Theater on Denver’s big-city stages is a lot of fun. But marquee lights also glow over dozens of small-town companies that bring shows to townspeople and tourists all around the state. Follow Denver Post theater critic John Moore’s lead as he explores the summer bill for 10 great if tiny troupes; you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you find when the curtain rises.
Everyone knows about the Denver Center Theatre Company, but fewer are aware that Colorado has 32 theater companies flourishing outside the metro area, from Salida to Crested Butte to Westcliffe.
Some are the essence of community theater, where companies with bare- bones budgets recruit everyone from the bartender to the area librarian to take the stage. The goal is more civic pride than Broadway quality.
Others might surprise you with their professionalism. The Creede Repertory Theatre, for example, has a year- round population of 377 but draws about 18,000 to its summer season in a theater perched 8,852 feet above sea level.
And some small towns have been breeding grounds for future stars. Greeley’s Little Theatre of the Rockies gave Nick Nolte his first professional paycheck; Creede was twice home to Mandy Patinkin; Grand Lake was entertained by David Hasselhoff and John Larroquette; and Crested Butte hosted Carrie Hamilton and Sam Robards.
So you never know who or what you might see at a small-town theater performance. But wherever you go, you’ll be treated to a unique Colorado experience.
Here are 10 of Colorado’s best small towns to watch live theater:
DILLON
Lake Dillon Theatre
Where: 68 miles west of Denver
What makes it great: Often first in Colorado to stage hot new titles such as “Urinetown”
It’s showtime! “Equus” plays May 26-June 18
Info: 970-513-9386 or lakedillonfoundation.org
GRAND LAKE
Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre
Where: 100 miles northwest of Denver
What makes it great: Company’s visitors pump $1 million into local economy each summer
It’s showtime! Three-show slate opens June 16 with “Singin’ in the Rain,” “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Info: 970-627-3421 or rockymountainrep.com
ASPEN
Theatre Aspen
Where: 160 miles southwest of Denver
What makes it great: Aspen recruits the best in Denver and national talent. But it’s the tented Rio Grand Park atmosphere that makes Aspen second to none. New seats and even heat for chilly evenings.
It’s showtime! Four-show slate launches June 29 with “Love, Janis,” and includes “Dinner with Friends.” Info: 970-925-9313 or theatreaspen.org
CREEDE
Creede Repertory Theatre
Where: 256 miles southwest of Denver
What makes it great: The talent. DCTC greats Anthony Powell and Jamie Horton will direct “Snake in the Grass” and the world premiere of “cowboyily,” respectively
It’s showtime! Six-play summer season launches June 2 with “Crazy For You”
Info: 719-658-2540, 866-658-2540 or creederep.org
LONGMONT
Longmont Theatre Company, California Actors Theatre and Jesters Dinner Theatre
Where: 36 miles north of Denver
What makes it great: Three theater companies in a town of just 70,000
It’s showtime! “Into the Woods” at LTC through May 27; “Rumors” at CAT plays through June 3; “Steel Magnolias” now through May 21 at Jesters
Info: 303-772-5200 or longmonttheatre.org (LCT); 303-774-1842 or californiaactorstheatre.com (CAT); 303-682-9980 or jesterstheatre.com (Jesters)
GREELEY
Little Theatre of the Rockies, Union Colony Dinner Theater
Where: 63 miles northeast of Denver
What makes it great: At 71, LTOR, a professional troupe operated by the University of Northern Colorado, is the oldest theater company west of the Mississippi; Union Colony is an up-and-coming dinner theater.
It’s showtime! LTOR bows June 7 with five-show slate including “The Last Five Years” and “Over the Tavern”; UC is now staging “West Side Story” through June 18
Info: 970-351-2200 or arts.unco.edu/LTR/default.html (LTOR); 970-352-2900 or ucdinnertheatre.com (UC)
CARBONDALE
Thunder River Theatre Company
Where: 170 miles west of Denver
What makes it great: Just moved into a new $1.2 million flexible space in the town center
It’s showtime! “An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf” plays June 16-July 1
Info: 970-963-8200 or thunderrivertheatre.com
CRIPPLE CREEK
Cripple Creek Players
Where: 115 miles south of Denver
What makes it great: Classic melodramas written in the period, such as the upcoming offering, penned in 1879
It’s showtime! “My Partner” opens June 12 and runs through Sept. 3
Info: 719-689-2513, 800-500-2513 or cripplecreekplayers.com
TRINIDAD
Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre Company
Where: 204 miles south of Denver
What makes it great: Now in its fourth season, the company is transforming downtown
It’s showtime! Three-show summer season bows June 16 with “The 1940s Radio Hour”
Info: 719-846-4765 or scrtheatre.com
MANITOU SPRINGS
Iron Springs Chateau Dinner Theatre
Where: 77 miles south of Denver
What makes it great: 46 seasons of old-fashioned melodrama
It’s showtime! “The Shame of Maudie Jones, or A Fate Worse Than Death” runs through Oct. 14. Info: 719-685-5572
