Several films at the 30th Starz Denver Film Festival (Thursday through Nov. 18) will have theater themes or involve members of our local theater community. Among them:
(Stephen Goldblatt, cinematographer for both “Closer” and “Angels,” is being honored at this year’s fest.)
All films at the Starz Film Center. Check for more info.
“1001” faces the sword
The reviews were mixed for the New York premiere of the Denver Center-born “1001,” Jason Grote’s reimagining of the “Arabian Nights” tales.
The New York Times praised the play as a theatrical kaleidoscope with a sure sense of how to turn literary traditions into dynamic, theatrical storytelling. But Caryn James also called it heavy- handed, and said the play ultimately adds little to the conversation about Islam and the West.
Variety was kinder, saying “1001” offers “a wild and beautiful glimpse at the yarns that shape our lives.” Mark Blankenship uses descriptions like gripping and dynamic, but he also calls portions of the narrative “ridiculously overwrought.”
“365” fest ending
The year-long “365 Days/ 365 Plays” festival, the largest communal undertaking in the history of theater, ends this week. The final Colorado performances of Suzan-Lori Parks’ experimental plays will be undertaken by the Firehouse Theater on Friday following its 7:30 performance of “Some Girl(s)” at the John Hand Theatre; approximately 10 p.m. (303-562-3232).
Briefly …
Countdown to Zero will host a panel discussion following Saturday’s performance of “My Name Is Rachel Corrie.” Evan Weissman of Buntport Theater will moderate “Choices in the Hotbed: Looking for Peace in the Land of Conflict” with Imam Ibrahim Kazerooni of the Abrahamic Initiative at St. John’s Cathedral; Dr. Robert Prince of the University of Denver; Rabbi Tirzah Firestone of the Nevei Kodesh congregation and others. Approximately 9:45 p.m. at 770 22nd St. (720-221-3821) …
The Imagination Makers, a company that usually performs at schools, will present public performances of its original new musical, “Dreams,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday at Boulder’s Dairy Center. It’s based on kids’ writings about their hopes for the future. (For ages 5-12, $5, 303-444-7328 or ) …
The Bug Theatre’s New Playwrights Festival is back after a three-year hiatus. It will include new staged readings by Bill Teitelbaum, Stacey Lane Smith, Felonize and Eamon Lovato-Winston, David Lawson and Edith Weiss. 8 p.m. Nov. 9-10 and 16-17 at 3654 Navajo St. (303-477-9984).
John Moore: 303-954-1056 or jmoore@denverpost.com
This week’s openings
Fri.-Dec. 31. Heritage Square Music Hall’s “From Rags to Riches” Golden
Fri.-Dec. 9. Germinal Stage Denver’s “More Stately Mansions”
Fri.-Dec. 9. New Denver Civic’s “Depth of Illusion” (magic show)
Nov. 9-Dec. 2 Dangerous Theatre’s “Mission to Zolbott”
Sat.-Dec. 30. Bas Bleu’s “The 1940s Radio Christmas Carol” Fort Collins
Sat.-Dec. 22. Nonesuch’s “Plaid Tidings”Fort Collins
This week’s closings
Today. Arvada Center’s “Defiance”
Today. Heritage Square Music Hall’s “Too Old to Be Loud” Golden
Today. Backstage’s “Cannibal! The Musical” Breckenridge
Fri. Cabaret Dinner Theatre’s “Footloose” Grand Junction
Sat. Firehouse’s “Some Girl(s)” (at John Hand Theatre)
Sat. Paragon’s “The Night Heron” (at the Phoenix Theatre)
Sat. Stage Door’s “The Fantasticks” Conifer
Sun. Star Bar’s “The Heidi Chronicles” Colorado Springs
Sun. California Actors’ Theatre’s “Postmortem” Longmont
Sun. Evergreen Players’ “Our Town”
Sun. Jesters Dinner Theatre’s “The Phantom of the Opera” (all-teen version) Longmont
This week’s podcasts
Video: The fifth in a series of short interviews with the cast of Listen Productions’ “Macbeth” features John Moore talking with teenage fiddle player Jasper Ryckman, who also plays Fleance. Watch at . Next posting: GerRee Hinshaw as Banquo, Nov. 10.
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Audio: John Moore talks with Alicia Dunfee, a star of Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s “The 1940s Radio Hour.” Listen at .
