By John Moore Jan. 1, 2013 A professional and personal look back at the year just past. (The unemployed year, that is): Favorite writings: 1. Eden Lane: The first transgender journalist on mainstream TV opens up about her life and challenges (see bonus extract below) 2. Personal blog: My stoma: To Die and Live… Continue reading My 2012 journo year in review: Highlights from a year on the cheap, er, brink
Category: News
Breaking news: Germinal Stage’s theater to close, but company will play on
By John Moore Dec. 30, 2012 The definition of the word germinal is “embryonic,” and even at age 39, Denver’s venerable Germinal Stage-Denver theater company is about to take on a whole new life form. Ed Baierlein on Friday completed the sale of his theater property at 44th Avenue and Alcott Street to Denver… Continue reading Breaking news: Germinal Stage’s theater to close, but company will play on
Here are your 2012 True West Award Winners
By John Moore Dec. 23, 2012 A diverse year on Colorado stages is reflected in the winners of CultureWest.Org’s 2012 True West Awards, with Curious’ red-hot art drama “Red,” the Arvada Center’s irresistible “Legally Blonde” and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s precision farce “Noises Off” winning for best drama, musical and comedy. And the more… Continue reading Here are your 2012 True West Award Winners
Stephen Weitz: 2012 True West Theater Person of the Year
By John Moore Dec. 22, 2012 Perhaps the Weitzes should have a baby every year. Stephen Weitz, who founded the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company in 2006 with his wife, Rebecca Remaly, performed in five plays in 2012, directed three others and oversaw the Denver Center Theatre Company’s high-profile, community-wide staged reading of Dustin Lance Black’s… Continue reading Stephen Weitz: 2012 True West Theater Person of the Year
After 136 years, my high school is finally building a place where kids can perform
By John Moore Dec. 20, 2012 Longtime readers know I have a bit of a contentious relationship with my beloved alma mater, Regis Jesuit High School, where I was once valedictorian, senior of the year and, most proudly … voted the senior who throws the best parties! I recently got more than a little angry… Continue reading After 136 years, my high school is finally building a place where kids can perform
Denver Center Theatre Company mourns death of Shana Dowdeswell
By John Moore Dec. 17, 2012 The Denver Center Theatre Company is mourning the death of Shana Dowdeswell, who appeared in “Two Things You Don’t Talk About at Dinner” in January at the Space Theatre. Dowdeswell died of acute alcohol poisoning Dec. 12 after a night of binge drinking in New York City. “It has taken… Continue reading Denver Center Theatre Company mourns death of Shana Dowdeswell
Here are your 2012 CultureWest.Org “True West” Award nominations
By John Moore Dec. 16, 2012 One of the hardest things about leaving The Denver Post was leaving behind the Ovation Awards, which for 12 years was my annual salute to what we perceived to be the best in Colorado theater for any given year. Then I thought, “Why not?” I can only… Continue reading Here are your 2012 CultureWest.Org “True West” Award nominations
Actor Brook Millard mourned with laughter, shock and tears
By John Moore For CultureWest.Org Brook Millard, an affable comic actor best known for bringing out the best in others on stage, has died at the age of 47. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Feldman Mortuary, 1673 York St., in Denver. “This is a huge loss for… Continue reading Actor Brook Millard mourned with laughter, shock and tears
The Edge Theatre is moving to new Lakewood digs
By John Moore Dec. 3, 2012 The Edge Theatre will be moving 2 miles east to a new 99-seat theater in Lakewood to be built in a freestanding storefront at 1560 Teller St., founder Rick Yaconis announced at Monday’s second annual company holiday gathering, The Edgy Awards. The move to just east of Wadsworth… Continue reading The Edge Theatre is moving to new Lakewood digs
Former LIDA Project warehouse theater leveled
By John Moore Nov. 30, 2012 Add the former LIDA Project warehouse theater to the growing list of former Denver theater spaces. Over the past three weeks, crews have meticulously dismantled the warehouse theater that housed Denver’s only experimental theater company from 2001-11. It was located next to the Mercury Cafe at 2180 Stout… Continue reading Former LIDA Project warehouse theater leveled
Arvada Center joins Broadway bigshots, Perez Hilton on “Carols for a Cure” CD
By John Moore Nov. 29, 2012 The Arvada Center has the distinction of being one of only two regional theaters in the country invited to join current Broadway companies performing on the 14th annual “Carols for a Cure” double-CD, a mix of holiday classics and original material benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Right alongside the… Continue reading Arvada Center joins Broadway bigshots, Perez Hilton on “Carols for a Cure” CD
Colorado New Play Summit taps Laura Eason, Helen Thorpe, Karen Zacarías and more
By John Moore Nov. 19, 2012 The lineup for the Denver Center Theatre Company’s 8th Annual Colorado New Play Summit in February will include the newest work by rising playwriting star Laura Eason, a graduate of Cherry Creek High School, and a collaboration between former Colorado First Lady Helen Thorpe and Karen Zacarías. Eason’s adaptation… Continue reading Colorado New Play Summit taps Laura Eason, Helen Thorpe, Karen Zacarías and more
Phamaly’s Jeremy Palmer accepts volunteer award, Denver mayor’s proclamation
Phamaly Theatre Company actor and writer Jeremy Palmer accepts the Denver Foundation’s Minoru Yasui Volunteer Award, and Denver mayor Michael Hancock’s proclamation making Nov. 15, 2012, “Jeremy Palmer Day” in Denver. Video by John Moore of culturewest.org. Run time: 7 minutes.
John Hutton on Spielberg, Denver’s “Lincoln” connections, and being invited to the party
By John Moore Nov. 15, 2013 John Hutton has only five or six lines in the Steven Spielberg film “Lincoln,” opening nationwide Friday (Nov. 16). But, hey, the veteran Denver actor’s girlfriend reminded him, “You could have been in ‘The Three Stooges’ movie. That could have been the call you got.” Instead, the call he… Continue reading John Hutton on Spielberg, Denver’s “Lincoln” connections, and being invited to the party
Evan Weissman to launch Denver’s first “Civic Health Club”
By John Moore Nov. 12, 2012 If asked about your physical health, emotional health, spiritual health or psychological health, you’d most likely have an answer at the ready, says Denver actor Evan Weissman. Perhaps you’ve recently discovered yoga; you’ve found God, a guru or a therapist. But what if you were asked about your… Continue reading Evan Weissman to launch Denver’s first “Civic Health Club”
A message on Veteran’s Day: Air Force Sgt., and actor, James Sherman
By John Moore Nov. 12, 2012 On this Veteran’s Day, please consider this monologue, “My Junk,” written by Air Force Sgt. James Sherman. He performed it as part of the local Phamaly Theatre Company’s fifth annual “Vox Phamilia,” a collection of original scenes and comic sketches offering an at-times times brutally honest perspective on living… Continue reading A message on Veteran’s Day: Air Force Sgt., and actor, James Sherman
Photos: McNichols Building re-opens as culture center in Denver’s Civic Center Park
Click here to see my full slideshow of photos from Friday’s grand opening. By John Moore Nov. 11, 2012 The anchor of Denver Mayor Robert Speer’s turn-of-the-century civic beautification project was Civic Center Park. The Carnegie Library, completed in 1909, was the first completed building. The Greek Revival-style library was designed by Albert Ross… Continue reading Photos: McNichols Building re-opens as culture center in Denver’s Civic Center Park
Miners Alley Playhouse making way for new artistic leadership
By John Moore Nov. 8, 2012 Rick Bernstein has announced the “slow and steady” transition of the leadership of his Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden to a well-known local team headed by Evergreen Players board president Brenda Billings and director Len Matheo. Matheo and Billings will take over as co-executive artistic directors on… Continue reading Miners Alley Playhouse making way for new artistic leadership
What companies can learn from the reinvention of Denver’s Curious Theatre
By John Moore Nov. 4, 2012 A tremor from a divisive national debate that has been growing among theater professionals nationwide for years finally rumbled its way to the picturesque Rocky Mountains — and Curious Theatre director Christy Montour-Larson felt it. You won’t find anyone more loyal to Denver’s primary mid-sized professional theater company than… Continue reading What companies can learn from the reinvention of Denver’s Curious Theatre
Creede Rep season will mark dawn of Jackson era – and zombies
By John Moore Nov. 2, 2012 The Creede Repertory Theatre’s first full season under new artistic director Jessica Jackson will reflect the company’s longstanding commitment to mixing groundbreaking new work with Broadway musicals and theater for children. But the 48th summer season at the acclaimed theater nestled in the mountains 250 miles south of… Continue reading Creede Rep season will mark dawn of Jackson era – and zombies
Curious again alone in offering annual “Free Night of Theatre”
By John Moore Oct. 30, 2012 The New York-based Theater Communications Group (TCG) has tried for eight years to organize a national night of free theater, but the initiative has failed to drum up much participation in Colorado. Not because audiences here don’t want a night of free theater, but because member theaters here just… Continue reading Curious again alone in offering annual “Free Night of Theatre”
Remodeled Chez Artiste movie theater re-opens Friday
By John Moore Oct. 25, 2012 Landmark’s Chez Artiste Theatre re-opens Friday (Oct. 26) after an extensive renovation and remodel. This renovation includes new advancements in sight, sound and seating, including Barco Digital Projection, upgraded digital sound and new leather-style seats with expanded row widths. New decorative touches throughout the theater include new granite… Continue reading Remodeled Chez Artiste movie theater re-opens Friday
Denver Post profile: TV host Eden Lane opens up about her life and challenges
By John Moore Oct. 21, 2012 Colorado Public Television’s Eden Lane is believed to be the first transgender journalist on mainstream TV anywhere in the United States. “But I don’t think of being transgender as any part of my identity, any more than I do that I am left-handed,” she said. But “the Eden… Continue reading Denver Post profile: TV host Eden Lane opens up about her life and challenges
Colorado theater companies join forces for military families
By John Moore Oct. 18, 2012 A new national initiative will be announced tomorrow that will recognize “the profound contributions of military service families,” and seven Colorado theater companies are helping to lead the way. The Blue Star Theatres program, founded by the national Theatre Communications Group service organization, will team 57 of its… Continue reading Colorado theater companies join forces for military families
Video, photo coverage: “After the Darklights” web-series launch party
By John Moore Oct. 10, 2012 The 10-minute pilot episode of “After the Darklights,” a new post-apocalyptic web series written and directed by Denver’s Michael Morgan, was launched today as a free online offering. The video posted above chronicles the launch party held at the Laundry on Lawrence artists collective at 27th and Lawrence streets… Continue reading Video, photo coverage: “After the Darklights” web-series launch party
Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 5: “Jackson Has It Going On”
By John Moore Oct. 9, 2012 Part 5: Jackson Has It Going On Veteran arts journalist John Moore followed the making of Ben Dicke’s “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” from inception to an opening night postponed by a serious backstage accident that hospitalized the director/starring actor. Part 5, the final chapter, chronicles the triumphant rescheduled… Continue reading Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 5: “Jackson Has It Going On”
Podcast: Sarah Ruhl coming to Colorado Springs on Oct. 8
By John Moore Oct. 4, 2012 Sarah Ruhl, one of America’s most produced playwrights, is coming to Colorado Springs’ TheatreWorks for a free evening of discussion on Monday, Oct. 8. Ruhl’s “The Clean House,” “Eurydice” and “In the Next Room, Or The Vibrator Play,” have been produced at the Denver Center, Curious Theatre, Equinox, TheatreWorks… Continue reading Podcast: Sarah Ruhl coming to Colorado Springs on Oct. 8
Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 4: “This Is Happening”
Part 4: This is Happening Veteran arts journalist John Moore followed the making of Ben Dicke’s “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” from inception to an opening night postponed by a serious backstage accident that hospitalized the director/starring actor. Part 4 chronicles the crucial decision-making in the wake of the accident, and why and how this show… Continue reading Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 4: “This Is Happening”
News: Town Hall executive director Nancy Stalf resigns
The board of directors for the Littleton Town Hall Arts Center has accepted the resignation of executive director Nancy Stalf, effective at the end of November. Stalf has been E.D. since October 2008 and is leaving to pursue other professional opportunities, according to a press release issued by Town Hall. “We appreciate the leadership that… Continue reading News: Town Hall executive director Nancy Stalf resigns
Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 3: “Life Sucks”
Part 3: Life Sucks Veteran arts journalist John Moore followed the making of Ben Dicke’s “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” from inception to an opening night postponed by a serious backstage accident that hospitalized the director, who also happens to be the starring actor. Part 3: “Life Sucks” (a quote from the show) follows Dicke to… Continue reading Video: The making of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” Part 3: “Life Sucks”