Reyna Von Vett has had it with the legitimate theater. “Now it’s illegitimate theater for me,” she said, sounding every bit like Mae West.
The ink isn’t dry yet, but Von Vett’s company, 1883 Entertainment, will transform the cabaret space at the New Denver Civic Theatre into a dedicated burlesque theater — the only one of its kind in the nation, she believes. The vintage, turn-of-the-century saloon-style theater will open March 13 at 721 Santa Fe Drive.
Von Vett will be staging her own burlesque operetta, “Leadville or Bust!” in prime time, followed by a full-scale, late-night theatrical production of “Burlesque as It Was.” That’s the name of the company founded a decade ago by Denver counterculture icon Michelle Baldwin. Von Vett, currently starring in Candlelight Dinner Playhouse’s “Swing,” starred for three years in “Mamma Mia!” in Las Vegas. Together, she and Baldwin make for a formidable creative partnership.
Burlesque is often mistaken for mere stripping, but it’s more sexy musical satire performed in comic or vaudevillian performance styles with, yes, playfully suggestive costumes. But as Von Vett says: “It’s more tease than striptease.”
Von Vett premiered “Leadville or Bust!” last year at the Crossroads Theatre. It’s made up of historically authentic songs Von Vett came upon while perusing a neighbor’s sheet-music collection. The songs have since been scored and harmonized by noted area composer Wendell Vaughn.
Late night, Von Vett will team with Baldwin for a more free-form show featuring a rotating cast of guest stars from Baldwin’s impressive entourage. Audiences can attend either show, or both for a combined price.
Few are launching new theatrical initiatives in this uncertain economic climate, but, as Baldwin wrote in her book, “Burlesque and the New Bump-n-Grind,” burlesque was one of the few amusements that thrived during the Great Depression. And Von Vett is not one to stand idly by.
“If everybody freaks out over the economy, then the whole world stands still,” she said.
The Civic’s cabaret space, known to most as the Dorie Theatre, was most recently home to Theatre Group, but Denver’s only gay troupe defaulted last fall after only a few months in residence. The key to her success, Von Vett says, will be marketing, product and visibility.
“Call me crazy, but if you throw everything you’ve got at something you truly love, I believe people will find it,” she said. “I just think that if you can’t make funny songs and girlie shows work, you might as well just quit.”
Call 303-309-3773 for info.
Henry Lowenstein on display
The Denver Public Library will host an exhibition of more than 50 costume and scenic renderings by retired producer Henry Lowenstein. “The Art of Henry,” spanning 1950-75, will be perusable Saturday through March 29 in the Gates Reading Room Gallery at the Central library, 14th Avenue and Broadway.
Most of the designs cover Lowenstein’s time at the Bonfils Theatre but also include a design for a production of Kurt Weill‘s “Street Scene” that single-handedly got Lowenstein admitted to the prestigious Yale Drama School, without his ever graduating from college. Lowenstein had known Weill as a regular visitor to his parents’ apartment in Berlin in the 1920s.
Lowenstein was involved in more than 800 productions before his retirement in 1995. For more info, call 303-282-5633.
Colorado Shakespeare Festival shakes sked
The Colorado Shakespeare Festival is slashing its 2009 season from nine weeks to six as a way of cutting $350,000 from what will now be a $1.3 million budget.
“We’re just being responsive to the economy and trying to prevent what’s been happening all over the country from happening to us,” said producing artistic director Philip Sneed, who enjoyed 25-40 percent growth rates in his previous two seasons.
Sneed is postponing to 2010 “The Inspector-General,” which was to be the first in a series of collaborations with Russia’s Gorky Theatre. Taking its place will be the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company’s hit comedy, “The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged,” which again will star Stephen Weitz, Geoffrey Kent and Matthew Mueller, members of both companies.
Still on the slate for Season 52: “Hamlet,” “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” “Much Ado About Nothing” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Just expect fewer performances of each. Call 303-492-0554.
Calling all you Ariels
The last time Disney Theatrical Productions went looking for a princess, it found an Ariel from Denver. Now it’s hosting open auditions here to find the next star of its hit Broadway musical, “The Little Mermaid.”
Women of all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to try out on Friday, Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 24, for the chance to replace George Washington High School alumna Sierra Boggess, who is now starting her second year in the role as as the soon-to-be siren on the verge of maturity.
Requirements:You must sign in between 9-10 a.m. Friday or Saturday at the Denver Center’s former Tramway Building (now named the Newman Center for Theatre Education), at 1101 13th St. Auditions will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. Prepare a song of your choice that shows off a soprano range with “a crystal clear flawless belt to E.” Provide your own sheet music for the accompanist. Bring a current picture and resume.
The casting search will be overseen by Disney director of casting Jennifer Rudin. Info: Call 303-572-4450, go to www.disneyonbroadway.com/auditions or email casting@disneyonbroadway.com.
Dennis Dwyer funeral is Wednesday
Rev. Dennis E. Dwyer, founder of the Original Scene, died late Thursday of complications from diabetes. He was 67. He ran his downtown, citywide youth theater company from 1973-93. Hundreds of students, preschool through college, performed in nearly 100 family musicals like “The Music Man” and “Oliver.” Many went on to careers in film, television and Broadway. A Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Lourdes, 2250 S. Logan St. Burial mass at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Ave Maria Catholic Church, 9056 E. Parker Road. To read our tribute, along with dozens of reader testimonials,
And finally . . .
Will Ferrell said in an ad planned to run on “Good Morning America” that if you don’t go see his new Broadway play about George W. Bush (“You’re Welcome America”), then you are a “D-Bag” — then said what the “D” stands for. . . . The ad was yanked.
John Moore: 303-954-1056 or jmoore@denverpost.com
This week’s openings
Opening Thursday, Jan. 22, through Feb. 28: Denver Center Theatre Company’s “Inana,” Ricketson Theatre
Opening Friday, Jan. 23, through Feb. 15: Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center’s “The Full Monty”
This week’s closings
Today, Jan. 18: National touring production of “The Color Purple,” Buell Theatre *** 1/2
Saturday, Jan. 24: Longmont Theatre Company’s “Terra Nova” ***
Saturday, Jan. 24: Gemma Wilcox Productions’ “52 Pick-Up” and “Love in Bloom” (at the Dairy Center) Boulder
Most recent theater openings
“52 Pick-Up” and “Shadows in Bloom (Take 2)” “52 Pick-Up” tells the story of one couple’s relationship in 52 short scenes. To start, a deck of cards, each containing the title of a scene, is tossed into the air. The order the actors pick up the cards determines the order of how the story will play out each night. Runs in repertory with “Shadows,” an updated version of Gemma Wilcox’s “Love in Bloom.” She plays 20 characters while exploring a woman and her complex relationships. Through Jan. 24. Presented Gemma Wilcox Productions at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 800-838-3006 or
“Dearly Departed” Backwoods Bible Belt comedy about an eccentric family brought together for a funeral, but a series of problems overshadows the solemn occasion. Through Jan. 31. Evergreen Players, 27608 Fireweed Drive, 303-674-4934 or
“Grease”
Bad boys, Pink Ladies and Greased Lightning. Through March 8. Union Colony Dinner Theatre, 802 Ninth Ave., Greeley, 970-352-2900 or
“Mother Hicks” Suzan Zeder’s Depression drama about three outsiders — a foundling girl, a deaf boy and an eccentric recluse suspected of being a witch. Through Feb. 15. Presented by Firehouse Theatre Company at the John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. First Place, 303-562-3232 or
“Tuesdays With Morrie” A self-absorbed sports reporter reunites with an inspiring old college professor dying of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Through Feb. 16. Backstage Theatre, 121 S. Ridge St., Breckenridge, 970-453-0199 or
Compiled by John Moore
Complete theater listings
Go to our complete list of in Colorado, including summaries, run dates, addresses, phones and links to every company’s home page. Or check out our listings
or
Recap: The rest of this week’s theater coverage in The Denver Post
FEATURE: Just how much has American pop culture defined how Arabs and Middle Easterners are viewed in the West? A preview of the Denver Center Theatre Company’s “Inana.”
REVIEW: Curious Theatre’s “Rabbit Hole” ***1/2
REVIEW: National touring production of “The Color Purple” ***1/2
REVIEW: PHAMALy’s “Steel Magnolias” ***
REVIEW: Longmont Theatre Company’s “Terra Nova” ***
AUDITIONS: Complete list, updated up to three times a week.
