Top Theaters In Denver
(credit: Bug Theatre)
Denver is truly one of the most vibrant and cultural cities in the world, with lots of different arts and live theatrical opportunities for anyone and any taste. If you love the big, bold Broadway style musicals, then you'll adore the Denver Center for the Performing Arts or the Arvada Center for the Arts. Or, if you prefer things a little smaller, and you like the intimacy of close, local theater, then you'll find a visit to Vintage Theatre, the John Hand Theatre or even The Bug Theatre to be a perfect way to spend an evening. Really, there are so many fantastic spaces that it's nearly impossible to narrow this list down to just a handful, so start here, check out these great spaces, and then venture onward to see more of the amazing live theater being offered right here in your own backyard.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
14th. & Curtis St.
Denver, CO 80202
(800) 641-1222
www.denvercenter.org
There really is no debating this Tony Award-winning company and the brilliant work that it provides for the community year after year. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is the biggest and best professional theater in town, however you may not realize just how many different organizations work under the same roof. The Denver Center Theatre Company puts up its own season of work every year, while Denver Center Attractions works to bring in the huge Broadway touring companies of some of your favorite and most anticipated productions. That doesn't even include the Colorado Ballet and the Colorado Symphony, who also make their home in the same complex. When it comes to live theater, however, you can really never go wrong with a trip to the Denver Center, whether it's for one of the smaller local shows or one of the big touring productions. It's a theater-lover's haven, and for good reason.
The Arvada Center for the Arts
6901 Wadsworth Blvd.
Arvada, CO 80003
(720) 898-7200
www.arvadacenter.org
The other huge performing arts company near Denver is the massive Arvada Center for the Performing Arts. This amazing company offers Broadway-quality shows all created and presented right here in Colorado. From huge musicals to smaller plays and even summer concert series, the Arvada Center for the Arts has it all, and even the largest theater space is surprisingly intimate. There really is not a bad seat in the house, and you'll love enjoying the big musicals and other productions by the talented team here. Make sure to arrive early to wander around the different art galleries, as the different exhibitions change often and are always worth the extra time before you head into the theater.
Related: Top Theaters In Colorado Springs
Vintage Theatre Productions
1468 Dayton St.
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 856-7830
www.vintagetheatre.org
Vintage Theatre started out in a small postage-stamp sized theater on 17th Avenue. However, it's now located in a stunning facility in Aurora, in the heart of the Aurora Cultural Arts District. This beautiful state-of-the-art theater is home to two spaces, it's own theater company and several visiting companies that rent space or travel through the area. In this new larger space, Vintage has been able to provide some truly remarkable productions, including the recent "Miss Saigon" and last year's hit "In the Heights." Next to the large space, Vintage stays true to it's roots, with a smaller black-box studio space, where it presents smaller drama and comedies like the recent hit run of "Other Desert Cities." It all fits snuggly in the warm and welcoming facility with its large bar and plenty of cabaret style seating to enjoy a drink before or after the show. If you haven't checked out this new center of culture in Aurora's Cultural Arts District, what are you waiting for?
The John Hand Theater
7653 E. 1st Place
Denver, CO 80230
(303) 562-3232
www.johnhandtheater.com
The John Hand Theater in Lowry may be the biggest hidden gem in town. This is truly intimate theater, with fewer than 80 seats in the comfortable theater space. The John Hand Theater is home to Spotlight Theater Company, Firehouse Theater Company and Silhouette Theater Company, and the three different companies do a wonderful job each providing something unique and different for the Lowry neighborhood arts patron. If you enjoy a hilarious British farce or a classic drawing room mystery, then you'll adore your time with Spotlight Theater, while Firehouse Theater offers it's own selection of modern pieces and classics. Silhouette is the smallest of the three companies, offering unknown and edgier works, however all three companies bring something wonderful and unique to the stage. The comfortable atmosphere, combined with the variety of live theater makes the John Hand Theater truly one of the best theaters in Denver. Just take the time to find it, you'll be glad you did.
Related: Top Directors In The Local Theater Scene In Denver
The Bug Theatre
3654 Navajo St.
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 477-5977
www.bugtheatre.org
This funky space was originally built in 1912 and spent much of its life as a nickelodeon movie house before being resurrected and remodeled into the wonderful live performance space it is today. The Bug Theatre is home to several different programs, including its long-running monthly variety show, Freak Train. The Bug is also home to the Emerging Filmmakers Project, which is the center of truly local film in Denver, and many standup comics make the rounds here, including the well-known Grawlix team, who performs on the last Friday of every month at The Bug. As if that weren't enough, The Bug is also home to many different companies, including Equinox Theatre Company, which brings five productions a year to the stage, offering fun takes on quirky comedies and cult classics. Other local theater companies use the space as well, from 11 Minutes Theatre to Next Pony and even The Catamounts have all spent time on this fabulous stage. There is always something fun and exciting happening at The Bug, just check out the website and you'll find many reasons to visit this Denver hot spot.
Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
