Podcast: A Robot Riot in Denver

Talking with robot researcher and improv comedian Dr. Tom Williams, plus more on the Parker Shrek controversy, Top 10 Colorado Highliners and more.

Dr. Tom Williams

In this episode of the OnStage Colorado Podcast, hosts Alex Miller and Toni Tresca hit on some of the shows they’ve seen on stage recently, do an update on the Pride flag controversy that blew up over the Parker Pace Center production of Shrek the Musical and hit the Top 10 Colorado Headliners — upcoming shows you may want to check out.

Also in this episode, Alex interviews Colorado School of Miners Associate Professor Dr. Tom Williams about Robot Riot — an upcoming series at Denver’s Rise Comedy that combines his research into robotics with his passion for improv comedy.

Read Toni’s story in Westword about Robot Riot

Be sure to subscribe to the show to get the latest every week!

Chapter Summary

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
Alex Miller and Toni Tresca welcome listeners and preview the episode, including an interview with Dr. Tom Williams about the upcoming Robot Riot comedy show at Rise Comedy.

00:36 – Recent Shows: Alex’s Weekend
Alex reviews his experience seeing BETC’s Brooklyn Laundry directed by Allison Watrous, praising the strong cast including Annie Barbour, Jess Robblee, Kate Gleason, and Torsten Hillhouse.

03:33 – Recent Shows: Toni’s Busy Weekend
Toni recaps five shows across Colorado:

Hello Dolly at Candlelight Dinner Theatre in Johnstown
Waiting for Godot at Aurora Fox (dense, faithful Beckett production)
Where We Stand at TheatreWorks in Colorado Springs (impressive design, uneven performance)
The Children at Springs Ensemble Theatre (intimate, well-executed)

14:43 – Theater News: Shrek Controversy Update
Discussion of the Parker Arts/Shrek the Musical pride flag controversy, including John Moore’s follow-up story featuring former Parker mayor Mike Wade and details about Lutheran High School pulling sponsorship funding.

25:17 – Theater News: Additional Updates

Adam Cayton-Holland’s film See You When I See You debuts at Sundance
Kaite McFadden’s preview of Junie B. Jones at Arvada Center

28:28 – Interview: Dr. Tom Williams on Robot Riot
Alex interviews Colorado School of Mines professor and improviser Dr. Tom Williams about Robot Riot, the Robot Comedy Hour – a monthly comedy show debuting February 6th at Rise Comedy that combines improvisation, robotics research, and tech ethics. Discussion covers:

The MIRROR Lab’s human-robot interaction research
How improv techniques inform robotics design
What audiences can expect (robot performances, AI-generated content, Robot Zoo)
The intersection of comedy and technology ethics

57:38 – Top 10 Colorado Headliners
Alex and Toni preview upcoming shows worth checking out:

The Great Gatsby, Colorado Ballet at Ellie Caulkins Opera House, through Feb. 8

FOOL, Greeley Garage Salae Theatre, through Feb. 14

Screwball Comedy, Windsor Community Playhouse, through Feb. 8

Murder at an Irish Wake, Adams Mystery Playhouse, Denver, Feb. 1-March 28

The Game’s Afoot, StageDoor Theatre, Conifer, Feb. 6-March 1

PUF: A Completely Factual and Objective History of The Publick Universal Friend, The People’s Building, Aurora, Feb. 6-15

H-E-Double Crooked Letter, Firehouse Theater Company, Denver, Feb. 7-March 8

Sweet Tarts, Comedy Works Downtown, Feb. 11

Water for Elephants, Buell Theatre, Denver, Feb. 11-22

Goblin Mode Improv Comedy, Western Sky Bar & Taproom, Englewood, Feb. 12

1:11:12 – Closing & Next Week Preview
Upcoming interview with playwright Edith Weiss and And Toto too Director Susan Lyles about Fierce, Satire and Mediocre Sex