Little Women

Little Women
Aurora Fox Theater
Aurora, CO 
November 27 - December 27, 2015

Like many women, I read the Louisa May Alcott novel Little Women. It's hard to imagine it as a musical, but being the theater fan I am, I was willing to give it a try.

The sets for this show were very impressive. We started out in the intimate March home. The cozy walls of the home turned to reveal the other locations in the story, which were just as detailed as the original set. A raised loft on stage left gave the characters an attic to narrate the huge scope of the story.

The four March girls were well cast. Each exuded her own personality and the songs they sang together were lovely.

The songs were pretty, but mostly forgettable. None of them were personally engaging or hummable. But they were all well sung by the very talented cast.

The story line followed the book fairly well but it was condensed. The costumes made the passage of time harder to see. At the beginning, each character wore a simple everyday dress and only changed for specific reason. That was believable enough. However, closer to the end of the show, the costumes were more distinct and it seemed strange for the characters to wear them every day.

Fan of the book will appreciate this production. The stories they love are there. (Beth's death is over the top, but it will still play on your emotions.) It is a real story about life, love and most of all, family. A perfect sentiment for this time of year.

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker
Colorado Ballet
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
November 28 - December 27, 2015

As with many families, The Nutcracker has become an annual tradition in my family. As always, the Colorado Ballet does not disappoint in it's production. The sets and the costumes are wonderfully made ans used. Very little changes from year to year - which can be both good and bad. While it is nice to have the traditions from year to year, something new would be enjoyable as well.

The cast changes from performance to performance with no way for the audience to know who will be performing which role. Happily, Gregory Gonzales plays Herr Drosselmeyer in every performance. He excels at playing strange and mysterious characters. It was a disappointment that the Ballet's premiere ballerina, Marina Mosina, was not performing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy at the performance I attended. However, she danced the role of the Arabian Woman exquisitely.

There is a good reason The Nutcracker is an enduring Christmas favorite. The music is classic, the dancing beautiful and the story timeless. The Colorado Ballet performances will give you everything you are looking for in this enduring holiday classic.

The Lion King

The Lion King
National Touring Company
Buell Theater
Denver, CO 
November 4-29, 2015

In the 18 years since it opened on Broadway The Lion King stage musical has become a "must see" in modern musical theater.It has the perfect combination of excellent staging, beautiful music and appeal to audiences of all ages.

Despite its many years on tour, the show still creates excitement when it comes through town. The puppets used throughout the show continue to impress. The recreation of Pride Rock, the wildebeest stampede and elephant graveyard are awe inspiring, even to the adults. The choreography is not complex, but it fits the music and mood.

The strength of the show, like the film which inspired it, is the music. The original songs by Tim Rice and Elton John still inspire. The songs written for the stage version are just as wonderful. While the acoustics in the performance I attended were not ideal, the music still shone through.

West Side Story

West Side Story
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
Johnstown, CO
September 24 - November 15, 2015

The Candlelight Dinner Playhouse is presenting a season full of classic musicals. Their most recent offering is West Side Story.

The menu was a blend of 1950's American comfort food and Puerto Rican inspired dishes. The desserts were especially good.

The show got off to a dramatic start. The opening sequence was an effective blend of street fighting and dance sequences. While most of the actors were clearly older than their characters, the performances were good enough to let us overlook that fact.

The set was impressive, the street acted as a backdrop of the rest of the scenes. Other sets such as the fire escape, Maria's bedroom and the bridal shop were all swiftly brought onto the stage and removed.

The show itself is still a masterpiece. Every song is a familiar classic. This production doesn't try to improve or modernize the songs, and there is no need for it. The voices were strong and the music soared.

The choreography was also impressive. It is difficult to get gang members to dance believably. The transitions between dancing and fighting aren't seamless, but they do flow together. And the cast has the talent to pull off the exhausting sequences.

West Side Story is a show that everyone should see and productions like this one keep it alive for future generations.

Halloween Spooktacular

Halloween Spooktacular
Colorado Symphony
Boettcher Concert Hall
Denver, CO
October 31, 2015

The Halloween Spooktacular concert is an annual tradition at the Colorado Symphony. Just like most of the audience, the musicians dressed in costumes. The stage was also festively decorated with pumpkins and ghosts.

The program began with the Imperial March from Star Wars. While the music played, the conductor walked out dressed as Darth Vader. The concert was made up of familiar music from movies and classical music which fit the Halloween theme. The conductor spent time before each classic piece to help the young members of the audience follow the story inside the music.

Halfway through the concert, the orchestra played the theme from Superman. The conductor raced offstage and returned in a Superman costume. The audience loved the change.

The conductor officiated a costume contest of the orchestra members with the audience as judge and each child received a bag of goodies as they left.

The symphony does a wonderful job of making sure the Spooktacular is fresh every year and it remains the perfect way to introduce children to the Colorado Symphony.

Golden Dragon Acrobats

Golden Dragon Acrobats
PACE Center
Parker, CO
October 23, 2015

The PACE Center has an impressive record of bringing famous international acts to their venue. This year it was the Golden Dragon Acrobats. As expected, the show was sold out.

The show was an entertaining combination of music, dance and acrobatics. The group of performers was actually fairly small, but they performed a wide range of astonishing feats.

The show began with a line of five women with meticulously choreographed arm movements which evoked Hindu gods. They were followed by four acrobats who stunning stacked and manipulated their bodies into unbelievable shapes.

We watched in awe as women juggled balls with their feet and passed them easily to each other. Acrobats performed somersaults and flips over each other in rapid succession. Performers rode unicycles, jumped several ropes at once and acrobats created elaborate tableaus.

We were astounded by seven people balanced on a small bicycle. But the highlight was clearly when one male acrobat stacked eight chairs and balanced treacherously near the stage lights on the ceiling. As each chair was brought out, the audience sat further on their edge of their seats.

While it was astounding to see the acts in person, it bears noting that occasionally the performers did make mistakes. It was only further proof that the routines are very difficult.

The evening was much like a Cirque du Soliel show without the astounding price tag.

La Sylphide

 La Sylphide
Colorado Ballet
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Denver, CO
October 2-11, 2015 

La Sylphide is one of the oldest ballets on record. After seeing many of the classics over the years, it was interesting to see one that preceded them all.

The storyline is simple – as many ballets are. The hero awakens to find a beautiful sylph in his home. His obsession with her causes him to lose everything.

The costumes in this show evoked the Scottish highlands. I must admit it was refreshing to see the male dancers in kilts rather than tights. The women’s long dresses did not make them look like ballerinas, but the dancing seamlessly blended with these changes.

The choreography in Act 1 was reminiscent of the dancing from the Scottish Highlands. The highlight of the evening was the company dancing in the great hall. It was a spectacular sequence, even if James, the hero, had to be pulled back in while chasing his elusive sylph.

Act two started strongly with Madge, the witch, doing a strange dance around her cauldron, reminding me of the witches in Macbeth. The rest of the act was dominated by the sylphs. The set up was much like the Wilis’ dance in Giselle. Unfortunately, these sequences were not as captivating as the Wilis.

With the exception of the ending, the production didn’t feel old fashioned. It was beautiful to watch and easy to follow.

Lookingglass Alice

Lookingglass Alice
Denver Center Theater Company
Stage Theater
Denver, CO 
September 11 - October 11, 2015

The story of Alice in Wonderland is a familiar one. While most are familiar with the Disney movies, many different versions exist. Some add lesser known characters or scenes that are rarely used, but none is able to pass the overwhelming confusion of Alice on to the audience. Lookingglass Alice manages to accomplish just that.

From the first few minutes, the audience is off balance. The show incorporates many surprises and special effects that are unexpected and shocking. Just when you feel comfortable, your consciousness is changed once again.

Lookingglass Alice is performed by five actors – four of which portray constantly changing characters. The talents of this group are immense. Several characters like the three-person caterpillar and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum demand  detailed physical and vocal coordination. It was all timed perfectly.

The special effects were dazzling. Alice’s “river of tears” were two blue screens which flowed like water and moved smoothly up and down, then magically disappeared. The Queen of Hearts and White Queen grew younger as the show progressed and their appearances changed in ingenious ways. Humpty Dumpty’s great fall has never been more shocking.

Alice’s adventures are overwhelming for her and the audience. One never knows what is coming at them or how it’s coming. She is showered by shoes, blinded by bright lights and covered with falling papers and none of it makes any sense. Her guide, Lewis Carroll himself, appears with a calm voice but no useful information.

Finally, Alice is presented with a rope to pull herself out. While falling and twisting herself into knots, she ultimately pulls herself to the top and finds enjoyment in her journey.

Lookingglass Alice is unlike any theatrical experience I’ve had before.  It is an accomplishment in itself to put a new spin on a classic story. However, to take a classic story and allow an audience to experience it is a new way that is not detrimental to the original, is a special event indeed.

Jekyll & Hyde

Jekyll & Hyde
Aurora Fox Theater
Aurora, CO 
September 18 - October 11, 2015

Jekyll & Hyde is a show I am very familiar with. I saw the original pre-Broadway tour in 1995 and the revival tour in 2013. I even own the original concept album. It’s a difficult and imperfect show, so I was interested in how it would translate into a regional production.

The set was well conceived – clearly demonstrating a dark, Industrial-age backdrop. The main set worked well as the streets of London and easily transformed for interior scenes. Jekyll’s laboratory was a large set which appeared to move by a manual crank was a nice touch. Creating Lucy’s room was more tedious, but the crew handled it smoothly.

The music was intriguing. The band had only five members, however this team created a complex sound. Each act began with haunting organ music and transitioned into violin and electric guitar during the performance.

The cast sparkled in this production. Even the smaller parts were created by talented actors with strong voices. The ensemble sequences were well-choreographed and sung perfectly.

Lauren Shealy, portraying Lucy, is clearly a star. She showed style in the dance sequence for the risqué “Bring on the Men.”  But it was her voice that captivated the audience.  “Someone Like You” was stunning, but it was the lesser known “A New Life” which demonstrated her command of the audience.

Not to be overshadowed, Jenna Bainbridge, as Emma balanced the complex love triangle. While playing the “good girl,” her Emma was strong and determined.  Emma’s best songs are duets. “Take Me As I Am” with Dr. Jekyll was warm and genuine. The haunting song “In His Eyes,” a duet with Lucy in Act 2, set the mood for the tragedy to come.

Naturally, the show hinges on the performance of the actor playing the title roles. Jeffrey Parker was up to the challenge. His Dr. Jekyll is well meaning and disorganized. I was a bit disappointed in “This Is the Moment” – the tempo was too fast and it seemed to be difficult for him to sing. But the next song, “Being Alive,” the initial appearance of Mr. Hyde, took the show to a new level. His face twisted into a grimace which completely changed his face. His voice deepened for both Hyde’s speech and singing. The transition was complete and mesmerizing.

The 2013 Broadway production used a recorded Hyde for “The Confrontation.” This production didn’t shy away from the nearly impossible task of having Parker switch from Jekyll to Hyde and back during this strange duet. The audience was helped by lighting cues for each character and his posture changed, but even without these aids, the transitions were clear – the almost angelic face of Jekyll was replaced with the twisted grimace of Hyde and back again.

The show as a whole is stunning. The script is not perfect, yet some of the moments I felt were the weakest in previous productions become strengths here. It was an ambitious endeavor, but the Fox was up to the challenge.

Matilda

Matilda
National Touring Company
Buell Theater
Denver, CO 
September 9-20, 2015

The book Matilda by Roald Dahl is a strange one. It is a blending of a tragic story with ridiculous humor. Yet, its story of children overcoming an oppressive school system has struck a chord with kids for generations.

The book seems like an unlikely choice to make into a musical. But it happened. It is certainly a difficult task. The villains in the story are over the top and the heroes are a bit bland. The story itself is complex and unbalanced in its telling. And the fact that it is so beloved makes the challenge greater.

The musical Matilda is somewhat successful in its goals. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, and the schoolmistress Miss Trunchbull were a brilliant blend of selfishness and absurdity. Mr. Wormwood, the stereotypical used car salesman, and Mrs. Wormwood, the dumb blonde, seem to bring to life these caricatures. Mr. Wormwood’s “All I know I Learned from Telly” was a showstopper and Mrs. Wormwood’s dance moves in “Loud” were impressive.

Miss Trunchbill, portrayed by a male actor, also reveled in hilarity. While her character is inherently cruel, the writers were able to bring out the humor in in the evil. However, some of the punishments she doles out to her students might frighten smaller children.

On the other side, the heroes of the story, Matilda and Miss Honey, have much less definable character. Sure, Matilda was very smart, but she doesn’t seem to have any interests other than books. Miss Honey was mousy and quiet, but not inspirational or clever.

The biggest difficulty of the show was in the delivery of the script and songs. The entire cast adopted English accents and delivered them in a believable manner. While the speed they spoke in seemed authentic, it made the dialogue very difficult to follow throughout the show. And most of the songs are sung at a fast pace, which caused the audience to lose many of the lyrics.

Despite the difficulty understanding them, the child actors were impressive. The young lady playing Matilda’s friend Lavender was just like many hyperactive kids we all know.  They handled the difficult choreography with seeming ease.

The first act of the show was heavy on exposition and too light on plot. Act Two definitely made up for that. The plot picked up and the story started to move. Better late than never. The song “When I Grow Up” was a highlight in sentiment as well as presentation. Seeing the kids on swings and rhythmically switching as older kids replaced them was beautiful to watch.

Just like the book, the audience was treated to a happy ending. A bit unbelievable, but no more so than many of the other plot elements. Even with all the flaws, the kids in the audience loved it.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
Johnstown, CO
July 23 - September 13, 2015

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one of Disney's less memorable films. Most have heard of it, but not many have actually seen it. So it's no surprise that most of the children at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse were experiencing the story for the first time. For those who are familiar with it, it is a very silly and dated movie. The cast and crew have given the musical based on the film a much needed makeover.

The story has more villains than heroes. At the top are the Baron and Baroness who are selfish and greedy. By portraying them as overgrown children it's fun to root against them. The same can be said for their bumbling spies, Boris and Goran. The actors strike the perfect balance of silly and don't put it into the level of 1960's camp. The character with the most scare potential was the Childcatcher. Having him enter through he audience had the potential to freak out kids in the audience. However, enough humor was injected into his song "Kiddy Widdy Winkies" to put the audience at ease.

The focus of the show is inventor Caractacus Potts, his children Jemima and Jeremy, and candy heiress Truly Scrumptious. The actors portray their characters as quirky and warm. The child actors were very strong, not weighing down the show at all. Even the ridiculous name of the heroine is handled in such a way you are willing to accept it.

The multi-functional backdrop of the set blended beautifully with the pieces which were moved in and out to change to the many locations. Scene changes were efficient and smooth.

But the real star of the show is the car. It was impressive enough when it rolled out on the stage and it's driving motion was believable. The movement of the tires when it was floating was a nice touch. When the car was flying you could see the wires, but the effect was so impressive it really didn't matter. The car moved from side to side and even tilted in the air, giving it the feeling of forward motion.

Despite its age, the Sherman Brothers' songs still sparkle. And each one was performed beautifully. The musicians even interacted with the cast on occasion. Those moments made them feel more connected to the production.

The choreography was perfectly arranged. From simple movements to elaborate production numbers, the dancing blended with each scene and character.

As I have grown to expect, the service at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse was friendly. The food was good and English themed to pair with the show. Most meals came with "bubble and squeak," that is mashed potatoes with brussel sprouts to Americans. The cast were available for meet and greet after the performance and happily posed for pictures and signed autographs.

The Legend of Robin Hood

The Legend of Robin Hood
PACE Center
Parker, CO
August 7 - 22, 2015

The iconic story of Robin Hood, surprisingly, does not have a definitive telling. Each version focuses on a few of the vast collection of tales associated with the characters, so when seeing a new versions you never know what you will be getting.

The script itself seems to have a struggle with identity. At times it's a screwball comedy, not taking itself seriously. At other times it wants to be a realistic version of the story. The transitions are clunky.

My biggest disappointment was that at the start of the story songs are already being sung to Robin Hood and his Merry Men are already assembled. The only piece not in place is Maid Marian - and even that is cloudy. The script is unclear if Marina is a woman Robin has dreamed of or if they had a prior relationship.

The script borrows heavily from the Kevin Costner film Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves and it relies on the audience to have a basic knowledge of the story. The production attempts to focus on the "legend" and not the man. The opening song and last 15 minutes of Act 2 frame this theme. However, the rest of the show doesn't carry it through, which is disappointing. It would set this telling apart from the many others.

The program we received did not contain a list of scenes or songs. In an unfamiliar show this is a real drawback. Due to this, I won't be able to reference any songs by name. The songs are for the most part not memorable and the lack of title makes them even less so. The songs sung at the finale of each act were nicely done - rich with harmonies and meaning. But the songs around them did little to advance the story.

The sets were well thought out, if a bit simple. While some scene changes were lengthy, the transformations were effective. The costumes were a high point. I appreciated that Maid Marian changed clothes often - as a noble woman would have.

The strongest performance was given by the Sheriff of Nottingham. His combination of greed and madness set up the "legend" theme. Without a believable obsession with Robin Hood, the finale would have fallen flat.

Robin Hood was a bit bland. Had the "legend" theme been stronger, that portrayal might have worked. Instead he came off as dull. Marina was a bit more fleshed out, but she is way too strong a fighter to believe she is noble.

The Merry Men were a good combination of camp and realism. They were all well cast and their performances were strong. However, it did seem strange that there were only four of them.

It's unlikely this will become the version of the Robin Hood people remember, but there are some special elements this company added to the vast array of tales.

La Traviata

La Traviata
Central City Opera
Central City, CO
July 11 - August 9, 2015

I should begin by saying that I attended the Central City Opera’s production of La Traviata as part of the Take a Child to the Opera event.  It was a well-planned day of activities cultivating the children’s interest in opera and theater, but also featured history lessons about Central City. The added activities also included a craft table and time set aside to watch the ushers sing their famous song before opening the theater for seating. It was a fun day without being overwhelming and it made the long drive from the Denver area seem more worthwhile.

Since this was a special family-friendly production, we did not see the actors who have been playing the roles throughout the festival. These were the young artists. However, the sets and costumes from the regular production were used. The opera was sung in the original Italian with the translation on a small screen on the proscenium. That helped everyone keep up with the story.

The transition to the young artists wasn’t entirely smooth. Alfredo’s voice was not as clear and strong as we are used to in a leading man and Georges was clearly too young for the part he was playing. But their parts were well-acted and enjoyable. The chorus was strong and polished. By far, the brightest light was on their Violetta who performed the role flawlessly. She took control of the music and her presence was felt in every scene.

The production of La Traviata as a whole left little to be desired. The transformation for scene to scene was complete and the few furniture pieces were enough to indicate the surroundings. The transformation of the party scene in Act 2, scene 2 from a festive party to a somber almost funerary feel was stunning, setting the scene for the tragic end. And the bright light that engulfed Violetta at the end put the scene into focus and added a starkness to her death.

After the opera, the young artists arrived in the courtyard for meet and greets with the children. The event put a friendly end on the day’s activities. Central City Opera offers the Take A Child event every year and I am already looking forward to next summer!

West Side Story

West Side Story
Inspire Creative
PACE Center
Parker, CO
July 17 - August 2, 2015

West Side Story is an undeniable classic in American musical theater.  Apparently many theaters around Denver feel it is timely for this show since I have seen it on the schedule for at least three different companies this season. The first production was at the PACE Center.

In the beginning the street set was impressive. It lent itself well to the street scenes, giving ample places for gang members to hide and emerge from. It was not as successful for the other scenes. It was awkward for Tony to call to Marina from downstage, then disappear only to emerge center stage onto Maria’s balcony. I felt the absence of watching Tony climb to Maria and the space used for those scenes was way too large for a New York fire escape. The set pieces for Doc’ shop and the dress store were effective but Maria’s room and the gym were less convincing.

The biggest challenge of this show is getting two rival gangs to dance. The choreography in this production was clunky. It seemed more like a series of steps with no development of story or character. The ballet for “Somewhere” has always been strange for me, but the massive production number of the entire cast, featuring the recently deceased Bernardo and Riff was particularly perplexing. While the trio of blonde singers in white gowns were lovely to listen to in that song, I was confused as to what it all meant.

The director clearly created this as a modern story. Many elements of the show were more sexualized than they needed to be. The strange production number for “Somewhere” was shown as nothing more than foreplay for the consummation of Tony and Maria’s relationship. Considering the close proximity to her brother’s murder by Tony, the graphic nature of it seemed distasteful. The attack on Anita was also more detail that was necessary. While her ordeal must be awful to forward the story, watching the gang members force their youngest member on top of her was a bit much.

The strength of the production was clearly its cast. Anita was appropriately sassy and Maria equally innocent. I’m not sure the intimate theater was large enough to contain Tony’s rich operatic voice. The supporting players were strong, if not spectacular. Some gang members, however, seemed very young and others way too old for their roles. Almost every song is familiar and they were performed beautifully.

The material stands up to the test of time. The coarse language only highlights the continued struggle between races which still exists today.  It is a difficult show to produce and overall, this was a solid effort.

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins
BDT Stage
Boulder, CO
May 16 - September 5, 2015

I have seen the national Mary Poppins tour twice and I was interested in how a regional company would produce the show. So, when BDT Stage announced the show this season, I was very interested to see it.

The sets for the show were well done. The noise they made while they rolled onto the stage was distracting from the action taking place, but the audience was effectively taken from the Banks’ home to the park and even the rooftops.

The costumes were wonderfully transforming into Edwardian England. While the dialects were inconsistent throughout the show, the audience didn’t seem to mind.

The performances by the cast were strong. Even the children were impressive. But the real stand out was the choreography. During “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” the complex moves were performed quickly and in sync by the entire cast. It was an impressive feat. “Step In Time” was also a highlight with energetic dance moves to go with the peppy song.

The special effects weren’t seamless. The wires creating the flying sequences were always visible, but given the difficulty of the production it’s a flaw we are willing to accept.

I also appreciated the British slant to the menu to go along with the show. The shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash weren’t bad. The food only added to the fun.

I give credit to BDT Stage for taking on such an ambitions and well-loved production. And it was practically perfect!

Wicked

Wicked
National Touring Company
Buell Theater
Denver, CO 
June 3 - July 5, 2015

I saw the original tour of Wicked when it passed through Denver in 2007. This year, Wicked returned for a record fifth run. And despite the many trips to Denver, the shows are still sold close to capacity.

Unlike the previous time I saw the show, I now know the soundtrack by heart. The original cast is a tough act to follow, but the cast of this tour proved up for the challenge.

Elphaba’s voice was powerful and passionate. “The Wizard and I” (never one of my favorites) carried the hopes of every member in its strong presentation. But nothing was more stunning than her growth in “Defying Gravity,” which gave me chills.

Glinda was light and silly when needed and gorgeous on the high notes. Her rendition of “Popular” bordered on ridiculous and the audience enjoyed every moment of it. The wide range of emotion needed for “Thank Goodness” was impressive as you believe every note as her dreams crash around her.

The rest of the cast was equally talented. The songs were polished and the dancing energetic. In the audience I could feel the enjoyment of the performers and their efforts were rewarded with loud applause.

The audience had many members who have seen the show numerous times. Also present were children seeing it for the first time. Clearly that is the appeal of the show. It continues to draw audiences from all age groups and tell the universal story of friendship. The connection to the audience is as strong as ever.

Little Red and Her Feisty Friends

Little Red and Her Feisty Friends
Theatre-Hikes Colorado
Chautauqua Park
Boulder, CO
June 6 - July 26, 2015

Theatre-Hikes has become a summertime tradition for me. This year we saw their show Little Red and Her Feisty Friends at gorgeous Chautauqua Park in Boulder.

The hikes I have taken with them before have been fairly light. But the one at Chautauqua was very different. It was quite a hike just from the parking lot to the meeting spot. The show and hike were just over two hours covering two miles. It was a real hike.

As a bonus, the playwright was the guide when I saw the show. She explained that she was asked to write a play about Red Riding Hood. Since it’s just a short story, she created a piece which took the audience around the world through mythology. The actors played numerous characters within each scene as well as story to story. It was fun to watch.

The stories were silly and fun. After Red Riding Hood, we saw Mighty Mountain Man, The Lad Who Went to the North Wind and The Ogre’s Feather. The stories were told on five stops on the hike.

Some of the terrain was difficult which were difficult for the younger members of the audience. And considering the subject matter there were quite a few kids in the audience. Some groups actually dropped out before the show was over. The final scene was also nowhere near the beginning, so we had to hike back to the start as well. But overall, it was a fun way to hike.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Little Foxes 
The Aurora Fox Theater
Aurora, CO
June 9-25, 2015


The Little Foxes, the children’s theater program at the Aurora Fox Theater, presents matinee performances through the summer. Their first offering this year is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It’s robust material for an hour-long child-performed play. However, the Little Foxes proved to be up for the challenge.

Since most of the characters are animals, the costuming proved creative and just believable enough. The set was well thought out. As an audience member, I appreciated the care taken to immerse the child actors and audience in the world of Narnia.

Naturally, some of the child performances were stronger than others. At times dialog was difficult to hear. But overall, it was an impressive effort by all involved.

The audience was filled with children, some who had read the book and many who had not. This production managed to delight them all.

Annie

Annie
National Touring Company
Buell Theater
Denver, CO 
April 29 - May 10, 2015

Musicals don't get much more beloved than Annie. The songs are familiar to even the most casual theater goer and everyone recognizes Annie, Sandy and Daddy Warbucks. And despite a lifetime of attending theater, I had never seen it onstage. This touring production didn't let me down.

For this show to work, the actress playing Annie has to be special. And she was. Her rendition of "Tomorrow" was heartfelt and uplifting. She's likely sung it hundreds of times and yet it still sounded fresh.

The rest of the cast were just as strong. Miss Hannigan was not so evil that she wasn't hilarious. Daddy Warbucks was a loveable workaholic and you can't help but develop a fondness for Grace and the rest of the staff.

Sandy was played by a live dog. His appearances were brief, but I doubt there wasn't a single member of the audience who wouldn't have gladly taken this dog home. He was sweet and endearing. (The dog's story in the program only added to the appeal.)

The production numbers were especially entertaining. The harmonies were spot on and the choreography was engaging.

It's been a while since I've seen the technology used to change sets as smoothly and quickly as the ones in this show. Each one was a marvelous representation of the locations they portrayed. You never forgot you were in New York City.

This production was everything a touring company should be. It had a talented cast, impressive sets and an enduring script. And it was clear that the audience agreed with me because every song was received with an enthusiastic and long round of applause. Annie is the perfect show to introduce children to live theater or to add to their theatrical experience.