You can find here some links to articles related to the shows we have presented:
The Container:
http://www.westword.com/bestof/2011/award/best-political-statement-1770275/
http://www.denverpost.com/theater/ci_16331743
http://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/ci_16136459
http://denver.yourhub.com/Westminster/Stories/News/General-News/Story~877239.aspx
Gypsy:
Imaginary Invalid:
http://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/broomfield-entertainment/ci_14743040
About the Company:
http://denver.yourhub.com/Westminster/Stories/Arts-Culture/Story~734442.aspx
The Foreigner: The Westminster Window – March 2010
Entertainment Column
73rd Avenue Theatre
I didn’t realize what I’d been missing when I suggested that you to check out The 73rd Avenue Theatre Company. I did, indeed, take my own advice and it turned out to be even better than I’d anticipated. This may be a small local company but they provide a very credible product at bargain prices. The space is a converted garage at 73rd and Lowell in Westminster and, as might be expected, can be a little chilly in the winter. I’ll wait for summer to comment on the cooling system.
Their current production, “The Foreigner” runs weekends through March 14. Tickets are a mere $18 for adults and $16 for seniors and students. The address is 7287 Lowell Blvd. and there is ample parking on the property. They even have stadium-type seating which was a nice surprise. The theater is spacious with a fairly large stage. They even have a real proscenium arch and curtain. Quite a rarity these days. One interesting architectural feature hearkening back to the building’s former life: the restrooms are “outside, around the corner.” Since I’d had the foresight to avail myself of the facilities at Perkins Restaurant prior to the show, I haven’t yet personally investigated this element.
Now, on to the play. “The Foreigner” written by Larry Shue and directed by Kiso Kyle, is a delicious British comedy done very nicely by the talented cast. What I didn’t know until after the production was that the role of Betty Meeks, a pivotal character, was, at the very last minute, played by Director Kyle. That, dear friends, was remarkable. The story is, of course, convoluted. Betty Meeks owns a bed and breakfast. Froggy LeSeur (Scott Glennon) an old friend of Betty’s, brings his pal Charlie (David Hardison) to stay at the inn for a few days while Froggy is at a nearby military facility.
Charlie is an abject mess. His wife has just left him. Froggy thinks a few days at Betty’s will give his friend a chance to regroup. Only one problem…there are other guests staying at the inn and the socially inept man is petrified of having to interact with others. Froggy comes up with a plan: Charley will be a foreigner who speaks no English. He’s very embarrassed about that so Froggy insists that no one upsets his friend by speaking to him.
Of course, things are never as simple as planned. The other guests, Rev. David Marshall Lee (Dirk Gaboriault), his fiancé Catherine Simms (Maia Petee) and her mentally challenged brother Ellard (Jason Stolken) seem like a lovely group of people. But, what fun would a comedy be if that were the case?
The play has many charming components and the interactions between Charlie and Ellard are particularly touching. Watching Ellard transform and gain confidence as he “teaches” Charlie English is simply magic. The cast does a wonderful job of character development throughout. It would be difficult to pick a “star” since each actor did a fine job of conveying the essence of the play. At times it was difficult to hear/understand some of the dialogue but I suspect that has been worked on in the interim. That certainly wasn’t enough to mar the production. It was just a bit frustrating because I wanted to hear every word.
Please do heed my advice, much as I did, and get on over to The 73rd Avenue Theatre for a most enjoyable evening. For tix/info call 720-276-6936 or go to
www.the73rdavecompany.com.
In addition to the Mainstage Productions, the company has offering for young audiences. Playing Sat. afternoons and Sunday mornings, Mar. 6 – Apr. 25 is “The Sword in the Stone.” The next main stage play is Moliere’s “The Imaginary Invalid” which opens on Apr. 2. I will definitely put that on my calendar and I encourage you to do the same. Let’s support local theater.
Muriel’s Memoirs:
http://www.lavozcolorado.com/channel.php?cha=43
About Maru and Muriel’s Memoirs:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/114579
Pirates of Penzance – Radio Interview KGNU July 31st.
Information for Foreigners – Denver Post – Monday, July 6th.
http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_12754407
Information for Foreigners – La Voz – Wed. June 17, 2009
http://www.lavozcolorado.com/news.php?nid=3775&clave=a%3A1%3A%7Bi%3A0%3Bs%3A26%3A%22Information+for+Foreigners%22%3B%7D
Wizard of Oz – MetroNorth News – June 4, 2009
No one noticed it happening, but as soon as audience members crossed the threshold at 73rd Avenue Playhouse, they became munchkins in the Land of Oz. So it came as a surprise when Glinda the Good Witch looked at the audience and called them “munchkins” and asked them to accompany Dorothy on her trip to see the Wizard of Oz.
The 73rd Avenue Theatre Company is presenting its first children’s theater production “The Wizard of Oz” until June 28 at the Playhouse, 7287 Lowell Blvd. in Westminster.
“You were trying to trick me! You, especially!” the Witch (played by Maru Garcia) exclaimed when she realizes the magical trees were hiding her prey. The Witch chastised one woman in the audience that kept pointing her in the wrong direction.
The actors were quick on their toes to the different audience reactions – even a toddler that cried throughout most of the show.
“I’m scared of my tail! I’m scared of my shadow …” said Lion (Stephen Mathis) to Dorothy about his cowardice. As the boy, who couldn’t have been older than nine months, started crying, Lion added, “That kid is scared of me, too.”
“Improv is crucial when doing children’s theater,” explained Ellen Farnsworth, who directed the play. “Every show is different and every audience with kids in it is different.”
“There is a huge need in Westminster for an artistic venue and I think it’s a great opportunity to interact with the multicultural population,” said Garcia, an Aurora resident who originally hails from Mexico City, Mexico. “Our goal is to produce quality shows with a low budget that are appealing to different groups of audiences.
Mary, Mary - YourHub.com – March 7, 2009
http://denver.yourhub.com/Westminster/Stories/News/About-Town/Story~585443.aspx