To see caption information on any photo above, or to see the gallery on a mobile phone, click here. (It will be on the lower-left corner.) Or just click “show info” on any photo. By John Moore Oct. 30, 2013 Opening No. 127: Off-Center @ The Jones’ “Wheel of Misfortune”: This new theatrical adventure from… Continue reading Photos: My night at Off-Center’s ‘Wheel of Misfortune’
Category: News
Upstart Crow announces death of longtime company member Jim Fogelberg
Boulder’s Upstart Crow has announced the death of longtime actor, director and board member Jim Fogelberg. The company issued the following statement: “We lost Jim in a traffic accident on October 8. In his decades with The Upstart Crow, Jim played many roles, most recently as Caesar in ‘Caesar and Cleopatra.’ He has directed shows,… Continue reading Upstart Crow announces death of longtime company member Jim Fogelberg
“Warm Cookies of the Revolution” serves up sugar and civics
Andrew Newman is the king of the world: The “Star Wars”-themed Monopoly world. The vanquished do not look amused. I was. By John Moore “Warm Cookies of the Revolution” is a “civics health club” that meets once a month to exercise your civics muscles. Evan Weissman of the innovative Buntport Theater ensemble founded his cool… Continue reading “Warm Cookies of the Revolution” serves up sugar and civics
Breaking news: LIDA Project founder Brian Freeland moving to New York
Brian Freeland and wife Catherine Worster Freeland at the opening of the LIDA Project’s new home at the Laundry Lawrence in 2011. The play was called “Justin Bieber Meets Al Qaeda.” By John Moore Brian Freeland, founder of the 18-year-old LIDA Project, has announced he is moving with his family to New York. Freeland’s wife,… Continue reading Breaking news: LIDA Project founder Brian Freeland moving to New York
Funds raised for the late Doug Rosen donated to Denver Actors Fund
By John Moore Sarah Roshan established a fund in 2009 to help Denver actor Doug Rosen battle cancer. The local community responded, so much so that Rosen never got the chance to take advantage of the funds raised before he passed away. Even after Roshan assigned about $2,700 of the $3,000 the Rosen campaign had… Continue reading Funds raised for the late Doug Rosen donated to Denver Actors Fund
Terry Rhoads, “Denver’s leading man,” dies at 61
By John Moore Terry Rhoads may have moved on from Denver years ago, but his impact on Colorado theater was enduring. Rhoads played the leading man at dozens of Country Dinner Playhouse shows. He was the undisputed star for much of producer Bill McHale’s heyday in the 1980s before moving on to a significant career… Continue reading Terry Rhoads, “Denver’s leading man,” dies at 61
In case you are wondering where the rest of my stuff is …
By John Moore. In case you are wondering where the rest of my stuff is … I got this job, you see. Maybe you heard about it — as a journalist for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It’s kind of a dream job. And the best part is, the fine folks at the… Continue reading In case you are wondering where the rest of my stuff is …
Kidney update: Rollman’s gift saved nine lives
By John Moore Sept. 27, 2013 On Sept. 8, we told you in a Denver Post story all about how Buntport Theater’s Erin Rollman set off a life-saving chain by volunteering to give up one of her kidneys to a stranger. What we didn’t know then was just how many lives her sacrifice would eventually… Continue reading Kidney update: Rollman’s gift saved nine lives
Denver Center launches statewide high-school playwriting initiative
By John Moore Sept. 12, 2013 When Kent Thompson was the artistic director of the Alabama Shakepseare Festival, he saw what can happen when you put pens where young people’s minds are. By the fifth year of the young playwriting program he started in Alabama, he was receiving 1,200 submissions annually from around the state.… Continue reading Denver Center launches statewide high-school playwriting initiative
Buntport’s Erin Rollman: Kidney donation starts “a beautiful chain”
“I feel like I raised a gem,” says Erin Rollman’s mother, Georgianne. Photo by Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post. By John Moore Sept. 10, 2013 Last Sunday, I wrote my final freelance piece for The Denver Post, my home off and on for the past 24 years. It was about Denver actor Erin Rollman,… Continue reading Buntport’s Erin Rollman: Kidney donation starts “a beautiful chain”
My Night at Screw Tooth’s “Some Kind of Fun”
To see caption information on any photo above, click here. (It will be on the lower-left corner.) Or just click “show info” on any photo. If you prefer see this feature in its previous format (with each new photo stacked on top of the last), click here. By John Moore Sept. 4, 2013 Opening… Continue reading My Night at Screw Tooth’s “Some Kind of Fun”
Video podcast: The final performance at Germinal-Stage Denver
“Offending the Audience” was the final play staged by Germinal Stage-Denver at its 26-year home in northwest Denver. Here’s my video podcast capturing the emotion of the closing-night performance on Aug. 25, 2013. Video by John Moore. Running time: 9 minutes. Direct link to the video By John Moore Sept. 1, 2013 People have been… Continue reading Video podcast: The final performance at Germinal-Stage Denver
As others fold, Colorado Shakespeare Festival comes back strong
Interim artistic director Timothy Orr addresses a sold-out opening-night crowd at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in July. Photo by John Moore. By John Moore Aug. 29, 2013 An ill wind has blown from North Carolina to California this month as two major Shakespearean festivals have announced they are either closing or… Continue reading As others fold, Colorado Shakespeare Festival comes back strong
Video: Black Stache on Denver Tony Award-winner Gabe Ebert
By John Moore Aug. 26, 2013 John Sanders, who plays the comic villain Black Stache in “Peter and the Starcatcher,” talks about Denver’s own Tony-winner Gabriel Ebert, his former co-star in Broadway’s “Matilda, the Musical.” “Everything I know I learned from Gabe Ebert,” Sanders says. Just not the ukulele. “Peter and the Starcatcher” plays through… Continue reading Video: Black Stache on Denver Tony Award-winner Gabe Ebert
Countdown to Closure: Original cast member on marrow and forgotten riots
Director Ed Baierlein made up a placard for every one of his expected 45-plus actors who were to perform in “Offending the Audience.” Kenny Burt, who joined Germinal in its first season, had to drop out for a transplant. By John Moore Aug. 15, 2013 One of the many interesting aspects of embedding myself in… Continue reading Countdown to Closure: Original cast member on marrow and forgotten riots
John Moore, former Denver Post Theater Critic, joins DCPA
The cat has vacated the bag: I am going back to work — for pay! Alexandra Griesmer, P.R. and Promotions Manager for the Denver Center Theatre Company, made the announcement this morning: “John Moore, former theater critic of The Denver Post and founder of www.CultureWest.org, has been named to The Denver Center for the Performing… Continue reading John Moore, former Denver Post Theater Critic, joins DCPA
Photo essay: At the “Terminal Germinal,” these walls CAN talk
To see these photos on a mobile device, click here. By John Moore Aug. 11, 2013 At the Germinal Stage-Denver, which I’ve taken to calling the “Terminal Germinal,” these walls CAN talk. For 26 years, actors have been reading the writing on the walls there. And they put it there. They have filled most every… Continue reading Photo essay: At the “Terminal Germinal,” these walls CAN talk
“Steel Magnolias” launches Denver Actors Fund’s “Tap Shoe Initiative”
By John Moore Aug. 4, 2013 Senior Housing Options last night became the first area theater company to designate a performance as “Denver Actors Fund Night,” in effect launching its new Tap Shoe Initiative. Senior Housing Options’ resource development coordinator Jane Prancan made a pre-show curtain speech introducing the Denver Actors Fund to Saturday night’s… Continue reading “Steel Magnolias” launches Denver Actors Fund’s “Tap Shoe Initiative”
Former Fort Collins theater manager Matt Strauch sent to prison
By John Moore Aug. 2, 2013 Former Bas Bleu Theatre general manager Matt Strauch was sentenced to four years in prison today for violating terms of his sentencing. Last year, Strauch pleaded guilty to stealing more than $40,000 from Bas Bleu and a Fort Collins charter school. Prior to his plea deal, Strauch could have… Continue reading Former Fort Collins theater manager Matt Strauch sent to prison
CultureWest turns 1: A look back at a wild year in Colorado theater
From CultureWest’s ongoing “It’s Opening Night in Colorado Theater” photo series: Backstage at the opening of Magic Moments’ “Spirit & Soul.” By John Moore Aug. 2, 2013 One year ago, a local foundation created www.CultureWest.Org on my behalf as a beta blog for what we all hoped would become a new, fully staffed and fully… Continue reading CultureWest turns 1: A look back at a wild year in Colorado theater
Video: Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper introduces Nathaniel Rateliff at the UMS
By John Moore July 23, 2013 When he first became Denver’s mayor, I saw now Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper sneak into the Lion’s Lair at midnight to catch a little bit of a John Doe set. He has introduced the Avett Brothers the past two years at Red Rocks. A few years ago, he introduced… Continue reading Video: Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper introduces Nathaniel Rateliff at the UMS
Newly eligible companies take emphatic bow at 2013 Henry Awards
By John Moore July 22, 2013 The Colorado Theatre Guild set out to put more Colorado in Colorado Theatre Guild’s 2013 Henry Awards, and tonight’s results certainly accomplished that goal. The question on many minds tomorrow, after the Guild had left so many of its own member companies out of the race for seven years,… Continue reading Newly eligible companies take emphatic bow at 2013 Henry Awards
UMS comedians on their hate/hate relationship with critics
By John Moore July 21, 2013 Easily the most aggravating hour of this or any other UMS was the (Not) “Funny Face-Off: Comedians vs. the Media,” during which one contradictory comic lambasted the largely friendly media coverage comedians receive here. First he gave it to them for somehow destroying the life work, hopes and ambitions… Continue reading UMS comedians on their hate/hate relationship with critics
Terminal Germinal: Countdown to Closure
By John Moore Aug. 22, 2013 Rehearsals are underway for the final production to be staged at the Germinal Stage-Denver’s longtime home at 44th Avenue and Alcott streets in northwest Denver. “Offending the Audience” revives what founder Ed Baierlein describes as “easily Germinal’s most notorious production,” first presented in 1976. The “choral monologue” by Austrian… Continue reading Terminal Germinal: Countdown to Closure
Shows go on, theaters safe as fires rage near Creede, Pagosa Springs
Dramatic photos of the three forest fires near Creede that have cast a surreal haze over the Creede Repertory Theatre’s 2013 summer season. The shows are going on because fire authorities have determined the town 250 miles southwest of Denver to be safe. Photos by John Gary Brown and Charles Maze. To see caption information… Continue reading Shows go on, theaters safe as fires rage near Creede, Pagosa Springs
Aspen Stage wins four national awards for ‘Unmarried in America’
By John Moore June 24, 2013 Aspen Stage has won four awards at the American Association of Community Theatre’s national festival in Carmel, Ind. Director Wendy Moore’s production of “Unmarried in America” was honored for Best Ensemble, Best Supporting Actress (Missy Moore), Best Supporting Actor (Kevin Derkash) and Best Actor in a Featured… Continue reading Aspen Stage wins four national awards for ‘Unmarried in America’
The list of shows eligible for 2013 Henry Awards consideration
By John Moore June 19, 2013 The following shows presented by Colorado Theatre Guild member companies are fully eligible for 2013 Henry Award nominations. To qualify, a show must have opened between June 1, 2012, and May 31, 2013, and been seen by at least six judges. In all, 59 Guild member companies were… Continue reading The list of shows eligible for 2013 Henry Awards consideration
Town Hall Arts Center leads balanced field of 2013 Henry Award nominees
Ashlie-Amber Harris, left, is nominated for her supporting work in both the Aurora Fox’s The Color Purple,” above, and the Town Hall Arts Center’s “Hair.” SuCh, also pictured above, is a nominee for outstanding actress in a musical. By John Moore June 19, 2013 The Town Hall Arts Center leads all companies with 17 nominations… Continue reading Town Hall Arts Center leads balanced field of 2013 Henry Award nominees
Photos: My Night at Phamaly’s “Circle of Stars” gala
To see caption information for any photo above, click here. (The information is posted on the lower-left corner of each photo.) Or just click the “show info” option on any photo. By John Moore June 18, 2013 The Phamaly Theatre Company’s 2013 Circle of Stars benefit at the Mizel Center’s Wolf Theatre on June 15… Continue reading Photos: My Night at Phamaly’s “Circle of Stars” gala
Photo Series: It’s Opening Night in Colorado 2013
To see caption information on any photo above, click here. (It will be on the lower-left corner.) Or just click “show info” on any photo. If you prefer see this feature in its previous format (with each new photo stacked on top of the last), click here. By John Moore Jan. 1, 2014 Welcome to… Continue reading Photo Series: It’s Opening Night in Colorado 2013