This weekend’s Best Bet: Parlando’s “The Secret Garden”
Boulder’s Parlando School for the Arts is producing its first full-scale musical for young actors, with 30 students from 19 colleges, high schools and middle schools around the country. The creative team includes a host of Broadway professionals, including directors Angela Gaylor and David Ayers; Jen Rudin (director of casting for Disney Theatrical Productions); Tony-winning musical director Kevin Stites, Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (“In the Heights”) and Eric Ludacer from Cirque du Soleil. Parlando is a music school with 50 teachers offering lessons and classes to more than 650 students. The musical takes place in early-1900s England, where young Mary Lennox discovers a magical, walled garden that changes lives. $15-$32. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through June 27. Presented by Broadway in Boulder at the University of Colorado’s Atlas Theatre, 18th Street and Euclid Avenue, 303-444-7328 or .
This weekend’s other theater openings
“Brigadoon” Colorado’s premiere summer musical company opens its 42nd year with this classic about two Americans who discover a mysterious village in Scotland where residents seem to live 200 years in the past. Through Aug. 22. Rocky Mountain Rep, 1025 Grand Ave., Grand Lake, 970-627-3421 or
“A Bronx Tale” Oscar-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri returns to the stage fresh from a successful run on Broadway, where he recently brought back his 1991 one-man play. Palminteri depicts a young boy’s rough childhood in the 1960s-era Bronx and the unforgettable people he encountered. A classic coming-of-age story about reaching your true potential and trusting your heart. Palminteri plays 18 roles. Through June 21.
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or and here’s
Video bonus: Chazz Palminteri addresses Denver Post readers directly
Audio bonus: John Moore talks with “A Bronx Tale” star Chazz Palminteri
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Chazz Palminteri grew up in the 1950s amid crime lords clashing with old-fashioned values at home. He turned those experiences into a hit one-man play that changed his life. Well, that and Robert De Niro. Now, as he returns to the stage role in Denver that launched his career, Palminteri talks about how he was offered $1 million for the rights to “A Bronx Tale.” He said no, until he was allowed to write the screenplay and play the role of mob boss Sonny. De Niro said yes. Read John Moore’s interview .
And listen to nine minutes of audio excerpts from that interview .
“Flowers of Evil” Only one man can stop a serial killer on the loose, and he’s pretty loose himself. A dark and zany comedy by Gwylym Cano. Through June 27. Crossroads Theatre, 2590 Washington St., 303-832-0929 or
“Godspell” Stephen Schwartz’s largely improvised musical, based on the gospel of St. Matthew, is filled with pop songs and irresistible good will. Through Sept. 26. Presented by Thin Air Theatre Company at the Butte Theatre, 139 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, 719-235-8944 or
“Home” David Storey’s plotless, Beckett-like tale of two old gentlemen and two strange women who, through skeletal dialogue, are moved to compassion and respect. Through July 12. Germinal Stage-Denver, 2450 W. 44th Ave., 303-455-7108 or
“Love Letters” As a thank-you to audiences, the 52-year-old Longmont Theatre Company presents two free performances of A.R. Gurney’s correspondence play chronicling the lifelong love shared by a man and a woman. 513 Main St., 303-772-5200 or
“Over the River and Through the Woods” In Joe DiPietro’s comedy, a young Italian-American man from New Jersey breaks news to his grandparents, and they will have nothing to do with it. Through July 19. Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington St., Golden, 303-935-3044 or
“Red Herring” A new comedy murder mystery by award-winning local playwright Don Fried, inspired by a series of real events that plagued his first stage production. To read a short script sample, go to . Through June 27. Presented by Theatre Company of Lafayette at the Mary Miller Theater, 300 E. Simpson, 720-209-2154 or .
“Rent” ***1/2 Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, stars of the original Broadway production and film adaptation of “Rent,” reprise the roles they made famous in the touring production. A modern musical about love, friendship and community in AIDS-era New York City. The seventh longest-running show in Broadway history. Mature subject and themes. Not recommended for under 13. Through June 14.
Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or and here’s and here’s
Audio bonus: Ricardo Baca talks with “Rent” stars Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp
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Original “Rent” stars Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal are back as Mark and Roger in the musical’s touring production, which opens Tuesday at the Buell Theatre. “There’s a part of me that’s really proud of the fact that we’re still in good shape and that we look young enough to be able to do this,” Rapp said. Read Ricardo Baca’s exclusive interview .
And listen to nine minutes of audio excerpts from that interview .
“Sylvia” You may have read here about how the town of Trinidad raised more than $80,000 to save the Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre’s summer season. That season begins with A.R. Gurney’s bittersweet comedy about a restless empty-nester who brings home a stray dog that becomes a major bone of contention with his wife. Through Aug. 8. Trinidad State Junior College, 719-846-4765 or .
“The Taffetas” Colorado’s oldest theater company opens its 75th summer repertory season with this confectionary 1950s musical about four singing sisters from Muncie, Ind. Through July 24. Little Theatre of the Rockies, Norton Theatre, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, 970-351-2200 or . Look for a feature story on LTOR coming Sunday, June 14.
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
The Running Lines theater blog
Catch up on John Moore’s roundup of theater news and dialogue. This week, the talk’s all about the recently closed new Denver Civic Theatre.
