Okay, this is short notice on my part since the show will be closing tonight, but I highly recommend Denver, The Denver Repertory Theatre Company's production of Denver playwright Johnson Kuhn's latest play.
Okay, that's a lot of "Denver"s. The theatre company is the Denver Rep. The playwright, Johnson Kuhn, is a Denverite. The play is called Denver. Are we all up to speed? (Just nod your head.)
This is an amazing piece of work! Kuhn has created an absurdist allegory for life and debt in the modern world. ("Life and debt." Ain't I the clever one?) The story follows Baby Boy (compellingly played by Jude Moran), a "dreamer" (clairvoyant of a sort) who battles (literally) with a horde of debt collectors for the right to live and dream.
Again, the play is an absurdist vision, so the plot runs far deeper than the brief description above, and it is definitely a show that ought to be seen. The story is funny, moving, shocking, and thought-provoking. The acting is extremely good, particularly by Moran, Mark Muehlberg and Amy Adams. This is the first foray into theatre for both Adams, a film actress, who moved here from New York City about six months ago, and Muehlberg, a blues musician (Curly "No Shoes" Jr. Band) and local film actor. However, I'd never have guessed that this was a new medium for either of them. You can add Amy Adams to my running "actresses to watch" list. (I don't really have an "actors to watch" list. I'm just like that.)
I really wish that I had seen this show sooner, so I could have recommended it weeks ago, but I didn't. I just saw it last night, and I'm kicking myself. This is a very fun and very interesting show. I also don't have a "playwrights to watch" list, but, if I did, Kuhn would be on it. Marcus France, another local playwright (Reckoning With Marlowe, Czar Reed) has been raving to me about Kuhn's work and this play in particular for some time now, and Marc is right on the money. Kuhn is perhaps the most promising young playwright this area has seen in recent memory. (He's 23!)
If you like to think of yourself as supporter of local theatre, then you just can't get anymore local than this.
The final performance of Denver is tonight, April 7th at 8pm at The John Hand Theater in Lowry. The address is 7653 E. 1st Place. (Colorado Free University at Lowry.) Tickets are available at the door (no credit cards), or on TicketWeb (credit cards or paypal.) Prices are $15 for adults and $12 for students & seniors. Box office is (303)803-0456.
A couple more notes of interest:
I ran into award-winning director Terry Dodd at the show as well, and he's got a couple of things coming up soon. First, he will be directing Lobby Hero at Miners Alley Playhouse, featuring Denver's Jude Moran, opening May 11th. Second, his original play, From Dusk 'til Dawn at The Sunset will receive a staged reading on June 18th at the Aurora Fox as part of Colorado Theatre Guild's New Play Reading Series. This is an opportunity for you, the audience member, to be a very vital part of the playwrighting process. Dialogue in a play is largely "theoretical" until the author has had a chance to hear it spoken aloud, and audience feedback is equally, if not more, important. Staged readings can be invaluable to the playwright, particularly with your help. Again, this falls under the heading of "Supporting Local Theatre." We all need to do our parts both to continue and to expand upon Denver's tradition for quality live theatre.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Friday, April 6, 2007
Movies: She's the Man
She’s the Man (2006)
The plot (from IMDb): When her big brother decides to ditch for a couple weeks in London, Viola (Amanda Bynes) heads over to his elite boarding school, disguises herself as him, and proceeds to fall for one of her soccer teammates. Little does she realize she's not the only one with romantic troubles, as she, as he, gets in the middle of a series of intermingled love affairs.
This is not the first time that one of Shakespeare’s plays has been used as the basis for a teenage romantic comedy. Just a few years ago The Taming of the Shrew provided some twists for a movie call 10 Things I Hate About You, which starred a talented young Australian actor named Heath Ledger. Unfortunately, he was never heard from again. This is not even the first time that Twelfth Night has been used as the source material for just such a teen comedy. One may recall the 80’s masterpiece Just One of the Guys that launched the brilliant and illustrious career of an actress named Joyce Hyser. (Stop scratching your head. I'm being ironic.)
Amanda Bynes, who got her start doing tween sketch comedy on Nickelodeon, is given a great outlet for her comedic talents as the cross-dressing Viola. At times her performance, like much of the rest of the comedy in the movie, devolves into dumb physical humor, but it is rare enough to be forgivable. There are also some moments of pure comedic brilliance, both from Bynes and her supporting cast, that raise this above the average teenage comedy. Like 10 Things, this movie pays loving homage to its inspiration, occasionally even borrowing the Bard’s own lines here and there. There are also a lot of little in-jokes. The school is Illyria Prep. Duke’s friends are named Andrew and Toby. There’s a character name Malcolm who wears yellow socks and has a pet spider named Malvolio. (There's even a nod to King Lear. See if you can find it.) While it doesn’t hold a candle to the original work (nor does it try to), this is still a pretty good movie, and one that I’ll probably add to my collection.
The plot (from IMDb): When her big brother decides to ditch for a couple weeks in London, Viola (Amanda Bynes) heads over to his elite boarding school, disguises herself as him, and proceeds to fall for one of her soccer teammates. Little does she realize she's not the only one with romantic troubles, as she, as he, gets in the middle of a series of intermingled love affairs.
This is not the first time that one of Shakespeare’s plays has been used as the basis for a teenage romantic comedy. Just a few years ago The Taming of the Shrew provided some twists for a movie call 10 Things I Hate About You, which starred a talented young Australian actor named Heath Ledger. Unfortunately, he was never heard from again. This is not even the first time that Twelfth Night has been used as the source material for just such a teen comedy. One may recall the 80’s masterpiece Just One of the Guys that launched the brilliant and illustrious career of an actress named Joyce Hyser. (Stop scratching your head. I'm being ironic.)
Amanda Bynes, who got her start doing tween sketch comedy on Nickelodeon, is given a great outlet for her comedic talents as the cross-dressing Viola. At times her performance, like much of the rest of the comedy in the movie, devolves into dumb physical humor, but it is rare enough to be forgivable. There are also some moments of pure comedic brilliance, both from Bynes and her supporting cast, that raise this above the average teenage comedy. Like 10 Things, this movie pays loving homage to its inspiration, occasionally even borrowing the Bard’s own lines here and there. There are also a lot of little in-jokes. The school is Illyria Prep. Duke’s friends are named Andrew and Toby. There’s a character name Malcolm who wears yellow socks and has a pet spider named Malvolio. (There's even a nod to King Lear. See if you can find it.) While it doesn’t hold a candle to the original work (nor does it try to), this is still a pretty good movie, and one that I’ll probably add to my collection.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
The Gabby Krause Foundation and Bags of Fun
The jolly workshop elves over at Pterodactyl Ptoys sent me an e-mail about the Gabby Krause Foundation which managed to tug a bit even at this old wolf's frozen heart-strings. It seems that there was a beautiful young lady who made a big difference in her less than seven years on this earth named Gabby Krause. Gabby had a backpack full of toys and activities (a "bag of fun") to keep her entertained and occupied during her frequent and long hospital stays. Now this big-hearted kid made a habit of always sharing her toys with the other kids in the hospital to the great appreciation and delight of the other families there. (She apparently also loved to tell bad jokes, which, I must say, endears her greatly to me.)
Gabby is no longer with us, but her generous spirit lives on in the foundation that bears her name and fulfills Gabby's wish to provide a Bag of Fun to every child who has to stay in a hospital because of cancer or other long-term illnesses.
If this sounds like as cool an idea to you as it did to me, drop in at the Gabby Krause Foundation website to learn more.
In other news, April 5th is a big day for the Wolf as it marks the birth date of two very important people in my life. My younger, smarter, and more handsome brother, Damon Darnell, turns 30 years old today. Happy Birthday, little brother, and sorry again about that incident with the lawn dart. Also celebrating a birthday today is my life-long friend and adopted brother, Jeff Jefferson, Jr., who is one of the disturbed minds behind my lupine sobriquet. Hope it's a happy one, JR, and go easy on the cake.
Gabby is no longer with us, but her generous spirit lives on in the foundation that bears her name and fulfills Gabby's wish to provide a Bag of Fun to every child who has to stay in a hospital because of cancer or other long-term illnesses.
If this sounds like as cool an idea to you as it did to me, drop in at the Gabby Krause Foundation website to learn more.
In other news, April 5th is a big day for the Wolf as it marks the birth date of two very important people in my life. My younger, smarter, and more handsome brother, Damon Darnell, turns 30 years old today. Happy Birthday, little brother, and sorry again about that incident with the lawn dart. Also celebrating a birthday today is my life-long friend and adopted brother, Jeff Jefferson, Jr., who is one of the disturbed minds behind my lupine sobriquet. Hope it's a happy one, JR, and go easy on the cake.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Pete Nelson's passing
Denver actor Pete Nelson passed away Sunday morning after a battle with colon and liver cancer. John Moore's article in the Denver post is here. I'm sorry that I never got a chance to work with Pete. He was an impressive actor. I was particularly moved by his performance in last year's The Weir at The Denver Vic. I didn't know him particularly well, but what little I did get to know him, I'd say he sure seemed like a hell of a nice guy.
The funeral is today at 2pm, and there are more details about that in John's article.
Please keep Pete's memory in mind and support local theatre . . . and cancer research.
Thanks, Pete, for all the great performances.
"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." -Troilus and Cressida, William Shakespeare
The funeral is today at 2pm, and there are more details about that in John's article.
Please keep Pete's memory in mind and support local theatre . . . and cancer research.
Thanks, Pete, for all the great performances.
"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." -Troilus and Cressida, William Shakespeare
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Movies: The Lady and the Highwayman
The Lady and the Highwayman (1989)
The plot (from IMDb.com): The young lady Panthea Vyne (Lysette Anthony) falls in love with the handsome highwayman (Hugh Grant) who saves her from her brutal husband. He kills him in a fair duel. Later on when Charles the 2nd (Michael York) is reinstated as King of England she attends the royal court. But here she becomes the enemy of the king's former mistress (Emma Samms) and the plot against her thickens.
This was a made for TV movie back in 1989, and has all of the ingredients of a great swashbuckling romance: star power in the persons of Oliver Reed and Michael York, a dashing young hero played by Hugh Grant, Emma Samms as the beautiful and scheming villainess, and a story filled with lively sword fights and suspenseful pursuits.
All the ingredients are there. Unfortunately, the whole is far less than the sum of the parts. Hugh Grant (in a pre-Four Weddings role) is uncharacteristically stoic and emotionless. His masked hero is more Batman than Zorro, and it is really a waste of the young actor's natural wit and charisma. The script also makes this "clever" hero just a bit on the daft side. Emma Samms is more whining than scheming. Michael York is good, but sadly underused. Oliver Reed chews scenery as the Highwayman's Sheriff of Nottingham-like nemesis, but is not enough to save the silly plot. Lysette Anthony is beautiful, talented, and very watchable, but is hampered by the stupidity of her character.
The swordfights are very good, as is much of the action, but it pales next to The Princess Bride, which was in theatres two years earlier.
Oh, and did I mention that the story is stupid?
This should have been a hit but is a terrible miss instead.
The plot (from IMDb.com): The young lady Panthea Vyne (Lysette Anthony) falls in love with the handsome highwayman (Hugh Grant) who saves her from her brutal husband. He kills him in a fair duel. Later on when Charles the 2nd (Michael York) is reinstated as King of England she attends the royal court. But here she becomes the enemy of the king's former mistress (Emma Samms) and the plot against her thickens.
This was a made for TV movie back in 1989, and has all of the ingredients of a great swashbuckling romance: star power in the persons of Oliver Reed and Michael York, a dashing young hero played by Hugh Grant, Emma Samms as the beautiful and scheming villainess, and a story filled with lively sword fights and suspenseful pursuits.
All the ingredients are there. Unfortunately, the whole is far less than the sum of the parts. Hugh Grant (in a pre-Four Weddings role) is uncharacteristically stoic and emotionless. His masked hero is more Batman than Zorro, and it is really a waste of the young actor's natural wit and charisma. The script also makes this "clever" hero just a bit on the daft side. Emma Samms is more whining than scheming. Michael York is good, but sadly underused. Oliver Reed chews scenery as the Highwayman's Sheriff of Nottingham-like nemesis, but is not enough to save the silly plot. Lysette Anthony is beautiful, talented, and very watchable, but is hampered by the stupidity of her character.
The swordfights are very good, as is much of the action, but it pales next to The Princess Bride, which was in theatres two years earlier.
Oh, and did I mention that the story is stupid?
This should have been a hit but is a terrible miss instead.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Broadway in your living room
The Broadway Theatre Archive videos have been around for a while, but I'm not sure that everyone knows about them. Basically, they are televised performances of Broadway shows from the 60's through the 80's. Unfortunately, you're not likely to find them at your local video store, but I'm happy to say that I have found them on Netflix.
Last night I watched the 1977 Circle in the Square production of Moliere's Tartuffe. That was a lot of fun. Not all of the original cast are in the videotaped version (most notably missing is Swoosie Kurtz as Marianne), but Alias fans may get a kick out of seeing a very young Victor Garber as Valere. Sometimes in television and movies we get used to seeing actors cast in the same kinds of roles over and over.
That's called "typecasting," boys and girls. Can you say "typecasting?" I knew that you could.
(Sorry, had a Mr. Rogers moment there.)
Anyway, many actors well-known TV and film actors will go to the stage to get away from just that sort of thing. (Of course, since TV and film pay better, they usually go right back.)
The Broadway Theatre Archive provides an opportunity for those of us outside New York to see actors like Victor Garber, Ray Wise, and Tammy Grimes in roles unlike we are used to seeing them.
Anyway, I thought I'd share that with those of you who enjoy seeing good theatre as much as I do.
Last night I watched the 1977 Circle in the Square production of Moliere's Tartuffe. That was a lot of fun. Not all of the original cast are in the videotaped version (most notably missing is Swoosie Kurtz as Marianne), but Alias fans may get a kick out of seeing a very young Victor Garber as Valere. Sometimes in television and movies we get used to seeing actors cast in the same kinds of roles over and over.
That's called "typecasting," boys and girls. Can you say "typecasting?" I knew that you could.
(Sorry, had a Mr. Rogers moment there.)
Anyway, many actors well-known TV and film actors will go to the stage to get away from just that sort of thing. (Of course, since TV and film pay better, they usually go right back.)
The Broadway Theatre Archive provides an opportunity for those of us outside New York to see actors like Victor Garber, Ray Wise, and Tammy Grimes in roles unlike we are used to seeing them.
Anyway, I thought I'd share that with those of you who enjoy seeing good theatre as much as I do.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
My favorite joke
It is April 1st, a traditional day for tomfoolery and whimsy. Rather than try to hoodwink you with some sort of an elaborate prank (some guy on a message board I sometimes visit posted "USA drops atomic bomb on Iraq." . . . wanker), I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite jokes. It's not my favorite joke. I can't post that one here.
Prince Charles is on a hunting party with his entourage one brisk morning when a villager happens across their path. Prince Charles raises his rifle and points it at the villager. The villager waves his arms frantically and yells, "No, no, Your Majesty! I am not a moose!"
Prince Charles immediately shoots the villager. The Prince's chief advisor turns to Charles and says, "Sire, did you not hear that man? He said he wasn't a moose!"
Prince Charles put his hand to his head and laughed. "Oooooohhhh. I thought he said 'I am a moose."
No, you read it right. I have a very strange sense of humor.
Prince Charles is on a hunting party with his entourage one brisk morning when a villager happens across their path. Prince Charles raises his rifle and points it at the villager. The villager waves his arms frantically and yells, "No, no, Your Majesty! I am not a moose!"
Prince Charles immediately shoots the villager. The Prince's chief advisor turns to Charles and says, "Sire, did you not hear that man? He said he wasn't a moose!"
Prince Charles put his hand to his head and laughed. "Oooooohhhh. I thought he said 'I am a moose."
No, you read it right. I have a very strange sense of humor.
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