Shannon Howard, patron: Hi, I am 17 years old and the Country Dinner Playhouse has been a huge influence on my life. I am a young performer and the Country Dinner Playhouse was the theater that first started my love for theater. I was a really shy girl and getting into theater changed my life forever. I can’t bear to think that it is closing after all these years. Paul Dwyer is one of the people who brought on my interest in theater. He has been my director through many kids productions and is now more of a friend than anything. I respect the man with all my heart. He is a great man and could do wonders for a dinner theater. He expressed interest in continuing what he worked so hard on with CDP. I want to do anything I can to help him.
This is why I am organizing a fundraiser to try to help him.
It isn’t right that the theater which has meant so much to the community should have to close after so many people put so much work into it. Many people lost jobs and our community lost one of the best theaters it has ever seen. Paul would do an amazing job with his own dinner theater I believe that we all need to do our part to help him. We as a community benefit from the theater so we need to help save it.
I know that the theater meant a lot to you as well and was hoping that you might be able to help me. I know a lot of the theater people in the area through my brother Tim Howard who has done several professional shows both at Country Dinner and at Town Hall. I want to put together a benefit to raise money for Paul to help him buy a dinner theater like the Country Dinner Playhouse. I am trying to get a lot of the local talent to perform. I want a lot of different acts by the performers in the area.
Some of the people I am trying to get that you might know of are Melissa Benoist, Burke Walton, my brother Tim Howard, Matt Gotleib and anyone else that my brother can get. I’m hoping for more adults as well. I don’t have the details worked out yet but I am working hard at it. I believe that Paul deserves this chance and that the people will agree that the country dinner playhouse was an important part of our community and that helping Paul with this dream will benefit us all.
If you might be interested in helping me I would greatly appreciate it. I just want to do as much as I can to help the man and the theater that changed my life so much. Thank you for your time.
Dean, patron: John, I am sure that the the owners worked to the last minute to try and save the theater. That is, without a doubt, why they didn’t give employees more notice. Rather than blame them for the final couple weeks, why not thank them for all the good years of employment? I’ve been the employer, trying to hold everything together. Trying to make one last stab at keeping a business afloat so that everyone can work. Yes, employees end up hating you. That’s the price you pay for trying. But we need small business owners to generate jobs — even if at the end, they let down their employes. IMO.
Connie Helsley, Heritage Square Music Hall: “We, too, are saddened by the loss of one of Denver’s great entertainment facilities. The theater community here is so close, and we have so many friends whose futures are now uncertain. We wish them the best, and are hopeful that our community is able to get them back to work soon….
Brady Darnell, actor: You know, I was just reading in Stage Directions magazine about how the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey has been in trouble, even after three real estate developers stepped forward to secure a multi-million-dollar loan for the respected regional theatre. Their solution was to have a big fund-raising event which included Robert Cuccioli of “Jekyll and Hyde” fame. (No word yet on whether they rasied enough to pull their fat out of the fire or not.)
I don’t recall there being any call-out to the community for help. No fund-raiser or “save our beloved theater” campaign.
I think, given the history, renown, and affection that CDP has garnered in this community and beyond, such a campaign might have been successful. I have a bit of an ego myself, but I would hope that I would never allow my pride to prevent me from asking for a little help in preserving a community icon as well as about 50 jobs.
David Marlowe, Out Front newspaper: I am outraged to hear of the abrupt ending of such a fine venue as The Country Dinner Playhouse with its superb production of “Evita.” Saddened as well by the unexpected ending of employment of so many friends in the theatee, one’s compassion turns to concern. If such an eventuality were to have occurred, why could there not have been a professional ending with preparations for all and severance pay to allow these good people a chance for a smooth transition. One is devastated beyond words at the owners’ inability to handle this in an equitable and timely manner. As terrible as this is in our own community of beloved theatre people, this tragedy resonates even as far as New York City. One would beseech the owners of the playhouse to find some way to make financial amends as best possible to all of these valiant artists of the theater who in the twinkling of an eye have found themselves pounding the pavement as a cruel and unthinkable punishment for creating one of the finest musical productions of the year. If there is more that this reviewer may do, please let me hear from you.
Brian Mallgrave, actor: I am so sorry and sad – seems one less professional environment to work as a theater artist is definitely one less too many here in town. To all who supported that place – I’m right there with you – there’s no doubt it was one of the best and most fun places to work in town – and what a meeting place for some outstanding local talent! There is always hope that as those doors close – new and wonderful opportunities will arise. Best wishes to us all as we pursue adventures on a new path.
Bill McHale, founding artistic director: It’s a shame because this was one of the most successful dinner theaters in the country. I mean at one point we were sold out for years on end. And we fostered some excellent careers.
Paul Dwyer, producer: This is pretty devastating. I’m just numb. Denver is my home, and for the past 21 years, the Country Dinner Playhouse has been my artistic home. And for the past four years, I’ve really dedicated myself to trying to get this theater back on the right track. The artistic vision of the playhouse has been my passion, and my great hope is that somehow I will be able to continue that.
David Pritchard, former president: I am very sad to see any theatre close especially the closing of the longest running equity dinner theater in America.
Carla Kaiser Kotrc, Domina in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”: It is with great shock and sadness that I learned of the closing of the CDP. It has been a part of my life for all of my life. Some of Denver’s finest talent has performed on that stage … Deborah Persoff, Rob Costigan, Bob Hoppe, Annaleigh (Swanson) Ashford, Thaddeus Valdez, Marcus Waterman, Michelle Sergeeff, Natalie Jensen, Heidi Morrow Hahn, Penny and Paul Dwyer, Paul Page — the list goes on and on and on of the tremendous actors who have graced the CDP stage and introduced the thrill of professional theater to thousands of families. The caliber of dedicated actor and staff is truly amazing. I, myself attended CDP for years with my family and friends, dreaming to some day perform there. Then, lucky me, I was given that opportunity in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and made life-long friends in my experience there … It was magical time for me. I am truly honored to be a part of the history CDP, an astounding institution in the Denver theater community. I am sure I speak for many when I say, I feel hopeful this isn’t the end of CDP.
Michael J. Duran, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre artistic director: I got my Equity card at the Country Dinner Playhouse doing “Where’s Charlie?” in 1980, so it has a special place in my heart. It’s just devastating.
Judi Hofmeister, alumna actor: I worked at the Country Dinner Playhouse from 1985-93. I went to school (at Loretto Heights) or performed at the CDP with such folk as Paul Dwyer, Annie Dwyer, Nick Sugar, Scott Beyette, Wayne Kennedy, Brenn Eyestone, Maurice LaMee, Mitch Samu, Michael Gold, Sue Leiser and countless others in the Denver theater community. I have had the IMMENSE honor and pleasure of working side by side with
these amazingly talented individuals. (As my teenage theater students would say, THEY ROCK!) I credit Bill McHale with making me the adult and the professional that I am today…I credit my peers and olleagues at Loretto Heights and the CDP for guiding me to the career I have today. I teach theatre and International Baccalaureate Dance at Douglas County High School in Castle Rock. (Maureen McHale, Beth Malone, Amy Adams and Matt LaFontaine all graduated from the DCHS arts legacy.)
It GREATLY saddens me that the doors of that old “skit barn” closed today, and my dear friends didn’t even know! They are WONDERFUL people who have families! What is going to happen? I hope that there will be some kind of miracle that either the “old barn” might be purchased and the doors will reopen, or that there might be concrete plans for a new facility somewhere in the southern metro area where new jobs can be attained! I’m also afraid of what will happen to all the pictures and programs that are currently in the CDP…..those are the only memories left of the last 37 years. Will they be locked inside the padlocked doors for no one one to access? That would be a travesty! Will no one have a chance to pack away or organize any of those wonderful treasures and memories? I would be the first to volunteer my time and energies to help with organizing!
There’s a TON of heart, blood, sweat & tears that went onto that tiny stage in that old barn! I know first-hand what it took to get out on that
stage eight shows a week and make it look effortless & fun! I want to support my dear friends as they meet today’s unexpected challenge head-on, just as they supported me 15 years ago when I decided to change careers. It makes me sick to my stomach to think the Denver metro area could be without the CDP….it’s unfathomable to me that I would drive down I-25 & not see that red barn sitting on the east side of the highway.
Lindsay Palmer: This is so sad, and really bad news. I am also keeping my fingers crossed for Joanie Beyette. She is so amazing playing Evita, and I know for a long time she wanted to do that role again. My grandma bought tickets for us to see that show. I am so disappointed that I won’t be able to see it. There is a lot of memories that place holds for me. I wish there was something I could do. If there is, please let me know. I am so hurt by this…
Elizabeth Welch, Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”: I was looking forward to next season there. We don’t have many Equity options for in Denver. It’s sad they had to do it so suddenly and with no warning to the actors.”
Michelle Sergeeff, actor: I am shocked. As equity actors, it affects us all in the long run. Arvada doesn’t have a great season for women this year, so we were counting on Country Dinner to have a good one for us.
Sara Seever, Sarah in “Guys and Dolls”: I’m so sorry to hear the news today of our theatre closing. My heart goes out to those in the Evita cast, the barnstormers, the crew, and those of us who were slated to do the next show as well. All my love!
Robert Hoppe, company of “Swing”: “My heart goes out to all of the Playhouse family and friends today. The closing of CDP is devastating to us all, but specifically the amazing cast and crew of “Evita” and to all of us that were to be involved with the upcoming “Seven Brides for 7 Brothers,” and of course, all our Barnstormer friends. You are all thought of and loved today. I love and respect you all.
Deb Flomberg, actor: Wow, this is just so surprising. I do hope they plan on re-opening the CDP. I remember my mom taking me to see Annie when I was 3 or 4 (would have been 1982 or so, if my memory is right) and that was the first time I was exposed to theater. I remember being amazed at the vitality of the whole thing. I went on to study theatre, and now pursue theatre and film for a career. The CDP will be greatly missed, they have impacted many of us in the theatre community.
Rob Riney, barnstormer: It’s a sad day for us Country Dinner Playhouse employees. What will we do?
