Podcast: The trouble with theatre programs

Plus the latest shows and an interview with Debut Theatre Founder and Artistic Director Lee Kaplan

In this episode of the OnStage Colorado Podcast, hosts Toni Tresca and Alex Miller dive into the latest shows they’ve seen and take a look at theatre programs. How do people feel about no program, or a “light” program with just one page and a QR code link? Also, what’s up with the decision for NY theatres to dispense with the casts-change slip in the program?

Later in the episode, Alex catches up with Lee Kaplan, the founder and artistic director at Fort Collins’ Debut Theatre. With more than three decades of teaching youth everything from acting to set design, lighting and more, the theatre is poised to get its own space finally in an old AMC theatre.

OnStage Colorado Podcast Summary

What We’ve Seen

Alex’s Recommendations:

• Dracula: A Comedy of Terror at Denver Center’s Garner Galleria – Absurd, hilarious take on the Dracula story with stellar performances from Leslie O’Carroll, Sean Scrutchens, Marco Alberto Robinson, and Adrian Lee Robinson. Runs through May.
• Death by Lightning on Netflix – Historical fiction limited series with Nick Offerman as Chester Arthur, exploring President Garfield’s assassination.
• NBA game experience at Ball Arena – Discussed theatrical elements of sports entertainment including halftime shows, dancers, and band performances.

Toni’s Reviews:

• Job at Curious Theatre – Favorite show of Curious’s season featuring Tule Sandoval and Michael Morgan in an intense two-hander about a tech worker’s meltdown. Directed by Josh Hartwell.
• Jerry’s Girls (Veritas Productions) – Musical revue of Jerry Herman songs with strong vocals but limited appeal for those unfamiliar with the composer’s work.
• Daisy Violet, the Bitch Beast King at CU Boulder – Student production with promising first act but loses momentum in later sections.
• Wild Oscillations (Hold Tight Dance) – Immersive dinner theater experience at Somebody People restaurant combining dance, live music, visual art, and a four-course Mediterranean meal.
• Hamnet film – Moving adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel about Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway. Highly recommended for theater people.
• Avalanche game at Ball Arena – Noted extensive entertainment programming and $5 food/$10 beer options.

News & Updates

Camp Christmas Returns:

• Back at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora for seventh year
• Now spread across entire venue with free decorations throughout
• Paid “Camp Christmas Express” experience ($10) themed as a car wash
• Lonnie Hansen funding production independently this year with reduced DCPA partnership
• Opens soon with 20+ artisans creating installations

Economic Impact Study:

• Colorado Business Committee for the Arts released 2024 study
• Arts and culture sector hit $3.1 billion economic impact (up 20% from 2023)
• Larger than Denver’s four major sports teams combined
• Still 5% below pre-pandemic attendance levels despite growth
• SCFD (Scientific and Cultural Facilities District) provided $85 million, representing 30% of all arts funding

Other News:

• Denver actor John Carroll Lynch made Broadway debut in Oedipus at Studio 54
• Creede Repertory Theatre announced 2026 season including Fully Committed, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Working the Musical, and Moriarty
• Creede also announced new director of development: Mallory Pierce (27 seasons at Oregon Shakespeare Festival)
• Wicked film opening with massive advance ticket sales

Programs & Playbills Discussion

Explored the evolving role of theater programs in 2025:

• Broadway League/Actors’ Equity now allowing QR codes instead of paper inserts for cast changes
• Growing trend of “QR code only” or minimal programs in Colorado theaters
• Environmental considerations – most programs are recyclable including glossy stock
• History of Playbill’s yellow cover (chosen because yellow ink was cheapest in 1973)
• Personal collecting habits and storage challenges

Featured Interview: Lee Kaplan, Debut Theatre Company

About Debut Theatre:

• Founded in 1991 in Fort Collins by Lee Kaplan and brother Greg Osterhout
• Unique “troop structure” teaching all aspects of theatrical production to youth ages 6-17
• 120 students per semester in classes capped at 15
• Focus on classic literature adaptations (Hans Christian Andersen, Oscar Wilde, etc.)
• Advanced group (Debut Players) performs nine sold-out shows annually at Lincoln Center

Exciting Expansion:

• Securing permanent home in former AMC Cinema Saver theater on Drake & Shields
• Rent-free arrangement in perpetuity with building owner
• Capital campaign underway with matching grant from Ed Werner and Dame Jackie Erickson
• Phase one: 120-seat black box theater opening April/May 2025
• Future phases include flexible 300+ seat theater, dance studios, costume shop, and scene shop
• Will allow younger students to rehearse on actual stages (currently only high schoolers have this access)

Teaching Philosophy:

• Students handle all technical elements (sets, costumes, props, sound, lighting)
• Emphasis on “play” and storytelling over ego
• Many former students return as instructors
• Admission by donation to keep theater accessible
• Mission to keep arts affordable for all young people

Looking Ahead

Next episode will feature:

• Colorado Headliners (with holiday show focus)
• Interview with Unleashed Theatre about Christmas Movie, The Play, The Beginning – a Hallmark-meets-80s-slasher production

Upcoming reviews include Wild Oscillations, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, Camp Christmas, Batman Live at Rise Comedy, and Mary Poppins at Fine Arts Center.