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?
Category: News
‘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
Fund to aid actor Robert Michael Sanders launches like a rocket
Robert Michael Sanders and Megan Van De Hey. Photo by Ellen Kaye. Below right, Sanders appears in the Denver Center’s “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” with Shannan Steele, Daniel Langhoff and Lauren Shealy. Photo by Terry Shapiro. By John Moore May 2, 2013 A modest effort by friends of a hospitalized Denver… Continue reading Fund to aid actor Robert Michael Sanders launches like a rocket
Photos: My night at Miners Alley’s ‘The Memory of Water’
By John Moore May 1, 2013 Welcome to my ongoing, 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the scenes on opening nights in Colorado theater. All photos by John Moore copyright 2013 for www.CultureWest.Org. Opening No. 61: Miners Alley Playhouse’s “The Memory of Water”: Anyone who has read the “religious views”… Continue reading Photos: My night at Miners Alley’s ‘The Memory of Water’
10 years and 2 days later, the first openly gay athlete in team sports history
By John Moore April 29, 2013 It’s hard for me to believe it was 10 years and 2 days ago that I wrote the following story about the new Broadway play “Take Me Out,” which imagined the serious repercussions of the first openly gay male athlete in the history of team sports. As of today,… Continue reading 10 years and 2 days later, the first openly gay athlete in team sports history
Photos: My night at the Aurora Fox’s ‘The Color Purple’
By John Moore April 25, 2013 Welcome to my ongoing, 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the scenes on opening nights in Colorado theater. All photos by John Moore for www.CultureWest.Org. Opening No. 57: The Aurora Fox’s “The Color Purple”: The musical stage adaptation of Alice Walker’s epistolary novel follows… Continue reading Photos: My night at the Aurora Fox’s ‘The Color Purple’
Photos: My night at Ignite Theatre’s snowy ‘Cabaret’
There’s a lot of touching in the Kit Kat Klub — and in the backstage area of the Aurora Fox — as actor Maggie Tisdale can attest. The Fox’s shop area has been converted into a temporary dressing room to accommodate the huge Ignite Theatre cast, which performs on the studio stage while another big… Continue reading Photos: My night at Ignite Theatre’s snowy ‘Cabaret’
Video: Oskar Eustis on the American theater: ‘The worst of both worlds is happening’
Video by John Moore for CultureWest.Org. By John Moore April 3, 2013 Public Theatre artistic director Oskar Eustis does not mince words when speaking about the state of the American theater. While in some ways it is healthier than it has ever been, especially in the areas of diversity and decentralization, he also says… Continue reading Video: Oskar Eustis on the American theater: ‘The worst of both worlds is happening’
Breaking news: Fourth actor takes reins of “Other Desert Cities” in its final weekend
Kate Berry stars in “Other Desert Cities” at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Photo by Jeff Kearney. By John Moore March 30, 2013 There’s been another twist in the wild tale of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center’s Colorado premiere of the celebrated play “Other Desert Cities.” David Hastings is now the fourth… Continue reading Breaking news: Fourth actor takes reins of “Other Desert Cities” in its final weekend
Outtakes: My night at ‘Pardon My Dust’
Billie McBride as Dorothy Parker. By John Moore, March 24, 2013 Opening No. 50, And Toto Too Productions’ “Pardon My Dust”: “I don’t care what anybody says about me … as long as it isn’t true.” That’s one of the many Dorothy Parker witticisms actor Billie McBride quick-fires while portraying one of the greatest… Continue reading Outtakes: My night at ‘Pardon My Dust’
Outtakes: My day at Magic Moments’ ‘Spirit & Soul’
By John Moore, March 24, 2013 Opening No. 49, Magic Moments’ “Spirit & Soul”: That’s 193 people — count ’em! — at the curtain call for Magic Moments’ 30th annual pop-music revue at Kent Denver High School. Magic Moments integrates disabled and able-bodied cast members of all abilities, ages and experience levels for a… Continue reading Outtakes: My day at Magic Moments’ ‘Spirit & Soul’
Magic Moments’ rotund roster includes some big-name local actors
It is not uncommon for more than 200 people to participate in the annual Magic Moments pop-rock revue. This year’s crew includes some established names in the local theater community, including Amy Board, Sarah Rex, Ronni Gallup, Keegan Flaugh, Mark Shonsey, Dana Hart Lubeck, Donna Debreceni, David Nehls and others. By John Moore March… Continue reading Magic Moments’ rotund roster includes some big-name local actors
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’