Any and all muscles lose their strength if they’re not used. Even comedic ones. So, when it comes to putting on a production after two very strange years, it’s understandable that rust needed to be shaken off at first.
“All of us haven’t flexed these muscles in a while,” said Geoffrey Kent, who is directing “The Liar,” the first show at the Arvada Center of 2022. “The process might have started a little slower than normal, but the central muscle of the theater is collaboration. We’re learning to collaborate together again.”
“The Liar” – the first of the Arvada Center’s three repertory shows for the season – runs at the center’s Black Box Theatre, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., through Sunday, May 22. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 1 p.m. on Wednesday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Audiences are required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and must always wear a mask.
The comedy is written by David Ives and adapted from a 17th-century play by French playwright Pierre Corneille hilariously demonstrates the reason many of the romantic comedy cliches have stuck around as long as they have. Because they still work, centuries later. A string of misunderstandings, mistaken identities and outright fabrications build to laughs aplenty, all moved forward several hundred years to 1960s Paris.
“I like moving plays to places where audiences can connect to them. I don’t want people to get nothing out of it thinking, `Gee that was a long time ago and we’re not like that anymore,’” Kent said. “The sets and costumes are glorious and overall, I think the word is euphoria. The show is loose and free like in the 1960s and audiences should leave the play in a great mood and ready to be adventurous.”
It’s also fitting that “The Liar” premiered not long before Valentine’s Day because it celebrates the humor and power of searching for love – something that has inspired and entertained as long as we’ve been telling stories. After all, there’s a reason romantic comedies are so popular – because it’s fun (and dare I say it, moving) to watch people fall in love.
“There’s no other production of this show like ours and I’m excited to see it grow over its run,” Kent said. “The show isn’t just escapist – it can be empowering to see a bunch of people fall in love because it reminds you to do that or reinvest in that love if you already have.”
For information and tickets, visit https://arvadacenter.org/events/the-liar.
Chris Redd to bring legendary laughs to Comedy Works
There are people you see performing and wonder why they’re not a bigger star. Chris Redd is definitely one such performer – whether you’ve seen him on “Saturday Night Live” for the last five years or as the standout of the last two years of NBC’s “Kenan,” Redd’s madcap energy is infectious and reliably hilarious.
Now Redd is stopping by Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St. in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 20. To get a sense of what to expect, check out his debut comedy album, “But Here We Are.” And get tickets to one of his shows at www.comedyworks.com/comedians/chris-redd.
See textured talents at fooLPRoof contemporary art
For the works of some of the most exciting local contemporary artists, you’ll want to check out “Textured,” the latest exhibition at fooLPRoof contemporary art, 3240 Larimer St. in Denver. The exhibit runs at the gallery through Saturday, April 23.
According to provided information, fooLPRoof features local, regional, national and international artists working in all mediums and price points. “The gallery features artists in the permanent collection of the Denver Art Museum, Kirkland Museum, the grandson of cutting-edge artist Jack Bilbo, numerous Art Department University professionals, both out of town and local,” that information states. To learn more, visit https://foolproofcontemporaryart.com/.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Kacey Musgraves at the Ball Arena
It’s not often that one of the strongest voices in pop and country are encapsulated by the same person, but that’s been the case (wink wink nudge nudge) since Kacey Musgraves released her breakthrough album “Golden Hour” in 2018. Last year she finally released “star-crossed,” the ying to “Golden Hour’s” yang. The new album is more far-reaching and adventurous than any of her previous work, but her knack for melody and lyricism remains as vibrant as ever.
In support of the album Musgraves is finally taking to the road with a brief tour and fortunately for all of us, Denver is one of the stops. She’ll be joined by openers King Princess and MUNA at the Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.