Alan Menken is perhaps best known for his work in musical film scoring, including but certainly not limited to The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Newsies, and Tangled. Theatre enthusiasts might recognize Menken’s stage productions, many of which are adaptations of his work in film and […]
Flytraps, Corpses, Joe Pesci: A fact-finding mission to Denver Botanic Gardens
/in Community Engagement, General/by Collin Van SonI will be frank: the Denver Center Theatre Company production of Little Shop of Horrors has shaken my gardening confidence. If the story of Mushnik’s Flower Shop taught me one thing, it’s that plant care is a life-threatening and morally fraught enterprise. So, with spring and a sense of doom in the air, I made […]
Black-Owned Restaurants Within 3 Miles of the Arts Complex
/in Community Engagement, General/by Suzanne YoePlease note: Restaurant hours, locations, and menus are subject change, so please visit the restaurant website or call in advance of visiting. There is no shortage of restaurant roundups that feature Black-owned businesses, but this one is intended to get you to the show on time! These local establishments are all within three miles of […]
Worthy of the Crown: The Hot Wing King Pits Family Against Fame
/in Theatre Company, General/by Amanda AndreiRoyalty comes in many forms. A proud and gleaming crown. A leader, whether head of the household, a proud parent, or the coach of a team. Or even the playful banter between lovers, endearments of “Queen!” that make another person feel warm and shining from the inside out, worthy of love and devotion. This potent […]
A Brief History of Alan Menken
/in Theatre Company, General/by Emma HolstAlan Menken is perhaps best known for his work in musical film scoring, including but certainly not limited to The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Newsies, and Tangled. Theatre enthusiasts might recognize Menken’s stage productions, many of which are adaptations of his work in film and […]
Black Musicians Impact Local Music Scene
/in Community Engagement, General/by Courtney Drake-McDonoughFrom the archive: this article was originally published on September 12, 2023 THE WIZ is coming to the Buell Theatre this April. The groundbreaking musical influenced a variety of genres of music and musicians of all ages. We’re fortunate to have Black musicians, based here in Colorado, who have been influential and entertaining, creating their […]
Blood and Power: The Seductive Hungers in Little Shop of Horrors
/in Theatre Company, General/by Barbara HortFrom the moment we are born until the instant that we die, we hunger. This is our healthy natural instinct as living creatures. We hunger for what will sustain us — physically, emotionally, and in our souls. If our needs are even modestly met, our hungers will retain their modest proportions. But if our needs […]
A Spoonful of Shakespeare To Cure All Ails
/in Education, General/by Linnea CovingtonJust as the great Bard had patrons to help produce what would become iconic plays at the Globe Theatre, so does the DCPA’s annual Shakespeare in the Parking Lot. One of the major supporters is UCHealth, which understands the importance of theater, art, and music for the human condition. “UCHealth is pleased to partner with […]
11 Black-Owned Colorado Businesses You Should Visit
/in Community Engagement, General/by Khaleel HayesThis season like many others, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts offers a rich sampling of productions written by or starring Black artists, including the upcoming THE WIZ and The Hot Wing King. To celebrate local Black entrepreneurs and creators, here are 11 Black-owned Colorado businesses you should know and support. THE BETTER MATTRESS […]
Contrasting Doo-wop and Death in Little Shop of Horrors
/in Theatre Company, General/by Joanne OstrowLittle Shop of Horrors, the 80s musical about a lowly flower shop clerk who makes a Faustian bargain with his man-eating plant, was an unexpected success that has now won the adoration of generations. The show has sci-fi roots in an early short story by H.G. Wells. “The Flowering of the Strange Orchid” about a […]
Botanical Restaurants & Shops in Denver
/in Community Engagement, General/by Emma HolstLittle Shop of Horrors has the entire city of Denver in a botanical frame of mind. Not to worry – there are certainly spots around town with plants that aren’t interested in your blood. Whether you’re looking for a coffee shop, bookstore, restaurant, or bar, these local businesses have got you covered for foliage and […]