LGBT theatre returns to Aurora with three premieres

(press release)

Aurora, CO: In 2025, Two Cent Lion will stage three productions at The People’s Building in Aurora. All three shows are regional premieres, and two of the three are also world premieres. Marking their fourth year of producing theatre in Denver and Aurora, these productions further Two Cent Lion’s mission of telling uplifting queer stories while showcasing the artistry of emerging LGBTQ+ artists in our community.

Feb. 8-22

The Tragedy of Medusa is a play written and directed by Olivia Buntaine. It was previously produced by Project Nongenue in Los Angeles (2019).

May 3-11

Hands Like Yours is an interview-based performance created and directed by Izzy Chern

and May Wadsworth. It’s a true love story told through dance, projections, and real-life interviews with queer women. This intimate piece explores identity, expectations, and what we leave behind in the pursuit of love.

Aug. 3-Sept. 6

The Legend of Anne Bonny

Co-produced by Shifted Lens Theatre Company

The Legend of Anne Bonny is a musical created by Emy McGuire, with music by McGuire, Pluto Boll and Nathan McGuire. It will be directed by Lexie Lazear

In 2024, Two Cent Lion produced three shows as a resident theatre company of The People’s Building in Aurora. Their premiere production of the residency, Clink Clink (Jan/Feb 2024) was nominated for six Henry Awards, winning two for Sound Design and Light Design. Their summer production of Josie’s Diner (June 2024) was awarded the Audience Choice Award for Immersive Theatre at the Denver Fringe Festival. In the fall, The Rocky Horror Show marked their first musical and largest show to date, closing its run with a sold-out Midnight Madness performance for more than 150 audience members. They closed out the year competing in the first-ever Denver Immersive Invitational, where their new original experience Call Waiting (an Opia House co-production) won both the Grand Prize and Audience Award.

Two Cent Lion: 2025 Artistic Statement

2025 marks our fourth year telling LGBTQ+ stories in Denver and Aurora. When determining our 2025 season, we had many long conversations about the kinds of stories that impact us, our peers, and our queer family.

The theme of our 2025 season is Perseverance. As we continue to create space for queer joy, this season brings an additional lens to showcase the strength and perseverance of our community.

The Tragedy of Medusa uses Greek mythology to navigate the often merciless reality of misogyny and violence queer women face. This thought-provoking regional premiere gives new insight to the classic story of Medusa, illustrating the love, heartbreak, pain and power of this long misunderstood tragic hero.

Hands Like Yours is a nuanced exploration of queer discovery. Using real-life interviews with women who came out later in life, we get an in-depth look at the harsh reality that often comes with truly loving yourself and living authentically. While self-discovery has brought our subjects great peace, these women recount the many hurdles that have upended their previously inauthentic lives and relationships.

The Legend of Anne Bonny illustrates the little-known history of queer women in the Golden Age of Piracy. This sea-faring musical epic follows the rise and fall of Anne Bonny, who left her husband to join John Rackham’s band of pirates in 1720. Her relationship with Mary Read, another female pirate disguised as a man, has long been a subject of historic speculation.

This musical sheds light on an unexplored chapter of queer history that begs to be charted.At Two Cent Lion, we strive to tell stories that feed artists, audiences and the community at large. It brings us much pride to bring three more stories to the stage that explore the human experience and celebrate the resilience of the spirit.

-Izzy Chern, Artistic Director

-Kevin Douglas, Executive Director