William Michals, left, and Ben Dicke, who play Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, strike their pre-show poses. By John Moore April 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 for www.CultureWest.Org. Opening No.… Continue reading Photos: My night at the Arvada Center’s ‘The Man of La Mancha’
Tag: john moore
Outtakes: My night at ‘Tell Martha Not to Moan’
By John Moore, March 24, 2013 Opening No. 52: Athena Project Festival’s “Tell Martha Not to Moan”: The play, by Clinnesha D. Sibley, looks at the changing world through an African-American home in Detroit 2007. As the presidential campaign plays out on the national stage and the 40th commemoration of the Detroit Riot is… Continue reading Outtakes: My night at ‘Tell Martha Not to Moan’
Anatomy of a theater director: A daily Q&A with Colorado’s creative minds
By John Moore May 3, 2013 My return to directing (“Always … Patsy Cline,” which closed April 27 at the PACE Center), had me revisiting a story idea I always wanted to do for The Denver Post, but never got around to: The anatomy of the theater director. So I am doing it now,… Continue reading Anatomy of a theater director: A daily Q&A with Colorado’s creative minds
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’
Video, photos: Elin Palmer and Joshua Novak at the Walnut Room
Video of Elin Palmer at the Walnut Room on March 14, 2013. By John Moore March 15, 2013 The handful of sagacious local-music aficionados who are not in Austin for South by Southwest were treated last night to sets by two of Denver’s most admired and crushworthy artists, Elin Palmer and Joshua Novak, at… Continue reading Video, photos: Elin Palmer and Joshua Novak at the Walnut Room
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’
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”
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
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”
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’
2013 theater photo series: It’s Opening Night in Colorado
By John Moore Jan. 1, 2014 Welcome to my 2013 labor-of-love photo series bringing you iconic snapshots from behind the scenes on opening nights in Colorado theater. This series includes one representative shot from 151 of the performances we saw 2013. The intent was to allow the reader a window into a part of the… Continue reading 2013 theater photo series: It’s Opening Night in Colorado
Photos: My night at Heritage Square’s ‘One Enchanted Evening’
Heritage Square Music Hall co-owner T.J. Mullin told the opening-night audience of “One Enchanted Evening” that the company’s 25th season will be its last in Golden. By John Moore Feb. 16, 2013 Opening No. 28: The Heritage Square Music Hall opened its 25th and, sadly, final season on Valentine’s Day. Co-owners Connie Helsley and… Continue reading Photos: My night at Heritage Square’s ‘One Enchanted Evening’
Shelly Bordas supporters raise $10,000 in 24 hours
UPDATE: As of 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, Shelly Bordas’ online fundraising page has raised $12,635 from 251 backers. By John Moore Feb. 13, 2013 Just 24 hours after the launch of an online fundraising page, friends and strangers have contributed more than $10,400 to help send Denver actor and teacher Shelly Bordas on a… Continue reading Shelly Bordas supporters raise $10,000 in 24 hours
Shelly Bordas: A story that’s just beginning
UPDATE: It’s here … an electronic means for helping Shelly Bordas with a donation. There also will be a “pay-what-you-can” performance of “9 to 5” on March 4, with all proceeds going to Shelly. Call 303-794-2787. By John Moore Feb. 10, 2013 For the past month, I have been following the very funny… Continue reading Shelly Bordas: A story that’s just beginning
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’
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?
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’
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
Video: The English Beat at the Gothic Theatre
The English Beat performs “I’ll Take You There” at the Gothic Theatre Nov. 18, 2012. Dave Wakeling: “As far I was concerned, the 1980s were two or three of the best years of my life.” Video by John Moore’s crappy iPhone.
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.
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
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
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
Video: Five minutes with … Quincy Jones
In this ongoing web series, arts journalist John Moore interviews prominent visitors to Denver. Here, Quincy Jones, producer of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the best-selling album in history, and international spokesman for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, talks with Moore before Jones’ fourth annual gala in Denver, which raised $1.5 million on Oct. 13,… Continue reading Video: Five minutes with … Quincy Jones
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
Two ex-theater critics, sitting around having coffee
By John Moore Oct. 19, 2012 For 10 years, Mark Collins was one of the leading critical voices in the Denver/Boulder theater community, combining a compassionate eye for the art of making theater with an opinion backed by a master’s degree. As a freelance contributor to the Boulder Daily Camera, Collins was always understated… Continue reading Two ex-theater critics, sitting around having coffee
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”
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”
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”