“Spamalot” is back to taunt Denver a second time.
This time, John O’Hurley will play the role of King Arthur, the principled if idiotic leader of the quest for (Monty Python’s) Holy Grail. He’s best-known as catalogue maven J. Peterman on “Seinfeld.” He also was a champion on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”
Spamalot, which last visited Denver in in 2007, returns for five days only, opening Wednesday. May 13, through May 17 at the Buell Theatre.
The Tony Award-winning best musical of 2005 was lovingly “ripped-off” from the belovedm warped film, with its full allotment of chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits and one legless knight.
Our assessment of the 2007 visit: It’s great, good giggling fun, at times turning the Buell into a twitterpated snicker zone. But the more you love the film, the less you are likely to love the stage musical. Its many incongruous tangents (Lake(r) Girls?) will try the patience of any true fan.
But always look on the bright side of life: It’s fun.
Performances 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. May 16 and 7:30 p.m. May 17. Tickets $30-$115. 303-893-4100, , or .
This weekend’s theater openings
“26 Miles”
New play by Quiara Alegría Hudes (“In the Heights”). Starting in Philadelphia and ending in Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley, the hilarious and charming journey of a vivacious Cuban mother and her lonely, half-Jewish teenage daughter, provokes them to finally voice the tension of different cultural identities and resentments harbored about their ailed relationship. As they unpack their individual baggage about being “outsiders,” they discover a commonality they never knew they had. Through June 20. Curious Theatre, 1080 Acoma St., 303-623-0524 or
“Bus Stop”
William Inge’s 1955 classic play about a group of bus passengers stranded by a snowstorm at a roadside diner in Kansas. Over the course of one wild night, each grasps for love, happiness and the American dream. Through June 6. Presented by Paragon Theatre at Crossroads Theatre at Five Points, 2590 Washington St., 303-300-2210 or
“Charlie and Knickerbocker’s Big Live Show” Funnyman Charlie Schmidt debuts his quirky one-man, one-puppet comedy creation using multimedia and gross-out humor. Through May 16. See our video preview below. Backstage Theatre, 121 S. Ridge St., Breckenridge, 970-453-0199 or
“A Doll’s House”
Henrik Ibsen’s revolutionary 1879 play about a housewife who becomes disillusioned and dissatisfied with her condescending husband. Through June 14. 73rd Ave. Theatre Company, 7287 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, 720-276-6936
“The Fantasticks”
Venerable Tom Jones musical about two secret teenage lovers who are unaware their fathers have hatched a plan to get them down the aisle. Songs include “Try to Remember.” Through June 22. Victorian Playhouse, 4201 Hooker St., 303-433-4343 or
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”
Classic musical romp about a Roman slave who wins his freedom by helping his young master charm the girl next door. Through June 28. Union Colony Dinner Theatre, 802 9th Ave., Greeley, 970-352-2900 or
“The Maiden’s Prayer”
Playwright Nicky Silver takes a hard look at the warped mutations of love. When five troubled individuals struggle to learn the difference between loving someone and needing them, it creates a razor-thin line between comedy and tragedy. Through May 24. Presented by openstage etc. at the Center for Fine Art Photography, 400 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, 970-221-6730 or .
“The Music Man”
The classic musical about a con man who comes to a small town intent on making his mark; instead they make theirs on him. Songs include “76 Trombones.” Through May 31. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., 719-634-5583 or .
“The Pill: Ibuprofen”
A relationship comedy about rediscovering love from a slightly older perspective. Written by the father-son team of James and Jamie Munro. Through May 17. Arvada Festival Playhouse, 5665 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., 303- 422-4090 or .
Compiled by John Moore
This week’s video podcast:
Running Lines at “Charlie and Knickerbocker’s Big Live Show”
This week, we sneak a peak as Charlie Schmidt and his dog puppet Knickerbocker make final preparations for Schmidt’s silly one-man, one-puppet show, “Charlie and Knickerbocker’s Big Live Show,” playing May 8-16 at the Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge. Running time: 4 minutes.
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
And introducing … The Running Lines blog
You can now find John Moore’s roundup of daily theater news and dialogue, including a new season announcement from Shadow Theatre. And guess where the 2009 Henry Awards ceremony will be held? blogs.denverpost.com/runninglines
