Snow White

Snow White
Theatre-Hikes Colorado
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver, CO 
June 1-30, 2013

I was intrigued by this production of Snow White presented at the Denver Botanic Gardens. It was called a "theater hike," a term I had never heard before. But I was interested in giving it a try.

We met just inside the Botanic Gardens. The ticket included admission to the gardens as well. The show started in the early evening, so the temperatures were cooler but there was still plenty of light.

We were led by a guide and a violin player who brought us to an area where the actors were waiting for us. The story was told in four scenes, each played in a different part of the gardens. It made a beautiful backdrop.

The story was silly. The Evil Queen was the central character. Most of the actors played multiple roles and the dwarves were played by three actors and four puppets. Snow White was a bit empty headed, but still lovable and the prince was in disguise as well.

The theatre-hike was fun. The show was not stunning, but in this atmosphere it fit. It was an enjoyable way to spend an evening outside.

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
Colorado Symphony
Boettcher Concert Hall
Denver, CO 
June 2, 2013

When the average person thinks of going to the symphony, I'm sure they picture a stiff and formal occasion playing music that would put your average person to sleep. They certainly don't think of a fun place for kids. However, a show like Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, is tailor made to introduce kids to classical music.

Three big screens were set up throughout the concert hall to show Warner Brothers cartoons while the Colorado Orchestra played the soundtrack live. I found it entertaining that the percussionists played the sound effects as well.

Each piece had an introduction by the conductor, spotlighting the instruments featured in certain cartoons. The experience gave me a new appreciation for the soundtracks written for these classic cartoons and the creative team that made them. I will never look either the same way again!

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins
National Touring Company
Buell Theater
Denver, CO
May 1-5, 2013

This was the second time in town for Mary Poppins and I had seen it the first time through. But it had been three years, so it was nice to see again.

After seeing the movie, you think you know the story. However, this Mary Poppins has a few changes in it, ones I hadn't really remembered from the last time I saw it. When Mr. Banks had an issue with Mary Poppins, his wife brings his former nanny (whom he is always talking about) back to care for the children. Miss Andrew is clearly the stuff nightmares are made of and Mary Poppins shows a bit of a dark side getting rid of her.

The new songs are mostly forgettable but the old favorites are there, even if they are in completely different contexts. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is a big production number and it is more fun than the movie. "A Spoonful of Sugar" is sung, but in this production it has more to do with actually taking medicine than doing chores.


I was disappointed that in the finale Mary Poppins did not fly over the audience as she had the last time she came into town. But there is still much to enjoy in this show.

Jekyll & Hyde

Jekyll & Hyde
Pre Broadway Tour
Buell Theater
Denver, CO 
January 29 - February 10, 2013

I saw the original pre-Broadway tour of Jekyll & Hyde years ago. I was impressed by much of the music, but always felt Act Two was a bit flat. So I was interested in seeing this updated version of the show.


Jekyll & Hyde has been brought into the present. Gone are the suggestive sets and bare scenes. (I never got over the pristine white room the prostitute Lucy supposedly lived in.) This production was modern and dark, as the story should be. The script and songs have been changed as well, bringing clarity to the story.

We all know the story, the good Dr. Jekyll ingests his own potion which changes him into the dastardly Mr. Hyde.I never thought of Constantine Maroulis as being nerdy, but his Dr. Jekyll really is. The transformation into Mr. Hyde is so complete that even when you just hear his voice, you know which character is coming out. In fact, whenever Mr. Hyde made his appearance, I cringed inwardly.

The music is strong and moving. "This Is The Moment," a personal favorite of mine, is still magical. And there are beautiful songs of love and longing from the women in the cast.

The sets are electrifying and only add to the horror of the story. Another great improvement is the clarification of Hyde's victims. In the original production, his victim's seemed random. However thsi one makes it clear each is the victim of his revenge.

The story is tragic, but these performances will keep you entertained. In my opinion, this revival surpasses the original.

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker
Colorado Ballet
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Denver, CO
November 24 - December 24, 2012

After seeing The Nutcracker for the first time last December, I was looking forward to seeing it again this year. Truthfully, not much has changed, and that is fine. Some traditions just don't need to change.

Since The Nutcracker is a relatively new tradition for me, there is plenty I did not remember. The party scene is long but keeps your attention as you wait for the main event - the transformation of the Nutcracker into a prince.

The majority of the dances in Act Two are representative of holiday treats and exotic cultures. They remain delightful. The costumes and choreography are entertaining in themselves. The Sugar Plum Fairy's series of dances are the highlight, but the familiar music is what we're really there for.

The humorous moments aren't what this show is known for, but they are memorable. The over dramatic Rat King brings laughs to what could be a tense scene. The appearance of Mother Ginger breaks up a long series of dances with some much needed relief.

 The ballet isn't perfect, but it's pretty close. That must be why so many attend every year at this time.

The Sleeping Beauty

The Sleeping Beauty
Colorado Ballet
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Denver, CO
October 5 - 21, 2012

The Colorado Ballet has been presenting quite a few fairy tales lately. That seems to be a good plan - this will appeal to families with little ballerinas. Ballets don't get much more classic than The Sleeping Beauty.

The story is very similar to the Disney movie, but there are differences. Princess Aurora is courted by a number of suitors prior to her falling under Carabosse's spell. Her sleep lasts 100 years and a new prince awakens her.

This is a beautiful ballet to watch. The costumes are stunning, although I often wondered why Princess Aurora wore a traditional tutu while the rest of the women in the cast wore costumes that looked more like dresses from the period. Carabosse is very glamorous, but doesn't look much like the Disney character.

The first act introduces us to Aurora, her family and suitors. Act Two is the battle to awaken her. The last act is the royal wedding where a zany cast of characters dance. This final part might be the most entertaining for children, even though there isn't much story.

The music by Tchaikovsky may also be familiar to fans of the Disney movie. Some of it was adapted for the film. No matter the similarities and differences from the film, the ballet stands on its own.

The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter
PACE Center
Parker, CO 
September 13-16, 2012

Like many students, I read Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter in high school. It didn't seem like the most obvious subject for a musical, so I was interested in this production written by a local composer.

Since I have read the book, I suppose my reaction was colored by my interpretation of the book. Honestly, I was disappointed by the letter itself. It was a rather easy to miss, small patch.  I always thought the "A" on Hester Prynne's chest should be so eye catching you can't look away. It wouldn't have bothered me if it was made with sequins.

The story is basically what I remembered. Hester keeps the paternity of her illegitimate child a secret to protect her lover. Meanwhile, her cuckolded husband shows up to take his revenge. And the people of the Puritan town shun her as a result.

Arthur Dimmsdale, the saintly pastor, is just as I imagined him - tortured by his sinful relationship with Hester. His song "What Is Love?" is a showstopper. Hawthorne hinted that Dimmsdale suffered from chest pains, but left it up to the readers to decide what was bothering him. This show makes a choice for you and it wasn't the one I would have chosen.

The character of Roger Chillingsworth has been given redemption in this work. Hawthorne painted him as cold and vengeful. However his character is more human in this version. While he is still bent on revenge, he clearly has a heart.

By far the biggest disappointment for me was the character of Hester Prynne. She always struck me as strong, almost haughty. This version was more like Cinderella, meek and accepting of her fate.

Hester's attitude toward the town was centered on her knowledge that everyone in the town sinned as well, they just hadn't been caught.  This is suggested by three characters just called "Different" who go into the woods and take their hair down. Their presence felt forced and too obvious.

The show had it's moments. The tenderness between Dimmsdale and his daughter Pearl were heartwarming. And the humanity of Chillingworth made the triangle more complicated. But overall, the show has obvious holes.