This will be the year of “The War Anthology,” the Curious Theatre Company’s original combat exploration that will feature contributions from a trio of Pulitzer-winning writers. But the slate for 2006 also sparkles with the Denver Center Theatre Company’s inaugural New Play Summit in February and a plethora of innovative regional premieres detailed below in The Post’s list of 10 recommended plays to watch for the winter and spring.
The full scope of the season goes far beyond that list. Audiences can expect the area’s first two productions of “The Exonerated,” a wrenching look at the true stories of falsely condemned death-row convicts (by Theatre Group and Fort Collins’ OpenStage & Co.). And the most popular new title is “Enchanted April,” the Tony-nominated story of four Englishwomen on vacation in Italy, which will bow in Evergreen, Creede and Breckenridge.
Note: Denver Center shows will be individually previewed as their openings approach.
1. Openstage & Co.’s “A Bright Room Called Day”
By: Tony Kushner
The story: This regional premiere follows a group of activist artists struggling for preservation in 1930s Berlin as Germany surrenders to the seduction of fascism.
The intrigue: After the success of “Angels in America,” “Homebody/Kabul” and “Munich,” when Kushner writes, America listens.
In director Peter Anthony’s words: “A subtle erosion of our right to privacy is undeniably taking place in our country today. And all the while, government is becoming more closed-door. Through the juxtaposition of 1930s Germany with contemporary America, Kushner’s play stands as both history and prophecy. It is an outcry amid a climate of fear and deception, warning us to never surrender personal liberty and responsibility, reminding us that the cost of freedom should never be freedom itself.”
When: Through Feb. 4
Where: Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins
Info: 970-221-6730
2. Theatre Group’s “Kiss of the Spiderwoman”
By: Manuel Puig
The story: The Argentine jailhouse conversations between a daydreaming gay window dresser and the macho revolutionary he is ordered to spy upon.
The intrigue: This two-person adaptation of Puig’s novel “El Beso de la Mujer Arana” precedes the film and musical versions.
In director Steven Tangedal’s words: “What attracted me is the magical way in which two men from totally different social, political and psychological backgrounds, when placed in a prison cell, can become friends while showing the conflicting sides of one’s own sexuality.”
When: Through Feb. 11
Where: Phoenix Theatre, 1124 Santa Fe Drive
Info: 303-777-3292
3. The Avenue’s “Anonymous Sources”
By: Steve Cassidy, Vince Curran, Jared Ewy, Dan Horsey, Dave Johnson, John Richter, Erica Stull and Bob Wells
The story: Current events are skewered through constantly updated song parodies, comedy sketches and improv bits. Each show will have a designated celebrity guest host whose duties include running a serious panel discussion on hot topics of the day.
The intrigue: This is the Avenue’s first original mainstage offering since Johnson and Wells bought the theater in July.
In director Dave Johnson’s words: “Having fun with the news has been a passion of mine since co-hosting a radio talk show in the mid-’90s.What makes ‘Anonymous Sources’ different is we add a soapbox for audience rants, a game show and a lively panel discussion.”
When: Jan. 20-Feb.4
Where: 417 E. 17th Ave.
Info: 303-321-5925
4. Modern Muse’s “The Last Five Years”
By: Jason Robert Brown
The story: This contemporary rock musical chronicles the five-year life of a marriage from meeting to breakup – or from breakup to meeting, depending on how you look at it.
The intrigue: It stars Broadway transplant Susan Dawn Carson (“Sunset Boulevard,” Les Miserables”) and National Theatre Conservatory alum Jeff Roark.
In co-director Stephen J. Lavezza’s words: “This is an intimate and sexy love story that’s pulled apart, literally and metaphorically, and turned backward and forward through time. This mode of storytelling is very exciting to us.”
When: Feb. 10-March 19
Where: Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St.
Info: 303-780-7836
5. Lake Dillon’s “Urinetown”
By: Mark Hollmann (music and lyrics) and Greg Kotis (book and lyrics)
The story: In a Gotham-like city, the depletion of the Earth’s water supply has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The “privilege to pee” is regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of man’s most basic needs. But a hero will rise and lead the people to freedom.
The intrigue: The harmless title scares some people off, but this is a distinctive, intelligent and jubilant theatrical experience.
In director Chris Alleman’s words: “Kotis and Hollmann have reinvigorated what musical theater can be, not only by poking fun at the genre itself, but by pointing their sardonic pen at themselves. Like ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘Urinetown’ has everything an epic Broadway musical should – love, greed, corruption and revolution. The difference is that ‘Urinetown’ is fall-on-the-floor hilarious.”
When: Feb. 9-March 12
Where: 176 Lake Dillon Drive, Dillon
Info: 970-513-9386
6. Shadow’s “Visions: A Tribute to August Wilson”
Excerpts by: August Wilson
The story: This gathering will feature some of Denver’s most powerful actors reading excerpts from roles they have played on area stages for more than three decades.
The intrigue: Shadow’s tribute to Wilson became a celebratory retrospective after “the black Shakespeare” died Oct. 2 at age 60.
In director Michael R. Duran’s words: “Wilson had that inspired ability to reveal the world back to us in such a succinct fashion that the themes of his plays transcended race.”
When: Feb. 9-25
Where: 1420 Ogden St.
Info: 303-837-9355
7. Aurora Fox’s “Guys on Ice”
By: Fred Alley (book and lyrics) and James Kaplan (music)
The story: “Guys on Ice” spends a day in the life of two Wisconsin fishing buddies who break out into songs such as “Ode to a Snowmobile Suit” and “Fish Is the Miracle Food.”
The intrigue: C’mon, it’s subtitled “The Hit Ice-Fishing Musical!”
In director Nicholas Sugar’s words: “An audience member might think they will be seeing the likes of Brian Boitano in bun-tight figure-skating outfits, but this show is quite the opposite. ‘Guys on Ice’ is simple, sincere and surprisingly touching. My goal is to make the most of the saying, ‘Cold hands, warm heart.”‘
When: Feb. 24-March 26
Where: 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Info: 303-739-1970
8. Curious’ “The War Anthology”
By: Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori Parks, Paula Vogel, Robert Lewis Vaughan, Elaine Romero, Mildred Ruiz, Steve Sapp, Will Eno and Melissa McCarl
The story: Each author has created a short scene, dance or song based on any single combat image taken since the advent of photography. The idea is to convey the sweep of 150 years of American war history.
The intrigue: Because this big-name, multimedia performance piece has three Pulitzer winners aboard, there is no question the national theater community will be paying close attention.
In director Bonnie Metzgar’s words: “We are not interested in making an anti-war piece. This project is about using war photography to frame the question, ‘What does it mean to be a citizen in this country at this moment in time?”‘
When: March 11-April 29
Where: 1080 Acoma St.
Info: 303-623-0524
9. Mizel Center’s “Insignificance”
By: Terry Johnson
The story: On a fictional 1954 night, Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio and Sen. Joseph
McCarthy keep barging into Albert Einstein’s New York hotel room for one reason or another.
The intrigue: The play is part of the Mizel Center’s four-month multidisciplinary project, “Einstein: The Creative Cosmos.”
In director John Ashton’s words: “It’s a witty comedy that has some serious things to say about the emptiness of fame, the cynicism of politics, the need for love and the various games people play.”
When: April 6-May 20
Where: 350 S. Dahlia St.
Info: 303-399-2660
10. Buntport’s “Eleanor and Washington Bishop Show”
By: Brian Colonna, Erin Rollman, Hannah Duggan, Erik Edborg, Evan Weissman,
Samantha Schmitz and Matt Petraglia (title tentative).
The story: An exploration of the Ricky
Jay book, “Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women,” which looks at eccentric entertainers in history.
The intrigue: Last summer, Buntport presented an audience with three possible concepts for their 18th original creation. They voted for the story of mentalist Washington Irving Bishop, who could fool doctors of his supposed death, and the mother who was convinced he was given an autopsy while still alive. In Buntport’s hands, you can expect just about anything.
In Colonna’s words: “The people are clearly clamoring for the high jinks of the ‘Elegant 1880s,’ and we are giving the people what they want. Plus, it should give me the chance to grow my mutton chops again.”
When: April 21-May 28
Where: 717 Lipan St.
Info: 720-946-1388
