Nine months ago, one could hardly find a regional premiere on any Colorado stage, much less a brand-new work. But as of Saturday night, there were 15 plays being presented around the state that are new to Colorado audiences.
Leading the way again is the Curious Theatre Company, which is presenting the world premiere of Eric Coble’s “The Dead Guy” before taking on Tracy Letts’ incendiary “Bug.”
But the new-play fever has spread everywhere from the Arvada Center (“Intimate Apparel” and “A Place at Forest Lawn”) to Next Stage (“Assassins”) to the Miners Alley Playhouse (“Dead White Males”).
And Buntport just announced that its 16th and 17th original creations will run in rep beginning Oct. 7: “Horror: The Transformation” and “Realism: The Mythical Brontosaurus.” The former is a psychological horror story about a family with an unusual history, the latter a black comedy about a man who has locked himself in his room.
The following are 10 recommended plays to watch for the fall, with photos by The Post’s Andy Cross. (Note: Denver Center shows will be individually previewed as their openings approach). For a newly updated list of all upcoming theater openings scheduled through 2006, by date or company, go to denverpost.com/theater.
1. “ASSASSINS”
Through Sept. 24|Phoenix Theatre, 1124 Santa Fe Drive
“Thomas Jefferson promised us ‘the pursuit of happiness.’ We want what we want, when we want it. If we consider that another of our inherited inalienable rights is to revolt against the government when it fails to fulfill its promises, the characters in ‘Assassins’ can be seen as unnerving participants in the American Dream rather than nightmarish anomalies.” – Todd Coulter (Charles Guiteau), best known as Prior in Bas Bleu’s “Angels in America”
By: Stephen Sondheim (music) and John Weidman (book)
Info: Call 720-209-4105
The story: The musical centers on nine actual or would-be presidential assassins, from John Wilkes Booth to John Hinckley Jr. These killers interact with one other and their intended targets as they vie for their place in history and a piece of the American Dream.
The intrigue: Next Stage is the first theater in the country to produce “Assassins” since minor changes were approved from recent Broadway and London revivals.
2. “DEAD WHITE MALES”
Through Oct. 2|Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden
“My mother was a teacher for almost 30 years. She faced challenges from the students, parents and the administration, but she always loved her job. I wanted to be able to bring her strength of character to the role.” – Boni McIntyre (Doris), best known as Faye in MAP’s “Chapter Two”
By: University of Wyoming professor William Missouri Downs
Info: 303-935-3044
The story: This play dissects the influence of organized religion in public schools, sexual abuse and even school shootings as teachers attempt to navigate today’s minefields of political correctness.
The intrigue: This is the world premiere of a play designed to provoke thought and strong reactions.
3. “INTIMATE APPAREL”
Through Oct. 2|Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd.
“This role is so demanding, it has been compared to Hamlet. But thanks to the outstanding direction of Jane Page and the unbelievable talent of the cast, working on this project has been an actor’s dream.” – Debbie Johnson Lee (Esther), best known as Mattie in the Denver Center Theatre Company’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”
By: Lynn Nottage
Info: 720-898-7200
The story: Esther, who sews intimate apparel for women of high social status in 1905, has all but resigned herself to a life alone. When a man from Panama begins writing her, it gives her hope of finding love and marriage. But what will this love require of her?
The intrigue: This is the regional premiere of the 2004 Drama Desk and national critics award winners for best play.
4. “CHILDREN’S LETTERS TO GOD”
Through Oct. 9|Arvada Festival Playhouse, 5665 Old Wadsworth Blvd.
“This is the greatest experience in my career so far. This is my first musical, and I’m having a lot of fun with it.” – Alex Ault (Brett), best known as Travis in the Arvada Center’s “A Raisin in the Sun”
By: Stuart Hample (book), David Evans (music) and Douglas J. Cohen (lyrics)
Info: 303-422-4090
The story: This stage adaptation of the best-selling book follows five children and the questions they ask God.
The intrigue: Ault’s great-grandfather started the Players Guild acting company in 1936, making Alex the fourth generation of Ault actors. This show opens the Players Guild’s 70th year.
5. “SLABTOWN”
Through Sept. 23|Creede Repertory Theatre, 124 N. Main St., Creede
“Shady Brady, like many people, can appear to be very one-sided. I hope that by bringing depth and humanity to the character, people will look at those around them in a more sympathetic light.” – Michael Bouchard (Shady Brady), best known as Cripple Billy in CRT’s “The Cripple of Inishmaan”
By: Steven Cole Hughes
Info: 719-658-2540
The story: “Slabtown” is set in a Colorado mining camp, and the play is having its world premiere in one as well. It’s a historically based, gritty, comic tale about two gunfighters who will risk everything, including their lives, to get what they desire.
The intrigue: The play was written by a popular member of the Denver Center Theatre Company’s resident acting company, and the work was developed there as part of Nagle Jackson’s new-play program.
6. “THE OLDEST PROFESSION”
Through Oct. 9|Lake Dillon, 146 Lake Dillon Drive, Dillon
“Although I’ve always wanted to play a bawdy sex symbol, I didn’t know I had to wait until I was in my 60s to do it. Now there’s a challenge!” – Lennie Singer (Edna), best known as the writer-director of “Madams and Mayhem” for Silks Dinner Theatre
By: Paula Vogel
Info: 970-513-9386
The story: As the Reagan era begins, five aging practitioners of the “oldest profession” are faced with a diminishing clientele, increased competition, fears about death – and more than a few aches and pains. These five women have endured 50 years of friendship and feuds.
The intrigue: This is the regional premiere of an early work by the Pulitzer-winning writer of “How I Learned to Drive.” Just as Vogel’s characters have been close friends for 50 years, the actors have been friends and colleagues for at least 15 years.
7. “BLOOD BROTHERS”
Through Nov. 5|Carousel Dinner Theatre, 3509 S. Mason St., Fort Collins
“The list of actors to have played Mrs. Johnstone includes big names like Helen Reddy, Petula Clark, Carole King and Kiki Dee, which leaves quite a pair of shoes to fill.” – Kimberly Tedder-Hernandez (Mrs. Johnstone), best known as Grizabella in Carousel’s “Cats”
By: Willy Russell
Info: 970-225-2555
The story: Two separated twins, one who grows up in privilege, the other in poverty, have a chance meeting and become best friends, or “blood brothers.” Later they become rivals despite efforts by their mothers to keep them, and the secret of their births, apart.
The intrigue: This is the first production at any dinner theater in the U.S. of one of London’s longest-running shows. Though filled with music and some humor, this dramatic work is considered risky dinner-theater fare. The production also marks the Carousel’s reopening after a complete renovation.
8. “THE SUN THAT YOU ARE/EL SOL QUE TU ERES”
Oct. 1-9|Su Teatro at Auraria’s Eugenia Rawls Courtyard Theatre, Oct. 15-Nov. 6|Su Teatro at King Center Production Studio
“As someone born in Mexico and raised in the U.S., similar to my character, I think the play is timely, and will show us how much we all have in common.” – Hugo E. Carbajal (Orfeo), best known as Alberto in Su Teatro’s “La Carpa Aztlan Presents: I Don’t Speak English Only.”
By: Anthony Garcia (book) and Daniel Valdez (music)
Info: 303-556-2296
The story: This retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth draws its inspiration from the 1960s Brazilian movie “Black Orpheus.” Set in Mexico during the Days of the Dead, the bilingual play combines Aztec and Greek mythology with contemporary themes, mixes primitive ritual with traditional and avant-garde theatrical styles.
The intrigue: This world-premiere production is a result of a lengthy collaboration between Garcia, Valdez, Auraria campus students, Teatro Campesino, renowned muralist Carlos Fresquez and University of Colorado-Denver professor Laura Cuetara.
9. “MISERY”
Oct. 1-29|Paragon, 1121 Santa Fe Drive
“This is one the most intimidating parts I’ve ever taken on. It requires a great deal of honesty and vulnerability. I’ve been working on those in my real life, so maybe some will creep in.” – Tom Borrillo (Paul), best known as Don in the Arvada Center’s “Rounding Third”
By: Simon Moore, based on Stephen King’s novel
Info: 303-300-2210
The story: Romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued after a serious car accident by his No. 1 fan, Annie Wilkes. Thus begins his descent into hell, as his twisted nurse demands a new chapter from him each day.
The intrigue: Being made scared can be cathartic when we are frightened in a safe manner. Here is a tale about vulnerability, obsession, and fear, and one man’s struggle to survive.
10. “BUG”
Oct. 29-Dec. 17|Curious, 1080 Acoma St.
“Seeing this play will get under your skin … or at least make you itch.” – Rhonda Lee Brown (Agnes), best known as Julia in The Avenue’s “The Fourth Wall”
By: Tracy Letts
Info: 303-623-0524
The story: A drug-addled divorcée falls for a young drifter and Gulf War vet who seduces her into his conspiracy theories about government and, yes, bugs. This black comedy is peppered with science fiction, paranoia and nudity.
The intrigue: This regional premiere is a lurid noir that caught fire off-Broadway two years ago and is still running.
