Buntport Coyote.

December in Colorado theatre: Spirits and spirited stories take stage

Buntport Coyote.

Matilda is coming to Colorado Springs, Buntport and Benchmark unveil world premieres, and Denver readies for the experience that is Cirque Éloize – Hotel

There is no shortage of holiday theatre to choose from this month, as you might expect. At the Denver Center alone, you have three distinct holiday theatregoing vibes to choose from: Traditional (A Christmas Carol), snarky contemporary (The SantaLand Diaries) and a lush new national touring production (Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.) But across Colorado there are all types of shows being staged, from world premiere plays to big musicals to another Bite Size-like evening of micro plays. Here are just a few of your intriguing options, followed by a complete list of all December theatregoing options in Colorado.

1. Buntport Theater’s Coyote. Badger. Rattlesnake. The countdown is on to a major milestone in Colorado theatre: Buntport’s genius ensemble of collaborating former college buddies is closing in on creating its 50th completely original play. No. 47 is billed as a behind-the-scenes look at a museum nature diorama. Two scientists painstakingly re-create a moment in the lives of three animals, making for an intersection of science, art and their own humanity. Being alive among the dead – or real among the fake – can be taxing. This new work is being created in collaboration with busy local playwright Ellen K. Graham, founder of Feral Assembly. November 30-December 22 at 717 Lipan St., 720-946-1388 or buntport.com

2. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble’s Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum. For the 27th year, dance legend and Colorado cultural icon Cleo Parker Robinson presents her signature holiday show. Granny blends dance, live music, spoken word and seasonal celebrations and customs from around the world into a local tradition like no other.  Granny, whose memories are her gifts to those she loves, is starting to forget many of her stories, as well as the magical dances she has witnessed or performed in a lifetime spanning the African Harvest, the Native American Winter Solstice, the Celtic Yule Time, Las Posadas in Mexico, Kwanzaa, the ancient Hebrew Festival of Lights, the Chinese New Year and even the Caribbean’s Junkanoo Day. Plays December 1-16 at 119 Park Avenue West (Corner of 20th Avenue, Park Avenue and Washington Street), 303-295-1759, ext. 13, or cleoparkerdance.org

3. The Avenue Theater’s Santa’s Big Red Sack. This wickedly funny holiday tradition returns for its final year of poking fun at the absurdities that are all around us during the holiday season – and the comic joy that abounds when you give in to the silliness of it all. It all began when Jane and Dave Shirley opened the Rattlebrain Comedy Theater (now The Clocktower Cabaret) in 2002. Catch it while you can. And leave the kids at home. November 30-December 24 at 417 E. 17th Ave., 303-321-5925 or avenuetheater.com

4. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College’s Matilda The Musical. Roald Dahl’s modern children’s classic tells the story of an extraordinary little girl who decides her story is going to be an astonishing one despite rotten parents, a terrifying school and a vicious head mistress. It was adapted into a popular stage musical by the Royal Shakespeare Company, which ran for more than 1,000 performances on Broadway. December 6 through January 6 at 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, 719-634-5581 or csfineartscenter.org

5. Benchmark Theatre’s What You Will. This world-premiere play by Denver’s Jeffrey Neuman tells the story of Adam, a forty-something gay man living a seemingly contented life until he simultaneously meets two very different people — a seductive married man in a gym and a frenetic bride in desperate need of assistance. Adam begins to realize that marriage may have clear boundaries, but not always clear rules. November 30-December 22 at 1560 Teller St. in Lakewood. benchmarktheatre.com

6. 5280 Artist Co-Op’s 1 Night, 6 Plays. An evening of short plays by notable local writers Kristen Adele Calhoun, Kenya Fashaw, Gabriela Goldstein, Bobby Lefebre and Suzi Q Smith, many of whom have collaborated with the DCPA’s Off-Center. Opening night tickets on Sunday, December 6 are $15 (regular $26). December 6 through 23 at the Aurora Cultural Arts District Building, 1400 Dallas St., Aurora, 720-432-9162 or 5280artistscoop.com

7. National touring production of Cirque Éloize – Hotel. For its 25th anniversary, Cirque Éloize once again presents a touching, poetic, one-of-a-kind creation. Hotel is the story of a place and the travelers who come passing through it. A stopover where lives intersect, collide and juxtapose for a brief time to generate tales and memories. Acrobatics, theatre, dance and live music, will draw spectators into a colorful, timeless world. Avant-garde stage design, inspired by the elegance of the great hotels, carry the narrative. (Pictured above right.) December 19-23 at the Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

8. Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company’s Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. While BETC is staging its final seasonal production of The SantaLand Diaries in partnership with Off-Center at The Jones Theatre, it will be beginning a new holiday tradition in Boulder with Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, written by Lauren Gunderson (The Book of Will) and Margot Melcon and directed by Rick Barbour. Fans of Jane Austen’s classic Pride & Prejudice will be familiar with the Bennet name – as in Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Constantly overshadowed by her four sisters, bookish Mary Bennet longs for a “large life,” and here gets her own romance at last. “This play is such a welcome addition to the holiday landscape,” said Producing Artistic Director Stephen Weitz. December 8-24 at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-440-7826 or boulderensembletheatre.org

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

John Moore was named one of the 12 most influential theater critics in the U.S by American Theatre Magazine in 2011. He has since taken a groundbreaking position as the Denver Center’s Senior Arts Journalist.

Granny. Cleo Parker Robinson

DECEMBER THEATRE OPENINGS IN COLORADO:

November 29-December 24: TheatreWorks’ A Christmas Carol
Ent Center, 5225 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, 719-255-3232 or theatreworkscs.org

November 29-December 23: Bas Bleu’s The Flea and the Professor
401 Pine St., Fort Collins, 970-498-8949 or basbleu.org

MAP Josh Hartwell and Jason Maxwell as MarlelyNovember 29-December 23: Miners Alley Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol
1224 Washington St., Golden, 303-935-3044 or minersalley.com

November 29-December 15: Thunder River’s Kimberly Akimbo
67 Promenade, Carbondale, 970-963-8200 or thunderrivertheatre.com

November 30-December 22: Buntport Theater’s Coyote. Badger. Rattlesnake.
717 Lipan St., 720-946-1388 or buntport.com

November 30-December 24: The Avenue Theater’s Santa’s Big Red Sack
417 E. 17th Ave., 303-321-5925 or avenuetheater.com

November 30-December 22: Benchmark Theatre’s What You Will
1560 Teller St., Lakewood, benchmarktheatre.com

November 30-December 30: Jesters Dinner Theatre’s Scrooge
224 Main St., Longmont, 303-682-9980 or jesterstheatre.com

November 30-December 31: Vintage Theatre’s A Christmas Carol: The Radio Show
1468 Dayton St., Aurora, 303-839-1361 or vintagetheatre.com

November 30-December 14: StageDoor’s Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
27357 Conifer Road, Conifer, 303-886-2819, 800-838-3006 or stagedoortheatre.org

December 1-16: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre’s Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum
119 Park Avenue West (Corner of 20th Avenue, Park Avenue and Washington Street), 303-295-1759, ext. 13, or cleoparkerdance.org

December 1-29: Denver’s Dangerous Theatre’s A Kannabis Holiday Special
2620 W. 2nd Ave., 720-989-1764 or dangeroustheatre.com

December 2-23: Denver’s Dangerous Theatre’s Alone for the Holidays
2620 W. 2nd Ave., 720-989-1764 or dangeroustheatre.com

December 5-15: National touring production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org READ MORE

December 6-23: 5280 Artist Co-Op’s 1 Night, 6 Plays
At the Aurora Cultural Arts District Building, 1400 Dallas St., Aurora, 720-432-9162 or 5280artistscoop.com

December 6-January 6: Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College’s Matilda The Musical
30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, 719-634-5581 or csfineartscenter.org

December 6-22: Springs Ensemble Theatre’s Holiday Play Festival
1903 E. Cache La Poudre St., Colorado Springs, 80909, 719-357-3080 or springsensembletheatre.org

Joaquin's Christmas. Su TeatroDecember 6-23: Su Teatro’s Joaquin’s Christmas
At the Su Teatro Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive, 303-296-0219 or suteatro.org

December 13-23: Upstart Crow’s Learned Ladies
Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, or the Nomad Playhouse, 1410 Quince Ave., Boulder, 303-442-1415 or theupstartcrow.org

December 8-24: Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company’s Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-440-7826 or boulderensembletheatre.org

December 8-23, 2018: The Millibo Art Theatre’s The Snowflakey Princess
1626 S. Tejon St. Colorado Springs, 719-465-6321, themat.org

December 13-23: The Millibo Art Theatre’s Yule Be Naughty
1626 S. Tejon St. Colorado Springs, 719-465-6321, themat.org

December 19-23: National touring production of Cirque Éloize – Hotel
Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

December 19-23: Lone Tree Arts Center’s Home for the Holidays 2018
10075 Commons St., just west of Interstate 25 and Lincoln Avenue, 720-509-1000 or lonetreeartscenter.org

CONTINUING PRODUCTIONS:

Through December 1: Equinox Theatre Company’s ATOMIC: The New Rock Musical
At the Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St., 720-984-0781 or equinoxtheatredenver.com

Through December 8: Longmont Theatre Company’s A Christmas Carol
513 Main St., Longmont, 303-772-5200 or longmonttheatre.org

Through December 16: Lake Dillon Theatre Company’s Constellations
At the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center, 460 Blue River Pkwy, Silverthorne, 970-513-9386 or lakedillontheatre.org

Through December 16: DCPA Education’s Corduroy
Conservatory Theatre, 1101 13th St., 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org READ MORE

Through December 22: Curious Theatre’s The Humans
1080 Acoma St., 303-623-0524 or curioustheatre.org

Through December 22: Firehouse Theatre Company’s The Christmas Spirit
John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. 1st Place, 303-562-3232 or firehousetheatercompany.com

Through December 22: Iron Springs Chateau’s Have a Very Merryville Christmas…or…Kris & Jingle to the Rescue
444 Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs, 719-685-5104 or ironspringschateau.com

Through December 23: Arvada Center’s ELF, The Musical
6901 Wadsworth Blvd., 720-898-7200 or arvadacenter.org

A Christmas Carol Town HallThrough December 23: Town Hall Arts Center’s A Christmas Carol, the Musical
2450 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-794-2787 ortownhallartscenter.com

Through December 23: Aurora Fox’s Twist Your Dickens
9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, 303-739-1970 or aurorafox.org

Through December 23: Dangerous Theatre’s The Perfect Gift
2620 W. 2nd Ave, No. 1, Denver, 720-989-1764 or dangeroustheatre.com

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

Through December 24: Off-Center and Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company’s The SantaLand Diaries
At The Jones Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org READ MORE

Through December 24: Midtown Arts Center’s Heart of the Holiday
3750 S. Mason St, Fort Collins, 970-225-2555 or midtownartscenter.com

Through December 29: Arvada Center’s Seussical
6901 Wadsworth Blvd., 720-898-7200 or arvadacenter.org

Through December 30: BDT Stage’s A Christmas Story
5501 Arapahoe Ave., 303-449-6000 or bdtstage.com

Through December 31: Candlelight Dinner Playhouse’s Scrooge, The Musical
4747 Marketplace Drive, Johnstown, 970-744-3747 or coloradocandlelight.com

Through January 6: Vintage Theatre’s Mary Poppins
1468 Dayton St., Aurora, 303-839-1361 or vintagetheatre.com

Through April 28: DCPA Cabaret’s Xanadu
Garner Galleria Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org READ MORE

ONGOING, MONTHLY or SPECIAL EVENT PROGRAMMING

Bas Bleu Theatre’s Comedy Brewers Improv
Sunday, December 2: The Comedy Brewers have been bringing interactive improvisational comedy to the Northern Colorado since before Miley Cyrus and Edward Snowden made us question our reality. Using audience suggestions, this improv troupe has been creating the tastiest comedic refreshment in Northern Colorado, on the spot, with no barrel-aging. Scenes and games are created with the audience to find and explore the humor around us. Quirky characters, crazy stories, and an occasional break into song are to be expected. 100 percent of the tickets sales from this event will be donated to The Denver Actors Fund. 7:30 p.m. at the Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine St., in Fort Collins. 970-498-8949 or centerstageticketing.com

BDT Stage Presents “Face
December 10 and 31: Face is a nationally recognized vocal rock band based out of Boulder, bringing a new edge and attitude to acapella music. Using just four singers and a vocal drummer, Face creates a rock-music phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed. No instruments and no special effects – just five guys. 5501 Arapahoe Ave., 303-449-6000 or bdtstage.com

Buntport Theater

  • Wednesday, December 12: The Peas and Carrots is a new Buntport offering, a talk show mixed with a talk-back mixed with behind-the-“music.” Tickets $8.
  • Tuesday, December 18: The Great Debate pits teams of non-experts head-to-head, toe-to-toe, and often dumb-and-dumber in lively debates of the inconsequential. Last month: Magnum P.I. versus A.I. Tickets $8.
  • Wednesday, December 19: The Narrators is a monthly live storytelling show and podcast held every third Wednesday. Free.

717 Lipan St., 720-946-1388 or buntport.com

Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ First Mondays
Monday, December 3: DCPA Education has instituted two rotating First Monday programs, one for playwriting and the other a play-reading series. Both are free and open to the public. This month is “Read a Play:” DCPA Education will host a reading of Cloud 9 by Caryl Churchill as an opportunity for actors and enthusiasts to read, listen and enjoy. Interested readers will be “cast” at the beginning of the session on a first-come basis. Scripts will be provided to readers at the event. 7-10 p.m. at the Newman Center for Theatre Education, 1101 13th St., third floor. Info: 303-446-4892.

The Dinner Detective
The Dinner Detective is America’s largest interactive murder mystery dinner and comedy show with performances select Saturday nights at the following locations:

Tickets and more information available online at 866-496-0535 or thedinnerdetective.com

Evergreen Players’ Scenes of the Season
December 21 and 22: A Family holiday event with songs and stories. 7:30 p.m. at Center/Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, 303-674-4934 or evergreenplayers.org

 

Northglenn Arts’ The Nightly Met Christmas Special
Monday, December 17: The Nightly Met Christmas Special is back for another rocking night of holiday fun. Hosted by The Nightly Met‘s Avery Anderson and Henry Award-winning actor Annie Dwyer, the night will feature Avourneen, Kenny Moten, Jenna Bainbridge, Matt LaFontaine, Markus Warren, Sophia Dotson, Grace Dotson and Hannah Dotson. 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 17, at the DL Parsons Theatre in Northglenn. Tickets just $8-$10. All proceeds benefit the Denver Actors Fund. northglennarts.org

Stories on Stage’s Making Merry
Saturday and Sunday, December 15-16:  Now in its 18th season, Stories on Stage presents professional actors reading and performing entertaining short stories. This month: Jamie Horton, GerRee Hinshaw and Randy Moore read holiday-themed stories including “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott, and “The Light, the Sword, and the Nintendo DS” by Karen E. Bender and Robert Anthony Siegel. Music is provided by 2017 True West Award-winning composer Gary Grundei. 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 15, at The Nomad Playhouse, 1410 Quince Ave., Boulder, or 1:30 p.m. Sunday, December 16, at the King Center, 855 Lawrence Way, on the Auraria campus. $15-$28. 303-494-0523 or storiesonstage.org

More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter

Dianne ReevesUCCS Presents: Dianne Reeves’ Christmas Time is Here
Friday, December 7: Five-time Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves will focus on selections from her only holiday recording, the widely acclaimed “Christmas Time is Here.” making for an evening of timeless classics. (Also: The Blind Boys of Alabama will perform at 7 p.m., Wednesday, December 12.) 7 p.m. at The Ent Center, 5225 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, 719-255-3232 or theatreworkscs.org

Email any additions or corrections to jmoore@dcpa.org