Jamie Horton, former Denver Center Theatre Company actor, now professor of theater at Dartmouth University: What an extraordinary blow this is for the theater community and the city. It makes me inexpressibly sad to consider what consequences this move has. My heart goes out to all my friends and colleagues. I’m hoping that someone will step up to the plate eventually, recognizing the hole that is being left, and bring this operation back.
Jack Macaluso, actor: It is with utter sadness and growing anger that I write this. I must first thank Mr. Moore for his coverage. The slideshow and podcast brought me right back to the theater that I called home for almost 10 years. I am also in awe of the “Evita” company that showed just what it means to be professional. Unlike David Lovinggood, the spirit of the theater shone that night in a parking lot in Greenwood Village. Bravo to all involved!
Bill McHale gave me my Equity card at CDP in 1982 for the role of Rooster in “Annie,” the Rocky Mountain regional premiere. I cannot express how grateful and thrilled I was. I entered into a loving and cohesive group of professionals who welcomed me instantly. While the atmosphere was certainly “fun,” I was taught what it means to have professional integrity. Mr. McHale was a taskmaster in the best sense of the word. Oh my…..what I learned from that man! Give that audience the best possible performance every time. No matter what. Always! End of story! They deserve the best. God bless you, Bill. Ah, yes. Professional integrity.
Mr. Lovinggood … were you absent from class when we discussed what that meant? Did you not take the make-up exam? How DARE you diminish 37 years worth of enjoyment to so many people to a piece of paper on a glass door! COWARD thy name is David! When I visited last July and saw that great production of “Swing,” I spoke to the management. “All is good! We are doing great! Couldn’t be better!” they said.
And no (minority owner) Bob Buffington: You are not off the hook either. Liars and swindlers are names that come to mind. Can you tell I have never been accused of being Pollyanna?I loved my tenure as a resident member of the CDP. We used to joke that CDP was “Bill McHale’s Chew and View” or “The Skit Barn.” A release of laughter in an eight-show a week schedule. No joking now. Just utter sadness and growing anger. I’m devastated.
Juanita Morrow, patron: The closing of Country Dinner Playhouse is a tragic event in the history of Colorado theater. Having been a patron for the past 20 years, I am devastated. On May 11, I had the pleasure of seeing an excellent performance of Evita,” and I remember thinking, “How on a Friday night can the Playhouse have so many empty seats?” There are many questions unanswered and certainly in time, after the books are audited, the answers will be made public. My memories of the wonderful productions are priceless and they fill many scrapbooks. My emotions regarding this news range from anger to total disbelief embedded in grief. My sincere heartfelt best wishes go out to each and every employee past and present impacted by this devastating decision to close the doors of an icon of dinner theaters. I leave with you these thoughts: Although you may feel overwhelmed with the sudden negative impact, remember the saying that when life hands you lemons, make lemonade! With your talents, new doors will open and you can make it happen!
Patty Holland Trout, actor: I was a Barnstormer from 1990 until 1997, and then continued to work and do shows at CDP after that. It was an amazing family to be a part of. I never have laughed so much while working. The relationships and loyalty that came from my time at CDP is irreplaceable. The talent that has come through those doors is remarkable: Terry Rhodes, Lise Simms, Beth Malone, Ronnie Stark, Mara Davi, Rachel and David DeBenedet, Paul Dwyer, Laura Ryan, Melissa McCarl, Joanne Kerns, Alan Estes Worley, Randy Shapiro, Heidi Maro Haun, Bill Haun, Sue Leiser & and so many more to name. Not to mention the Barnstormers, who at times, were more my family then my own flesh and blood. When Bill McHale had a say in running the barn, everything seemed to be right. I know Paul Dwyer poured his heart and soul into that place. He was determined to continue the McHale legacy. It is so incredibly unfortunate that Lovinggood and Buffington ran it into the ground. This is when I would love to win the Power Ball. I hope that someone finds the funding to save the theater. I know I will be first in line to help out in any way. Bless all of you actors, musicians, techies, and patrons.
Natalie Rose, actor: For those of us who have worked at CDP, the closing should not come as a shock. There had always been a blatant disregard by the management for the employees. During my years as a barnstormer I operated under the assumption that I was always on thin ice – salaries were non negotiable, benefits non existent, working conditions abhorrent, and yet myself and the other actors embraced the “barn” for what it was. It is disgusting yet totally predictable that Lovinggood and the Buffingtons would leave their employees without so much as a “good bye” or “thank you.” Paul Dwyer poured his heart and soul into that theater, and as unfortunate as losing CDP might be, hopefully he will be able to invest his energy and talent in a worthier venue.
Randy St. Pierre, actor: It’s a shame that The Country Dinner Playhouse had to close its doors today the way it did. It should have gone out with a bang, not a whimper. If you look at theater in this region today, it would not have been possible without Country Dinner introducing professional productions some 35 years ago continuing to the present. I was part of this theater for the past 15 years. I made some great friends, became a better actor and have amazing lifelong memories I will cherish the rest of my life. To everyone who was working presently at the barn, my heart goes out to you all. It’s tough to lose your job, family, home, in the blink of an eye. However, you are all talented. From the kitchen staff to the reservationists, barnstormers, crew, musicians and actors, you’ll all find new paths to take, let’s just hope it doesn’t take too long. Take a minute to remember the friends we’ve made, the audience members we’ve touched and all the great times we’ve shared. Country Dinner will be missed but not forgotten.
Margie Lamb, actor: I have had the honor of working with some of the finest talent in this nation on the stage of Country Dinner: Lise Simms, Amy Adams, Randy St. Pierre, Paul Dwyer, Thaddeus Valdez, Laura Ryan, Annaleigh Ashford, Beth Malone, Alann and Tag Worley, Rob Costigan, Heather Rubald…the list goes on and on. I was absolutely devastated to hear the news of the closing of CDP. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all of those whose jobs were lost. You are my family and I love you all dearly. You have all been a huge impact on my life. Please contact me if there is anything my family and I can do. I love you!
Suzanne Rose (Doudy): I’m so sorry to see this happen. CDP was the beginning of my career nearly 30 years ago, at the age of 7, in the role of Bielke in “Fiddler on the Roof.” Godspeed and God bless to all my CDP family and friends. I love you all.
From “longtime subscriber”: Sad to see CDP go as we always enjoyed the shows there. Not everyone can afford a season at the Buell or the DCTC. Too bad those California developers have no artistic soul but only the bottom line counts with that sort. Ironic that CDP survived that ugly public mess with the esteemed Mr. Pritchard only to be torpedoed by a future strip mall. That note on the door was less than graceful (Subscribers! Call your credit card companies! One local TV channel reports CDP may file for bankruptcy!) but that’s the way it goes these days. And for those on the other comment boards I’ve read today that are writing juvenile things such as “the food sucked anyway” you should realize that doing Dinner Theatre for the food is like having your hair cut in a Safeway deli. My greatest sympathies to the artistic and support staffs at CDP. Update your resumes, file for unemployment and never forget the memorable times you had. C.D.P., R.I.P.
Lorrie Tarr, patron and parent: The CDP has been a very important part of my life as well as my family. I was introduced to musical theatre after going to many shows as a high school student from Douglas County. We always dreamed of becoming a “Barnstormer”! My son, Jeffrey Tarr, received the best education and life lessons from the barn. He was fortunate to get his acting start as “Winthrop” in the “Music Man” almost 15 years ago. This started a wonderful journey for him and his experience working for one of the most talented directors, Bill McHale, will never be forgotten. The people that crossed our paths there continue to be our friends to this day and I will cherish that time always. It does sadden my heart to loose yet something else that is so important to our community and that is the arts. I have learned that nothing material is permanent, only our memories. My thoughts and prayers go to each of you that have been touched by the closing of a legacy. Blessings…
Paula, ticket-holder: I am outraged that the Country Dinner Playhouse took my $90.00 on the 18th for the 27th show, then closed their doors on the 22nd. Clearly the owners knew that the show wasn’t going on. I feel terrible for the employees who are not only without a job, but worked for the last couple of weeks yet will not receive their pay. Simply outrageous and irresponsible ownership. I wish all employees and actors the best.
Danny, former bartender and busboy: Unfortunately, this is exactly how I would have predicted the Barn closing. No grand send off, but instead an underhanded move to cheat employees out of their paychecks, patrons out of their tickets and actors out of their hard earned places in the most recent playhouse production. At the same time I am thankful for the time that I worked there. I made many great friends and even met my best friend and future wife. The playhouse’s presence in my life will be missed and my heart goes out to all current and former employees who feel the same void that I do.
From an Arvada Center Worker: All I can say is that everyone at the Arvada Center was completely shocked as the news traveled around late yesterday. A life in the theatre is a hard life, with few perks and even fewer reliable and decent paying jobs. But those perks are what makes us love what we do, and I hope all the people at the Barn can remember the good times they had there and the wonderful friends they have made, and try not to dwell on the awful way it all ended. With some of the talent on that stage, there is not a doubt in my mind that they will not be jobless for long.
Robert Dehmlow, patron: My heart goes out to all who made CDP the wonderful venue that it is. I will never forget the butterflies of audition, the call of congratulations, the discovery of rehearsal, the call of time, the anticipation, the ovation, the close of the curtain. And we must not forget the family of everyone that made County Dinner Playhouse a place we called home. We will all own the memories of what was created. I hope and pray that somehow someway CDP will continue to afford the opportunities it has allowed me. Thank you Paul for teaching me how to act right.
Linda Ingram, actor: Many of us want to thank the great number of dedicated, creative individuals who have given so much of themselves and their talent to the CDP, while bringing audiences great happiness and joy for so many years. My heart goes out to everyone in the CDP family. You’re a remarkable group of people and there’s no doubt you will go on to bigger and better endeavors. Paul – you’ve always been a class act and I look forward to seeing where you next focus your tremendous talents. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Steve Klein, actor: From 1981-90, I was a barnstormer, actor, pit musician and bartender. CDP was a huge part of my life. The friends I made from all around the country will forever be with me. So many great people graced the stage: Paul Dwyer, Marcus and Jan Waterman, John Gamokie, Brain Smith, so many others …CDP will be greatly missed.
Maija-Liisa Nielsen, actor, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center’s “Into the Woods”: I want to help. I’m new to the area so I don’t know who to contact. Is there anyone who has information on who to contact?
Tony Greaves, actor, and Carol Conway, Buda, Texas: It is with great sadness that I heard of the closing of the Playhouse. My wife, Carol Conway, and I were fortunate enough to be two of the original Barnstormers when the Playhouse opened and performed there for over seven years. Thrilling weeks with sold out houses, happy customers, brilliant performances, and loyal guests month after month, year after year. Years filled with the performances of Bill McHale, Victor-Raider Wexler, Morgan Fairchild (known as Patsy Calmes at that time), Ted Shackleford, George Lee Andrews, Constance Moffitt, Bud Franks, and a myriad of other talents that became friends and favorites of the staff, crew, and guests night after night.I could ramble on for hours about that wonderful time. Opening night, when the Barnstormers had to gather up glasses before we could bring a second round because all the glassware had not arrived. The bar top not even installed. But through it all the audience was enchanted and smiles were everywhere. The wonderful care of Bob and Mary Boren, Sam and Hilda Newton. It was the best time of my life and for those special memories I am extremely grateful. Farewell to the most successful dinner theater in history. The last survivor of a wonderful era in US entertainment.
Eric Weber, photographer: To hear of the end of the Country Dinner Playhouse came as such a shock to me. This is where my life in Denver began back in 1976. I was a Barnstormer at the Derby Dinner Playhouse in Clarksville, Indiana when Bill McHale informed me that there was an opening in Denver. I drove out and joined the group here. I met my future wife there, started our family and eventually became their photographer. This went on for many years. Part of my arrangement with the playhouse was to come see the show and then take the photos afterwards. So I saw many many productions and countless performances from all the wonderful actors who graced the stage. The CDP launched so many careers and paved the way for many other theaters in the region. So many of the people who I had the honor to work with still remain my friends and the Playhouse and Bill McHale and Paul Dwyer and David Lovinggood and Bob and Joanie Buffington will forever hold a place in my heart.
Cindy Miller-Hull, former staffer: What a trip down memory lane … a very sad trip with this recent news. I worked for CDP from 1971-81 in both the box office and in the accounting office. Many, many great memories of working with Sam Newton, Bill McHale, Betty Roberts, Chris Chassen, Anne Trenck, Betty Lucas, Leslie Whittington (who perished with her family on the flight that hit the Pentagon on 9/11), all the Barnstormers and actors….even the Buffingtons and David Lovinggood. I am so hoping the latter were not responsible for the theater’s demise. It was a time when CDP was out in the middle of nowhere. Arapahoe Road was a two-lane street and had sold-out shows 99 percent of the time. What a goldmine! It was a great time…and a great place and I am hoping it somehow can be salvaged.
