Wilma and Wellington Webb are the subjects of Curious Theatre Company’s 2015 Stories on Stage. (David Zalubowski, file photo)
Denver Stories, the signature fundraiser for , this year will shine the spotlight on former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and his wife, Wilma.
This is the 10th year for Denver Stories, a one-night-only production that offers a glimpse into the lives of Denver’s most intriguing personalities while toasting our vibrant community.
Paula Herzmark, Jeremy Shamos and Andrew Hudson are host committee chairs for the June 3 event that takes place at Curious Theatre, 1080 Acoma St. Event committee chairs are Jeremy Bronson, BJ Dyer and Lori Pidick.
Josh Hartwell, a member of Curious Theatre Company’s artistic company, is the 2015 Denver Stories playwright and will capture the Webbs in trademark Denver Stories style: a light-hearted yet poignant approach to storytelling. The audience will gain an intimate perspective on the lives of the Webbs and their collective impact that has built modern Denver. The cast will include members of Curious’ artistic company and others from the Denver community.
Hartwell has written for Denver Stories since 2005, including “Riding On A River Of Beer: The Life and Times of the Hon. John Hickenlooper” and “The Life of the Party: A Paula Herzmark Play.”
“The Webbs capture the essence of what we seek to achieve with Denver Stories each year,” says the company’s producing artistic director, Chip Walton. “Bringing their collective story to our stage is an honor. Denverites — all of us, really — are impacted daily by their contribution to the community over so many years. We look forward to highlighting their lasting impression on the city.”
Host committee co-chair Shamos adds: “I am delighted that this year’s Denver Stories will celebrate the lives of Wellington and Wilma Webb. Since so much of their lives have unfolded in public, many of us may believe that we know all there is to know about their politics, their partnership, and what they’ve done for Denver. But I have no doubt that as we witness the story of Denver’s three-term mayor and his equally accomplished wife unfold on Curious’ stage, there will be surprises — some humorous, some touching — for us all.”
Shamos also is president of the Curious Theatre Company board.
Hudson, who had served as Mayor Webb’s press secretary, says that the 2015 Denver Stories will illustrate “A love story between two people as well as a story of a couple’s love and commitment to their community. It is hard to find two people anywhere who, combined, have created lasting legacies ranging from public service and government, civil and human rights, arts and culture, parks and open space and the overall transformation of Denver into one of the world’s most vibrant metropolises.”
Hudson and Paula Herzmark are former Denver Stories honorees.
Other Denver Stories alumni are concert promoter Chuck Morris; Gov. John Hickenlooper; former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers; former Gov. Bill Ritter; entertainer Lannie Garrett; Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver director Adam Lerner; caterer Sandy Tenenbaum; political leader and Democratic National Convention host committee chair Elbra Wedgeworth; the late Rockmount Ranch Wear CEO, Jack A. Weil; philanthropist Holly Kylberg; restaurateurs Mel and Janie Master; former Denver first lady Ellen Hart Peña; the late theater impresario Robert Garner; and socialite/philanthropist Judi Wolf, who never met a stage she didn’t like.
Denver Stories sponsors to date include Susan and Jeremy Shamos, Shine Investment Advisory Services, UMB, Columbine Health Plan, Andrew Hudson, Bouquets and Occasions Catering.
Denver Stories 2015 begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. on June 3 under a canopy set up in the Curious Theatre Company parking lot. The 7:30 p.m. performance is followed by an after-party.
Tickets are $1,000 each; sponsorships range from $5,000 to $25,000. For details, contact Diana Gatschet, director of organizational advancement, 720-258-4212 or visit the .
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com and @joannedavidson on Twitter
