Top College Productions To See This Year In The Denver Area
A recent production at the Norton Theater in Greeley (credit: University of Northern Colorado School of Theatre Arts and Dance)
In addition to the many amazing professional theater companies found all over Colorado, there are also a number of truly impressive collegiate theater productions worth your attention. College productions often rival professional productions in terms of quality and scale, and you can usually get seats for a much cheaper rate. You'll get to see all the newest talent in town and you may even be able to see a new star in the making. Here are a few of some of the most exciting college shows to check out in the Denver area this fall.
Caucasian Chalk Circle
University of Northern Colorado
Langworthy Theatre
Frasier Hall
Greeley, CO 80639
(970) 351-2200
www.arts.unco.edu
Dates: Oct. 17-20, 2013
If you aren't familiar with "Caucasian Chalk Circle," you may be missing out on a powerful show that is very worthy of your attention. Written by Bertold Brecht, it is a story inspired by a tale of King Solomon about a peasant girl that rescues a baby and is a better mother than the child's birth parents. Brecht wrote the play in 1944 when the German playwright was living in the United States. It was translated to English and involves a traditional Brechtian style of minimalist deconstruction in which the actors and audience engage together.
The Foreigner
CU Boulder
Acting Studio
261 UCB
University Theatre Building
Boulder, CO 80309
(303) 492-8008
www.theatredance.colorado.edu
Dates: Oct. 23-27, 2013
"The Foreigner" is a brilliant award-winning comedy by Larry Shue. The story revolves around a painfully shy man who poses as a foreigner who doesn't speak English while visiting a rural fishing lodge in Georgia. The fun begins when people think he cannot understand them and he overhears much more than he should, setting up lots of fun bits and plenty of hilarity along the way. You are sure to have a great laugh when you visit the University of Colorado in Boulder for this hilarious comedy. This is a prime example of why CU has a great reputation for the arts.
Macbeth
CU Boulder
Loft Theatre
261 UCB
University Theatre Building
Boulder, CO 80309
(303) 492-8008
www.theatredance.colorado.edu
Dates: Oct. 30 through Nov. 3, 2013
The Bard's tale comes to vivid life on stage in this production of "Macbeth." As one of Shakespeare's most well-known tragedies, "Macbeth" is often performed and is a favorite of college theaters and professional theaters around the country. Perfect for the Halloween season, it is the dark tale of murder and blood, sure to send a tingle down your spine.
Oklahoma
University of Northern Colorado
Norton Theatre
Frasier Hall
Greeley, CO 80639
(970) 351-2200
www.arts.unco.edu
Dates: Oct. 31 through Nov. 10, 2013
Enjoy one of the most beloved musicals in all of musical theatre history. As the first collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein, "Oklahoma" is one of the most innovative and ground-breaking musicals of its time. The story of the rivalry between the local farmers and the cowboys sets the take of the love story of Curly and Laurey. With lots of familiar favorite songs like "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" and "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin," you are sure to have a great time.
You Can't Take it With You
Metropolitan State University
MSU Denver Studio Theatre, King Center
855 Lawrence Way
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 556-2296
www.msudenver.edu
Dates: Nov. 14-24, 2013
This classic comedy is a timeless favorite and is sure to be a great time for any lover of the arts. Told in three acts by the brilliant minds of George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, it tells the story of the Sycamore family who seems crazy at first. When one of the Sycamore's falls in love with the young Tony Kirby, from a seemingly normal family, it is up to the kids to try and keep the peace when the parents meet. A full evening of crazy events happens and nothing goes as it should, when in the end, it simply asks the question – who is really normal?
Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
