Noises Off opens tomorrow

Noises Off, the classic theatre slamming door farce opens tomorrow night at the Denver Center and I was lucky enough to get to check out some behind-the-scenes action that I will be sharing with you a little bit later. Get your tickets now because it looks like a hoot and a half.

The Trip to Bountiful opens tomorrow

I'm attending the opening performance of 'The Trip to Bountiful' tomorrow at the Space Theatre at The Denver Center. The only thing I know about this is that is was a movie in the '80s. Has anybody seen this? Is it good?

(L to R) Julie Jesneck as Thelma and Kathleen M. Brady as Mrs. Carrie Watts in the Denver Center Theatre Company production of Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful.

Photo by Terry Shapiro

Avenue Q&A: Cullen Titmas

Like on Sesame Street, the puppets of Avenue Q learn valuable lessons about the world and themselves, unlike on Sesame Street, they do it without wearing underwear and addicted to porn. I caught up with castmember Cullen Titmas to find out what it's like living on Avenue Q.

Drew Wilson: Hey Cullen, how's it going?
Cullen Titmas: Doing good, I’m in sunny California and doing some shopping and chilling.

Are you wearing underwear today?
Ha, I sure am.

And what kind of underwear would that be?
Always, always, always boxer briefs.

You’re a Colorado boy, aren’t you?
Yeah, I’m from Colorado Springs.

How did growing up in Colorado Springs prepare you for a life of working in a puppet show.
Hmm, well, the Springs … I’m glad I grew up there because it’s a beautiful city but it certainly is a stretch from NYC where I live now. I love to visit though, and my whole family still lives there and it’s a beautiful place to go and hang out.

How long have you lived in New York?
I’ve been in New York for about 10 years.

Practically a native like myself.
I’m definitely a New Yorker now. You’re a native?

Oh, yeah. But I love Colorado. Are you gay, straight or puppetsexual?
I am straight but I play a gay puppet. Does that count for anything?

As far as I’m concerned it does.
We really get to spread our wings with this show. I actually play like seven different characters. I’m the swing in the show and I know all the male parts. It’s fun to play so many different characters.

Which one is your favorite?
Hmm, let’s see. They’re all fun but I play Nicky and Trekkie the most. Nicky has the closeted homosexual roommate and Trekkie is the monster that’s addicted to porn.

Ah, that famous song, 'The Internet is for Porn'. So what are your top reasons why the internet is for porn?
Uh, gosh, you ask hard questions. Let’s see, the top reasons the internet is for porn …

Do you straight people like Xtube?
I think Redtube is the straight one.

How much internet porn do you look at in a day?
Gosh, honestly, or should I lie?

I can handle the truth.
Um, just a few minutes. That’s all it takes, right?

If you’re doing it right.
Yeah, so I'll say like three minutes tops!

So what's the Avenue Q story in a nutshell?
It’s the same kind of educational show format we all grew up with as kids. It follows the story of Princeton who has recently just graduated from college and so instead of learning his ABCs he’s learning adult lessons like what his purpose in life is and he’s interacting with all sorts of people. It’s about love and relationships and work and trying to make a living right out of college.

Why should people come see the show?
They should come to watch rowdy puppet sex with a message.

Avenue Q plays at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House through September 21. For tickets or more information check out DenverCenter.org.

Curse of the Starving Class at Curious

'Curse of the Starving Class' is Sam Shepard's American classic. Hilarious and profound, frighteningly true and delightfully surreal, this dark satire follows the malnourished and eccentric Tate family in their fierce attempt to hold on to their American Dream.

The show plays now until October 18. Check out CuriousTheatre.org for tickets or more info.

Shirley Jones in My Favorite Things, a Tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein

Musical theatre, and, by extension, gay icon Shirley Jones is coming to Colorado Springs for the Colorado Festival of World Theatre in 'My Favorite Things, a Tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein'.


Co-created by Lonny Price (Tony and Theatre World award-winning performer, director and writer) and Paul Gemignani (Tony and Drama Desk award-winning musical director, conductor and composer), the show stars Shirley Jones (Oscar and multi-award winning actress, singer, TV and film star), her son, Patrick Cassidy (multi-talented actor, singer and dancer), Marin Mazzie (multiple Tony award nominee, star of Spamalot and last year's Beautiful Girls) and her husband, Theatre World award winner Jason Danieley.

The show takes place September 6 at 8 p.m. and September 7 at 4 p.m. at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 South Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Pikes Peak Center or at TicketsWest (719) 576-2626, (866) 464-2626 or by going to www.TicketsWest.com.

That's her son, Patrick Cassidy, in the video with her. Hot. Move over Anderson Cooper, there's a new silver fox in town.

Enjoy the Colorado Ballet at the Arvada Center

“Great ballet shouldn’t just stir the soul it should shake it up,” states Colorado Ballet, and that’s just what they are going to do this summer in the Arvada Center's outdoor amphitheater.

The performance takes place Friday, August 15 and features:
'Yes, Virginia, Another Piano Ballet', choreographed by Peter Anastos and music by Frederic Chopin

'Giselle (Act II Pas de deux)', choreographed by Jean Corrali and Jules Perrot, as revised by Marius Petipa and music by Adolphe Adam

'“...smile with my heart”'. choreographed by Lar Lubovitch and music by Marvin Laird (Fantasie on Themes by Richard Rodgers)

Visit ArvadaCenter.org for tickets or more information.

DNC Mediamockracy

Listen Productions presents the multimedia event “DNC Mediamockracy”. Using original video footage from the Democratic National Convention, media coverage of the DNC, live satire and interactive media “DNC Mediamockracy” will investigate how the relationship between media and the political system impacts our democracy. The project includes 18 live performances at Buntport Theater, an interactive website, and a High Definition video documentary.

“DNC Mediamockracy” opens September 26, 2008 and runs through October 25, 2008 at Buntport Theater (717 Lipan in Denver). Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $20, and available at 720-290-1104. Thursday performances are 2-for-1 admission. For more information visit DNCMediamockracy.com.

The one you've been waiting for: Avenue Q tickets go on sale this Sunday

AVENUE Q is the smash-hit Broadway musical about real life in New York City, as told by a cast of people and puppets through a hilariously irreverent, Tony-winning book and score. The three-time Tony Award-winning musical will make its Denver debut at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, running September 9 – 21. Tickets go on sale this Sunday at 10 a.m.


AVENUE Q tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who moves to NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. The only apartment he can afford is way out on Avenue Q, where everyone's looking for the same things he is: a decent job, a stable relationship, and a "purpose." Eventually, Princeton learns to embrace the ups and downs of city life and realizes that "the real world" isn't so bad, after all!

The New York Times hailed AVENUE Q as "a breakthrough musical of a very different stripe…savvy, sassy and delicious!" and Entertainment Weekly claimed it was "one of the funniest shows you're ever likely to see!"

AVENUE Q features music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx; book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, and direction by Jason Moore. Puppet design is by Rick Lyon, musical supervision by Stephen Oremus, choreography by Ken Roberson, scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Mirena Rada, lighting design by Howell Binkley, and sound design by Acme Sound Partners.

Single tickets for AVENUE Q start at just $25. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303-893-4100. Tickets may also be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby, or at the Guest Services Desk at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. TicketsWest outlets are located in all King Soopers stores. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.

Colorado native Bobby List starring in Denver production of High School Musical

(LtoR) Heléne Yorke as “Sharpay Evans” and Bobby List as “Ryan Evans” in Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL National Tour. ©2008, Disney.
Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Casting has been announced for the Denver engagement of Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, playing the Ellie Caulkins Opera House July 22–27. Presented by Disney Theatrical Productions, the division responsible for smash Broadway hits The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins and the Denver-born The Little Mermaid, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is based on the 2006 Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel Original Movie. The touring company, which is scheduled to play 42 cities over 60 weeks in the United States and Canada, includes a live orchestra and a cast of 34 talented theatrical performers.

Fort Collins native Bobby List will play Drama Club enthusiast and brother of Sharpay, “Ryan Evans.” List, a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College–Conservatory of Music, played opposite Debby Boone in The Human Comedy at Barrington Stage and in The 60’s Project at the Goodspeed Opera House. List was born and raised in Fort Collins, graduated from Rocky Mountain High School, and attended University of Northern Colorado for musical theatre.


“Troy Bolton,” captain of the basketball team, will be played by John Jeffrey Martin, whose Broadway credits include Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray and Good Vibrations. He is a graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA in Musical Theater. Starring opposite Martin as the shy, academic student “Gabriella Montez” will be Arielle Jacobs. Jacobs’ theatre credits include Crazy for You, A Chorus Line and Cinderalla, and her film credits include The Stepford Wives and Water Lilies.

Veteran actor Ron Bohmer will portray Troy’s father and Wildcats basketball coach, “Coach Bolton.” Bohmer is known for his Broadway and national tour credits including The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Phantom of the Opera, The Woman in White, Aspects of Love, Fiddler on the Roof and Sunset Boulevard. Troy’s best friend, “Chad Danforth,” will be played by Shakiem Evans who most recently appeared as “Eddie” in Broadway’s Mamma Mia! Evans’ off-Broadway credits include Two Gentlemen of Verona and Fame, and he is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. Ellen Harvey is the drama teacher “Ms. Darbus.” Harvey’s Broadway credits include Thou Shalt Not and The Music Man, and her touring credits include Mamma Mia! and Doctor Dolittle. “Taylor McKessie,” the leader of the “brainiacs” at East High School, will be played by Shaullanda LaCombe, who was “Shenzi” in Disney’s The Lion King and “Charlane” in Ain’t Misbehavin.

Michael Mahany will introduce audiences to a new character written specifically for the stage production - “Jack Scott,” the crooning voice of East High School. Mahany’s credits include the off-Broadway production of Spring Awakening, a reading of Ella Minnow Pea, a workshop of Bill Russell’s Mister Fabulous and regional productions of Into the Woods and Annie Get Your Gun. The young composer “Kelsi Neilson” will be portrayed by Olivia Oguma, who has appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia! and Les Miserables and off-Broadway in Sarah, Plain and Tall, La Dispute and The Scarlet Letter. Oguma’s film credits include Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Flamingo Rising and Strangers with Candy: the movie.

“Zeke Baylor,” the basketball player who loves to bake, will be portrayed by Jelani Remy, who is making his national tour debut and was last seen in regional productions of Cabaret and Parade. Lizzie Weiss will play the hip-hop brainiac “Martha Cox.” Weiss earned her BA in Theater from the University of California at Irvine, and was an original cast member of the Atlanta Theatre of the Stars production of High School Musical. The scheming Drama Club president, “Sharpay Evans,” will be played by Heléne Yorke, who received a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Michigan and appeared in the off-Broadway production of Walmartopia.

This new touring stage adaptation of Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Big River). HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL features a book by David Simpatico (adapted from the original movie script by Peter Barsocchini), and a score including all the songs from the original soundtrack plus two new songs written especially for the stage.

Commenting on the touring production, Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, said, “Our stage version of this great property has been mounted as a direct response to overwhelming demand. As someone who has been passionate about theatre since I was a kid, I am thrilled that we are touring this remarkably popular title as a fully realized stage production, and most certainly introducing countless young people to the world of theatre for the very first time. You can’t ask for more than that.” Schumacher adds, “It is a great joy and privilege for us to be able to produce and present the Disney Channel’s enormously popular property on stage.”

Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is a contemporary musical comedy about a popular high school basketball star and a shy, academically gifted newcomer who discover they share a secret passion for singing. When they sign up together to audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens East High's rigid social order and sends their peers into an uproar. In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the "jocks," the "brainiacs" and even the drama club regulars are soon hatching convoluted plots to separate the pair and keep them offstage. By defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, however, the couple inspires other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.

The creative team for this new touring stage production of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, in addition to aforementioned director Calhoun, are choreographer Lisa Stevens, scenic designer Kenneth Foy, costume designer Wade Laboissonniere, lighting designer Kenneth Billington, sound designer Duncan Robert Edwards and music supervisor Bryan Louiselle.

The Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical premiered on Disney Channel U.S. on January 20, 2006 and posted the highest ratings for a Disney Channel Original Movie up until that time. It went on to become a smash hit internationally, airing on 27 Disney Channels and free-to-air broadcasters worldwide, thus far reaching over 250 million viewers in over 100 countries including China. It was also the first TV movie to be offered on the iTunes Music Store. High School Musical delivered the #1 album of 2006, the year's #1 TV movie on DVD, licensed amateur and professional touring stage productions, a best-selling junior novel, a popular consumer products franchise at mass retailers, a themed show at Disneyland Parks and Resorts in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris, a sold-out 42 date arena concert tour in North America and Latin America and a popular touring ice show around the world. Adding to its success, it won two Emmy Awards, a DGA Award, Television Critics Association Award, an Imagen Award, a Director's Guild of America Award and a Humanitas Prize nomination among other honors. Its soundtrack received a Billboard Music Award (Soundtrack of the Year) and was nominated for an American Music Award in the Favorite Album (Pop/Rock) category.

Its critically acclaimed sequel, High School Musical 2, ranks as the #1 basic cable telecast of all time (18.6 million viewers for its August 17, 2007 premiere) and has thus far been seen by 179 million total viewers around the world. Its soundtrack is quadruple Platinum in the U.S., triple Platinum in the UK and many more countries. It recently won an American Music Award. Walt Disney Studios will begin production on a feature film based on the movie; Kenny Ortega will direct and choreograph and the cast will reunite for the film titled High School Musical 3: Senior Year, scheduled for a 2008 release in theatres around the world.

Single tickets start at just $25. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Groups of 20 or more, please call 303.446.4829. Tickets may also be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby (in the Denver Performing Arts Complex at Speer & Arapahoe), or at the Guest Services Desk at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. TicketsWest outlets are located in all King Soopers stores. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.

Special cast meet-and-greet fundraiser. On opening night, Tuesday, July 22, The Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Disney Theatrical Productions will present a special event fundraiser benefiting the Denver Center's Arts in Education programs. A family four-pack ($2500) includes four excellent front orchestra seats, a private ice cream social to meet the cast after the show and an autographed commemorative program. For more information call 303.446.4812.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is an added attraction in Denver Center Attractions’ 2008 season and is generously sponsored by United Airlines. Media sponsorship for DCA is provided by The Denver Post, CBS4 and Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazine. Denver Center Attractions is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Please visit our website at www.denvercenter.org.