A joyful backstage musical blended into a murder mystery that doesn’t mind being corny in the service of a time step or a high kick, “Curtains” is for lovers of old-school musical theater. The show is an homage to “show people” and life on the boards. The Vintage Theatre production features rollicking, sexy choreography and a high-energy cast.
* * * ½ stars | Musical Comedy
Written in 2006, the score by the inimitable team of is highly entertaining thanks mostly to Ebb’s clever lyrics. This spirited production with an accomplished six-person orchestra and inventive set is smartly directed by Bernie Cardell.
Really, the energy produced at Vintage on a recent Monday night was a testament to the power and commitment of the aforementioned Show People and the business they call show.
The setting is 1959, The Colonial Theater in Boston, where a Kansas-set “Oklahoma”-like show called “Robbin’ Hood!” is in rehearsal. As the ensemble performs the finale, it’s obvious that the central diva can’t sing, can’t act and is ruining the production. After a final bow and bouquets, she collapses. Once it’s determined that the leading lady is dead — murdered! — everyone in the company is a suspect.
Enter Andy Sievers as Lt. Frank Cioffi of the Boston Police Department, a detective who happens to be a musical theater buff. He will sort the many clues, including scheming understudies, financially motivated producers and feuding songwriting exes. So many motives, so little time because — have you heard? — the show must go on.
Sievers plays the detective less as a musical queen than Tony-winning version on Broadway, more as a big, manly cop with a soft spot for theater. His admirable dancing and vocal talents are matched by those of Hannah Harmon as Niki, the lovely young actress who just might distract him from his all-work life of “lunch counter mornings, coffee shop nights.”
Suzanne Connors Nepi as the shark of a producer Carmen Bernstein nails her number (“It’s a Business”) with brassy gusto. Colby Dunn as Bambi draws laughs as well as applause for her superior dancing. Dave Gordon displays a rich operatic voice as Aaron the composer, and Angela Mendez is pleasing as the other half of the songwriting team.
A suggestive square dance, an intricately choreographed fantasy sequence and multiple restagings of the big 11 o’clock number (“In the Same Boat”) round out the evening — a big wet kiss to musicals and a resolution befitting Agatha Christie.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830, jostrow@denverpost.com or @ostrowdp
“CURTAINS”
Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb. Book by Rupert Holmes. Directed by Bernie Cardell. Musical director Eric Weinstein, choreography by Kelly Van Oosbree. With Andy Sievers, Suzanne Connors Nepi, Angela Mendez, Dave Gordon, Hannah Harmon, Colby Dunn. Through Nov. 1 at Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; Thursday Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $32 ($28 advance). Tickets 303-856-7830 or
