In the summertime, the backcountry becomes the backbone of the Colorado theater community.
Of the 58 productions running in Colorado right now, 33 are taking place outside metropolitan Denver. And the economic impact these stagings have on their towns is staggering.
The Creede Repertory Theatre, for example, its the largest employer in Mineral County. And Grand Lake’s Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre has sold out every performance for three straight summers.
Some summer stagings are essence of community, amateur theater. Others are as good as anything you’ll see in Denver — often better. The fare tends to be conservative, but it’s sometimes surprisingly adventurous, such as Creede Rep’s upcoming world premiere of “Billy Hell,” by Denver Center Theatre Company member Steven Cole Hughes.
Actors come from all over the country to perform in our mountains. Theatre Aspen’s 2008 ensemble sports more than 30 combined Broadway credits. Other actors have lived in their communities their entire lives.
Here, we undertake to get to know a few of them. We’re featuring seven mountain companies by singling out one performer from each.
There are several more, in towns like Westcliffe and Crested Butte. For a complete rundown of all Colorado productions,
Theatre Aspen
 |
Distance from Denver: 160 miles southwest
Go for: “Little Shop of Horrors” (through Aug. 16) in the tented park theater, featuring Broadway actors Jamie LaVerdiere (“The Producers”) and Gordon Stanley (“Cabaret”)
You’ll meet: Aspen resident Tom Erickson, playing seven roles in “Little Shop” alone. The veteran of the lamented Crystal Palace is also performing as The Cat in the Hat in “Seussical” (through Aug. 16).
Also playing: “Rounding Third” through Aug. 22; “Crimes of the Heart” through Aug. 23.
Stay for: The Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival featuring Widespread Panic on Aug. 29, and Ziggy Marley and Bob Dylan on Aug. 30.
In Erickson’s words: “I like being a character actor in Aspen, because nowhere else is as beautiful — and I can finally put all those voices in my head to good use!”
Info: 970-925-9042, 970-925-9313; or
Backstage Theatre, Breckenridge
 |
Distance from Denver: 82 miles west
Go for: “Two Dumb Dogs,” Edith Weiss’ world-premiere children’s play (through Aug. 30)
You’ll meet: Skip Wee, a longtime Summit County resident, comic and radio personality now living in Denver. Not only is he playing one of the two intellectually challenged canines (alongside Backstage artistic director Christopher Willard), the two star in October’s quick-change comedy, “The Mystery of Irma Vep.”
Also playing: “Easy Living” through Aug. 10; and “Guys on Ice,” alternating weekends with “Two Dumb Dogs,” through Aug. 23
Stay for: The Colorado Gold Panning Championships through Aug. 7. The Gold Prospectors of Colorado offer free public demonstrations and gold-panning instruction in Blue River Plaza (877-864-0868).
In Wee’s words: “Breckenridge has a strong community base and unwavering support for the arts. It’s a top- notch place to perform and see a show.”
Info: 970-453-0199; or
Creede Repertory Theatre
 |
Distance from Denver: 256 miles southwest
Go for: “Life Is a Dream,” the 1635 Spanish masterpiece directed by Jamie Horton (through Aug. 23)
You’ll meet: Steven Cole Hughes, who also appears in Neil Simon’s “Fools” (through Sept. 27) and wrote the world-premiere play “Billy Hell” (Aug. 29-Sept. 27). He’s a veteran of the Denver Center Theatre Company, where he’s been commissioned to write an original play based on Lawrence of Arabia.
Also playing: “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” (through Aug. 23); “Quilters” (Sept. 27); and two children’s shows.
Stay for: “Frolic in the Fungi!” Creede’s annual celebration of the mushroom, Aug. 22-23. No, not that kind of celebration (this isn’t Telluride!). Mushroom lovers will set off to identify all the different wild mushrooms common to the Rocky Mountains, while getting tips about cooking dishes prepared with the wild mushrooms.
In Hughes’ words: “Look, Mom and Dad: On Aug. 30, I’m acting in ‘Fools’ at 2 p.m., then the play I wrote performs at 8 p.m. Sunday you’ve got two great shows, ‘Meet the Beasts’ and ‘Quilters.’ On Labor Day, we’ll go mountain-biking and the next day is barbecue ribs day at Tommyknocker Tavern!”
Info: 800-327-2102, 1-866-658-2540 or or
Thin Air Theatre Company, Cripple Creek
 |
Distance from Denver: 115 miles south
Go for: The classic musical “Oklahoma!” (through Sept. 27)
You’ll meet: Mel Moser, a local legend and 25-year veteran of the Cripple Creek stage. Careful not to challenge him to a game of pingpong, though. He’s a semi- professional table-tennis champion.
Stay for: Cripple Creek’s Armed Forces Weekend, Aug. 15-17, multiple events saluting the military.
In Moser’s words: “What’s great about Cripple Creek is you get big-time entertainment with small-town charm. We have some of the strongest young actors from across the country, and it really makes performing and directing here a joy. In addition to the museums, casinos and gold-mine tours, we have a wandering herd of wild donkeys!”
Info: 719-235-8944 or
Lake Dillon Theatre Company
 |
Distance from Denver: 70 miles west
Go for: “Cabaret” (through Aug. 17), but get your tickets now. Every performance so far has been sold out.
You’ll meet: Sarah Seever as Sally Bowles. She put entirely different skills to use in Town Hall’s “My Fair Lady,” and in earning the title of Miss South Dakota. (Don’t get her started on pageants.)
Also playing: “Into the Woods” through Aug. 16; “Little Shop of Horrors” (Thursdays only at Keystone) through Aug. 14; “Honky Tonk Laundry” Aug. 21-Sept. 7; and “Pinocchio” (Fridays only at Quaking Aspen Amphitheatre) through Aug. 15)
Stay for: The Sunset at the Summit free concert series at 7 p.m. every Saturday at the Dillon Amphitheatre, and the BBQ at the Summit festival Aug. 8-9.
In Seever’s words: “This company excels at creating a tight-knit theater family, and it produces bold, innovative theatre.”
Info: 176 Lake Dillon Drive, 970-513-9386,
Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, Grand Lake
 |
Distance from Denver: 100 miles northwest
Go for: “Big: The Musical,” based on the 1988 film starring Tom Hanks, through Aug. 23.
You’ll meet: Steven Pierce, who plays grown-up Josh (the Hanks role). The quirky “tween” mannerisms and speaking patterns he’s picked up from 14-year-old co-star Cole Conger have made a “Big” impression in town. He also overcame laryngitis to win over the opening-night crowd.
Also playing: Urinetown” through Aug. 14; “Oklahoma” Aug. 15; “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” Aug. 22-Sept. 20.
Stay for: The ongoing art-gallery walks, concerts in the park and special events. And the easy walk up the Adam’s Falls Trail is one of Colorado’s most beautiful hikes.
In Pierce’s words: “Between the view, the good weather, the wildlife and the good nature of all the people, I have a hard time remembering I’m here to work.”
Info: 970-627-3421 or
Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre, Trinidad
 |
Distance from Denver: 200 miles south
Go for: The Ken Ludwig farce “Lend Me a Tenor” (through Aug. 9) is one of the best-received offerings in the company’s history.
You’ll meet: Featured veteran guest actor Dianne Benjamin-Hill appearing in three diverse roles, including Rita in “Lucky Stiff” (through Aug. 16).
Also playing: “The Spitfire Grill” through Aug. 14
Stay for: Tab Benoit headlining the Trinidaddio Bluesfest on Aug. 23. Or play a round at Cougar Canyon, the new Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course.
In Hill’s words: “Being in Trinidad has been a marvelous awakening to a lovely and incredibly friendly oasis. I’m consumed by the beauty of southeastern Colorado.”
Info: 719-846-4765 or
