Seeing a theatrical production inspired by a blockbuster film is an increasingly common occurrence in modern times. But a production based on a lesser-known work from the silent movie era? That’s a little less common.
But that’s just what David Nehls has done with “The Wind,” a new one-person musical he’s staging with actress Emily Van Fleet. The show is based on a 1928 silent film featuring Lillian Gish, which in turn was based on a novel written by Dorothy Scarborough (who published anonymously at the time) in 1925.
“I’m a silent movie fan, and one viewing of this film really altered my thoughts,” Nehls, who wrote the music, lyrics and book, explained. “It’s really a beautifully made film and the emotions are so heightened — it’s the kind of thing you don’t see today. And I really thought it needed to be a musical, but not a typical one.”
Nehls and Van Fleet having been working on the show since 2019 and did several virtual versions during the pandemic, but the performance for Stories on Stage at the Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive in Denver, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, will be the first time it’s been done in front of an audience. The production will feature Nehls, violinist Emily Lewis and cellist David Short providing musical accompaniment.
The story focuses on Letty, a young woman who travels from Virginia to Texas in the 1880s and is tormented by a seemingly never-ending wind. As if the challenge of playing such a complex character isn’t enough, Van Fleet plays all the characters she confronts throughout the story.
“You can’t ask for better in this town than Emily and working on this with her has been a total joy,” Nehls said. “She is so versatile and can play so many emotions. Best of all, she’s not afraid of a challenge.”
Musically, Nehls says the show has an operetta feel to it, with a lot of text working its way into the story. He was inspired by major film composers, like Bernard Herrmann, who frequently collaborated with Alfred Hitchcock, but also provides the show a bit of a pop ballad as well.
While the show is only playing for one day only, the hope is that it could lead to a larger production. But regardless, Nehls is just excited to get it in front of audience.
“We’re going to make it as perfect as we can and see what the experience will be like,” he said. “I hope it provides a glance at a historical period and reminds people that things aren’t that different now. There is definitely a lesson to be learned from the show.”
For information and tickets, visit www.storiesonstage.org.
We 3 reunite at Center for the Arts Evergreen
You never can tell how important the relationships you make in high school will be. For Grace Eberl, Kate Kennedy and Amy Thornton, that proved to be extremely true, as We 3, the new exhibition at the Center for the Arts Evergreen, 31880 Rocky Village Drive, beautifully demonstrates. The show runs through Wednesday, Feb. 10, with an opening reception on Thursday, Jan. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Eberl, Kennedy and Thornton met in the early 1970s as art students at Arvada West High School, all three taught by Mr. David Passarelli, and remained friends. Their styles have changed and evolved over the years, but the power of their connection remains strong.
For more information on the show, visit https://evergreenarts.org/event/exhibition-we-3/.
See the latest in contemporary quilting at St. Andrew
The Front Range Contemporary Quilters, a group dedicated to promoting contemporary quilt making and fiber art for the Colorado art quilt community, is exhibiting their works at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S. University in Highlands Ranch through Saturday, Feb. 6. Viewing hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
The FRCQ is always looking at new and exciting ways to explore the form, so for more information, visit www.artquilters.org.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Colter Wall at Mission Ballroom
I get a little leery anytime someone describes an artist as a “real” representative of any particular genre, but I don’t know how else to describe Canada’s Colter Wall other than to say he’s real western music. His arrangements are most often simple and direct and yet the power of his baritone cuts through all the noise and just grabs the listener — it has been out for years, but “Night Herding Song,” still knocks me back.
I’m definitely not the only fan of Wall’s approach, as he’s gearing up for a three-evening run at the Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver. He’ll be performing at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, Friday, Jan. 12 and Saturday, Jan. 13. Get tickets at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.