Euan Morton (‘Taboo’) stars in the national touring production of ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ coming to Denver starting Dec. 6. Photo by Joan Marcus.

NOTE: At the start of each month, the DCPA NewsCenter offers an updated list of all upcoming Colorado theatre openings. Companies are encouraged to submit listings and production photos at least two weeks in advance to the DCPA NewsCenter at jmoore@dcpa.org.

If it’s December that means holiday theatre — and you have your pick of 33 holiday-themed shows of all tonal stripes listed below. You can even choose between nine iterations of A Christmas Carol, including the one at the Denver Center that features a new director and star in its 24th seasonal staging. But for those seeking secular fare, we have five solid recommendations, followed by a complete list of all your theatregoing options.

Five intriguing non-holiday titles for December:

The Aurora Fox is presenting the classic Gershwin musical Porgy and Bess with a new book adapted by Pulitzer Prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks (TopDog/Underdog) and score (It Ain’t Necessarily So, I Got Plenty of Nuttin’) by Dierdre L. Murray. Set in the 1930s, Porgy and Bess centers on the tragic love story of the crippled beggar Porgy and the beautiful Bess, who longs to turn away from her former life as a prostitute. For The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Parks replaced the opera’s sung recitatives with spoken dialogue, widening the focus to include the full cast of characters living on Catfish Row. This production is directed by the intentionally lower-cased donnie l. betts through Jan. 1 at 9900 E. Colfax Ave. 303-739-1970 or aurorafox.org

The Edge Theatre revisits one of its most critically acclaimed past productions with Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, directed this go-round by John Ashton. The story follows the psychological travails of Eddie Carbone, an Italian-American longshoreman who is a pillar in his Brooklyn community until he takes an unnatural shine to his niece. Through Dec. 31 at 1560 Teller St. in Lakewood. 303-232-0363 or theedgetheater.com

The underground world has been waiting 20 years to see a Broadway touring production of the John Cameron Mitchell/Stephen Trask rock-musical masterpiece, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. It’s the story of an internationally ignored song stylist and her quest for wholeness. Read our interview with John Cameron Mitchell. Plays Dec. 6-11 at the Buell Theatre, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

Michael Hollinger’s Opus is an insider’s look at a high-strung string quartet going through changes in program and personnel. Days before a televised White House concert, the Lazara String Quartet fires its violist and replaces him with a young woman whose skill inspires the group to prepare a monster of a composition — Beethoven’s Opus 131. Doubling the difficulty of the assignment is the fact that the heretofore all-male group has been invaded by a player of a different gender and generation. Presented by the Springs Ensemble Theatre from Dec. 8-18 at 1903 E. Cache La Poudre St. in Colorado Springs.  719-357-3080 or springsensembletheatre.org (Pictured, clockwise from top: Jessica Parnello, David Corder, Dana Kjeldsen, Taylor Geiman and Emory John Collinson.)

Thoroughly Modern Millie, the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, is a high-spirited valentine to New York in the 1920s. It tells the story of a young woman from Kansas who comes to The Big Apple in search of a new life for herself. But life has other ideas in mind. As you might expect, you’ll get big tap numbers, swinging music and flappers, flappers, flappers. Through Feb. 25 at BDT Stage, 5501 Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder. 303-449-6000 or bdtstage.com

And that’s just the start of things. Here are all your theatregoing options in one handy list:  

THIS MONTH’S THEATRE OPENINGS IN COLORADO:

(Submit your listings to jmoore@dcpa.org)

Dec. 1-18: Su Teatro’s Joaquín’s Christmas
At 721 Santa Fe Drive, 303-296-0219 or su teatro’s home page

Dec. 1-18: Boys Hair Club’s A Krumpus Story
Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St. Ticket information READ MORE

Dec. 2-31: The Edge Theatre Company’s A View From the Bridge
1560 Teller St., Lakewood, 303-232-0363 or theedgetheater.com

Dec. 2, 2016-Jan. 8, 2017: Shrek: The Musical
30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, 719-634-5581 or csfineartscenter.org

Dec. 2-23: Vintage Theatre Productions’s Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol
1468 Dayton St., Aurora, 303-839-1361 or vintagetheatre.com

Dec. 2-17: Funky Little Theater Company’s The Nerd
2109 Templeton Gap Road, Colorado Springs, 719-425-9509 or funkylittletheater.org

Dec. 3-18: Phamaly Theatre Company’s Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol

At the King Center on the Auraria campus 303-575-0005 or phamaly.org

Dec. 3-18: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble’s Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum
Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre, 119 Park Avenue West, 303-295-1759 or cleoparkerdance.org

Dec. 3-24: TheatreWorks’ A Christmas Carol
3955 Regent Circle, Colorado Springs, 719-255-3232 or theatreworkscs.org

Dec. 6-11: National touring production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org READ MORE

Dec. 8-24: Every Christmas Story Ever Told
Grace Gamm Theater at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-440-7826 or betc.org

Dec. 8-18: Lone Tree Arts Center’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
10075 Commons St., just west of Interstate 25 and Lincoln Avenue, 720-509-1000, lonetreeartscenter.org

Dec. 8-18: Springs Ensemble Theatre’s Opus
1903 E. Cache La Poudre St., Colorado Springs, 719-357-3080 or springsensembletheatre.org

Dec. 8-24: Thunder River Theatre Company’s The Last Romance
67 Promenade, Carbondale, 970-963-8200 or thunderrivertheatre.com

Dec. 9-18: Longmont Theatre Company’s Best Christmas Pageant Ever

513 Main St., 303-772-5200 or longmonttheatre.org

Dec. 9-22: Lost & Found Productions’ 4 X’Mas
At The Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St., LostandFoundProductions.net

Dec. 9-17: Northglenn Players’ Nuncrackers
DL Parsons Theatre, 11801 Community Center Drive, 303-450-8800 or northglennarts.org

Dec. 15-27: Thingamajig Theatre Company’s A Christmas Carol
Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts, 2313 Eagle Drive, 970-731-7469 or pagosacenter.org

Dec. 16-18: National touring production of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

Dec. 16-18: Evergreen Players’ Seasons Readings (improv comedy)
At Center/Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, 303-674-4934 or evergreen players’ home page

Dec. 20-Jan 1: National touring production of Finding Neverland
Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org READ MORE

Dec. 20-23: Lake Dillon Theatre Company’s Holiday Follies
The Outlets at Silverthorne. Dillon, 970-513-9386 or lakedillontheatre.org

CONTINUING CURRENT PRODUCTIONS:

Through Dec. 3: Equinox Theatre Company’s One Death, Please?
At the Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St., 720-984-0781 or equinox’s home page

Through Dec. 3: OpenStage Theatre & Company’s The Flick
Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins, 970-484-5237 or openstagetheatre.org

Through Dec. 4: Maya Productions’ Conviction
Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-444-7328 or thedairy.org

Through Dec. 17: Curious Theatre’s Hand to God
1080 Acoma St., 303-623-0524 or curioustheatre.org READ MORE

Through Dec. 18: Spotlight Theatre Company’s It’s A Wonderful Life in repertory with A Christmas Carol, two live radio plays
John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. First Place, 720-880-8727 or thisisspotlight.com

Through Dec. 18: Lake Dillon Theatre Company’s Bad Jews
At the Outlets at Silverthorne. Dillon, 970-513-9386 or lakedillontheatre.org

Through Dec. 18: The Bitsy Stage’s Sadko’s Song: A Russian Tale
1137 S. Huron St. Free, but reservations are required by calling 720-328-5294 or  emailing patti@BitsyStage.com

Through Dec. 23: Miners Alley Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol
1224 Washington St., Golden, 303-935-3044 or minersalley.com

Through Dec. 23: Bas Bleu Theatre Company’s The Snow Queen
401 Pine St., Fort Collins, 970-498-8949 or basbleu.org

Through Dec. 23: Miners Alley Children’s Theatre’s The Story of the Nutcracker
1224 Washington St., Golden, 303-935-3044 or minersalley.com

Through Dec. 24: DCPA Theatre Company’s A Christmas Carol, Stage Theatre
At the Stage Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

Through Dec. 24: Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company and Off-Center’s The SantaLand Diaries
At the Jones Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

Through Dec. 24: Arvada Center’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas
6901 Wadsworth Blvd., 720-898-7200 or arvadacenter.org READ MORE

Through Dec. 24: The Avenue Theater’s Santa’s Big Red Sack
417 E. 17th Ave., 303-321-5925 or the avenue’s home page READ MORE

Through Dec. 30: Town Hall Arts Center’s A Christmas Story, The Musical
2450 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-794-2787 or townhallartscenter.org

Through Dec. 30: Breckenridge Backstage Theatre’s She Loves Me
121 S. Ridge St. 970-453-0199 or backstagetheatre.org

Through Dec. 30: Arvada Center’s Junie B. Jones, The Musical  (for children)
6901 Wadsworth Blvd., 720-898-7200 or arvadacenter.org

Through Dec. 31: Candlelight Dinner Playhouse’s A Wonderful Life
4747 Marketplace Drive, Johnstown, 970-744-3747 or coloradocandlelight.com

Through Dec. 31: Thin Air Theatre Company’s A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol
139 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, 719-689-3247 or thinairtheatre.com

Through Dec. 31: Midtown Arts Center’s A Christmas Story, The Musical
3750 S. Mason St., Fort Collins, 970-225-2555 or midtownartscenter.com

Through Jan. 1: Aurora Fox’s The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, 303-739-1970 or aurorafox.org

Through Jan. 8: Vintage Theatre Productions’ Beauty and the Beast
1468 Dayton St., Aurora, 303-839-1361 or vintagetheatre.com READ MORE

Through Feb. 25, 2017: BDT Stage’s Thoroughly Modern Millie
5501 Arapahoe Ave., 303-449-6000 or bdtstage.com

More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter

ONGOING, MONTHLY or ONE-TIME PROGRAMMING:

ADAMS MYSTERY PLAYHOUSE
Ongoing productions
2406 Federal Blvd., Denver, 303-455-1848 or adamsmysteryplayhouse.com

BUNTPORT THEATRE

Dec. 10: Siren Song: A Pirate Odyssey (Monthly theatre for young audiences at 1 and 3 p.m. the second Saturday of each month, through May 13)
Dec. 20: The Great Debate
Dec. 21: The Narrators (a live storytelling show and podcast)
717 Lipan St., 720-946-1388 or buntport.com

COLORADO SPRINGS FINE ARTS CENTER
Dec 14: Jay & Silent Bob Get Old (7 p.m.)
Dec 14: An Evening with Kevin Smith (9:30 p.m.)
30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, 719-634-5581 or csfineartscenter.org

DENVER ACTORS FUND PRESENTS …
(Monthly film series in partnership with local theatre companies)
Nov. 15: It’s a Wonderful Life
Pre-screening entertainment by cast of Spotlight Theatre’s current production of It’s a Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play
At the Alamo Drafthouse, Aspen Grove, 7301 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, 720-588-4107 or BUY TICKETS

EVERGREEN CHORALE
Amahl and the Night Visitors and Holiday Classics (with Jefferson Symphony Orchestra)
Dec. 9 at Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St., Denver
Dec. 11 at Rockland Community Church, 17 S. Mount Vernon Country Club Road, Golden
303-674-4002 or evergreenchorale.org 

LAKE DILLON THEATRE COMPANY
Dec. 31: A New York New Year’s Eve’ with Chris and Priscilla Flowers
The Outlets at Silverthorne. Dillon, 970-513-9386 or Clocktowercabaret.com

LONE TREE ARTS CENTER
Dec. 20, 2016: Nebraska Theatre Caravan’s A Christmas Carol
10075 Commons St., just west of Interstate 25 and Lincoln Avenue, 720-509-1000, lonetreeartscenter.org

PACE CENTER
Dec. 10: The Ultimate Christmas Show
20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker, parkerarts.org




THE SOURCE THEATRE COMPANY
Every third Monday: Monday! Monday! Monday! Cabaret
At Su Teatro Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive, 720-238-1323 or thesourcedenver.org

STORIES ON STAGE
Dec. 10-11: Making Merry
“One Christmas,” by Truman Capote
“The Demon Foiled,” by Anne Roiphe
“The Christmas Bogey” by Pat Frank
Plus: Holiday songs performed by GerRee Hinshaw, Josh Robinson, Erin Rollman and Gary Grundei

2 p.m. Dec. 10 at Chautauqua Community House, 301 Morning Glory Drive, Boulder
303-440-7666 or chautauqua.com

1:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at The King Center on the Auraria Campus
303-494-0523 or storiesonstage.org