Andy Kelso is growing a strike beard, only to discover, “I’m not sure I am meant for facial hair.” Martin Moran is making dinner at home for a change.
Like hundreds of other thespians, Denver’s contingent of Broadway actors are biding their time, anxiously waiting for producers and stagehands to settle their 16-day strike, which has shuttered 27 Times Square theaters.
The timing could not be worse. Broadway was closed for Thanksgiving week, one of its busiest of the year. Moran, a graduate of George Washington High School, is leaving his role as Sir Robin in “Spamalot” Dec. 19, so he’s missing his final weeks. Wheat Ridge grad Annaleigh Ashford only took over as Glinda in “Wicked” last month. The Denver-born “The Little Mermaid,” which had just opened for previews, likely won’t officially open as slated Dec. 6.
It’s worst for Highlands Ranch native Mara Davi: She’s the lead in “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and pundits are saying her show may not come back at all after the strike is settled.
“I support the strike,” said Kelso, a graduate of Eagle crest High who plays Sky in “Mamma Mia” while also serving as his show’s union representative. “I’m not happy about it, and I certainly see both sides of the issue. It has been very difficult to see audience members get turned away after some have traveled thousands of miles to see a Broadway show. Not fun.
“But I think the stagehands definitely have valid reasons for striking. Especially because it seems that is what the producers have provoked them to do.”
The actors are not striking. But Kelso said the thesps may need the stagehands’ support when their contract comes up for renewal next spring.
Moran has never seen anything like this strike in his 20 years in New York.
“The news that this entire Thanksgiving week was canceled was a punch in the gut,” Moran said. “Most everyone I know is in a daze, trying to make sense of the impasse, to imagine how to get by without a paycheck. It’s shocking.”
He said the first day of the strike was like a snow day from school. Actors milled in front of their theaters, some walking the picket lines with stagehands. It was strangely collegial.
“Actors and musicians from various shows were moving up and down the block catching up, chatting, all mingling in civilian clothes, some with their young kids hoisted on their shoulders,” said Moran. “It was surreal, not unpleasant. We were all hopeful we’d get back to work soon.
“Now the mood has really darkened. It’s hard to feel so powerless, hard to show up to work and not sing. To see the streets empty of tourists. It’s sad.”
Kelso believes the strike was forced by producers at a time when they are enjoying record-breaking profits.
“After months of negotiations, and then working without a contract for three months, the producers decided to impose work rules that both sides never agreed to. They basically said, ‘This is what we want, and if you don’t like it, quit or go on strike,’ ” said Kelso.
“That happened Oct. 21, but the stagehands, rather than striking, decided to work under the implemented rules while trying to negotiate a valid contract. When there was still no agreement Nov. 10, the stagehands really had no choice but to strike.”
“Hattie” theft
Brazen thieves walked into the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre as classes were underway Nov. 18 and walked out with $3,000 of sound equipment that was being used for “Hattie … What I Need You to Know,” which is being staged there through Dec. 23.
Thieves took a soundboard belonging to the theater and $1,500 of microphones belonging to star Vickilyn Reynolds. “I’m in shock and disbelief,” she said.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call 303-295-1759. Anyone willing to help defray Reynolds’ losses can send checks to 3-G Entertainment, 2499 Washington St., Denver 80205.
Briefly
Pueblo actor Kennedy Reilly-Pugh has been cast in the January world premiere of the New Hampshire Theatre Project’s “The Primary Primary,” a satirical and politically incorrect musical about how an undersized state plays an oversized role in the presidential nomination process. He plays Rep. Benjamin Goldman
Denver Center Theatre Company newcomer Brenda Withers, who plays Jane in the current “Pride and Prejudice,” wrote the play “Matt and Ben,” about two women who imagine the process that resulted in “Good Will Hunting.” It was staged in 2005 at the Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge …
And Paulette Houpt, music director for the Denver Center’s “White Christmas,” is enjoying a homecoming. The Denver native left here in the late ’60s for a career in New York and around the world.
John Moore: 303-954-1056 or jmoore@denverpost.com
This week’s theater openings
Tue.-Dec. 2. Comedy Works’ “Tony ‘N Tina’s Wedding” (at 1770 Sherman Street Event Complex).
Wed.-Dec. 30. Denver Center’s “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” (Buell Theatre)
Thu-Dec. 9. Wolf Theatre Academy “Cabaret” (at the Shwayder Theatre)
Fri.-Dec. 2. El Centro Su Teatro’s “Drive My Coche.”
Fri.-Feb. 16. Carousel Dinner Theatre’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Fort Collins
Fri.-Dec. 29. Buntport’s “Titus Andronicus: The Musical!”
Fri.-Dec. 23. Fine Arts Center Theatre Company’s “A Christmas Carol.” Colorado Springs
Fri.-Dec. 30. Crossroads Theatre’s “A December Suite.”
Fri.-Dec. 15. Theatre Company of Lafayette’s “Sabrina Fair.”
This week’s theater closings
Tue. Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s “Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical.”
Fri. Mercury Cafe’s “Marx in Soho.”
Sat. OpenStage’s “Noises Off.” Fort Collins
Sat. Upstart Crow’s “Tartuffe.” Boulder
Dec. 2. Dangerous Theatre’s “Mission to Zolbott.”
