Theatre roundup as of Feb. 21

AAmid increasing vaccinations and other signs of hope, lights at the end of the tunnel and all that, I was wondering what all of our Colorado theatres are up to. Many have fallen quiet, as expected, while others have continued to present a slate of virtual performances and even a few live events here and there. Dinner playhouses like Candlelight, Jester’s and Glenwood Springs Vaudeville have kept up with live shows, but most of our smaller theatres and venues have remained understandably dark.

The last live show I saw was the excellent final show Being Here at The Betsy Stage, which closed permanently before they could finish the run. The next one will be Pavilion at The Aurora Fox, which opens Feb. 26. I’ll have a review of that and hopefully also a story about the making of live theatre in these days of COVID.

At this point it’s unknown what the state of theatre in Colorado will be this summer, although it’s likely there will be a decent amount of live fare on outdoor stages whenever possible. It’ll probably be fall until we get a better sense of what things will look like.

For now, I took a whip around the websites of all the theatres in my Firefox bookmark folder and came back with this update. I used the theatre’s own words in many places, and just ‘no updates’ for sites that had no current information on where they’re at. Links are added for you to easily have a look yourself. While some venues are doing a few musical events, classes, virtual salons and the like, mostly online, I didn’t include them just because our focus is on theatre.

As for OnStage Colorado, we’ve kept the lights on with news and reviews when we can, although we’ve put our calendar on hiatus until more regular live shows start appearing. (Virtual shows available on-demand are difficult to add to a calendar anyway.) We look forward to getting back out there as soon as possible!

Here’s the list:

5280 Co-Op: The covid-19 pandemic has delayed our upcoming events. Please check back in the near future to get a view of our new website and 2021 calendar.

Adams Mystery Playhouse: Adams Mystery Playhouse is offering live dinner shows

And Toto Too: Due to Covid 19 our 2020 programming has been cancelled.

Arts in the Open: Arts in the Open Is Currently Planning Our 2021 Season

We are working with Chautauqua Park to premiere our season in May of 2021. We cannot wait to hit the ground running with you this summer!

Arvada Center: This spring, the Arvada Center is pleased to present four theatre productions that you can enjoy wherever you are. Watch the hysterical saga of one man working in Barbra Streisand’s basement shopping mall, join in a live virtual performance of a new murder mystery with a twist, or sit back and listen to an audio adaptation of an American classic. We’re also pleased to present Our Favorite Things: A Musical Retrospective, a revue celebrating 45 years of musical theatre at the Arvada Center! Tickets for all four virtual productions are on sale February 4.

Aspen Community Theatre: 2021 info coming soon …

Athena Project: Doing regular virtual and some live events.

Audacious Theatre: No updates

Aurora Fox: The Fox returns to live theatre Feb. 26 with Pavilion, starring Kelly and Andrew Uhlenhopp. Other shows in the works include Queens Girl in the World, Wonderland and Virtual Stage.

Band of Toughs: At this time, the BoTs are reflecting on what will be a new era of performance and how we can be innovative leaders in this evolving world. We are yearning for the time when we can reconnect with our beloved community. As soon as we have more information about what we have cookin’, you can be sure you will hear from us.

Bas Bleu: This stubborn COVID pandemic has altered our ability to operate safely and we made the difficult decision to close our doors temporarily. While this is both sad and frustrating, we are taking opportunities to improve many facets of our organization. We will be posting updates to our amended season whenever it is possible to open again. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you soon!

BDT Stage: Due to the restrictions and limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, BDT Stage is suspending operations until further notice.

Benchmark Theatre: No updates

Betsy/Bitsy Stage: Closed permanently

Boulder Dairy Center: Mother Fucker In A Cape podcast with playwright Jeff Campbell, through Feb. 28

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Co.: No updates

Breckenridge Backstage Theatre: All in-person Backstage Theatre performances and events are canceled until further notice. Matilda, hopefully, is coming to the Breckenridge Riverwalk April 2021.

The Bug Theatre: The Bug Theatre is currently closed due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned for future show announcements! Learn more.

Buntport Theater: Has a few things going on, including a show Feb. 17 featuring the cast of Cabaret de Profundis.

Butte Theater/Thin Air Theatre: No updates

Candlelight Dinner Theatre: Open with restricted seating. Now playing, Church Basement Ladies and, in April, Little Women

The Catamounts: Currently showing the Zoom version of The Whiskey Tasting through March 7. (Read the OSC review here.)

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Theatre Co.: No updates

Coal Creek Theatre of Lousville: No updates

Colorado Mesa University theatre: Doing Cabaret in March

Creede Repertory Theatre: We will not be moving forward with the original 2020 Summer Season lineup (Grounded, Fully Committed, The Roommate, Annie, Oklahoma!, and The Importance of Being Earnest), looking instead towards a season of small-cast plays, cabarets, and more in various outdoor locations. This season will open later in the summer than usual and likely run a little longer. Details on shows, dates, and performance locations will be announced in the spring.

Crested Butte Mountain Theatre: Doing the Summer Wedding Solo Play Festival in June

Colorado Shakespeare Festival: Doing A Midsummer Night Dream, The Odyssey and Pericles this summer. “Plans for the 2021 season are subject to the permissible event guidelines from public health officials and the university that will be in place at the time of the performances. We will provide details about all COVID-19 protocols as they become available.”

Curious Theatre Co.: Has a lineup of shows starting in May.

Dangerous Theatre: “… developing a show that will be live streamed from the theatre then available for on demand viewing. Hopefully, that will be ready to go in March.” Also doing some streaming shows.

Denver Fringe Festival: The 2021 Denver Fringe Festival will take place June 24-27 as a hybrid festival including some live performances at indoor and outdoor venues in Five Points/RiNo Art District (following health and safety guidelines) as well as live-streaming and pre-recorded options for those who prefer to experience the shows online.

Denver Center Theatre Company/Denver Center Attractions: As we continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our patrons, artists, volunteers, staff and community, we have canceled or postponed most theatrical programming through summer of 2021.

Empire Lyric Players: Planning a virtual reading series for summer.

Equinox Theatre Company: Our March/April Production of Spamalot has been moved to August. Our June Production of First Date has also been postponed. New dates are TBA.

Evergreen Players: Has shows planned for late summer.

Firehouse Theatre Co. We’re beginning to see a glimmer of light at the end of the Covid tunnel as we move into 2021.  We’ll be announcing plans for shows this summer and fall over the next weeks.

Forge Light Theatreworks: No updates

Fountain Community Theater: No updates

Funky Little Theater Co.: No updates

Germinal Stage: On hiatus

Glenwood Vaudeville Revue: Doing Winter COVID Revue Show 2021 through June (live).

Historic Rialto Theater: No shows, but they got new carpeting!

Impossible Players: Showing Social Security through March 6.

Jesters Dinner Theatre: Showing Scrooge through March 14

Lake Dillon Theatre Co.: We are extremely hopeful to open our doors to the theatre patrons this year. Our best goal would be a June 2021 opening … Fall 2021 is more likely. We invite you to participate in our Virtual Programming.

Little Theatre of the Rockies: Due to the impact of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, we have come to the difficult decision to postpone our 2020 season. We will be moving our planned season (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, A Comedy of Tenors, and Assassins) to the summer of 2021.

Local Theatre Co.: It’s 10th season includes online version of Local Lab, Living Room Local salon series and other classes.

Longmont Theatre Co.: Taking an indefinite intermission

Loveland Opera Theatre: Planning Brigadoon in October

Magic Circle Players: Planning to do Newsies in May.

Merely Players – Durango: No updates

Millibo Art Theatre: No updates

Miners Alley Playhouse: … currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions for the safety of our patrons, staff, actors, and crew. When the COVID levels change, we will re-evaluate and update you through our normal channels. Also doing online Quarantine Cabaret streaming shows.

Moon Theatre Co.: No updates

Northglenn Players: No updates

OpenStage: Presenting Natural Shocks by Lauren Gunderson. Available on-demand March 19-26.

Ovation West: No updates

Parker Arts: Presenting some live music and virtual events.

Performance Now: No updates

Phamaly: Presenting a virtual show, CoronaVox: Stories from the Front, in May.

Picketwire Players: Presenting Drinking Habits in April.

Platte Valley Players: Planning Pride & Prejudice in May.

Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre: Planning Kinky Boots and three other musical this summer.

ScriptProv: No updates

Source Theatre: Launching a podcast June 15

Main Street Live (formerly Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre). 2021 offerings are in the works!

Springs Ensemble Theatre: No updates. We’re working on our programming for 2021 and beyond.

StageDoor Theatre: No updates

Steel City Theatre Co.: All upcoming shows will take place outdoors and on The Stage Door Patio with strict social distancing of tables, and only 75 patrons per performance. Has The Iliad, the Odyssey, and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less planned for March and Godspell in April.

Stories On Stage: Has a full lineup of virtual and live-streaming shows on tap.

Su Teatro: Presenting It’s All Bueno March 12-21

Telluride Theatre: Appears to have a summer 2021 lineup in the works, including Shakespeare in the Park shows.

Theater 29: Coming in Winter and Spring of 2021; new additions and multi-genre mashups from our virtual gallery featuring plays, visual art, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, animation and video by Colorado creative artists; a collection of video plays by local playwrights; and a new multi-platform theatrical immersion.

Theater Company of Lafayette: Rehearsing Always a Bridesmaid, with dates TBD.

Theatre Aspen: The second annual Solo Flights Festival will return in August, 2021 at Theatre Aspen’s Hurst Theatre. More details to come soon.

Theatreworks: Planning four shows in the first half of 2021:

  • The Mitten, a world-premiere 35-minute shadow puppet play, held in-person, outdoors at the Ent Center for the Arts in February 19th-21st, and 26th-28th. Will it be cold? Sure. But we’ll keep you moving and embrace the Colorado spirit (heavy coats and gloves recommended)
  • An Iliad, the return of our production from March 2020, which will go on whether indoors, outdoors, or virtually, in late spring/early summer 2021
  • Free-For-All: Midsummer Night’s Dream held outdoors and free of charge at community sites around the Pikes Peak region in May & June 2021.
  • A fourth small-cast play to be announced later, planned outdoors at the Ent Center in July 2021.

Thingamajig Theater: No updates

Thunder River Theatre Co.: No updates

Town Hall Arts Centre: No updates

Upstart Crow: Premiering Three Shades of Green on YouTube March 17. Other shows postponed until the Boulder Dairty Center reopens.

Vintage Theatre: We’re coming back stronger than ever before for 2021 and 2022! Stay Tuned!

Westcliffe Center: No updates

Wheatridge Theatre Co.: No updates

Windsor Community Playhouse: No updates