Making people laugh is no simple task. It takes skill and practice and more often than not, there are still no promises.
But there’s an almost scientific precision to the humor in Michael Frayn’s play, “Noises Off,” which is closing out the Arvada Center’s 2023/2024 season.
“Audiences are going to belly laugh at this show,” said Noelia Antweiler, a performer in the production. “It’s the perfect comedy and I can guarantee laughs will happen.”
Directed by Geoffrey Kent, “Noises Off” runs at the center’s Main Stage, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., from Friday, March 22, through Sunday, May 5. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. on Wednesday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Antweiler calls the show a turducken of comedy, with all the action focusing on a touring troupe of performers putting on a show called “Nothing On.” The first act lets the audience meet the characters in “Nothing On” and allows them to get a sense of the production.
In the second act, the stage rotates 180 degrees to provide a peak into everything going on behind the scenes with the actors and crew — needless to say, it’s complete chaos, with relationships and rivalries resulting in all kinds of hilarity. In the final act, the stage rotates back to “Nothing On,” so audiences can see how this play within a play has progressed.
“The play is so carefully written, it’s almost like a dance piece. As a performer, you have to pay attention so you can figure out the choreography,” Antweiler explained. “The comedy is all written into the script, but there’s still room for the actors to play.”
“Noises Off” is a true ensemble piece and the cast is made up of some true heavy hitters in the Denver theater scene, including Kate Gleason, Jenna Moll Reyes, Gareth Saxe, Shannan Steele and Adriane Leigh Robinson.
While the show is one of the great examples of a modern farce, it might not be as well known outside of theatrical circles. That will hopefully change as people in the metro area have the opportunity to experience all the different kinds of humor on offer in the play.
“There’s tons of physical humor, bawdy humor, verbal bits… it’s all there,” Antweiler said. “It’s difficult to pull off something like this. There’s a misconception that this kind of theater is a frivolous thing, but a show can be silly and demanding and difficult and still really fun. I hope audiences come away with an appreciation both of comedy and theater.”
For tickets and information, visit https://arvadacenter.org/events/noises-off.
‘The Music Man’ Marches to Lakewood
I’m going to be honest, I’m a little biased here – Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man” is my favorite musical, so whenever I see it’s playing somewhere nearby, I’m going to recommend seeing it. And when the company putting it on is the Performance Now Theatre Company, it really is a must-see.
“The Music Man” is coming to the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, from Friday, March 22, through Sunday, April 7 Fridays – Sundays, March 22-April 7. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Directed and choreographed by Kelly Van Oosbree, the show takes audiences to River City, Iowa, where Harold Hill is trying to convince the town to invest in instruments and uniforms for boys’ band that he swears he can put together.
Find information and tickets at Lakewood.org/LCCPresents.
The Parker Symphony Offers a World Music Tour
The Parker Symphony Orchestra is taking audiences on a world musical cruise for its 30th anniversary, and the second stop of the season is in Russia, Germany and Australia. The orchestra will be performing Richard Wagner’s “Overture to the Flying Dutchman,” Peter Sculthorpe’s (from Australia) “Jabiru Dreaming,” Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5,” and more.
“Excursion from Russia to Down Under,” will be held at the Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 22. All the details can be found at https://parkersymphony.org/.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Ashley McBryde at the Ogden Theatre
There’s been a lot of great country tunes written in the last 24 years, but for my money, Ashley McBryde’s “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega” is the best country song of the century so far. It hits just the right spot between heartbreaking and hopeful, with the kind of lyrics you can sing along to or just let wash over you. She released that song in 2018 and in the ensuing years, she’s continued to develop a wonderful discography. Last year she released her fourth album, “The Devil I Know,” and it’s well worth your time.
In support of the album, McBryde will be playing at the Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 28. She’ll be joined by opener Kasey Tyndall. This is the perfect venue for McBryde, so get your 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.