PROMO: Colorado ACTS presents interactive murder mystery dinner theatre

An Interactive Dinner Theater

ACTS Alumni Production

Welcome to Castle Lugenheim, the ancestral home of the Baroness von Lugenheim, your unwilling hostess this evening.  The ancient Castle is home to many legends and has a history of supernatural occurrences.  The Baroness has been getting a little…strange in her advancing years and several family members have recently moved back into the Castle to keep an on eye on her and their chunk of the estate.  Roderick, her scheming nephew, Clara, her niece with an eye on an unsuitable husband, Frida, the poor groveling cousin, a household staff of suspicious characters, a feud with neighbor Count Rottenhurst combined with the mysteries of the castle to make for an unusual evening.  Roderick has opened the castle to tour groups in an effort to raise capital for his lamp shade business. A group of young detectives are among the guests who arrive for a delicious meal and an opportunity to experience the sinister Castle up close.  In the course of the evening, with the help of the audience, they will uncover secrets as dark and forbidding as the Bavarian mountains.

This Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Performs:

Thursday June 2nd, Fridays June 3rd & 10th, and 

Saturdays June 4th & 11th, all at 7:00pm

At

The Colorado ACTS Theater

58th (Ralston Rd.) & Holland

across from the Safeway

Tickets

$10 ticket price includes show and dinner

Reservations Required, call  303-456-6772

REVIEW: Billy Elliot

Littleton native Susie McMonagle (Mrs. Wilkinson) and Daniel Russell (as one of four actor/dancers playing Billy) in  "Billy Elliot the Musical." Photo by Doug Blemker.

Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling" is one of those archetypal tales that strikes a primal nerve and a resounding chord in nearly everyone who has experienced the awkward and embarrassing puberty years. Finding our true identity, our special gifting, our calling in life, doesn't come easily for most. And so when a movie like "Billy Elliot" comes along to put a fresh face on a universal story, there's not much that can go wrong. We WANT to identify with the protagonist.

In "Billy Elliot," fate takes a sensitive, awkward and gangly lad who lives in a rough and tumble but failing mining town in England, and gives him a natural talent for dance. And not just any dance, but classical ballet. As he struggles to find and express himself, the town itself suffers a crushing miner's strike and near-fascist oppression from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's jackbooted thugs. Will Billy dance his way out of a hopeless situation, and in doing so, bring a glimmer of hope to his beaten-down family and community?

The film emphasizes the clarion call to nurture potential, and honestly, Billy dances with passion, but he's at best a diamond in the very, very rough. Yet in "Billy Elliot: The Musical," playing through June 5 at the Buell Theatre, Billy is already a world-class talent. Forget auditioning for the Royal Ballet Academy, he's ready for the big time. And therein lies the musical version's Achilles heel. Any obstacles to his inevitable success are purely superficial. Also, Elton John's songs are mostly derivative and manipulative.

To be fair, many of the musical numbers are quite thrilling, but also serve to remind us that this is merely "Billy Elliot Lite." Rather than a scrappy tale rising from the struggling proletariat, the musical version seems to be put together by fabulous artistes who have a lark going slumming but can't resist dressing it up a bit, then a bit more, and then go over the top.

And though there are many supremely talented kids in the show, this is definitely NOT a musical suitable for children, and not just because of the complicated political backdrop. "Billy Elliot: The Musical" seems not just to endorse but actually celebrate drinking, smoking, domestic violence, swearing and cross dressing as legitimate ways to cope with stress. Also, in a couple of instances there seems to be an unhealthy man/boy dynamic going on. And rather than acknowledge the hard work, sacrifice and dedication required for training in classical dance, the show trivializes Billy's achievement by having the entire cast, miners, troopers, grandma, EVERYONE take their final bows wearing tutus and flouncing about in a vulgar display. What were they thinking?

"Billy Elliot: The Musical's" greatest contribution to the genre is Peter Darling's extraordinary and innovative choreography. Not since "Cats" have I seen such a fully conceived and successfully executed vision for movement on the stage. Most of the cast play types that could easily have been cut and pasted from any number of other shows (especially "Les Mis," "Oliver," "Footloose," and "Annie"), though the role of Billy, played alternately by four different actor/dancers, is uniquely challenging, making unbelievable demands on the young men.

Unlike "My Fair Lady," yet another ugly duckling musical based on a non-musical source, "Billy Elliot: The Musical" left me wanting to re-visit the original.

"Billy Elliot the Musical" was brought to the Buell Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex by Denver Center Attractions and plays through June 5. For information and tickets, call 303-893-4100 or visit www.denvercenter.org. For more information on the touring production, check out www.billyelliotthemusical.com.

Despite "Judgment Day" false prophecy, we're still having church on Sunday!

Founder of Family Radio and false prophet Harold Camping has gotten a lot of publicity lately predicting that Judgment Day would happen tonight, between 6-8 p.m. This has generated a lot of amusement from Christians and non-Christians alike. It has also sparked interest in the idea of of the End Times, giving hope to some that God would just hand us a quick fix to all our problems by answering our prayer of "just take me now!" Others have expressed anxiety and fear of impending doom, interpreting the message as "just wait 'til your father gets home!"

Rather than discredit Camping, who rebounded from a similar failed pronouncement that the Rapture would take place in 1994, I encourage you to look through your own Bible, particularly Matthew, chapters 24 and 25,  (or Mark 13 for the shorter version), and Acts 1:7, then consider the following:

1. Yes, there WILL be a Judgment Day. Jesus has a LOT to say about it.
2. There will be signs and portents
3. But we are NOT to be troubled or deceived about it
3. No one knows the date or time, not even the angels in heaven
4. It's going to come as a surprise to some and a shock to others
5. Christians should live each day, each moment, in a state of readiness
6. When it comes, it will be too late for those who thought there was plenty of time to get right with God
7. Jesus, the living Lord and Son of God is the only one who can save us from having a really bad forever.
8. He's already done everything necessary on his side to save us, and offers it freely.
9. Now it's up to people to receive that salvation, grow in relationship with him, and share the good news with others, until he comes back

In the meantime, especially tonight, I encourage you to pray:
1. For the people who think that all Christians are crackpots or morons because of blind guides like Camping and his misguided followers, and are gleefully waiting for yet more ammunition to take pot shots at the very lifeboat that seeks to save them.
2. For the formerly faithful who have been troubled or deceived by false prophets, wolves in sheep's clothing, who mislead and do injury to the flock. (You have NO IDEA how many people have rejected God because of bad experiences with pastors or congregations. We all have a huge responsibility to offer healing and reconciliation to these wounded brothers and sisters.)
3. That people (especially and specifically people YOU KNOW) will turn to the Lord and be saved.

You have an opportunity to provide a helpful, sensible, biblical and compassionate response to this tempest in a teapot that has been stirred up. Let's make the most of it.

Then, I hope to see you at church on Sunday! (We're still celebrating Easter!)

Blessings and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Fr. Patrick

REVIEW: 9 to 5: The Musical

WORKING WOMEN: Diana DeGarmo, Dee Hoty and Mamie Parris star in Dolly Parton's fresh yet retro "girl power" show, '9 to 5: The Musical,' playing through May 8 at the Buell Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Leave it to the irrepressible and indomitable Dolly Parton to take a 30-year-old "girl power" movie about overcoming sexual harassment in the work place and parlay it into a fresh and uplifting musical comedy. "9 to 5: The Musical," based on the movie, plays through May 8 at the Buell Theatre.

It's just the kind of thing you'd expect from the legendary country singer: sassy but sweet, wide-eyed yet knowing, retro and hip, all at the same time.

In addition to the iconic title song, Parton has composed the tunes and lyrics for 15 additional numbers. Patricia Resnick, who wrote the original screenplay, has honed the story down to fit nicely into a flashy musical that offers plenty of fine moments for supporting and minor characters, as well as the chorus. Throw in snappy direction and choreography by Jeff Calhoun, and frequent video appearances by Parton herself as narrator, and "9 to 5: The Musical" becomes a triumph of light-weight, popular musical theater entertainment.

The musical is primarily a showcase for the three heroines: the much-abused but highly competent Violet (Mamie Parris), backwoods Barbie Doralee (Diana DeGarmo) and nervous new girl Judy (Dee Hoty) as they unwittingly set into motion a chain of events that escalates into the kidnapping and humiliation of their outrageously chauvinistic boss (Joseph Mahowald). During his "absence," they initiate reforms in the office that boost productivity by meeting the needs of the workers, and boost their own self-esteem. Ironically, a lot of energy goes into running and improving the business, but I don't think we ever know what the company actually does. This is a musical that knows, like Jacob Marley of Dickens fame, that PEOPLE, and making opportunities for them to grow, are our true business.

Thirty years is long enough for the fashions and hairstyles of the period to become funny all on their own, and "9 to 5: The Musical" pays tribute to "the look," but interestingly, are not as extreme as the original! The songs are easy on the ears, and the whole spirit of the musical is one of good, wholesome, silly fun. Even the men (and in the show they are nearly all pigs) won't feel slighted, because we can imagine that we are so much more evolved now.


Broadway and the Tony's weren't as kind to this show as they might have been, and shame on them, especially now that YET ANOTHER revival of the far more cynical "How to Succeed in Business" is garnering their praise.

"9 to 5: The Musical" has all the infectious optimism you would hope for, but rarely find in musical comedies these days.

Brought to Colorado by Denver Center Attractions, "9 to 5: The Musical" plays at the Buell Theatre through April 8. Call 303-893-4100 for tickets and information, or visit www.denvercenter.org. For more information on the touring production, check out www.9to5themusical.com.

Drama Camp in Evergreen

Evergreen Players Drama Camp The premiere performing arts camp in the foothills Online registration is now open!! The curtain is going up on a summer filled with the excitement and magic of theater!  At DRAMA CAMP, performers of all levels -- beginner to advanced -- find expression and fulfillment on stage.  Our program is for young performers ages 5-17. Are you looking for a way to channel your child's energy in a creative and positive way?   Does your child dream of standing in the spotlight on opening night or hearing the applause of an audience?    Drama Camp is sure to be the highlight of your summer!   Renye Ress Memorial Scholarship Fund Twelve years ago, Drama Camp was founded by Renye Ress. As a tribute to her vision and the contributions that she made to the Evergreen Players, there will be a scholarship fund dedicated in her name for which any camper may apply if they have a financial need. Please contact Mandi at dramacamp@evergreenplayers .org to request an application. Join Our Mailing List! Be a part of our   11th Annual Drama Camp! July 11-22, 2011    REGISTRATION IS ONLY OPEN UNTIL MAY 31ST!  Many of our sessions sell out, so sign up today!     www.evergreenplayers.org       See you this summer!   Ages 5-7 Scene Stealers! A fun-filled week onstage! Kids jump into stories from children's literature and bring them to life in these wonderful sessions created for our youngest actors. This exciting week ends with a performance that puts your child in the spotlight! $150.00 Choose your session... July 11-15  9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. SOLD OUT!  July 18-22  9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Still available  Ages 8-12 Alice in Wonderland (non-musical version)  Two Week Session! July 11-22 2011 Kids will enter the world of this well-loved classic play complete with all the crazy characters we know from Alice's amazing encounters in Wonderland. They audition for, rehearse, memorize and perform this full-length production in only two-weeks! Campers favorite!! $450.00 - ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT!  Project Imagination! One week only - July 11-15:  Ages 8-9  Kids will have a blast creating their very own show! In this session, our instructors will guide the campers as they develop plot, set and characters. At the end of the week the group will perform a show in which each child is both an actor and a playwright! $250.00   Mystery Theatre One week only - July 18-22: Ages 10-12 In this session campers will use characters, clues and suspense to create and solve a mystery. Kids will be working as a team to write their own mystery play. At the end of the week the group will perform in a show in which each child is both an actor and a playwright! $250.00 Teen Triple Threat  July 11-22, 2011 Two Full Weeks! IMPROV COMEDY, ACTING, SINGING, & DANCING Do it all in this great session that is  wildly popular and sold out every summer! Price for BOTH Weeks: $450.00  July 11-15 Improv Comedy & Acting Taught by EPiC member Beau Augustin! Become part of "The Tribe" as our eclectic and talented troupe of teen actors has called itself for the last four summers! You'll play improvisational theatre games and learn acting skills through scenes and monologues in a week that will prove fun and challenging for all. Week 1 only: $225.00  July 18-22 WEST SIDE STORY  A week of Singing, Dancing & Acting from the classic musical recently revived on Broadway and a 2009 Tony award winner. There will be solo opportunities to showcase both singers and dancers! Week 2 only: $225.00  Sign-up Today!  1. Complete the registration form on the Drama Camp page at www.evergreenplayers.org/dramacamp.php 2. Enter your Email address. You will automatically receive a message to link you to our secure online registration. 3. Submit your secure credit card payment on our website. 4. You'll receive an email confirming your registration!  Questions??  Send us an email!: dramacamp@evergreenplayers.org (720) 935-1136 We are excited to have your kids join us this summer at Center Stage! Please feel free to contact us anytime if you have questions or concerns.   Mandi McKibbin Ogle Director  Mandi