When I hear the name Rick Sapkin, my ears perk up to possibly overhear the next big development deal he’s doing with his company, Edgemark Development.
But theatrical producer? How’d that get on his resume?
Imagine my surprise recently when I was reading the credits in the program for “Mama Hated Diesels,” a world-premiere play by the Denver Center Theatre Company at the Stage Theatre through May 9.
It read: “Producing partners Rick and Shelly Sapkin and Joy Burns.” Burns, a longtime philanthropist and patron of the arts, made perfect sense. But Rick Sapkin? I’ve never even seen him at a Denver Center production.
“I went on the board of the DCPA,” Sapkin said about his newfound passion for the theater. “I think it’s a really good thing for our city and our state. It’s so critical.”
Sapkin said it is Denver Center’s practice to find “producing partners” willing to put up a chunk of change (between $5,000 and $50,000) to get plays to the stage.
“They have producing partners for all the plays they do in Denver, and they’re always short on money,” Sapkin said. “It’s been tough with the economy, and it’s very expensive to produce a play. Most of the stuff I’m involved with is business- or cancer-related. They asked me if I would come over to the DCPA, and I’m happy to give the time.”
Robbed.
In the wake of Tuesday’s iPad-snatching at Cherry Creek Shopping Center, which resulted in a man losing much of his pinky finger, mall GM Nick LeMasters said his team is redoubling security efforts to further prevent such a heinous crime.
The victim, Bill Jordan of Aurora, had purchased the pricey iPad from the mall’s Apple store and was walking toward the exit to the parking lot with the plastic bag wrapped around his pinky finger. The thief, who was still at large Wednesday afternoon, stripped the bag from Jordan’s hand with such force that it ripped off his skin and tendons.
“We are certainly maintaining increased vigilance in and around the Apple store as a result of this incident, but we do believe that this is a very isolated incident,” said LeMasters, who was out of town on business at the time of the robbery. “Because we have made customer safety our most important priority, the center has earned a reputation as a place where customers feel comfortable shopping.”
He said his team has fielded more calls from media outlets than from concerned customers.
Rolling, rolling, rolling.
Get those B-cycles rolling.
Mayor John Hickenlooper will lead the launch today of Denver’s citywide bicycle-sharing program, starting with a news conference at 8:30 a.m. at the Webb Municipal Building, followed by a free concert at Civic Center, with music from DJ Cavem & the Serafin Sanchez Jazz Quintet.
At 9:45, Hickenlooper will lead a bike parade around Civic Center, and at noon, the B-cycle system will be fully operational. To sign up, visit .
EAVESDROPPING
On a man at the Denver Zoo, as the San Jose Sharks play the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL playoffs:
“We had Sharks fans at the zoo yesterday, so at least they have good taste. I guess they were afraid to go to the aquarium!”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
