The Legacy of Denver’s Forgotten Chinatown

On Saturday, April 16, 2022, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock gave an official apology — for something that happened in 1880. He apologized for the anti-Chinese race riot of October 31, 1880 known as The Chinatown Riot. The event destroyed much of what had been a thriving Chinatown district in what is today the thriving entertainment […]

DCPA Theatre Company and Education Announce Cast and Creative Teams for Fall Productions

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) Theatre Company and Education departments are proud to announce the full casting and creative teams for the 2022/23 fall productions of The Chinese Lady, Much Ado About Nothing, LITTLE RED, and A Christmas Carol. “The DCPA is bustling with excitement this fall! From the world premiere immersive […]

Denver’s Climate Plan: Cut greenhouse gas emissions 100% by 2040

Among the compelling themes in the touring Broadway production of Hadestown are climate change and climate justice. Individuals, organizations and government agencies share concerns and are working to affect change. Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency is putting its plan into action. A month before U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Joe Manchin proposed […]

A Conversation with Seema Sueko, director of The Chinese Lady

The story of immigrants to the United States is often hazy in history. We learn about Columbus and later, the pilgrims, but not so much about other arrivals to our shores (or the African slaves, or the indigenous peoples who were already here). Immigration from China to America began in earnest in 1849, when gold […]

Greek Wines: history, uses and where to find them

The ancient Greeks were definitely on to something. First, you’ve got your Greek gods — fearsome, fanciful and fun to fantasize about. Then, it’s the cradle of Western civilization complete with the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy and literature, political science, the Olympic Games and…theatre. You also have three stunning blue seas — Mediterranean, Aegean, […]

Movie-to-Musical Adaptations: Pretty Woman and more!

For decades, movies with big hearts and larger than life stories have received a special makeover treatment. From Hollywood blockbusters to cult-classics and everything in between, movie-to-musical adaptations can be found all over Broadway, in the musical theatre archives, and on tours across the world.   At the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) alone, […]

Hadestown’s Hope and Healing Powers

The fact that Hadestown feels so relevant may seem surprising, considering that its composition started more than a decade ago. Mitchell conceived “Wait for Me,” a fiery declaration song at the center of the score, several years before Hadestown saw a Broadway stage, early in her singer-songwriter career. “I was driving from one tip gig […]

Golden Arts Scene Poised to Strike it Rich

If you’re looking for a cultural gold mine in Colorado, look no further than the aptly named City of Golden. Founded in 1859, this former gold rush town is experiencing a cultural renaissance with three major redevelopment projects in the mining pan. THE HEART OF GOLDEN The Heart of Golden project is backed by the […]

Miners Alley Playhouse: Envisioning a cultural gold rush in Golden

Nestled just a block off of the main strip in Golden, Colorado is what, at first glance, appears to be the former family-owned Meyer Hardware Store. But back in 2013, Len Matheo, Artistic & Executive Director of Miners Alley Playhouse saw something more. “The first time I entered the building,” said Matheo, “I thought, ‘this […]

Diversity and the Dynamic Women Behind Hadestown

Creating a new benchmark for Broadway, Hadestown demanded that theater make space for diverse voices. The show’s modern premise reflects the values of our changing culture through a transformative musical experience that reimagines Greek mythology. In 2019, it garnered 14 Tony Award nominations, winning eight of them, including Best New Musical. Critics praised the show […]