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CBS News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Star of "& Juliet" tour shares connection with show ahead of Denver performances
On June 4, some of the greatest pop hits from the last 30 years will come to the stage at the Buell Theatre as the Denver Center for the Performing Arts presents "& Juliet." The musical, which explores the concept of what would have happened to Juliet if she did not die alongside Romeo, features some of the most popular songs that most Americans listen to regularly. Rachel Simone Webb as Juliet DCPA "The music is so much fun, this is the music of a lot of our childhoods," said Rachel Simone Webb, who portrays "Juliet" for the tour. Webb said she quickly fell in love with the storyline of the show, as well as the message. "I read the script and saw how funny it was and knew it was something I wanted to be a part of," Webb said. Of course, the hits of mega stars being featured throughout the musical only underscored her desire to be a part of the production. "I grew up listening to Brittany Spears, Kesha, and Katy Perry," Webb said. "'Roar' was a song I practiced with my vocal coach when I was 11 years old. Now, I get to sing it every night." Rachel Simone Webb CBS While the music is fun for the cast to sing and the audience to hear, the lyrics also help guide the story. "Initially, (audiences) laugh, and then they realize the songs go in pretty well with the story," Webb said. "Musical theatre specifically does its job well when the songs tell the story without it having to be spoken." Webb said she also has come to love how the story uplifts and empowers women and other groups. "It doesn't come along often where you get to shift the zeitgeist of culture," Webb said. "It is important for people to consume art that pushes the envelope of female empowerment." While the show follows themes of love, empowerment, and acceptance, it also promises to leave audiences feeling joy by the final curtain. Rachel Simone Webb in & Juliet DCPA "There is glitter on stage. There is confetti. We get to smile at the end of the show, it is not a tragedy," Webb said. & Juliet plays the Buell Theatre June 4 through June 15. Tickets are available online. CBS Colorado is a proud partner of the DCPA.
CBS News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
"Little Shop of Horrors" continues to sell out Denver shows, CBS Colorado reporter featured in production
"Little Shop of Horrors" proving once again to be very popular with Denver audiences "Little Shop of Horrors" proving once again to be very popular with Denver audiences "Little Shop of Horrors" proving once again to be very popular with Denver audiences The Denver Center for the Performing Arts' classic tale "Little Shop of Horrors" has been selling out for weeks, but there are a few shows with tickets remaining. The production, which has been playing the Wolf Theatre since April 11, is one of the hottest tickets from the DCPA's Theatre Company. It features the talented and popular Gizel Jiménez, cast as "Audrey" in the production. CBS "I absolutely adore this show," Jiménez said. Jiménez is just one of many skilled artists who have been wowing Colorado audiences for weeks. She told CBS News Colorado this production has given her the opportunity to explore a role she once may have found out of reach. "Back in the day, I found it more difficult to play roles that weren't specific to being Hispanic. Now that we are in a different era that is allowing more inclusivity for all, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity for, 'Can I try this?'" Jiménez said. CBS Little Shop of Horrors is about a community of people considered down on their luck and running out of hope. That is causing many of them to feel a sense of struggling to survive. "The story takes us through the consequences of the decisions they make," Jiménez said. Jiménez described the storyline as "relatable," saying she appreciated how the writers also gave her a script that allows her character to be funny without having to try hard at all. "I honestly feel like the show is timeless," Jiménez said. "Different ages will experience the show differently." CBS The Denver Center encourages families to attend the show, however, they suggest the show may not be best suited for children 12 years old and younger. Without giving away any surprises from the show or the storyline, Little Shop does feature an iconic plant that comes to life on stage. "The plant is a symbol of a couple of themes, one being greed, one being wealth and what that does to someone, and the other one being human connection," Jiménez said. Jiménez said the crew helps make the production a success every night, adding her adoration for the wide range of talent on stage each night. "I truly adore our cast. Our cast is phenomenal," Jiménez said. CBS Colorado's Joel Hillan records voiceovers for the "Little Shop of Horrors." CBS Those who attend the show, playing at the Wolf Theatre through May 25, may recognize one specific voice throughout the production. CBS Colorado's Joel Hillan, who can be seen on The Desk on CBS Colorado Mornings, was cast by the DCPA to do voiceovers for some of the show. Tickets have been selling very easily for Little Shop in Denver, however, some tickets do remain for the later shows in the schedule. "I am so grateful to be here in Denver because I feel the Denver theatre community is so strong and supportive," Jiménez said. "Every single show has felt like opening night because the audience is so supportive." For more information on tickets, visit CBS Colorado is a proud partner of the DCPA.
CBS News
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Hell's Kitchen, Harry Potter featured in 2025/2026 Denver Center for the Performing Arts Broadway Season
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts Broadway and Cabaret has announced its 2025-2026 season. Some of the performances featured this next season include Tony Award-winning performances Shucked and The Outsiders, along with The Notebook, Hell's Kitchen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. "The 2025/26 Broadway season is full of spellbinding, spine-tingling (and slightly corny) hits and we can't wait to see you at the theatre," John Ekeberg, Executive Director of DCPA Broadway and Cabaret said in a statement. "With auto-renew, subscribers no longer need to go through the trouble of re-subscribing every year, so they never have to worry about losing their favorite seats or their DCPA subscriber perks." Additional Information from the DCPA: Shucked Oct. 7-19, 2025 Buell Theatre Shucked is the Tony Award®–winning musical comedy The Wall Street Journal calls "flat out hilarious!" And nobody knows funny like economists. Featuring a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn ( Tootsie ), a score by the Grammy® Award–winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves' "Follow Your Arrow"), and directed by Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien ( Hairspray ), this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater. The Notebook Dec. 16-28, 2025 Buell Theatre Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, The Notebook tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. "Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs" ( Entertainment Weekly ), The Notebook is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune says The Notebook is "absolutely gorgeous, not to be missed," and The New York Daily News calls it "a love story for the ages." The Notebook is directed by Michael Greif ( Dear Evan Hansen , Next to Normal , RENT ) and Schele Williams ( The Wiz , Aida ), and features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, book by Bekah Brunstetter (NBC's "This Is Us"), and choreography by Katie Spelman. Water for Elephants Feb. 11-22, 2026 Buell Theatre "Many wonders await audiences in this gorgeously imaginative Broadway musical." - The New York Times The critically acclaimed bestselling novel comes to "thrilling, dazzling" life ( Time Out New York ) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic's Pick, The New York Times calls it "stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative." After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age. Tony Award-nominated director Jessica Stone's "huge, heart-filling" production ( The New York Times ) features a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice adapted from Sara Gruen's novel, and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co. So, step right up to the "spellbinding entertainment" ( Variety ) at Water for Elephants , "the best new musical on Broadway" ( Theatermania ). Hell's Kitchen April 14-26, 2026 Buell Theatre Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire – searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you've never felt before – Hell's Kitchen , a new musical from 17-time Grammy® Award winner Alicia Keys, whose new songs and greatest hits about growing up in NY inspire a story made for Broadway. Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano. Set to the rhythm of the 90s, Hell's Kitchen is a love story between a mother and daughter. It's about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. Come remember where dreams begin. Hailed as a New York Times Critic's Pick that is, "thrilling from beginning to end – a rare must-see!" Hell's Kitchen is directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, with choreography by four-time Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown, a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz, and the music of Alicia Keys. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child May 30 – June 27, 2026 Buell Theatre IT'S TIME TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC Broadway's spellbinding spectacular Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming to Denver. Join the next adventure and experience the wizarding world like never before at this record-breaking hit and winner of six Tony Awards including Best Play. "It's one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade" ( Forbes ). When Harry Potter's head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage. It's a "marvel of imagination" ( The New York Times ) that will "leave you wondering 'how'd they do that?' for days to come" ( People ) Monty Python's Spamalot Aug. 11-23, 2026 Buell Theatre THE SHOW THAT SET BROADWAY BACK 1,000 Peter Marks of The Washington Post exclaims, "It's UNFAIR to make me laugh this much! Spamalot is a tightly packed clown car speeding to musical theater nirvana!" Spamalot , which first galloped onto Broadway in 2005, returns to Denver off a spectacular Broadway revival last season. Featuring a book and lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, the original Broadway production was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won three, including Best Musical. The musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, has everything that makes a great knight at the theatre, from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery, and of course, the Lady of the Lake. Spamalot features well-known song titles such as "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," "The Song That Goes Like This," "Find Your Grail" and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theatre canon. The Outsiders Sept. 8-27, 2026 Buell Theatre The winner of four 2024 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical Adapted from S.E. Hinton's seminal novel and Francis Ford Coppola's iconic film, this thrilling new musical features a book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine, music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Justin Levine, music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements by Justin Levine, choreography by Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman, and direction by Tony Award® winner Danya Taymor. Entertainment Weekly says, "It has the power to inspire an entire generation." In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of 'outsiders' battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. The Outsiders navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, The Outsiders is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still "lots of good in the world." Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors Nov. 8, 2025 – May 10, 2026 Garner Galleria Theatre LOCALLY PRODUCED By Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen Ever wondered what would happen if you took Bram Stoker's legendary vampire tale and put it into a blender with Mel Brooks, Monty Python, and The 39 Steps ? That's just what happens in this lightning-fast, laugh-out-loud, 90-minute, gender-bending romp. When her sister Mina falls ill with a mysterious disease of the blood, Lucy Westfeldt and her fiancé, Jonathan Harker, enlist the help of famed female vampire hunter Doctor Jean Van Helsing. Their hunt for the dangerous and sexy Count Dracula abounds with clever wordplay and quick-change antics. Five actors play over a dozen roles in this bloodcurdlingly hilarious send-up of the literary classic. Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. Local auditions will be announced at a later date. ABOUT THE ADDED ATTRACTIONS Bluebird Improv May 16-18, 2025 Garner Galleria Theatre Bluebird is a collective of some of the best improvisers on the planet. The show is inspired by a short conversation with audience members and what follows is an evening of never-before-seen (and never again) scenes and characters that cascade into a hilarious and original freewheeling show. Bluebird Improv is - Tim Meadows ( Mean Girls , SNL) - Matt Walsh (Co-founder of UCB, "Veep") - Joe Canale (Alum of The Second City) - Brad Morris ("Cougar Town," Alum of The Second City) Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song May 28 – June 29, 2025 Garner Galleria Theatre The Tony® Award-winning Forbidden Broadway , Gerard Alessandrini's hilarious musical spoof of Broadway's biggest shows and brightest stars, wowed critics at a recent opening, with The New York Times making it a "Critics Pick", and calling it "The Best Edition of Forbidden Broadway in recent memory!", and NY1 one proclaiming "Seeing Forbidden Broadway feels like all's right with the world again!" Feeling "completely inspired" by the latest crop of Broadway musicals, Alessandrini lampoons The Great White Way's biggest shows and stars in this edition, which he directed. Gerry McIntyre (Spamilton, Once on this Island, Anything Goes) is the choreographer. The musical is produced by John Freedson and Harriet Yellin. Up to the minute spoofs include comic looks at the Eddie Redmayne Cabaret ; & Juliet, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends , Into the Woods , and Merrily We Roll Along, this season's new Cats Jellicle Ball , along with The Outsiders and The Great Gatsby; plus exciting star turns by Patti LuPone, Daniel Radcliffe, Bernadette Peters, and some classic laughs from The Lion King, Frozen, Phantom, Les Miz and others. Featured in the cast are Jenny Lee Stern, Chris Collins-Pisano, and Katheryne Penny, with Fred Barton on piano. Set design is by Glenn Bassett, with Costume design by Dustin Cross. Dixie's Tupperware Party – Final Season July 16 – Aug. 17, 2025 Garner Galleria Theatre Not Your Mother's Tupperware Party! Denver is your last chance to join the party. Dixie Longate is the fast-talking, gum chewing, ginger-haired Alabama gal who is bringing your grandma's Tupperware party into the 21st century. Audiences howl with laughter as Dixie demonstrates the many alternative uses for the iconic plastic kitchen staple. Filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, audience participation and a little bit of empowerment and homespun wisdom, Dixie's Tupperware Party leaves your heart a little bigger and your food a little fresher. ADULT CONTENT Dixie's Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull (And 16 Other Things I Learned while I Was Drinking Last Thursday) – Final Season Aug. 20 – Sept. 7, 2025 Garner Galleria Theatre Dixie's Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull (And 16 Other Things I Learned while I Was Drinking Last Thursday) originated right here in Denver, at the Garner Galleria Theatre, before touring the country, and now the show is back! Dixie Longate is known for her phenomenal success and hilarious antics in her wildly popular show, Dixie's Tupperware Party . In her hit show, Ms. Longate has reviewers cheering and audiences on their feet with nonstop laughter. Put on your cowboy boots and walk into her favorite honky-tonk as Dixie shares lessons learned after a hard night of drinking. What do a jeweled crown, a cardboard cutout of Julie Andrews and a box of moon pies have in common? Spend the night with Dixie and find out as she swaps her Tupperware bowls for a mechanical bull. Denver is your last chance to catch Dixie in this show. Disney's The Lion King Oct. 23 – Nov. 16, 2025 Buell Theatre Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney's The Lion King , making its triumphant return to the Buell Theatre, where the award-winning musical launched its North American tour in 2002! More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, The Lion King brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. The Lion King also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award®-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway's most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like The Lion King . The Hip Hop Nutcracker Nov. 21-23, 2025 Buell Theatre A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker , this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovksy's timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. The Hip Hop Nutcracker is brought to life by a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop's founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set. Just like the original, in The Hip Hop Nutcracker , Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice, visiting the land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season. Innovative digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A. Hoffmann's beloved story from traditional 19th Century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City. Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Dec. 3-7, 2025 Buell Theatre The Grinch broke box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway during its holiday engagements at the St. James and Hilton theatres in New York. Since then, millions more theatregoers across America have been delighted by this heart-warming holiday musical, which The New York Times praised as "100 times better than any bedtime story" and the Gannett papers hailed as "A genius of a show! A total delight for both kids and adults." Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical features the hit songs "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas" (written by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss) from the original animated series. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small," decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos. Magnificent sets (John Lee Beatty) and costumes (Robert Morgan) inspired by Dr. Seuss' original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville, while the Music and Book of Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason breathe new life into this timeless story of the true meaning of Christmas. SIX Jan. 7-11, 2026 Buell Theatre From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over! SIX won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including the Tony Award® for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. The New York Times says SIX "TOTALLY RULES!" (Critic's Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as "Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!" The SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Broadway album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and surpassed 6 million streams in its first month. Meredith Willson's The Music Man Feb. 27 – March 1, 2026 Buell Theatre There's trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian. Meredith Willson's six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain's fall. Featuring songs such as "Seventy-Six Trombones," "Trouble," "'Til There Was You," "Pickalittle" and "Gary, Indiana," The Music Man is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation. The Phantom of the Opera March 18 – April 5, 2026 Buell Theatre THE BRILLIANT ORIGINAL RETURNS "MORE SPECTACULAR THAN EVER" - Sunday Express Cameron Mackintosh's legendary production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera is back to thrill American audiences once again! A revitalized production featuring Maria Björnson's brilliant original design, which was rapturously received by London critics when it reopened at His Majesty's Theatre in 2021, will launch in a multi-year North American tour in November 2025. The Phantom of the Opera is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history. First directed by Harold Prince with musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne, the brilliant original production has played to over 160 million people in 47 territories and 195 cities in 21 languages. Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic, haunting and soaring score includes "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," "Masquerade" and the iconic title song. It tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as 'The Phantom' who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerized by the talents and beauty of a young soprano – Christine — The Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine's love for Raoul, The Phantom's obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh with The Really Useful Group. Hadestown May 5-10, 2026 Buell Theatre COME SEE HOW THE WORLD COULD BE. Welcome to Hadestown , where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and original director Rachel Chavkin ( Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 ) is a love story for always. Intertwining two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go. MJ May 13-17, 2026 Buell Theatre Back by overwhelming demand, the multiple Tony Award®-winning musical MJ is making a victorious return to Denver. Created by Tony Award-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond Michael Jackson's singular moves and signature sound, offering a rare glimpse at the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Don't miss your chance to experience the show that's electrifying sold-out crowds on Broadway, in cities across North America, London's West End, and Hamburg, Germany once again to the Buell Theatre in May 2026. The Sound of Music July 29 – Aug. 2, 2026 Buell Theatre For 65 years, The Sound of Music has been one of our "favorite things." With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic isn't just meant to be enjoyed - it's meant to be shared. Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O'Brien ( Hairspray ), this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family features beloved songs like "Do-Re-Mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" and "Edelweiss." Beetlejuice Aug. 4-9, 2026 Buell Theatre He earned his stripes on Broadway…now the ghost-with-the-most is returning to Denver by popular demand. It's showtime! Based on Tim Burton's dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that's out of this Netherworld, Beetlejuice is "SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!" ( Variety ). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it's a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O! TICKET ADVISORY Please be advised that the DCPA — — is the ONLY authorized ticket provider for these productions in Denver. Tickets purchased from a source other than DCPA may be lost, stolen, fake, or otherwise violate our terms or policies. Such tickets will not be honored. The DCPA is not able to intervene with ticket purchases through a third party or ticket broker. The DCPA does not guarantee the authenticity of tickets purchased from any third-party reseller (such as brokers or individuals). Patrons found in violation of the DCPA Ticket Purchase and Sale Terms and Policies may have all their tickets cancelled.
CBS News
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Puppets in Life of Pi bring unique theatrical experience to Denver Center for the Performing Arts
On Tuesday night Life of Pi will take the stage at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, marking the first time the show has made a stop at the Buell Theatre. The play, which is based on the original book, brings to life exotic animal characters through puppets. "Our puppets are best-supporting actors. They are truly fleshed-out characters in the show," said Jon Hoche, one of the tour's directors. The show follows the journey of a teenage boy fleeing India due to political unrest. Coming from a family that runs a zoo, the boy is on a boat that crashes. He is forced to get onto a lifeboat that is also occupied by several exotic animals. While the movie Life of Pi is able to use animation to bring those animals to life, the play has to use puppets to bring the characters to audiences. "There's something about playing a live animal that you have to be so tapped in to make him look like a live tiger," said Shiloh Goodin, puppeteer for the tour. While some may think of generic puppets operated just by a hand, the puppets used on stage bring a sense of life to the animals. The Bengal tiger in the show, known as "Richard Parker," is a puppet that is operated by three different people at once. "You really have to have an art of listening to your teammates. I'm listening to the breath, the footfalls. Really for any micro-movements in the tiger," said Anna Leigh Gortner, one of the puppeteers. "Otherwise, I wouldn't look in the sink. To keep it alive I have to be listening and in tune, and feeling through my body how I can connect through the tiger." When audiences first see the puppets it is somewhat easy to notice the humans operating them. However, as the show continues and you immerse yourself in the story, quickly the puppets seem to take on a life of their own and the puppeteers are easy to overlook. "It is just an engine of imagination," said Taha Mandviwala, lead actor in the show. Each night Mandviwala can be seen on stage, at many times interacting with nothing else on stage other than the puppets. "Interacting with a puppet is very similar to interacting with an actor, Mandviwala said. "An actor has its own thoughts, its own intentions, its own obstacles and reactions." Mandviwala said it is a fun challenge to convince himself he is interacting with real exotic animals so that the audience has the same level of immersion. "I'm really trying to view the puppet with the respect, the life, the weight and physics it deserves. And, the danger they deserve. This is not a Disney-fied relationship." Toussaint Jeanlouis, one of the three puppeteers for Richard Parker, said he enjoys how the puppet challenges him each night to be one with his peers. "I feel like I'm a lot stronger for it, physically and mentally. And, it is fun," Jeanlouis said. The DCPA welcomes Life of Pi from March 18 through March 30. For more information on Life of Pi tickets visit the Denver Center online . CBS Colorado is a proud partner of the DCPA.
CBS News
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Mean Girls the musical brings comedic movie to life at Denver Center for the Performing Arts
One of the most popular comedies from the early 2000s is coming to life on stage at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts this week. "Mean Girls," the musical, begins a one-week stay at the Buell Theatre starting Feb. 25. "It is so timeless," said Katie Yoemans, an actress in the production. Yoemans and Kabir Ghandi both joined the cast of Mean Girls at the end of 2024. Both will be among the many talented singers and dancers who will be taking the stage at the Buell Theatre. "It is kind of a cult classic for sure with the iconic movie. This musical adaptation is so fun," Ghandi told CBS News Colorado's Dillon Thomas. "It is all of your favorite characters and crazy moments, with a little music added in there." Both Yoemans and Ghandi said they were thrilled to bring the production to the DCPA, noting it is a fun show for anyone who has ever attended high school, no matter their age today. "It is just so gosh-darn relatable. No matter where you are in life, if you are in high school you will definitely relate to what is going on," Ghandi said. "But, all of us have been to high school and know trials and tribulations." "Audiences should expect a really fun night. A lot of laughing, a lot of jokes. It is silly and lighthearted. But, there are messages about friendship, empowerment, and being a good friend," Yoemans said. Tickets to Mean Girls at the . CBS Colorado is a proud partner of the DCPA.
