Beyond the Script: Denver Public Library’s Guide to Meredith Willson’s The Music Man

Denver Public Library resources to enhance your experience at Meredith Willson’s The Music Man   READ  This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill Abby Akerman believes in the Universe. After all, her Midwest high school marching band is about to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. If that’s not proof […]

Puppetry: An Ancient Form of Storytelling

Puppetry is an ancient form of storytelling where a person, called a puppeteer, manipulates a figure resembling a human, animal, creature, or inanimate object. In Water for Elephants, playing Denver’s Buell Theatre Feb 11-22, 2026, puppets and puppeteers are used to enhance the storytelling. Take, for example, Silver Star, the prized horse and equestrian act […]

Activity: Vanishing Toothpick

The Broadway touring musical, Water for Elephants, brings the circus to life on stage, complete with animal acts, high flying trapeze, and slight of hand tricks sure to mesmerize audiences. Try the Vanishing Toothpick trick at home before or after the show. Materials: Toothpick Clear tape Mirror or camera (for practice) PREPARATION To begin, tear […]

Q&A with the Creative Team of Water for Elephants

The critically acclaimed bestselling novel, Water for Elephants, comes to Denver’s Buell Theatre February 11-22, 2026. The Creative Team explains how they brought the circus artistry of the novel and film to life on stage.   THE WRITER’S ROOM   CHOREOGRAPHING WATER FOR ELEPHANTS   BEHIND THE SCENES RIGGING   PAGE TO THE STAGE PANEL […]

Go Behind the Scenes with Water for Elephants

The Broadway touring engagement of Water for Elephants will make its Colorado debut in Denver’s Buell Theatre February 11-22, 2026. Discover how this book-turned-movie-turned-musical brings high-flying circus artistry to the stage. THE TRAIN THE LADDER THE ROAD DON’T MAKE YOU YOUNG SILVER STAR THE MENAGERIE THE GRAND SPEC THE DREAM   DETAILS Water for Elephants […]

Faded Like a Dream: The Coincidental History of Theatre in Denver and The Phantom of the Opera

Two incredible theatrical events took place in 1861. In Paris, France, construction started on the Palais Garnier, destined to become perhaps the most famous and elegant opera house in the world and the magical setting for Gaston Leroux’s Gothic horror novel, The Phantom of the Opera.   Meanwhile, 7,850 kilometers away on the high plains of […]

Discussion Guide: Mark Twain Tonight!

    In Mark Twain Tonight!, we hear an oft-quoted section from Twain’s autobiography: “In my schoolboy days I had no aversion to slavery. I was not aware that there was anything wrong about it…local papers said nothing against it; the local pulpit taught us that God approved it, that it was a holy thing, […]

Colorado’s Choirs of Men

If you searched for “choir of man” and ended up with “choirs for men,” don’t be disappointed. While The Choir of Man makes its second stop in Denver Jan. 16 and 17, 2026, Colorado’s “choirs of men” are here to stay. Watch for concerts year-round by these talented tenors (not to mention countertenors, baritones, and […]

A Feast Fit for a Queen

Mere mortals rarely enjoy the lavish, multi-course meals typical of the six queens in SIX, but the DCPA’s restaurant partners have mouth-watering dishes to die for.   CHAMPAGNE TIGER 601 E. Colfax Ave. • 303.942.0593 Open Wednesday – Sunday • Hours Vary With 13 options to choose from, champagne is only the beginning to a […]

Denver’s Newest Diet Fad: Two Hundred Pounds of Hay and a Bucket of Blue Gatorade

The musical Water for Elephants is bringing the circus to Denver this February. In preparation for the titular pachyderm’s arrival, I spoke with Maura Davis, curator of large mammals at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, to learn more about Denver Zoo’s six Asian elephants: Groucho, Bodhi, Billy, Jake, Baylor, and Duncan. Our following conversation has been […]