DENVER (CBS4) – Show lovers are getting one week to grab a great deal on tickets for a big Broadway musical.
“9 to 5” was a hit movie in 1980 starring Dolly Parton. In 2009 it was a hit Broadway musical featuring music by Parton. This April the Tony Award nominated musical will be arriving at the Buell Theatre. And you can see it, while saving money, this week only.
Watch CBS4 Critic at Large Greg Moody’s video report below.
Link: Get Tickets For 9 To 5
DENVER (CBS4)– The popular Broadway musical Wicked is getting ready to unleash its magic and flying monkeys at the Buell Theatre for the fourth time.
The performance remains incredibly popular not just with audiences across the country, but also with those in the Denver metro area.
Part of the draw and continuing popularity can be found in the sets, props and costumes. Wicked is a big, bright and well-produced show full of bright lights and outrageous costumes, big tunes and stage music.
CBS4 Critic at Large Greg Moody believes it’s the perfect blend that keeps audiences coming back or those who haven’t seen it, want to see it for the first time. Watch his report below.
Wicked is playing at the Buell Theatre through May 20.
RELATED LINK: denvercenter.org
– Greg Moody is CBS4’s Critic At Large. His reports on CBS4 News are featured on the CBSDenver.com Entertainment section.
– Also, don’t miss Moody’s entertaining bio, his Top Spots in Denver lists, and his frequently updated Moody’s Picks page.
DENVER (CBS4)– The Tony Award winning musical “Kinky Boots” is giving audiences in Denver something to remember that’s deeper than flashy costumes or catchy songs.
Kinky Boots won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Now the Broadway show is getting ready to hit the stage in Denver.
The plot follows an English man trying to save his shoe factory by any means possible. He begins to make fashion footwear for drag queens. That’s when the show gets interesting.
Kinky Boots (credit: CBS)
“I think what they end up leaving with is song, dance, entertainment and a whole lot of joy,” said Kyle Taylor Parker who plays Lola. “The show is so moving and it’s about real people, it has a palpable heartbeat. I think that’s what everyone is responding to.”
Writer Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper have created a show that’s hugely entertaining and touches your heart.
“People aren’t expecting the show to have as much heart as it does. The show, it has such a sweet spot in it. Obviously it’s a spectacular, fabulous show that has people up on their feet but I think that’s what surprises people. How moving the show is,” said Steven Booth who plays Charlie.
Kinky Boots opens Oct. 29 at the Buell Theatre and continues through Nov. 9.
LINK: denvercenter.org
DENVER (CBS4) – In every new city they go to, the cast of the Broadway musical “Waitress” goes in search of a special young talent. They’re looking for a 4-year-old girl to play a special part at the end of the show, and recently they held auditions at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. CBS4 Critic-At-Large Greg Moody called it, “an avalanche of cute.”
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“We’re looking for girls who are going to be really confident and calm, and be able to hold their own amidst moving scenery, dancing and singing. There is a lot going on at this moment in the show. People who aren’t going to be freaked out by having a 2,000 person audience watching them,” said Susanna Wolk, the assistant director of “Waitress.”
LINK: For Tickets & Information for “Waitress”
Finding that certain something took patience, a big smile, and a huge hug at the end of the run. It’s only seconds in the play, but this small part leaves a lasting impression.
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“More importantly, we’re looking for girls who are energetic and spunky…joyful, and someone who can really help us tell this joyful story,” Wolk added.
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With music by Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, “Waitress” tells the story of a young woman working in her small town pie shop who knows she’s destined for greater things. And the all-female creative team brought it to life.
Right now the focus is on the kids and finding the right few to finish the finale with a flourish.
BOULDER, Colo (CBS4) – BDT Stage is performing the beloved Broadway musical “Annie.”
“Annie” (credit CBS)
Based on a comic strip, “Annie” tells the story of precocious orphan, Annie, who lives in 1930’s New York City. Annie is able to escape the orphanage, meet a President, and find a new home with “Daddy Warbucks.”
LINK: For Tickets & Information for “Annie”
Critic-At-Large Greg Moody’s review:
“Annie is one of the great war horse musicals of classic Broadway. It’s been performed big and small on Broadway, tour, regional and community stages.
“Annie” (credit CBS)
Everyone’s done it. Everyone’s seen it. But I’ve come to believe that the show only works if you have three key characters cast correctly: “Annie,” “Miss Hannigan,” and “Daddy Warbucks.” BDT Stage got the correct cast.
“Annie” (credit CBS)
Darcy Keating as “Annie” is a knock-out, raising the roof every time she breaks into song. It’s also a treat when you get to see Annie Dwyer or Wayne Kennedy on stage.
“Annie” is so well known you can recite most of the show in your sleep, but Boulder’s Dinner Theatre gives it a fresh spin that let me realize why I first enjoyed the show so many years ago.”
DENVER (CBS4) – Details of the lottery for the upcoming performances of “Hamilton: An American Musical” in Denver have been announced.
(credit: Joan Marcus/DenverCenter.org)
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts says 40 orchestra tickets will be sold for every performance for $10 each.
The first digital lottery opens two days before the first show (Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. for the Feb. 27 performance) and there will be a separate digital lottery for each subsequent performance that will also open two days prior. Each lottery closes at 9 a.m. the following morning.
The Denver Center says to enter the lottery, you’ll need to “use the official app for HAMILTON, now available for all iOS and Android devices in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store (hamiltonmusical.com/app).” Registration can also be done on at hamiltonmusical.com/lottery.
LINK: Further “Hamilton” Ticket Lottery Information
The national tour of “Hamilton” took Broadway by storm in 2015. Its run in Denver is from Feb. 27 through April 1. The show tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton, using original music that blends hip-hop, rhythm and blues, pop, soul, and traditional-style show tunes. The music, lyrics, and script were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Outside of the lottery, most tickets have sold for the Denver shows but additional seats may be available closer to the engagement.
DENVER (CBS4) – The English rock band, The Who, released “Tommy” in 1969, and critics hailed it as a breakthrough album. It tells the story of a boy, who doesn’t speak or talk. The musical version of “Tommy” opened in 1992, and it went to Broadway in 1993. Almost 50 years after it debuted on vinyl, “Tommy” is playing at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
LINK: For Tickets & Information About “The Who’s Tommy”
“It’s the text from the Broadway show, that’s the framework,” said Sam Buntrock, the director. “It talks about how we want people to be icons and not people. That’s the rollercoaster ride.”
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The character “Tommy” suffers a traumatic incident as a child, which causes him to withdraw. But as he discovers a talent for pinball playing, he has to learn to navigate the fame and fortune of success.
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“My own version of the piece is very human, and interested in exploring the relationship that ‘Tommy’ has to his past and his mythology,” Buntrock told CBS4.
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“Tommy” ultimately triumphs over his adversities, making this musical about hope, healing, and the human spirit. Themes that audiences of any era can relate to.
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“I think ‘Tommy’ will matter as long as people are still discovering that album, and discovering those tunes, and falling in love with it,” said Andy Mientis, who plays “Tommy.” “As long as rock music matters, I think, ‘Tommy’ matters.”
DENVER (CBS4) – The hit Broadway Show “The Book Of Mormon” is back in Denver by popular demand.
Book of Mormon (credit: CBS)
The musical was created by Colorado natives Matt Stone and Trey Parker — who also created the animated sitcom “South Park.”
Trey Parker and Matt Stone both grew up in Colorado, own a multi-million dollar mansion in Steamboat Springs. They met when they were attending the University of Colorado at Boulder. Comedy Central hired the pair in 1997. (credit: CBS)
“The Book Of Mormon” tells the story of a pair of Mormon missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the good word.
Kevin Clay (credit: CBS)
Kevin Clay plays the lead role as Elder Price. He joined CBS4 to talk about the show’s humor and deeper message.
The nine-time Tony Award-winning musical opens Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. It runs through July 7.
LINK: Book Of Mormon Tickets
LOS ANGELES (CBS4) – The touring production of “On Your Feet” is making its way across the country. Recently, it had a star-studded premiere in Los Angeles, and CBS4’s Critic-at-Large Greg Moody was on the red carpet.
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Stars such as comedian Kathy Griffin, singer Michael Bolton, and actor Tom Arnold attended the opening. But the biggest buzz was for Emilio and Gloria Estefan.
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“Is it still exciting to see the show?” Moody asked the couple.
“Yes,” Emilio Estefan replied.
“Of course it is, and even more so because each tie we’re seeing it, it’s with people who haven’t seen it, most of them haven’t, so it’s always fresh and news. And we’ve got so many great people, celebrities and wonderful audience from L.A. here sharing with us tonight, and we’re happy,” Gloria Estefan said.
LINK: For Tickets & Information for “On Your Feet” in Denver
“On Your Feet” goes behind the music of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, inside the story of their rise to the top of the pop music world and the tragedy that almost took it all away. It’s a high energy combination of music and dance, which has become a keystone in the Latin community and a Broadway staple.
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“This show is very important because it’s a true story about two people that conquer the American dream, and did it with passion, with love, with faith, with family. And, I think, in the times we’re living, this message needs to be spread all over the country, all over the world,” said Mauricio Martinez, a singer and actor in “On Your Feet.”
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“On Your Feet”, the story and music of Gloria and Emilio Estefan runs August 8th through the 19th at the Buell Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
DENVER (CBS4) – The Broadway musical, “Beautiful”, opens for one week at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It’s the story of singer/ songwriter Carole King and the prolific body of music she produced.
LINK: For Tickets & Information for “Beautiful”
“I’ve never identified so much with a role,” said Sarah Bockel, the actress who plays King in the touring production of “Beautiful”.
Bockel said she’s thrilled to play the music icon on stage.
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“She’s down to earth, she’s grounded, she’s goofy, and nerdy, and she kind of just sort of blurts out whatever she’s thinking. Yeah, she’s so fun to be. I identify with her a lot,” Bockel told CBS4.
Audiences may be surprised by just how many of Carole King’s songs they identify with, like “Natural Woman”, “You’ve Got A Friend”, and “I Feel the Earth Move.”
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“My favorite song is ‘It’s Too Late’. I know it’s a sad one, but I think it’s the grooviest,” Bockel explained.
King has written 118 pop hits between 1955 and 1999. The musical focuses on her time writing with her then-husband, Gerry Goffin, and songwriting team, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, who were also married. The musical features many of King’s hits from that time.
“I feel like we’re creating a new generation of Carole King fans,” Bockel said.
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Bockel said that in addition to the music, there is a compelling story of what was going on behind-the-scenes between the two couples. And, that the whole experience comes with a strong message.
“There’s nothing that can get in the way of you achieving your goals but you,” Bockel said.
“Beautiful” plays at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts from Tuesday through Sunday.
