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.

The Magic Flute

The Magic Flute
Opera Colorado
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Denver, CO 
April 30 - May 10, 2015

I am a big fan of the music of Mozart. I've seen many of his operas on television, but never live. So I was excited to see Opera Colorado's production of The Magic Flute.

I noticed quite a few children in the audience. Normally opera is not looked on as child-friendly, but the production team did a great job of creating a show which appealed to all ages.

The sets were simple, but made to be more elaborate with beautiful projections. The set was a fancy door with stair leading up to it. Five long narrow screens were used to dress the set. The screens regularly raised and lowered throughout the show to change the location. Sometimes they were twisted or draped to created new textures. And the projections were effective in setting each scene without looking too fake.


The costumes were equally appealing. The Queen of the Night was richly attired in glittering purple and her hand maidens dresses in different brilliant colors complemented her beautifully. The subdued tones of Sarastro and his priests provide a strong and deliberate contrast.

The songs were sung in the original German, but surprisingly the dialogue was in English. (It may have surprised the audience even more that there was spoken parts in the show.) The display screens at each seat showed both the translation of the German lyrics and the English text.

As you would expect in an opera, the singing was flawless. Every single note was seemingly perfect and beautiful. The Queen of the Night's aria in Act Two was stunning. The seemingly effortless performance of each impossibly high note was a delight to hear. Sarastro's rich, deep bass notes, once again, provided stark contrast with his rival.

Contrary to the age old belief that opera singers can't act, the portrayals were convincing. Papageno was a standout in his comedic performance. Even his non-scripted sounds were humorous.

The story is quite old fashioned. Two people who fall in love before they even meet is pretty far-fetched. And Pamina and Papageno's suicide attempts border on bad taste. But when the potential tragedies are averted and they are wrapped in the beautiful music of Mozart, we are willing to overlook these outdated themes.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor Dreamcoat
National Touring Company
Buell Theater
Denver, CO
April 22-26, 2015

The last tour I saw of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was in 1995. Since then, this show has been done repeatedly by schools, amateurs and professional companies. I was looking forward to seeing another national tour.

The selling point of this production was the presence of American Idol alumni Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo in the lead roles. And since Young is from Colorado, the appeal was even greater.

The set was simple and uninspired. What saved it was the brilliant and complex lighting design. The use of color was exciting and brought life to the otherwise dull sets.

The costumes were a mix between authentic period piece and modern. The Canaan costumes were particularly puzzling where some of the characters wore turbans and robes while others had on Bermuda shorts. Many of the women looked as if they belonged in a harem instead of a shepherd tribe. The Egyptian costumes were more traditional. Although, since the Pharaoh is portrayed as an Elvis impersonator, I was impressed with the combination of Ancient Egypt and 1970's Elvis jumpsuit.

The cast was strong. "Those Canaan Days," is one of my least favorite songs in the show but it was creatively presented and stopped the show. And "Song of the King" was made even more fun by the actor playing for the audience. The dance sequences were long and fun to watch.

Surprisingly, DeGarmo and Young seemed to be the weakest members of the cast. DeGarmo as the Narrator sounded shrill throughout the performance. It made me wonder if the score was too high for her range. Her movements onstage were inconsistent - it felt as if the director had no idea what her role really was on the show. Her costumes were glamorous which seemed out of place for the show.

Young fared somewhat better. His voice was often nasal sounding and he was sometimes overshadowed by the orchestra. But he shone on the crescendo of "Close Every Door."

Ultimately, it tells the story of dreams coming true. The reprise of "You Are What You Feel" between DeGarmo and Young was the most genuine moment in the show as they sang about dreams coming true. It's a fun show that never takes itself too seriously. Despite it's flaws, the show is one the whole family will enjoy.

Coppelia

Coppelia
Denver Ballet Theater
PACE Center
Parker, CO 
April 21-22, 2015

I've seen  many classic ballets over the years, but never Coppelia. I was familiar with the story line, but I was looking forward to seeing it.

The Denver Ballet Theater is a school based company. I was very impressed with the choreography given to the students. It was challenging but clearly not too difficult for their ability levels.

The principal roles were played by dancers from the Colorado Ballet and it was exciting to see their abilities up close.

The costumes were beautiful and the simple sets were charming. Overall, it was a lovely show to watch. The storyline is very simple to make room for lots of dancing, but this group proved their ability to express their feelings without words. (And it helped that there was a synopsis in the program!)

This was my first experience seeing the Denver Ballet Theater and I would absolutely go again.

The 12

The 12
Denver Center Theater Company
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Denver, CO
March 27 - April 26, 2015

One thing I love about theater is the rare occasion when a script lands in the right hands and it becomes a show that is life changing. The world premiere of The 12 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts is one of those events.

The concept is intriguing, telling the untold story of the surviving disciples of Jesus in the time between his crucifixion and resurrection. The Bible tells us that they hid together in a room. But what happened there?

From the very beginning, the fear, uncertainty and confusion is clear. The script effectively gives the audience an introduction to the disciples and their backgrounds. While it is not realistic, it is very helpful to keep them all straight and poetic way to begin. From there, the cast rock into "Walk Away," an anthem that sets the mood for the next two hours.

We quickly learn the relationships of the disciples are tenuous at best. Their weaknesses come out and they only agree on their dislike for Mary Magdalene. The one thing that kept them together was their Teacher, who is represented by an empty chair in the middle of the stage. Through their conversations and songs, we get to know them all better.

The first act is full of bickering and confessions of wrongdoing. These 12 are divided and it's clear they didn't understand the words of their beloved Teacher. The brief appearance by Jesus' mother rocked the entire theater to it's core. Her mournful ballad "Rain" was heart wrenching, along with her accusing question, "What are you going to do?"

In Act Two, Mary returns with the news that the tomb is empty, everything starts to change. While it is disappointing that none of the disciples investigate, the lesson in faith is astounding. Mary's "What If" challenges us to believe in the Resurrection. Thomas' doubts are menacing, but they represent the doubts in all of us. And we see Peter grow into the leader we know him as. It's as if, finally, the disciples have learned the lessons their Teacher gave them.

The set is what you might expect in Jerusalem during the Roman occupation, but the costumes are modern - jeans for the fishermen, a suit for the tax collector, a sweater for the student. But is seems to work as the audience realizes that the disciples are just like us. And the song "Ordinary" only reinforces that feeling.

The story is intimate and powerful, the music captivating. The 12 is called a rock musical and it will rock your soul. You can feel it challenging you to live up to your potential. It brings the disciples down from their pedestals and makes them just like us. We know what they accomplished, what can we do?

Into the Woods

Into the Woods
Inspire Creative
Parker Schoolhouse Theater
Parker, CO
April 10-19, 2015

I've seen several shows at the PACE Center in Parker and have enjoyed them. Into the Woods is one of my daughter's favorite shows, so when it was advertised on their site, I bought tickets.

This performance was actual held at the Parker Mainstreet Theater. It's a small, experimental space, but I've seen shows in small spaces before, so this was not an issue.

The production, however, came across as rather lazy. The actors entered the stage in street clothes and were handed props for the parts they played. So, the baker wore an apron over his jeans and rugby shirt and so on. They were nice enough to have Red Riding Hood in a red hoodie to help us out a bit.

The sets were also very basic. Black flats suggested separate locations, but no other set dressing was used. The Beanstalk Jack climbs was just a ladder - they didn't even bother with any leaves. The props were less than impressive. A chicken hat on a yellow volleyball was the goose that laid the golden egg. It was a cheap joke, and made the darker Act Two even harder to get through.

The saving grace of the production was the performances. Clearly these are talented people who perform for the love of it. And that is what kept the audience's attention through the show. It's unfortunate that they weren't given a more dynamic production to showcase their abilities.

Hairspray

Hairspray
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
Johnstown, CO 
January 9-March 8, 2015

Like many other musicals, I had only seen the movie for Hairspray before attending a performance at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse. I'd been to this theater before and had been impressed by the quality of the food and performances.

Since we had a long drive to get to the theater, we arrived a bit later than I would have liked. The staff, however, was warm and welcoming. We were served with plenty of time to finish our dinner before the show began. The food was tasty, if not spectacular, but much better than dinner theater food I have eaten in the past!

Before the show began we were informed that the actress playing Tracy would have "vocal support." Our waitress explained she had serious vocal chord issues. Once the show began, it was clear she was not singing, but after a short while we got used to it.

Once again, the performances were strong and the sets were fun. The song and dance numbers were filled with energy. Yet among the fun surrounding Edna Turnbladt's baritone voice, the story about racial inequality was not lost. Motormouth Maybelle's soaring anthem "I Know Where I've Been" will move you.

After the show, the actors were available for photographs in the lobby. The actress playing Tracy wasn't there, but when a hostess overheard my daughter ask where Tracy was, she arranged a private meeting. And despite her vocal issues, she spent some time visiting with us. So, Candlelight's staff gets extra credit for going out of their way to please their guests!