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Arvada Center catches 'Saturday Night Fever'
The Denver Center Theatre Company production of ‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’ from 2012. Photo Credit: Jennifer M. Koskinen
The Arvada Center has announced its six-play, 2015-16 season:
Saturday Night Fever
Sept. 15-Oct. 4, 2015
Directed by Rod A. Lansberry
Main-stage theatre
This is the regional premiere of the musical based on the classic 1970s film. Set in the years after Vietnam, Watergate, and civil unrest; America was ready to embrace something new. When disco blazed onto the scene, it created a cultural shift by embracing a blending of dance styles from high-energy jitterbug, to mid-century rock and roll and the classic grace of ballroom dance. Disco helped launch a new era that resulted in lifestyle changes and musical genres that have become part of our contemporary culture. Saturday Night Fever features all the great Bee Gee disco hits including “Stayin’ Alive,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Night Fever,” “If I Can’t Have You,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and more. Adapted for the stage by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oakes.
This is the regional premiere of the musical based on the classic 1970s film. Set in the years after Vietnam, Watergate, and civil unrest; America was ready to embrace something new. When disco blazed onto the scene, it created a cultural shift by embracing a blending of dance styles from high-energy jitterbug, to mid-century rock and roll and the classic grace of ballroom dance. Disco helped launch a new era that resulted in lifestyle changes and musical genres that have become part of our contemporary culture. Saturday Night Fever features all the great Bee Gee disco hits including “Stayin’ Alive,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Night Fever,” “If I Can’t Have You,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and more. Adapted for the stage by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oakes.
Good on Paper
Presented by Creede Repertory Theatre
Sept. 29-Oct. 25, 2015
By George Brant
Sept. 29-Oct. 25, 2015
By George Brant
Black-box theater
In this quirky romantic comedy, Peg, a lonely police-sketch artist, prefers the company of her many drawings of criminals to the real men in her life. But when her romance-novelist sister gives her a mysterious hand-carved pencil, her sketches come to life. This is great, except when the people you draw are criminals. This modern Pygmalion tale begs the question: Does love define or defy perfection?
In this quirky romantic comedy, Peg, a lonely police-sketch artist, prefers the company of her many drawings of criminals to the real men in her life. But when her romance-novelist sister gives her a mysterious hand-carved pencil, her sketches come to life. This is great, except when the people you draw are criminals. This modern Pygmalion tale begs the question: Does love define or defy perfection?
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 2015
Directed by Gavin Mayer
Directed by Gavin Mayer
Mainstage theater
Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, they follow two sisters to a Vermont lodge where they are performing in a Christmas show. This sentimental musical is filled with Christmas cheer, wonderful dance numbers and some of the greatest songs ever written, including “Blue Skies,” “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” and the title song.
Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, they follow two sisters to a Vermont lodge where they are performing in a Christmas show. This sentimental musical is filled with Christmas cheer, wonderful dance numbers and some of the greatest songs ever written, including “Blue Skies,” “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” and the title song.
Mrs. Mannerly
January 26-Feb. 21, 2016
By Jeffrey Hatcher
Directed by Edith Weiss
Black-box theater
Inspired by memories of a 1967 childhood etiquette class, playwright Jeffrey Hatcher conjures up the world of a 10-year-old studying manners. Young Jeffrey is a misfit little boy who wants nothing more than to be good at something, and he finds his unlikely niche at etiquette school. Mrs. Mannerly is a demanding teacher with a dedication to Emily Post, and no student in her 36 years of etiquette classes has achieved a perfect score. When he discovers her mysterious past, Young Jeffrey leverages what he knows so he can be the first to attain the highest score. The plot is reminiscent of stories by humorists such as David Sedaris.
The Mountaintop
March 22-April 17, 2016
By Katori Hall
By Katori Hall
Directed by Gavin Mayer
Black-box theater
The Mountaintop imagines the last night of Martin Luther King’s life. Exhausted from delivering one of his most memorable speeches, Dr. King rests in his room at the Lorraine Motel when an unanticipated visit from a feisty young maid compels him to confront his own humanity and the fate of our nation.
Death Takes a Holiday
April 26-May 15, 2016
Directed by Rod A. Lansberry
Mainstage theater
It’s just after World War I, a time of renewal after years of sadness and human suffering. A mysterious individual disguised as a handsome young Prince arrives at an Italian villa. It is Death himself, who has decided to take a short vacation to be among the living, hoping to understand why he is so feared and why humans are so reluctant to leave life behind. As Death enjoys discovering the simple charms of life, he also begins to comprehend the strength of human love. Music and Lyrics by Maury Yeston. Book by Peter Stone and Thomas Meehan.
“As I started considering our upcoming season, the theme of generations became clear,” Arvada Center Artistic Producer Rod A. Lansberry said. “With each production, you will be drawn into different points in history, a world of your past or your present with all the memories and experiences that have shaped our lives.”
Subscription packages range in price from $99 to $294 and are now on sale. Single tickets go on sale Monday, Aug. 3. Call 720-898-7200 or go to www.arvadacenter.org
