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

John Moore. Photo by Brian Landis Folkins

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

A giant smoke plume from the West Fork Fire over the Creede Repertory Theatre's mainstage theater. Photo by Charles Maze.

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’

Brad Moore and Brendan Cochran. Photo by S. Bird.

    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

The Vintage Theatre had perhaps the busiest year among small area theater companies, qualifying nine productions for Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Award 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

CPR names Chloe Veltman editor of new arts bureau

By John Moore June 11, 2013 Please join me in welcoming to Denver Chloe Veltman, who has been hired as the first editor of Colorado Public Radio’s forthcoming new arts bureau, a game-changing journalism initiative  made possible by a $900,000 grant from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation. The appointment of the San Franciscan was announced by CPR… Continue reading CPR names Chloe Veltman editor of new arts bureau

Convicted UNC theater professor Vance Fulkerson released from prison one year early

By John Moore June 8, 2013 Disgraced University of Northern Colorado theater professor Vance Fulkerson, who was sentenced to four years in prison in 2010 for the felony sexual exploitation of five children, has been released one year early and is now living in Boulder. Many students and alumni expressed outrage when Fulkerson received only… Continue reading Convicted UNC theater professor Vance Fulkerson released from prison one year early

Video: Step Up to the Mic: Denver Actors Fun-draiser highlights

By John Moore June 3, 2013 Watch video highlights from CultureWest’s evening of karaoke silliness to raise seed money for the new Denver Actors Fund, a modest source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in sudden medical need. The host was Kent Randell. Performers on this video include… Continue reading Video: Step Up to the Mic: Denver Actors Fun-draiser highlights

The new Denver Actors Fund: A Q&A

By John Moore May 31, 2013 Tomorrow night, many of you in the Colorado theater community will be joining us for a late-night gathering of karaoke silliness at the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse to raise seed money for the new Denver Actors Fund. Since announcing the new initiative last month, I’ve fielded many questions about my… Continue reading The new Denver Actors Fund: A Q&A

Video: Watch Chaparral High School win the Bobby G for Best Musical

By John Moore May 31, 2013 Watch as Chaparral High School’s “Les Misérables” wins best musical at the inaugural Bobby G Awards on May 30 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Senior Chris Maclean also won best actor for his portrayal of Jean Valjean. The Bobby G Awards honor Denver metro high-school thespians,… Continue reading Video: Watch Chaparral High School win the Bobby G for Best Musical

Video: Coloradans on Broadway salute high-school Bobby G Award Nominees

By John Moore May 30, 2013 We asked Coloradans on Broadway to send their encouragement and congratulations to the Colorado high-school students attending the first-ever Bobby G Awards on May 30, 2013, at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Those participating include Annaleigh Ashford, Andy Kelso, Elizabeth Welch, Jesse JP Johnson, Gavin… Continue reading Video: Coloradans on Broadway salute high-school Bobby G Award Nominees

News: ‘In Focus With Eden Lane’ leaves the air after May 31

Eden Lane with her final guest interview, Garrett Ammon of the new dance company Wonderbound. Photo courtesy Eden Lane.

By John Moore May 26, 2013 The season finale of the weekly arts TV program “In Focus with Eden Lane” will air at 7 p.m. Friday on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. In all likelihood, it will be the series finale as well. Lane has broadcast an original half hour of  local arts and culture… Continue reading News: ‘In Focus With Eden Lane’ leaves the air after May 31

Photos: My night at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Dorothy’s iconic red slippers were crafted by Linda Morken, who handmade more than 100 separate costumes for “The Wizard of Oz.” When considered as costume pieces, the number perhaps triples.   By John Moore May 20, 2013 Welcome to my ongoing, 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the scenes on opening… Continue reading Photos: My night at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Shake it: What Colorado bands make you get up and dance?

I defy you to defy Tammy Ealom: Dressy Bessy at the 2009 Denver Post Underground Music Showcase (The UMS). Denver Post file photo.

By John Moore May 21, 2013 These are 18 songs by Colorado bands that just make me gotta dance. Like for reals, shake your tail-feather, you can’t stop the beat, dancing. They are very different kinds of songs … Sometimes poppy, sometimes reverent, sometimes angry. But always irresistible. I have no defense against their booty… Continue reading Shake it: What Colorado bands make you get up and dance?

‘Step Up to the Mic’: A special karaoke party fundraiser June 1

  By John Moore May 5, 2013 This has been a time of extraordinary personal challenge for members of the Colorado theater community. Many of our friends have found themselves in great and sudden need, and with numbing regularity: Shelly Bordas’ terminal cancer prognosis. Frank Oteri and Max Peterson facing expensive colon surgeries. Robert Michael… Continue reading ‘Step Up to the Mic’: A special karaoke party fundraiser June 1