Stephen Sondheim’s operetta, “A Little Night Music,” closed after a full first month into the 2023-2024 season of plays at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Set in Sweden on a summer night, where it remains light throughout the whole night, staged in 1900 and involving a cast of romantics — or wannabe romantics — it was accompanied by a live orchestra and directed by DCPA Executive Director Chris Coleman. What a joy after the COVID-forced silences!
All cast members are Equity actors and so skilled at taking us to another time and place … My daughter and I have been attending these plays since the Denver Center for Performing Arts opened — hard to believe it’s the 45th season!
The series we enjoy is the “Theatre Company Season,” which will include six more productions. The ticket office number is 303-893-4100 or go to denvercenter.org.
“Clyde’s” from Oct. 27 to Nov. 26, in the Kilstrom Theatre — described with the sentence: “What if the path to redemption starts with a sandwich?”
Following that will be “Cebollas” from Jan. 26 to March 10 in the Singleton Theatre. “Three sisters, one dead body, and a 10-hour road trip.”
“Rubicon” will play Feb. 9 to March 10 in the Kilstrom Theatre. Before the CIA and MI-6, there was Betty Pack!??
“Emma” plays April 5 though May 5 in the Wolf Theatre and we are assured it’s not your grandmother’s “Emma.”
“Where Did We Sit On the Bus?” plays April 19 to June 2 in the Singleton Theatre and finally, “The Lehman Trilogy” runs May 3 to June 2.Denver Center also offers a Broadway Season, which is playing “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” through Oct. 29, followed by “Six,” “Message in a Bottle,” “M.J.” April 10 to 28; and ending with the ever-popular “Company” in the Ellie Theatre. There are added attractions! “Annie,” “Superstar,” “Chicago,” “The Improved Shakespeare,” “Hairspray,” “Shrek,” “Frozen” and “Wicked…”
Many readers will want a return visit to Lonnie Hanzon’s appealing “Camp Christmas,” which is returning to the indoor venue, Stanley Marketplace, where it appeared several years ago. It was outdoors at Lakewood’s Heritage Park last winter … This will offer a cozier spot … Dates are Nov. 16 to Dec. 24.
I’m reminded of a lovely mountain spot for entertainment when summer comes, now that I’ve prowled through the entire play program! The Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake presents a summer of outdoor musicals performed by top grade singers. (Who wouldn’t want to spend a summer singing at the west end of Rocky Mountain National Park?) On the program: “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Something Rotten” and “Almost Heaven” …
Enjoy theater through the year. Littleton’s Town Hall is in production, as are many other companies.