Podcast: New year, lots of new theatre

In this episode of the OnStage Colorado Podcast, hosts Toni Tresca and Alex Miller take a look at some recent shows they’ve seen, look at a bit of theatre news and run down the  Top 10 Colorado Headliners. This week’s list:

• The Choir of Man, Denver Center Buell Theatre, Jan. 16-17
• The Mousetrap, OpenStage, Fort Collins Lincoln Center, Jan. 10-Feb. 7
• Spamalot, Town Hall Arts Center, Littleton, Jan. 23-Feb. 22
• Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again., Moot Point Project at Su Teatro, Denver, Jan. 21-25
• The Rembrandt Room, Buntport, Denver, Jan. 23-25
• The Bluebird, Theatre SilCo, Silverthrone, Jan. 15-25
• Exit, Pursued By a Bear, Shifted Lens Theatre Company at The People’s Building, Aurora, Jan. 16-Feb. 1
• Gin & Gothic: A Brontë Rocktale, Band of Toughs at the Altona Grange Hall, Boulder County, Jan. 17-24
• Shrek The Musical, PACE Center, Parker, Jan. 16-Feb. 8
• Cowboys and East Indians, DCPA Theatre Company, Denver, previews are Jan. 16-22 and show runs Jan. 23-March 1

Chapter summary

Chapter 1: Introduction & OSCA Awards Preview (00:01 – 03:00)

Alex and Toni welcome listeners and outline the episode structure. They announce the upcoming third annual OSCA Awards show streaming January 18th at 7 p.m., which will feature both video and audio formats. The awards will recognize three winners per category (outstanding, excellent, and notable) plus special “above and beyond” categories. Key statistics: 182 nominations from 165 reviews, with Local Theater Company leading with 18 nominations, followed by Miner’s Alley (14), Aurora Fox (13), Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (13), and Denver Center (12).

Chapter 2: Recent Theater Reviews (03:00 – 07:00)

Alex’s Reviews:

• Bad Books at Curious Theater – A two-hander featuring Jada Suzanne Dixon and Lauren Dennis exploring censorship and conservative vs. progressive values. More dramatic than comedic, with thought-provoking themes about social media’s dangers.

Toni’s Reviews:

• South Pacific at Lakewood Cultural Center (Performance Now Theater Company) – Kelly Van Oosbree’s lavish production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Star-making performance by Sarah Kitt Farrell as Nellie, with strong chemistry opposite Jeremy Rill as Emil. The production doesn’t shy away from the show’s anti-racism themes.

Chapter 3: The Mousetrap in Fort Collins (07:00 – 14:30)

Toni provides an in-depth comparison between Open Stage Theater’s production and the recent Arvada Center version. Director Heather Ostberg Johnson leans heavily into suspense rather than comedy, with standout performances from Bryn Frisina (Miss Casewell) and David Austin-Gröen (Major Metcalfe). Opening night featured emergency casting when Brian Wilcox was injured in a bike accident hours before curtain; producing artistic director Jacob Often stepped in with script in hand after only two hours of rehearsal and successfully carried the performance.

Chapter 4: Theater News Roundup (14:30 – 23:00)

• Denver Center Parking: Special event rate increased from $17 to $18. Denver Center shared an interactive parking map with alternatives as low as $6 (Independence Plaza, Writer’s Square).
• Directors on Directors Panel: Colorado Theater Guild hosting Zoom panel January 18th at 7 p.m., moderated by Betty Hart, featuring Scott Levy, Amanda Berg Wilson, and Nick Chase. Free for CTG members, $15 for non-members.
• Theater Promotion Trailer: Colorado Theater Guild released first promotional trailer highlighting theater across Colorado, featuring footage from various companies statewide.
• Cleo Parker Robinson Dance: Grand opening of new Center for the Healing Arts January 16-18, including film screenings, performances, and free public events. Multimillion-dollar expansion adds rehearsal space, film screening room, and community collaboration spaces.
• NYC Theater Accessibility: New York Mayor Zoron Mamdami partnering with Under the Radar Festival to distribute 1,500 free tickets, making theater more accessible beyond just tourists and wealthy patrons.

Chapter 5: Colorado Headliners – Top 10 Upcoming Shows (23:00 – 37:00)

Chapter 6: Closing & Next Week Preview (37:00 – 38:31)

Hosts remind listeners to subscribe to the weekly Theater Blast newsletter and rate/review the podcast. Next week’s episode will be a rebroadcast of the OSCA Awards show with all category winners and above-and-beyond awards announced.