Wait: A joyous comedy about a young man coming to terms with cancer? That’s just what 27-year-old Nick Ross promises Thursday when he performs his autobiographical, one-act play, “Highly Evolved Human” at the Avenue Theater.
The play, featuring Graeme Hinde as a robe-wearing cancer patient, uses storytelling, stand-up and abstract theater to resolve the mental fallout of Ross’ experience with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Ross, a 1999 graduate of Denver South High School and four-year member of New York’s Upright Citizens’ Brigade comedy troupe, was declared in remission last month. Far from saying cancer is funny, Ross says his show is more like chuckling in the face of the disease.
Ross is now touring “Highly Evolved Human” across the country, but this will be his first Denver appearance since his upstart improv comedy team, Uproots, performed “Free Desmond Winkler” at Buntport Theater in 2003.
“I’m sure it will hit home,” said Ross, whose father has had his own battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Thursday’s program at the Avenue consists of three short plays: Ross’ “Cool Your J,” Sara Allen’s “A Tumorous Comedy Show” and Ross’ “Highly Evolved Human.” $15; 7:30 p.m, 303-321-5925 or
This week’s theater openings
Opening Thursday, Sept. 10, through Sept. 12: Curtains Up’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Opening Friday, Sept. 11, through Nov. 7: Boulder’s Dinner Theatre’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
Opening Friday, Sept. 11, through Oct. 11: Aurora Fox’s “The Big Bang”
Opening Friday, Sept. 11, through Nov. 8: Heritage Square Music Hall’s “The Villain Pursued Her” Golden
Opening Friday, Sept. 11, through Oct. 3: E-Project’s “Cactus Flower” Lakewood
Opening Friday, Sept. 11, through Sept. 26: Upstart Crow’s “The Real Inspector Hound” Boulder
Opening Friday, Sept. 11, through Oct. 31: Victorian Playhouse’s “The Butler Did It”
Opening Friday, Sept. 11, through Sept. 20: OpenStage’s “SceneWorks” Fort Collins
Opening Saturday, Sept. 12, through Oct. 24: Curious’ “Yankee Tavern”
This week’s closings
Today, Sept. 6: Heritage Square Music Hall’s “That Was Loud, This Is Now” Golden
Saturday, Sept. 12: Adams Mystery Playhouse’s “Murder in Hollywood”
Sunday, Sept. 13: Miners Alley Playhouse’s “Enchanted April” Golden
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
