Stage manager Emily MacIntyre has no defense for Brian Landis Folkins’ whiskery charms before Sunday’s first public performance of the Denver Children’s Theatre’s “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center. By John Moore March 13, 2013 Opening No. 41, “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse”: “Lilly” is back for a second staging… Continue reading Photos: My day at ‘Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse’
Author: John Moore
Award-winning arts journalist John Moore was named one of the 12 most influential theater critics in the United States by American Theatre Magazine during has 12 years at The Denver Post. Hen then created a groundbreaking new media outlet covering Colorado arts an culture as an in-house, multimedia journalist for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. He also founded The Denver Actors Fund, a nonprofit that has raised more than $600,000 for theatre artists in medical need. He is now a journalist for hire as the founder of Moore Media Colorado. You can find samples of his work at MooreJohn.Com. Contact him at culturewestjohn@gmail.com
Photos: My night at the Galleria’s ‘The Doyle & Debbie Show’
By John Moore March 13, 2013 Opening No. 39, “The Doyle & Debbie Show”: The latest cabaret show to move into the Garner-Galleria is this simultaneous homage to, and parody of, country music’s iconic duos. Doyle Mayfield, an old-guard country star with a handful of old-school hits, is reviving his career — 30 years,… Continue reading Photos: My night at the Galleria’s ‘The Doyle & Debbie Show’
Photos and video podcast: Re-opening of Equinox’s ‘Bat Boy, the Musical’
Here’s our video podcast reporting from the “re-opening” of “Bat Boy, the Musical” on March 8, 2013. By John Moore March 5, 2013 Opening No. 38, “Bat Boy, the Musical”: Let’s call this one a “re-opening.” On Feb. 20, after a sold-out opening weekend at the Bug Theatre, the cast and crew of the… Continue reading Photos and video podcast: Re-opening of Equinox’s ‘Bat Boy, the Musical’
Photo series: My night at Silhouette’s ‘This is How it Goes’
It’s the job of stage manager Amy Brosius to convert the John Hand Theatre stage from the Spotlight Theatre’s afternoon performance of “The Front Page” to the evening playing of Silhouette Theatre’s “This is How it Goes.” The companies share resources and like-mindedness with the Firehouse Theatre. Paul Jaquith’s Silhouette troupe gravitates more toward the… Continue reading Photo series: My night at Silhouette’s ‘This is How it Goes’
Breaking: Denver Center Theatre Company’s 2013-14 season an alchemy of the very old and very new
By John Moore March 6, 2013 The Denver Center Theatre Company has just announced a 10-play season including four world premieres selected from the just-completed 2013 Colorado New Play Summit: *Karen Zacarías’ adaptation of Helen Thorpe’s book “Just Like Us” *Catherine Trieschmann’s comedy “The Most Deserving” *Matthew Lopez’s “The Legend of Georgia McBride” *Marcus Gardley’s… Continue reading Breaking: Denver Center Theatre Company’s 2013-14 season an alchemy of the very old and very new
Photo series: My night at the Catamounts’ ‘Jon’
By John Moore March 5, 2013 Opening No. 35: The Catamounts’ “Jon” is a Vonnegut-like, possibly futuristic (possibly not) allegory based on a New Yorker short story written by a one-time engineering student from the Colorado School of Mines named George Saunders. In it, trendy youth are raised from birth to serve as perpetual… Continue reading Photo series: My night at the Catamounts’ ‘Jon’
Photo series: My night at the University of Denver’s ‘Fiddler on the Roof’
Director Pamyla Stiehl laid out a table of candies and candles for her cast and crew to enjoy in a backstage hallway just before the opening performance of “Fiddler on the Roof” began at the University of Denver last Thursday. By John Moore Feb. 27, 2013 Opening No. 34: One of the many great… Continue reading Photo series: My night at the University of Denver’s ‘Fiddler on the Roof’
Photos: Shelly Bordas benefit performances raise money, lift hearts
The video above is Part 2 from my ongoing video documentary, “The Shelly Bordas Story.” By John Moore March 4, 2013 Back-to-back benefits for Shelly Bordas on Sunday and Monday nights brought grassroots fundraising efforts to help the cancer-stricken Denver mother, teacher and actor to nearly $30,000. On Sunday, a concert organized by Mitch… Continue reading Photos: Shelly Bordas benefit performances raise money, lift hearts
Video: The Shelly Bordas Story, Part 2: “My Son Wins”
By John Moore March 2, 2013 In this ongoing video documentary, veteran journalist John Moore chronicles Denver actor and mother Shelly Bordas’ journey since being diagnosed – for a second time – with Stage 4 breast cancer that has now spread to her brain. In Part 2, Shelly is hospitalized, has her 15th surgery, and… Continue reading Video: The Shelly Bordas Story, Part 2: “My Son Wins”
Photo series: My night at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s ‘Church Basement Ladies’
Veteran actors Barb Reeves and Bren. (yes that’s a period) Eyestone Burron put on a bit of a rural midwestern church-like fashion show backstage in the moments before taking the stage in Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s regional premiere of the family musical, “Church Basement Ladies.” Hubba, hubba! By John Moore Feb. 27, 2013 Opening No.… Continue reading Photo series: My night at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s ‘Church Basement Ladies’
Equinox, Sugar to honor Perkes by resuming “Bat Boy” performances
By John Moore Feb. 26, 2013 No one can ever know for certain what the “right” thing to do is when faced with sudden and unexpected tragedy. But after a period of reflection, the Equinox Theatre Company has decided the best way for it to honor Adam Perkes, the late star of its current… Continue reading Equinox, Sugar to honor Perkes by resuming “Bat Boy” performances
Bobby G’s: Denver Center joins national awards program honoring high-school theater
By John Moore Feb. 26, 2013 Denver Center Attractions has embarked on a major, ongoing commitment to honoring the best in Colorado high-school musical theater by joining up with the National High School Musical Theater Awards program based out of New York. A team of local expert adjudicators is already scouring productions being staged… Continue reading Bobby G’s: Denver Center joins national awards program honoring high-school theater
Photos: My night at Town Hall Arts Center’s “9 to 5”
The opening night curtain call for the “9 to 5” cast on Feb. 22, 2013. By John Moore Feb. 26, 2013 Opening No. 32: The Littleton Town Hall Arts Center cast and crew had to work some overtime to pull off its regional premiere of “9 to 5,” the stage adaptation of the 1980… Continue reading Photos: My night at Town Hall Arts Center’s “9 to 5”
Pump and Dump: Moms, comedy and cocktails
By John Moore Feb. 22, 2013 The Pump and Dump is a new monthly “parentally incorrect” live comedy talk show where moms dish the diaper-doo … and the men? Well, the lady with the mic playfully refers to the few outnumbered guys hanging awkwardly near the back as “the mother (bleepers). She’s not so much… Continue reading Pump and Dump: Moms, comedy and cocktails
Death of actor Adam Perkes: ‘He had so much left to share’
By John Moore Feb. 21, 2013 Adam Perkes, a gifted young stage actor best known for his comic swagger on stage and his deep sensitivity off it, has died at age 27, the Garfield County coroner confirmed today. In a recent playbill, Perkes used the space normally reserved for actors to talk about their… Continue reading Death of actor Adam Perkes: ‘He had so much left to share’
Video: The Shelly Bordas Story, Part 1: “Tit for Tot”
By John Moore Feb. 21, 2013 In this ongoing video documentary, veteran journalist John Moore chronicles Denver actor and mother Shelly Bordas’ journey since being diagnosed – for a second time – with Stage 4 breast cancer that has now spread to her brain. Run time: 6 minutes. Previous reporting on this story: The initial… Continue reading Video: The Shelly Bordas Story, Part 1: “Tit for Tot”
Curious Theatre’s new season: Dietz, “Good People” and “Venus in Fur”
By John Moore Feb. 21, 2013 Curious Theatre Company’s 16th season will further its “always new to Denver” mantra to include the premiere of a “new to everyone” original work by Denver native Steven Dietz. The most recognized titles on the new season announced today are two recent Tony-nominated best plays — “Venus in… Continue reading Curious Theatre’s new season: Dietz, “Good People” and “Venus in Fur”
Photos: My night at the Aurora Fox’s ‘Consider the Oyster’
A view of the opening-night party from behind the “Consider the Oyster” set, shot through the cut-out window of a Detroit skyscraper. Very cool set design by Shaun Albrechtson. By John Moore Feb. 19, 2013 Opening No. 30: “Consider the Oyster” is a gender-bending comic fantasy developed by Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre Company in… Continue reading Photos: My night at the Aurora Fox’s ‘Consider the Oyster’
Photos: My night at LIDA Project’s ‘R.U.R./lol’
By John Moore Feb. 19, 2013 Opening No. 29: Denver’s oldest and really only true experimental theater company is the LIDA Project. Its newest original work, “R.O.R./lol,” picks up where Czech playwright Karel Capek’s 1920 science-fiction play “Rossum’s Universal Robots” ends. That play is actually where the word “robot” was introduced into the lexicon. LIDA’s… Continue reading Photos: My night at LIDA Project’s ‘R.U.R./lol’
2013 theater photo series: It’s Opening Night in Colorado
By John Moore Jan. 1, 2014 Welcome to my 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the scenes on opening nights in Colorado theater. This series includes one representative shot from 151 of the performances we saw 2013. The intent was to allow the reader a window into a part of the… Continue reading 2013 theater photo series: It’s Opening Night in Colorado
Shelly Bordas fundraising efforts hit $20,000 after first week
By John Moore Feb. 18, 2013 When it was first suggested a week ago that friends of Shelly Bordas kick in a few bucks to send the cancer-stricken actor on a Disney Cruise with her son, they were simply asked to mail checks to the Town Hall Arts Center, where Bordas teaches youth theater… Continue reading Shelly Bordas fundraising efforts hit $20,000 after first week
Photos: My night at Heritage Square’s ‘One Enchanted Evening’
Heritage Square Music Hall co-owner T.J. Mullin told the opening-night audience of “One Enchanted Evening” that the company’s 25th season will be its last in Golden. By John Moore Feb. 16, 2013 Opening No. 28: The Heritage Square Music Hall opened its 25th and, sadly, final season on Valentine’s Day. Co-owners Connie Helsley and… Continue reading Photos: My night at Heritage Square’s ‘One Enchanted Evening’
Photos: My night at Germinal’s ‘Spoon River Anthology’
Actor Jim Miller made spoons adorned with individual faces as opening-night gifts for every cast and crewmember working on the Germinal Stage-Denver’s “Spoon River Anthology.” By John Moore Feb. 15, 2013 Opening No. 27, Feb. 10: Germinal Stage-Denver’s final season in its longtime northwest Denver home continues with its third staging of “Spoon River… Continue reading Photos: My night at Germinal’s ‘Spoon River Anthology’
Breaking news: Heritage Square Music Hall will close at end of year
Bonus coverage: See my full photo gallery from my night at Heritage Square Music Hall’s “One Enchanted Evening,” part of my ongoing photo series, “It’s Opening Night in Colorado 2013.” By John Moore Feb. 14, 2013 There’s a reason the venerable Heritage Square Music Hall will finish the year with the poignantly titled, “Merry… Continue reading Breaking news: Heritage Square Music Hall will close at end of year
Photos: My night at Performance Now’s ‘Once Upon a Mattress’
Laura Kimberlin brings beauty down to her fingertips to the orchestra pit at the Lakewood Cultural Center. She plays woodwinds as part of a seven-piece live orchestra for “Once Upon a Mattress.” By John Moore Feb. 11, 2013 “Once Upon a Mattress” is the classic musical retelling of “The Princess and the Pea,” in… Continue reading Photos: My night at Performance Now’s ‘Once Upon a Mattress’
Shelly Bordas supporters raise $10,000 in 24 hours
UPDATE: As of 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, Shelly Bordas’ online fundraising page has raised $12,635 from 251 backers. By John Moore Feb. 13, 2013 Just 24 hours after the launch of an online fundraising page, friends and strangers have contributed more than $10,400 to help send Denver actor and teacher Shelly Bordas on a… Continue reading Shelly Bordas supporters raise $10,000 in 24 hours
Photos: My night at Dangerous Theatre’s ‘Dark Wood’
By John Moore Feb. 11, 2013 The sign as you enter the Dangerous Theatre, above, means it: “Seriously! Lots of nudity. Not a quick peek. Full frontal nudity for the ENTIRE SHOW.” And it’s not just for titillation. Peter McGarry’s “Dark Wood” is a legitimate, serio-comic play that finds three apes together in a… Continue reading Photos: My night at Dangerous Theatre’s ‘Dark Wood’
David Sedaris: When your heroes (don’t) disappoint
By John Moore Feb. 13, 2013 In January, Denverites were given the rare opportunity to see David Sedaris in process. Perhaps the nation’s foremost comic novelist came to the intimate Galleria Theatre to test out select readings that may (or may not) be included in his forthcoming book, “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls,” due for… Continue reading David Sedaris: When your heroes (don’t) disappoint
Photos: My night with ‘The Seafarer’ at the Aurora Fox
Booze: Beer, whiskey, poteen, you name it — is everywhere to be found on the set of “The Seafarer.” By John Moore Feb. 12, 2013 Here are bonus images from my brief visit backstage at Ashton Entertainment’s “The Seafarer” on Feb. 8 at the Aurora Fox. It was a long road bringing Conor McPherson’s… Continue reading Photos: My night with ‘The Seafarer’ at the Aurora Fox
Photos: My night at Backstage’s ‘Out of Order’ in Breckenridge
By John Moore Feb. 11, 2013 Here are bonus images from my night visiting the cast of the Backstage’s Theatre’s “Out of Order” after their first performance in front of an audience on Feb. 7. It’s a prototypical Ray Cooney farce harpooning a government official whose plans for an extramarital dalliance in a London hotel… Continue reading Photos: My night at Backstage’s ‘Out of Order’ in Breckenridge