The Theatre On Broadway’s days as a performance venue appear numbered after the host company Theatre Group was recently evicted. We take a look back at more than 80 production photos from among the hundreds of shows staged there. Theatre Group was the resident company there for 20 years.
Photos compiled from Denver Post archives, with contributions from Paul Page.
Responses and reaction
Catherine DiBella, actor: Oh. Wow. Did my first show in Denver there – the unintentionally hilarious “Fifth of July,” directed by the wonderful Connie Sander, and produced by Derek Munson. I remember walking into the dressing room for the first time, looking around in horror and gasping “what a dump…” Little did I know — it would be one of the nicest spaces I worked in for a long time (um, Muddy’s, anyone?). I have the most wonderful memories, from sucking gum out of Chris Whyde’s mouth in “Cell Block Sirens” to Matt Sheahan’s nightly, “Who’s the brightest angel?” from “Laramie Project”. And I saw some of the best damn shows there — “Psycho Beach Party”? Genius. “R&J”? Sublime. And Shelly Bordas is a goddess for all her hard work and dedication. If anyone can keep Theatre Group together and make a go of it at the Phoenix, it’s Shelly. Hang in there, girl.
Sue Leiser, actor: What’s next? What is happening to our wonderful theater community? I’m very sad!
Josh Hartwell, actor and playwright: What the heck?! This is like a “Friday the 13th” movie. Theater companies are getting slashed left and right.
Carla Kaiser Kotrc, actor: Wow … another theater I loved working for is done! It all seems so awful! Just sad! I went to college with Shelly Bordas. She is a very creative, dedicated, passionate person, and I have complete faith she can pull through! SHE IS AMAZING and she deserves such success and joy.
Always,
Donna Debreceni, musical director: Here’s hoping the old adage “bad things come in threes” doesn’t apply to the
theater community! Jeez…I have some good memories of that place…
Jeremy Cole, director: John, how about some GOOD news next time? I remember renovating that space at 13 S. Broadway (after having spent just a couple of seasons down the street at 135 S. Broadway (next to Kitty’s). Tearing out walls, hanging the lighting grid… ah, those were the days…
David Ballew, actor: I write this and I tear up as the words come out of me. It is very hard for me to comprehend and imagine that two of the most recognized and accomplished regional theaters in this city are no more. Theatre On Broadway and Country Dinner Playhouse were two of the places that I wanted work at more than anywhere else in this city when I first moved here 10 years ago. Audition after audition, I was cast as a replacement in Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding for Theatre Group and, for the first time, finally felt like a part of this amazing theater community. Thank you, Shelly Bordas, for getting me to that audition so many years ago. I don’t think I would be who and what I am today without you. You are a light in my life and I love and appreciate you more than you could ever possibly know. To everyone that that one show brought me to all of you…..Carla, Mel….may he rest in peace, Aaron, Bob, Scott, Donna, Nick, Chris, Dania, Adam, Teresa, Melissa, Rob, Allison, Dina, Gina, Amanda, Lance, CJ, Gloria, Steve, Paula, Vanessa, Pavlina, Josh, Kevin, Caleb, Braddon, Lori, Jodi, Tina, Deb, Annaleigh, George, Theron, Michael, Randy, Chris, Steven, Kristen, Amber, Rachel…….and everyone else who I could not get in here! We are all still here and we are strong! Let us all continue to keep lighting up the stages of Denver!
K.Q., area director: Rough week to be in theater. … Peace.
