bookshelves. Hannah is easily this play’s most complex character and Mari Geasair plays her with convincing honesty.

Director Bernie Cardell provides a view of the world that will have you asking the right questions. The audience is provoked by situation and not by preaching or boisterous lectures. It is my favorite part of live theatre: A seductive perception that incites you to think.

I greatly appreciate how a gay love affair between the two male characters is handled with a respectful, objective, sense of realness. It could have been a trite plot device about homosexuality conflicting with Christianity, but this play transcends all that.

At one point Brandt says that he is, “Looking for God, and all I see are the empty spaces where he is suppose to be.“ The Busy World Is Hushed never presumes to give the answers, and you will leave asking some powerful questions.

The Busy World Is Hushed - A Play By Keith Bunin; Directed By Bernie Cardell, Starring Mari Geasair, Chris Silberman and Tim McGrath. Plays March 23rd - April 15th - Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30p Sundays at 6:00p. For tickets or more information click here.

Things to do in Denver when you're gay: The Busy World is Hushed

The Busy World is Hushed, playing at Ignite Theatre through April 15, is a play by Keith Bunin, directed by Bernie Cardell, and starring Mari Geasair, Chris Silberman and Tim McGrath.

Asking the question "How do you reconcile love, faith and family?", the play offers a night of intrigue, romance, conflict and searching for home. A Episcopalian Bible Scholar, her estranged son and the writer hired to help her finish her manuscript face unexpected consequences when old family secrets are revealed and new choices must be made.

Theater Review: Confessions of a Mormon Boy

By Philip Doyle

Confessions of a Mormon Boy is Steven Fales’ autobiographical one-man play that is a triumphant revelation in honesty and personal pride.  It is a story that is written and performed by a man who has journeyed through an array of challenges and arrives at his destination, on the stage before a grateful audience.

Fales’ experiences are at times funny, occasionally heartbreaking, and brutally candid.  A confession of a gay man’s longing for acceptance in and eventual excommunication from the Mormon Church.  He shares a life that includes marriage, fatherhood, and divorce.  He later engages in a show-and-tell about having been an escort in New York City, and painfully recounts the trappings of recreational drug fueled sex. 

Often times, one-person autobiographic plays come off as being self-indulgent … but not this time. 

This is a well constructed account that reveals a man who is loving, smart and driven.  Fales doesn’t wallow in a constant mea culpa of trials and tribulations.  Rather, through this shameless confession, he adorns himself with the powers of self-recognition.  In my world, Steven Fales is a super hero in the gay justice league.

Let’s face it, it takes some serious cojones to write and perform a play about your own life. From beginning to end, Mr. Fales has an ability to present his material with a confidence that isn’t the least bit presumptuous. Personally, I admire that kind of assertive charm. 

Steven Fales’ has taken the proverbial lemons of life, and now sells a very thirst quenching lemonade.  I strongly urge you to go have a taste.

Confessions of a Mormon Boy is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Confessions of a Mormon Boy plays at Denver's Dangerous Theatre
Saturday, March 31st at 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, April 1st at 2:00pm
For tickets visit: http://dangeroustheatre.ticketleap.com/mormon-boy.