BETC’s Mark Ragan joins to offer tips on big shows in the Big Apple, plus BETC updates and a conversation with Birgitta De Pree from Millibo Art Theatre.

In this episode of the OnStage Colorado Podcast, Alex and Toni are joined by special guest host Mark Ragan. Mark is the executive producer at the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, and he gives some updates on what’s happening at BETC — including the “Plays With Fire” festival of readings this month as well as a sneak peek into some of the shows the theatre will mount in its upcoming season.

Jim and Birgitta with Millibo Art Theatre

Mark Ragan

In the main segment this week, we turn to theatre tourism and, more specifically, heading to New York. Mark is a frequent visitor to the city to see shows and dispenses some great advice for anyone looking to do the same. BETC is also sponsoring a group trip May 12-18 to NYC, and he gives us the skinny on that.

Later in the episode, Alex catches up with Birgitta DePree from Millibo Art Theatre in Colorado Springs. The MAT is doing a COVID-themed theatre festival this month called “The Lost Years,” where playwrights and performing artists from around the state take stock of the upheaval and its aftermath.

And as usual we run down our Top 10 Colorado Headliners — upcoming shows or events worth noting around the state. Here they are, in no particular order:

Telluride Fringe Festival, The Palm Theatre, Telluride, March 4-9

ALICE (in wonderland), Colorado Ballet, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, March 7-16

BETC’s Plays with Fire, Dairy Arts Center, Boulder, March 7-30

The Book Club Play, Theatre SilCo, Silverthrone, March 8-23

The Menagerist, Buntport Theater, Denver, March 9-

Dog Man: The Musical, Newman Center, Denver, March 8-9

Hansel & Gretel, Parker Pace Center, March 8

School of Rock, The Arts Hub, Lafayette, March 7-16

Rex’s Exes, Historic Rialto Theatre, Florence, produced by Fremont Civic Theatre, March 13-16

Turn of the Screw, ENT Center, Colorado Springs, March 13-April 6

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