They always call the touring series that comes through Denver “The Best of Broadway,” but this year they really mean it. “Jersey Boys,” “Avenue Q” and “Sweeney Todd” alone would constitute the best touring season in years.
Add in “The Drowsy Chaperone” and the previously announced Denver launch of the “A Chorus Line” national tour and you’ve got well, the best of Broadway.
And, for anyone who hasn’t been to the theater in 50 years, there’s also “My Fair Lady” (yawn).
Rounding out the list is the also previously announced “3 Mo’ Divas,” which will be staged in cooperation with the Denver Center Theatre Company and appears on both seasons.
Most remarkable about the stellar 2008 lineup is that it includes four Tony-winning best musicals – “Jersey Boys” (2006). “Avenue Q” (2004), “Sweeney Todd” (1979) and “A Chorus Line” (1976, best revival 2007).
“We’re back,” said an enthused Denver Center president Randy Weeks. “This industry runs in cycles, and we’ve hit the top of one. This will be one of the strongest seasons we’ve had certainly in five years.”
“My Fair Lady,” directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, comes to the U.S. directly from London, and we’re told stars Christopher Cazenove and Lisa O’Hare are a big deal there.
The most exciting title is easily Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd,” which enjoyed a dark, disturbing Broadway revival in 2005 starring Michael Cerveris and Patti Lupone in which the actors played their own instruments. No word yet on who will star as the legendary demon barber here.
Audiences have had to wait four years for “Avenue Q,” the delightfully blue puppet show for grownups about making it in New York City. The creators made a major blunder by not parlaying their Tony Award into a national tour, instead inking a looooong, exclusive run in Las Vegas. It should be worth the wait. And it will be in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, so we may even be able to see it.
“The Drowsy Chaperone” is the fanciful tale of a die-hard musical fan whose favorite musical from 1928 comes to life in his bedroom. “3 Mo’ Divas” spans 400 years of musical styles from opera to gospel with titles like “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and “Proud Mary.” “Jersey Boys,” of course, tells how Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons rose from blue-collar boys to superstars.
Look for more non-subscription, special engagement announcements yet to come, like “High School Musical” for next summer, as well as the latest title to be locally produced in the Garner-Galleria cabaret space.
Denver Center Attractions’ 2008 season
MY FAIR LADY: March 26-April 6, 2008, Buell Theatre
A CHORUS LINE: May 4-17, 2008, Buell Theatre
3 MO’ DIVAS: May 9-June 29, Stage Theatre
SWEENEY TODD: June 17-June 29, 2008, Buell Theatre
AVENUE Q: Sept. 9-21, 2008, Ellie Caulkins Opera House
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE: Oct. 14-26, 2008, Buell Theatre
JERSEY BOYS: Opening December 2008, Buell Theatre
