Mikeal Macbeth has created this this video montage of Angela Johnson performances. Used by permission. By John Moore Feb. 4, 2013 Though she was just a young woman, Angela Johnson was known as “the queen of community theater” in Northern Colorado. She was a classically trained vocalist who accepted any role given to her… Continue reading Sudden death of singer Angela Johnson has Northern Colorado reeling
Bonus photos: My day with Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox and ‘Jekyll & Hyde’
By John Moore Feb. 2, 2013 Here are bonus images from my night visiting the cast of the Broadway-bound musical “Jekyll & Hyde,” featuring Constantine Maroulis (last seen here in “Rock of Ages”) and R&B star Deborah Cox, backstage at Denver’s Buell Theatre. This re-imagined production, which opens on Broadway on April 18, fits… Continue reading Bonus photos: My day with Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox and ‘Jekyll & Hyde’
Bonus photos: My night at ‘Noises Off’ in Lone Tree
The opening night of “Noises Off” at the Lone Tree Arts Center had a well-known guest, and not just local actor Carla Kaiser Kotrc, left. Joining director Nick Sugar (center) was film and TV star John Carroll Lynch, a Denver native and Regis High grad who performed in plays and musicals with Sugar (and me)… Continue reading Bonus photos: My night at ‘Noises Off’ in Lone Tree
Bonus photos: My night at Buntport Theater’s ‘Wake’
By John Moore Jan. 31, 2013 Here are some bonus images from my night visiting the cast of Buntport Theater’s ambitious original play, “Wake.” It’s a Beckett-like reimagining of “The Tempest,” in which the storm and subsequent shipwreck that drive Shakespeare’s love story never come. Featuring Erik Edborg, Erin Rollman, Brian Colonna and Adam… Continue reading Bonus photos: My night at Buntport Theater’s ‘Wake’
Bonus photos: My night at Longmont Theatre Company’s ‘Over the Tavern’
From left: Beau Wilcox, Marian Bennett and Peter Cabrera after the opening curtain call. By John Moore Jan. 30, 2013 Here are some bonus images from my night visiting the cast of the Longmont Theatre Company’s “Over the Tavern,” a bittersweet family story about growing up poor and Catholic in 1959 Buffalo. Featuring Peter Cabrera,… Continue reading Bonus photos: My night at Longmont Theatre Company’s ‘Over the Tavern’
Video: The Skype Sessions: Constantine Maroulis of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’
By John Moore Jan. 28, 2013 www.CultureWest.Org introduces our newest video innovation: Live on Skype. Episode 2: Constantine Maroulis talks from Tulsa on his way to Denver to star in the national touring production of “Jekyll and Hyde” with Deborah Cox from Jan. 29-Feb. 10 at the Buell Theatre. Run time: 7 minutes. Thanks: Heidi… Continue reading Video: The Skype Sessions: Constantine Maroulis of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’
Arvada-bound Philip Sneed: The entrance/exit interview
By John Moore Jan. 27, 2013 Philip Sneed loves the symmetry of it all: His first two professional jobs were with the Arvada Center and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Fast-forward more than 30 years, and now his two most recent jobs are with the Arvada Center and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Although his professional… Continue reading Arvada-bound Philip Sneed: The entrance/exit interview
Bonus photos: My night at the Denver Center’s “Grace, Or the Art of Climbing”
By John Moore Jan. 26, 2013 Here are some bonus images from my night visiting the cast of the Denver Center Theatre Company’s world-premiere staging of “Grace, or the Art of Climbing” on Jan. 24. In the story by Lauren Feldman, rock climbing serves as both metaphor and call-to-action for a reluctant young athlete… Continue reading Bonus photos: My night at the Denver Center’s “Grace, Or the Art of Climbing”
Bonus photos: My night with the Arvada Center’s ‘Blithe Spirit’
Actor Mark Rubald emerges from backstage following the opening performance of the Arvada Center’s “Blithe Spirit” on Jan. 22. By John Moore Jan. 24, 2013 Here are some bonus images from my night visiting the cast of the Arvada Center’s “Blithe Spirit,” the classic Noel Coward comedy playing at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. The cast… Continue reading Bonus photos: My night with the Arvada Center’s ‘Blithe Spirit’
Bonus photos: My night with Phamaly’s “The Foreigner”
Director Edith Weiss, who had to miss the opening performance of Phamaly’s “The Foreigner” on Jan. 19 because of illness, texted her final words of encouragement to her cast via actor Jeremy Palmer’s cell phone. Photo by John Moore. By John Moore Jan. 20, 2013 Here are some bonus images from my night visiting… Continue reading Bonus photos: My night with Phamaly’s “The Foreigner”
Phamaly mourns death of actor Ray Angel
By John Moore Jan. 22, 2013 Ray Angel, blind since birth, joined Denver’s handicapped Phamaly Theatre Company for one reason: “My wife and I were so darn shy, and we thought Phamaly would help us get over it,” Angel told me in a 2007 interview. “And it did.” Angel has passed away, it was announced… Continue reading Phamaly mourns death of actor Ray Angel
Bonus photos: My night with “Motherhood Out Loud”
By John Moore Jan. 20, 2013 Here are some bonus images from my night visiting the cast of The Avenue Theater’s “Motherhood Out Loud,” a series of comic and poignant vignettes authored by 14 writers from the fields of journalism, fiction, TV and theater. Starring Mehry Eslaminia, Megan Heffernan, Jane Shirley, Cindy Laudadio-Hill, LuAnn Buckstein… Continue reading Bonus photos: My night with “Motherhood Out Loud”
Bonus photos: My night backstage with Lake Dillon’s ‘Sleuth’
By John Moore Jan. 20, 2013 Here are some bonus images from my night visiting the cast of the Lake Dillon Theatre Company’s “Sleuth” on Jan 17. Starring Joel Rainwater and Tom Borrillo. Directed by Alan Osburn. Through Feb. 10 at 176 Lake Dillon Dr., about 70 miles west of Denver. Call 970-513-9386 or… Continue reading Bonus photos: My night backstage with Lake Dillon’s ‘Sleuth’
Is Punch Bowl Social turning Baker neighborhood into LoDo?
By John Moore Jan. 20, 2013 The face of any hip neighborhood is always changing; that’s part of what makes it hip. But Baker just got more than a face-lift. It got a whole new face. The Punch Bowl Social is bringing up to 900 more people into a thriving, independent shopping and entertainment… Continue reading Is Punch Bowl Social turning Baker neighborhood into LoDo?
Photo Gallery: My night backstage with “Maple and Vine”
By John Moore Jan. 17, 2010 Here are some images from my night visiting the cast of the Curious Theatre’s 1950s parallel-universe comedy “Maple and Vine,” just before their opening-night performance on Jan. 12. Starring Josh Robinson, C. Kelly Leo, Karen Slack, Dale Li and Stuart Sanks. Through Feb. 23 at 1080 Acoma St., 303-623-0524… Continue reading Photo Gallery: My night backstage with “Maple and Vine”
Breaking news: Phil Sneed leaving Colorado Shakes for Arvada Center
By John Moore Jan. 14, 2013 Colorado Shakespeare Festival producing artistic director Philip Sneed announced today he is leaving the nation’s second-oldest Shakespeare festival after seven years to succeed Gene Sobczak as executive director of the Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities. That’s the money job. Rod Lansberry remains the Arvada Center’s artistic director. But… Continue reading Breaking news: Phil Sneed leaving Colorado Shakes for Arvada Center
My Top 10 Films of 2012
By John Moore Jan. 13, 2013 For what it’s worth (which is nothing), here is my list of the top 10 films of 2012. And while I’m not usually in sync with “The People,” The People’s Choice Awards last week agreed with my choice for No. 1, which went completely ignored by the Oscars: 1.… Continue reading My Top 10 Films of 2012
Photo gallery: My night backstage at Town Hall’s ‘Forever Plaid’
By John Moore Jan. 11, 2010 Here are some images from my night visiting the cast of the Littleton Town Hall Arts Center’s “Forever Plaid” just before their first performance in front of an audience. Starring Tim Howard, Barret Harper, Mark Middlebrooks and Jacob Villareal. Through Feb. 10 at 2450 W. Main St., 303-794-2787 or… Continue reading Photo gallery: My night backstage at Town Hall’s ‘Forever Plaid’
Photo gallery: My day backstage at “War Horse”
By John Moore Jan. 10, 2013 Here are some images from my day visiting the cast of the national touring production of “War Horse,” playing through Jan. 20 at the Buell Theatre. 303-893-4100 or www.denvercenter.org … Continue reading Photo gallery: My day backstage at “War Horse”
Live theater ranks among 10 worst industries for 2013
By John Moore Jan. 9, 2013 As Stephen Sondheim might say, “Isn’t it rich?” When it comes to a life in the arts, no. When it comes to irony, well, very much so. A pair of independent and anachronistic new studies similarly point out just how tough a life in the arts continues to be.… Continue reading Live theater ranks among 10 worst industries for 2013
Audience plants: The scourge of the American theater
By John Moore Jan. 8, 2013 It’s been a year since I’ve been on the record with a critical theater review, and I am (perhaps ill-advisedly) celebrating my anniversary of not having to go on the record saying something that might unilaterally anger the entire local theater community … by going on the record… Continue reading Audience plants: The scourge of the American theater
Video: The Skype Sessions: Angela Reed and Mat Hostetler of ‘War Horse’
By John Moore Jan. 7, 2013 Introducing: The Skype Sessions. Fun conversations taped, on, yes, Skype. Episode 1: Coloradans Mat Hostetler and Angela Reed talk from Chicago about their return to Denver this week in the national touring production of “War Horse.” Run time: 9 minutes. Want more? Here’s a link to our 2009 video… Continue reading Video: The Skype Sessions: Angela Reed and Mat Hostetler of ‘War Horse’
Presenting: ‘The Autobiography of Scott the Parrot, a Psychological Triller,’ as penned by 26 odd birds
By John Moore Jan. 2, 2013 For the past eight years, a giant Scottish parrot psychologist named Scott has joined in with a band of endearing young superheroes whose crime-fighting escapades have been lovingly chronicled in “Trunks,” Buntport Theater’s award-winning, bi-weekly live comic-book serial for all ages. Through more than 100 episodes, audiences have become as… Continue reading Presenting: ‘The Autobiography of Scott the Parrot, a Psychological Triller,’ as penned by 26 odd birds
My 2012 journo year in review: Highlights from a year on the cheap, er, brink
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
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