Theater openings
Backstage Theatre’s “Completely Hollywood Abridged” Through July 22: In the tradition of “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” comes this rapid-fire comic reduction of 187 movies, by three actors, in 99 minutes. Comedy mash-ups include Kevin Bacon teaching a disabled writer how to dance in “My Left Footloose.” 121 S. Ridge St., Breckenridge, 970-453-0199 or
Thunder River’s “Eudora’s Box”
Through July 7: When Pop is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he grows desperate to find a box left by his recently deceased wife. Meanwhile, his kids band together to protect him from its shocking contents. Each member of the family must face the question: How much of memory is fact and how much is fiction? Written by Glenwood Springs resident Kristin Carlson, winner of the the company’s new-play contest. 67 Promenade, Carbondale, 970-963-8200 or
Upstart Crow’s “Fast, Loud, and Overplayed”
Through Saturday: Boulder’s Upstart Crow celebrates its 30th season by commissioning a work written by company member Katherine Dubois. The title is taken from the headline of the first review the company ever received. It is part retrospective, part revue, part parody; with six actors playing roles from more than 100 plays. At the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-444-7328 or
Rocky Mountain Rep’s “Jekyll & Hyde”
Through Aug. 23: This moody musical tells the classic tale of mirrored good and evil. Dr. Jekyll unwittingly unleashes his own dark side, wreaking havoc in the streets of late-19th-century London as the savage, maniacal Edward Hyde. Features a lush pop score that includes “This is the Moment” and “Someone Like You.” 404 Vine St., Grand Lake, 970-627-3421 or
Little Theatre of the Rockies’ “Next to Normal”
Through July 15: This Tony- and Pulitzer-winning musical traces the disintegration of a family that has battled the effects of bipolar disorder for two decades. Starring award-winning Denver actress Megan Van De Hey. At the Norton Theatre in Gray Hall on the University of Northern Colorado campus, 19th Street and Eighth Avenue, Greeley, 970-351-2200 or
Wit Theatre Company’s “The Pillowman”
Through June 30: Anglo-Irish playwright Martin McDonagh’s drama is the viciously funny and seriously disturbing tale of a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a number of real-life child-murders occurring in his town. At the Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St., 303-477-9984
Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s “Richard III”
Through Aug. 2: Shakespeare’s brutally amoral, hunchbacked monarch confesses his own murderous machinations in a quest to gain the English throne. Directed by Tina Packer, founder of Shakespeare & Company. Mary Rippon Amphitheatre, CU-Boulder campus, 303-492-0554 or
Crested Butte Mountain Theatre’s “Urinetown: The Musical”
Through July 1: This clever black musical comedy puts us in a drought-ravaged land where water is scarce, and government is conspiring with big business to create a desperate class of poor on the brink of revolution. It’s all a very funny way of arguing that our current way of life is unsustainable. At the Crested Butte Center for the Arts, 606 6th St., 970-349-0366, or
Heritage Square Music Hall’s “Who Done It at the Apex Gulch?”
Through Oct. 28: Heritage Square’s venture into Sunday-night murder mysteries returns with this original caper set in gold-mining Golden at our very own Apex Gulch. Performances in the upstairs lounge. 18301 W. Colfax Ave., Golden, 303-279-7800 or
Lake Dillon Theatre’s “Xanadu”
Through Aug. 16: Based on the 1980 film starring Olivia Newton John, this 2007 Broadway adaptation about an artist and his encounter with muses is not your mama’s Xanadu. It pays homage to the original story and music, but gives it a much-needed reworking. We’re talking roller skates, short shorts and mythological mayhem. It’s kind of like “The Wedding Singer” on roller skates. Directed by Nick Sugar. 176 Lake Dillon Drive, 970-513-9386 or
Compiled by John Moore, Special to The Denver Post
