By Heidi Bosk, Promotions for The Denver Center

Back in June, in honor of Father’s Day, Colorado Parent magazine held an essay contest for one lucky family to attend opening night of Shrek The Musical coming to The Buell Theatre November 16 – 28.

Colorado Parent magazine asked the kids to write a short paragraph on the subject:  “My Dad can sometimes be an ogre, but I love him anyway because…”

There’s probably at least a little bit of Shrek’s ogre-ness in every dad, whether it’s his occasional grumbles or odorous rumbles. Or maybe it’s Shrek’s softer side with his big heart and strong hugs that make him so lovable. Colorado Parent received many heart-warming and humorous entries from Colorado kids. It was a tough decision and the winner is… The Henke family of Denver.

Shrek the Musical - Henke Family

Here’s the winning essay:

Our dad can sometimes be an ogre, but we love him anyway because he is so nice. Like an ogre, we think our dad has a loud voice when he tells us to turn off the television or to clean our rooms. My Mommy says he snores really loud at night too. Our dad also has a big body like Shrek, but he isn’t green. He has big ears like Shrek, and sometimes big green things come out of his nose. Our Daddy’s hands are large, especially compared to ours, but we still love to hold them! Our Daddy’s appetite is large like Shrek’s appetite and one of his favorite things to eat is Shrek-colored guacamole! Our Dad is especially like an ogre because he doesn’t like to spend money unless he has a coupon or discount tickets.

Shrek The Musical, based on the Oscar®-winning Dreamworks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on the Broadway stage. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre—not a handsome prince—shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and more than a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand…and his name is Shrek. Featuring a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, USA Today proclaims Shrek The Musical, “Altogether Irresistible. A Big Fat Hit!” Shrek The Musical is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone!

For more information about Shrek The Musical or to purchase tickets.

Congratulations to the Henke family! We are looking forward to seeing you and your dad on November 16.

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Here is a blog post from one of our dear volunteers, Kat Colvin, about her experience at South Pacific.  Enjoy!

 
Remember how I volunteer my booty off for The Denver Center, then go see a show on its opening night… This is one of those blogs.. =]

<- back-in-the-day style…

..who I must say, in person, does qualify for some Silver Foxy swoon!

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Janet Ferguson The Pillow Man…it gets under the skin, inside the head, and still takes up space there…will never forget it…

anastatiar @DenverCenter College prod Into the Woods, 1st show I’d ever seen. forgot I knew folks on stg & was lost in story. 2 sem later i chgd major

Beverley-Lynn Miller Ewers A play called The Ghetto that I saw in London approx. 20 yrs ago. It was about a ghetto in Warsaw, Poland during World War II. Disturbing but amazingly powerful.

ChrisBerghoff @DenverCenter DOUBT. truly amazing show

Paula Hillman My mom took me to see the Fantasticks at the Elitch Gardens theater when I was a kid- I see it is being produced again and is showing at the Jerry Orbach theater in New York–this shows my age, but how many remember Elitch’s theater?

Rebecca Mason Salomonsson The Denver Center’s productions of Black Elk Speaks and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.  Both of them were incredibly powerful and highly memorable.

Chris Arneson No piece of theatre has changed my life more than Spring Awakening…and I could never say it better than I put it here.

barbdignan @DenverCenter Are you serious? There is no way to select only one. Theatre has been a telescope through which I see the world.

Sheril Beech Slater The first time I went to the Buell Theater in college and saw Rent for the first time…. I have always been in love with the music and the story but seeing a big production of it really touched me.

Michelle Sarsfield I was living in NYC at the time and went to see Spring Awakening. Amazing stuff.

Leslie Shannon Perkins Les Miserables…it was the first professional play that I ever attended and Michael Ball played the part of Marius. I was mesmerized by the music and the emotion. I still feel the same way, after seeing it several more times and whenever I listen to the Complete Symphonic Les Mis on cd.

Jane Madison Movin’ Out – it changed my life.

Kyle Mangels Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Spring Awakening, West Side Story, Urinetown, and Rent!!!

Kim Haller I have two. First, Cats at the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester, NY. It was the first Broadway show I ever saw and I have been a fan since. Second, Wicked. There is just something about the story that touches me every time I see it.

RachelHH2169 @DenverCenter Our Town and Death of a Saleman.

Tedd Langowski It started with seeing Angela Lansbury in Sweeney Todd to my all-time favorite Les Miserables, I try to see every musical play possible.

Debra Rudy The Phantom of the Opera it was my First Love and still my favorite.

Lisa Hamm-Greenawalt In the Heights. A play about your own life can be fascinating. The ordinary can be extraordinary. What a concept! Thanks, Lin-Manuel.

Frank Molina I have seen many, many, many, broadway shows over the years. I lived in NYC for 14 years and frequented Broadway a lot. There are two shows that have completely floored me and left me crying in my seat (doesn’t happen very often), the revival of Sunday in the Park with George (Awestriking) and Next to Normal (which is coming to Denver in January). Two amazing productions that tie as my best theatrical experiences.

Jack Passanante Jr. In 1972 I saw the film, The Fiddler on the Roof. I was in Navy basic training in San Diego. I sat through it twice and the experience convinced me to get a theatre degree when I completed my military service. I received my B.A. in Theatre in 1979.

Hunter Gause I would have to say Annie and The Lion King because they were the first shows I ever saw and they opened my eyes to the theater and then I was hooked.

Victoria Edington A play called The Passage that my theatre group performed this last February– based on Moby Dick and using all different medias including film, music, shadow puppets, chants, and even interactive lightning to heighten the experience. And because it was only the fourth time the play had ever been performed, it was invigorating to be able to start…

Karen Gullickson Stop the World, I Want to Get Off by Anthony Newley.

Mark Mulligan A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt. There isn’t enough space to explain its profound impact. I still quote passages to this day in a variety of settings.

Thea DiBuono Hamlet by Shakespeare.

Sylvia Romo On an elementary school field trip, saw Yul Brynner (in what turned out to be his final tour) as The King in The King and I. I was dazzled and hooked forever.

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Today we continue to explore our love of theatre with more stories from Denver Center employees about plays that changed their lives. Feel free to add comments with your stories about life changing plays as well!

DCPA Employees - May 2010

Name:

Chris Wiger

Position @ The Denver Center: Public Relations Manager, Denver Center Theatre Company

Life Changing Play: The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman

Why: No question. The play that changed my life was the Denver Center world premiere of The Laramie Project. Working so closely with Moisés Kaufman and the interviewer/actors who told the story of Matthew Shepard’s beating in Wyoming was something I will never forget.

Name: Wid Horner

Position @ The Denver Center: Phone Campaign Manager

Life Changing Play: The Post Opera

Why: My first memory and probably my fondest one is my family going to The Post Opera in Cheesman Park in the summers with a picnic on the lawn. This was a wonderful family time together and I was fascinated by all the sets, costumes, and lights. Also, going to Central City to see the operas in the summer was a huge inspiration. I even became a bell ringing usher for The Central City Opera one summer. All of this inspired me to eventually get a Master’s of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre and Design and go into theatre, now, for more than 30 years.

Name: Bob Orzolek

Position @ The Denver Center: Scene Shop Foreman, Denver Center Theatre Company

Life changing play: Time of Your Life by William Saroyan

Why: When I was a freshman in high school I saw my neighbor playing the role of the drunkard in William Saroyan’s Time of Your Life. Nick the bartender was about to throw the drunkard out of the bar for the third time when the drunkard stopped him by putting out his hand and revealing the money that he intended to use to pay for his drink. Nick went back behind the bar and the drunkard slammed the money down on the bar. One of the coins popped out of his hand and rolled onto the floor where it circle around a few time and came to a stop. The drunkard’s eyes never left the escaped coin; his head slowly wobbled back and forth and came to an abrupt stop just as the coin came to rest.

I was so impressed with this 15-year-old kid’s focus and ability stay in the moment. I thought that if my neighbor could do that I could do it too. I auditioned for the next high school play and was cast as William Roper in A Man for All Seasons along with Lucy Roucis, of PHAMALy, who played Alice. 35 years later I am still very excited to be working in theatre.

Name: Dawn Williams

Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal in RENT.

Position at The Denver Center:

Manager of Venue Sales and Marketing

Life Changing Play: Little Shop of Horrors and Rent

Why:

Little Shop of Horrors – off-Broadway in 1987 with my art class from Wheat Ridge High School — the fabric vines dropped from the ceiling and it was unbelievably cool! The performance was top notch and I knew I would be hooked on theatre from then on.

Rent — On Broadway with the original cast with my best girl friend in NYC — 1996 — what a powerful and alive performance. Molly Ringwald sat behind us and we left singing “525,600 Minutes” for the rest of the night and trip to New York.

Name: Amie Cavarra

Position @ The Denver Center: Marketing Department Volunteer

Life changing play: Living Out by Lisa Loomer

Why: Living Out still haunts me. I have two young children and probably too often make the mistake of putting work or self-centered obligations before them. While it is healthy to have some personal time, sometimes I get in too deep and I’m often haunted by this play. It reminds me that nothing should be more important than our kids and families. We need to make sacrifices both for work and against work, but always remember that our parenting role is the most important.

Name: Genevieve Miller

Position @ The Denver Center: Public Relations Manager, Denver Center Attractions

Life changing play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

Why: After my sophomore year in college, I had a grant to do an internship at an urban non-profit of my choosing. I was deciding between working for the Environmental Protection Agency or Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. When I went to meet the folks at CSC, it dawned on me for the first time that there was a whole world of theatre professionals out there who weren’t performers, stage managers or design artists. There were people who were dedicated to the business side of theatre, on selling the tickets and keeping the organization running. After my interview, they gave me tickets to see their production of Midsummer that night and another light bulb went off. I was watching the most accessible, invigorating Shakespeare I’d ever seen. I had no idea it could be done like this – simple costumes, tiny stage, but a whole world developed from the language of Shakespeare. I did not choose to work at the EPA that summer. And I’ve been an arts administrator ever since.

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Summer is the perfect time to slow down, sit back and reflect on why we love theatre.  So, we went around to Denver Center employees and asked them what plays changed their lives.  We got some pretty awesome (and touching) responses!  Here they are:

Name: Sylvie Drake

Position @ The Denver Center: Director of Publications

Life changing play: Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Why: A production of Hamlet starring John Gielgud totally changed my life. I couldn’t begin to tell you why, except that the transformative power of theatre hit me over the head and it hasn’t been quite the same since. From that moment on I wanted to work in the theatre. It’s all I’ve ever felt was really worth doing, along with maybe architecture, natural science and astronomy.

Name: Marti Steger

Position @ The Denver Center: Program Manager

Life changing play: God’s Country by Steven Dietz

Why: In 2005, the National Theatre Conservatory performed God’s Country by Steven Dietz as part of REP. In my mind, live theatre is supposed to make people stop and think. A viewer can experience a range of emotions: joy, sadness, confusion or anger. God’s Country did exactly that. Audiences left the show in hushed whispers, tears and sometimes open rage. The lobby was filled each night with patrons talking about the emotional roller coaster they had just been taken on. While I cannot say I liked the play, I love that nearly 6 years later I still get tears in my eyes thinking about the production and the powerful impact it had on everyone involved.

Name: Chris Ewing

Position @ The Denver Center: Production Stage Manager, Denver Center Theatre Company

Life changing play: Under Milkwood by Dylan Thomas and Amahl and the Night Visitors (opera) by Gian Carlo Menotti

Why: I was an undeclared major first semester, freshman year at undergrad. I was on the football team. After practice one day, coach called us all together and said a Dr. Richard Clark, the chair of the Theatre Department, would like to speak to us. Dr. Clark was offering one half credit to anyone on the football team who would show up four times on a given Saturday or Sunday night at midnight to “strike” a show that semester. I had no idea what he was talking about. Some sort of labor dispute? Easy credit I thought. I signed up. I thought I should see what this theatre thing was all about. I went to see the college’s production of Under Milkwood on the first Saturday night I had signed up for. I was intrigued, but not enthralled. I stayed after the show and helped “strike” (tear down) the set, lights, sound etc. I had an absolute blast. We finished about four in the morning, ahead of schedule according to the staff. We used the next three hours “loading in” some of the technical requirements for Amahl and the Night Visitors. I was hooked. I later attended that opera and was not blown away but I already had the bug for the backstage aspects of entertainment production. Those two shows changed my life. The rest is history. Some of my favorite live plays/musicals I have worked on since (because I also did rock and roll, Ben Vereen’s act, Suzanne Sommer’s act and some TV and film production, ballet, dance concerts, comedians and corporate events among other things so I’ll stick to live plays/musicals) are Sweeny Todd, The Grapes of Wrath, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Love Janis, Lost Highway. Actually I could go on and on because all live productions change me in some way, mostly I hope, for the better. Nuf’ said.

DCPA Employees - May 2010

Name:

Kirk Petersen

Position @ The Denver Center: Director of Ticketing Services

Life changing play: Evita

Why: It was the first show that I listened to the soundtrack enough to memorize all the words (still know them today!) and through friends got hired on at Robert Garner Center Attractions to help sell tickets to its Denver engagement back in 1982.

Name: Mark Onderdonk

Position @ The Denver Center: Marketing Business Manager

Life changing play: The Who’s Tommy

Why: For me, it was definitely The Who’s Tommy.  Hearing that familiar rock music come to life on stage, combined with terrific choreography, lighting and costumes hit a real chord within me.  It opened by eyes to the artistic possibilities of the stage and the powerful message of performance art.  It also made me want to switch careers to the arts and work at the DCPA, and by the following year I was!

Name: Suzanne Blandon

Position @ The Denver Center:  Associate Director of PR and Publications

Life changing play: The Lion King

Why: Attending the theatre is generally so much more than just the play – it’s the entire experience. So when I brought my 6-year-old son to see The Lion King, the experience was second to none. Not only was the production terrific, but watching his reaction and engagement in the music, movement and story was mesmerizing. We both left the theatre changed and uplifted (ok, by 10:30pm he was just lifted and soon to be snoozing…). Certainly the most memorable theatrical experience of my life.

Name: Doug Langworthy

Position @ The Denver Center: Literary Manager, Denver Center Theatre Company

Life Changing Play: Nicholas Nickelby by Charles Dickens, adopted for the stage by David Edgar

Why: Back in the 1980s I saw the second British touring production of Nicholas Nickelby and was mesmerized. The use of the large company, the imagination and theatricality, the buoyant sense of theatre as something vital and alive. I think this experience helped me firm up my decision to pursue a career in the theatre, as now I knew theatre could do anything.

Stay tuned for more stories from Denver Center employees coming soon!

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Dan Sullivan, a frequent contributor to the Denver Center’s Applause Magazine, has written a preview on just what makes In the Heights so special.  You can read the full article in our program, but here’s an excerpt:

Kyle Beltran in the National Tour of In the Heights. © Joan Marcus

[The phenomenal success of In the Heights] may be a little more than the show’s composer-lyricist, Lin-Manuel Miranda, had dared to hope for when he started writing the show in college. Neither, though, could he have imagined how labor-intensive the project would be. Being an actor, Miranda’s goal was to “write the kind of show I’d like to be in.” A natural setting would be the neighborhood where he grew up and still lived, Washington Heights. Eight years later In the Heights—starring Lin-Manuel Miranda as Usnavi (Kyle Beltran heads the national touring company)—finally reached Broadway and won the Tony Award for Best Musical.

The real Washington Heights has traditionally been a “neighborhood in transition,” from Irish to Jewish to Hispanic to, in our day, gentrification. In the show, though, almost everyone’s Latino. Nina, home from Stanford for the summer, and maybe forever, is Puerto Rican. Usnavi was born in the Dominican Republic and longs to go back. Claudia, Usnavi’s surrogate abuela (grandma), remembers being a girl in Havana 50 years ago—not a happy memory, but it was nice to feel hope. Vanessa works at the beauty shop—for the moment. Next stop: downtown.

We get glimpses of everybody’s story, but Usnavi holds center stage, not out of arrogance (he’s too shy to date Vanessa), but because he’s the show’s caregiver as well as its caretaker, a big brother unconnected by blood to his pseudo-familia but responsible for everybody at considerable cost to his nerves.

It’s not just the show’s dance beat that he jumps to. He’s neurologically driven to help out his neighbors and to help the audience understand what’s going on. He does this in his native tongue: rap; the most elegant rap you’ve ever heard. Listen to his underthoughts as he makes change for the customers in his corner bodega:

You do rapid mathematics

Automatically

Selling maxipads and fuzzy

Dice for taxicabs and

Practically

Everybody’s stressed, yes, but

They press through the mess

Bounce checks and wonder

What’s next…

Print alone can’t register the exuberance of this. Wouldn’t it be funny if the American theatre’s long search for viable modern verse drama had finally discovered its proper metric base? And think of what it could do for opera! Visually and sonically then, In the Heights reflects the real Washington Heights or a slice of it. Miranda and his librettist, Quiara Alegria Hudes, show us the neighborhood as one might remember it ten or 15 years later, not as a TV camera would see it, but as it felt on a sizzling afternoon in July, with everyone out on the street and a radio blaring on every windowsill. It’s a moment in time and everybody knows it’s not going to last. Local businesses are going under, people are moving up and out. So, enjoy. It’s a carnaval under threat, but happily the show doesn’t overpaint the neighborhood’s dark side. The dialogue is salty enough, the dance moves tough enough to show that you have to be street smart to survive here. Having established that, the show foregoes the violence that we’ve unfortunately come to expect in barrio stories.

National Tour Company of In the Heights. © Joan Marcus

This was a deliberate choice. “People always ask, ‘Why aren’t there more drugs and crime in the show?’” Miranda told The Boston Globe as the musical went on the road last fall. “That’s because the only time they hear Washington Heights is on the radio. But that’s not specific to my neighborhood. And it wasn’t my experience. The only things I know about drug-dealing are from rap music. I’d be writing a fiction if I tried to make my show about that.

“I wanted to represent a side of life that’s largely unrepresented. Which is not the dude selling drugs or hanging out on the corner, but the guy who owns the small business on the corner. The dude on the street corner is still there. But we’re gonna tell this other guy’s story.” Miranda is paying tribute to the people he grew up with, not as they were at every moment, but at their best—loving, staunch, principled. That definitely includes the mothers and fathers. “What are my parents gonna say” is a serious question in this show; and the parents have plenty to say. If this contributes to our sense that we’re on a slight time-delay, it also reminds us of how little we know about immigrant families. Respectability is a major goal in this ’hood and it’s not linked with hypocrisy. Try dignity.

What it adds up to is the American musical at its best, a beautifully crafted show with a dozen influences (West Side Story, Rent, Hair, even, Fiddler on the Roof) that is never anything less than itself.

Watch IN THE HEIGHTS videos on the show’s YouTube Channel.

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This weekend we will be at the Denver Dance Festival promoting In the Heights, which will play The Buell Theatre April 28-May 9. The Denver Dance Festival is a three-day dance festival held annually in Denver featuring live performances from some of Denver’s best dance talent. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to reach out to a community that may not know that not all musicals are jazz hands and kick lines. 

In The Heights tells the story of a vibrant community in Manhattan’s Washington Heights – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.

Propelled by the rhythms of hip hop and Latin music – uncommon sounds in musical theatre – In The Heights ’ invigorating beat belies a musical steeped in Broadway tradition.  Plus it won four Tony Awards in 2008 for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Orchestration and, more importantly for this weekend, BEST CHOREOGRAPHY! Catch a glimpse of the dancing in this video of the song “96,000″:

We took some time to chat with Denver Dance Festival’s creators and directors Sarah Schachterle and Ken Jiminez about the Denver Dance Festival (DDF) and how it connects with In The Heights.

Denver Center: What made you start DDF?

Sarah & Ken: We wanted to display the talent of Colorado choreographers and dance companies and give them an avenue to unite with other artists and expose the greater community to the abundance of talent in the area. We wanted to gain recognition and popularity in dance within Colorado and to be known throughout the country as an up and coming prestigious dance festival offering a world-class dance experience. We wanted to include the most accomplished local and national dance talent in the festival, exposing the Colorado community to an even greater dimension of dance entertainment.

DC: Exposing them to a greater dimension of dance entertainment, that’s great and much like what we are trying to do with In The Heights! Tell us about some of the crews and companies performing.

S&K: We have everything from breakdancing to swingdancers. A couple of our groups were accepted on  MTV’s hit show “America’s Best Dance Crew” and we have guest performers from New York City whose main performer and choreographer, “Stretch,” has choreographed for Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and won awards for his choreography for Will Smith. In addition to these acts there is Salsa dancing, jazz, contemporary, and more. There will definitely be something for everyone.

DC: Many people don’t know how rich with culture the dance scene is here in Colorado. What would you say to help educate folks about it?

S&K: We would say to look into it! There is more than meets the eye. These days there are countless ways to get information…take the time to look it up. You will be amazed at all the culture Denver has to offer – a hint – some of the most interesting things are somewhat “underground” and spend their time and energy on product not advertising or decorating, so you may need to do some digging!

Here’s a video preview of the Denver Dance Festival:

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By Heidi Bosk, DCPA employee

My first Broadway show was Phantom of the Opera. I was probably no more than 10 or 11 years old and I went with my dad who remains to be my theatre “date” after more than a decade later. Coming down to the Denver Performing Arts Complex was a REALLY big deal for me as a little patron, which is why Kids Night on Broadway is such a fantastic program.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Heidi and, in addition to other activities I coordinate around The Denver Center, I plan our local efforts for Kids Night on Broadway (aka KNOB). One of the best parts of my job hands down!  So what is KNOB? It is a national audience development program of The Broadway League that basically excites little patrons (kids under 18 years old) and brings families together at the theatre. On a local level here in Denver we take the family friendly touring shows and create a one night event with activities and discounts.  It just so happens we have two coming up!

Mary Poppins cast

You may already know but the world’s most famous nanny is here in Denver and, with the help of KOSI 101, we are having Kids Night On Broadway for the March 10 performance of Mary Poppins. People that purchase a full price adult ticket can get a child’s ticket for free. There will be activities in the Buell lobby from 6-7:30pm including autograph signing by the actors playing Jane and Michael Banks from 6-6:20pm, coloring, photos by McBoat Photography with official Mary Poppins umbrellas, Hammond’s Candies and official Kids Night On Broadway giveaways. Plus you can take your ticket into Rock Bottom downtown where kids eat free with the purchase of an entrée.

The other KNOB evening is  April 1 for Cirque Dreams Illumination where kids will have the opportunity to meet members of the Broadway tour, learn and participate in skills, costumes, tricks, activities and some of the fun acrobatic antics for which Cirque Dreams is world renowned.

These events give families an opportunity to have fun at the theatre at an affordable price, which in turn takes those little patrons into lifelong theatre fans. Much like the spirit of Mary Poppins, it gets families out and doing activities together at the theatre. And that is why it is one of the best parts of my job. 

Oh, and if you are wondering how to get in on these events… for Mary Poppins you can use the promo code KNOB and for Cirque Dreams Illumination you can use the code KNOBDREAMS. Now I am off to the show, with my family of course. Hope to see you there!

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By Jeff Rummer, DCPA employee

This morning I read the Mary Poppins article in The Denver Post and noted the ending quote from Gavin Lee the actor who plays Bert, the chimney sweep:

Ashley Brown played Mary Poppins on Broadway with co-star Gavin Lee, as Bert. Now playing Mary is Caroline Sheen, star of the original U.K. touring production. (Joan Marcus )

“I believe Mary Poppins, of all the Disney shows, has a bit more meat to it because this is a real story about a family that just cannot connect.  I always say it’s not a show about a flying nanny. It’s a show about this family that needs something or someone to come along and fix them, and put them back together,” Lee said. “And 40 years on, how relevant is it that today, when we have kids doing terrible things at the schools with guns, or, less important, who sit at home and watch videos all day?  This about a dad who is about to lose his job at the bank, and how cool it is that they all go out for the day together and fly a kite.”

For me this quote brings into focus the reason why I love Mary Poppins…there is joy in life (if you look for it) and things can be fixed.  This might seem a little too philosophical.  Especially when I think we all fell in love with the story because of the songs and the magic of a flying nanny and might not have ever thought about the deeper moral message.  That depth of message though is why MP is still relevant to me today as an adult.  You have to love Mary’s ability to be lighthearted in the face of troubles, and balance responsibility with an easy going attitude and a spoonful of sugar.

We are all painfully aware of the recent school shooting at Deer Creek Middle School, which just reminds us of the other troubles in our lives: broken families, unemployment and economic realities.  I think we might all secretly wish for the spring breeze blow a magical nanny into our schools, families, jobs and Washington, DC to mend all the messes and make things whole.  But the interesting thing about Mary Poppins is that she doesn’t just fix things…she teaches and empowers the Banks family, and us, to take responsibility for our own lives and to see the magic in the ordinary.

The world can be a better place and we have the power to make it so.  I hope that we can all rediscover the wonder of Mary Poppins and be reminded of the magic and joy of sidewalk chalk and kites.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_14464675#ixzz0gfCKxT0M

P.S.  For those who need a little Mary Poppins in their lives, tickets are 30% off for select seats and performances.  Just enter code CHIMNEYSWEEP when ordering online  or by calling 303.893.4100.  Hurry – this offer won’t last.

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Think you have to be a girl to like Legally Blonde the Musical? Think again! Chris Arneson and Kalen Leikam share their reasons why guys should see LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL here in Denver!

5 reasons why guys should see Legally Blonde: The Musical in Denver

By: Chris Arneson

Sure, it’s a musical. Filled with the color pink. And girl-power themes. So, why should a guy want to see it?  I’ll tell you.

1. Have you even seen the movie? Watch that, then tell me it’s not hilarious. Plus, you know your guilty pleasure is chick-flicks.

2. Trust me. Your girlfriend would probably flip out if YOU initiated a date to it. There’s some cred right there. It plays on Valentine’s Day, guys, in the heart of downtown Denver…and if you’re a student, tickets are only $25.

3. 4 words: “Bend and Snap” LIVE.

4. Did I mention the “Bend and Snap” is a group number? Filled with cheerleaders?

5. If you plan to go Feb. 2-4, you can get 50% off tickets when you order with the code: PINK. It’s a money-saver!

Becky Gulsvig as Elle Woods and the cast of the National Tour of Legally Blonde the Musical. Photo: Joan Marcus

11 Reasons to See LEGALLY BLONDE!

By: Kalen Leikam

OMG guys! It is like totally my like post on Legally Blonde like from the Buell like on opening night! Eeeek!

Seriously though, Legally Blonde is an amazing show. The first few notes you hear really grab and pull you in. Once it has got you, the show just does not let go. And that is a good thing. Now not being the greatest of writers and America not being huge into reading, I am going to give you 11 reasons to see Legally Blonde. 11 since top ten lists are everywhere and the last point deserves to stand alone! (but it can’t because then not everyone would go see the show like they should, so I included ten other points).

1.  First, my favorite thing about the show. It is pretty darn funny. I don’t mean like the funny that just a few of you think is funny, but genuinely funny. You cannot help but laugh at thing like the bend or snap or Elle’s insults hurled toward Vivienne!
2.  OMG! I totally will be like dropping things, bending and snapping, and just like always like talking like this for like a few days! OMG!
3.  Live animals in a show always melt your heart. The dogs are soooo adorable. And I am a dude. Think about that.
4.  Girls: There is some man candy.
5.  Guys: The girls are definitely rockin’ it.
6.  UPS will never be the same again!
7.  Every show has its defining note. Now Elle can sing, and so she does. But the defining note goes to Vivienne! She has one note that blew me away and will be the note I remember from Legally Blonde. (Sorry Elle!)
8.  Technically the show has many of costume and scene changes and still it was cohesive. The piece did not feel clunky or like it ever just did not connect in a smooth way. The crowd was moved place to place and outfit to outfit seamlessly. (Ha! Like that pun?)
9.  For me, not only does a shows number have to keep me entertained, but my eyes like to be dazzled as well. As I said above, the changes in the show keep me looking from place to place. Whether it was the shoes, and not dance shoes eek, or the new scene, I was always looking at some good stuff!
10.  You keep moving, never slowing down until the curtain falls. Sure everyone will say a show has energy, yet this one really does. Elle’s attitude comes across in the score and you feel it in your heart. And in your toes. I was all jazzed and ready to go out on the town after the show, it really made me move in my seat.
11.  And finally, with all due respect to Galinda—PINK is this year’s green!

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