Often times in theatre, you see plays or musicals where the characters know they are in a show. They break the fourth wall and look/talk/interact directly with the audience, but they usually will stay in character. It’s not too often you see a musical where, from the very beginning, it is made clear that everyone on stage knows that they are an actor playing a part in a show.
In A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, our narrator comes out at the top of the show and welcomes us, informs us of what part he will be playing, introduces the cast/characters while leading the opening ensemble number. As the title suggests, our guide spells out, and the chorus sings clearly is that this is meant to be a light-hearted comedy through and through. The show uses every trick in the book to get laughs – slapstick, raunch, farcical chase scenes – and while some land heartily, we left the show with mixed feelings overall.
Of the shows opening this weekend, these are the ones we want to see. These could be the best shows of the year or these shows could end up being terrible. As always we encourage you to chime in with your thoughts on our list and what shows you are seeing this weekend. 
Breckenridge’s Backstage Theatre, winner of the 2010 Outstanding Regional Theatre award by the Colorado Theatre Guild, is proud to present a World Premiere screwball comedy, The Wedding Eve, written and directed by Backstage Artistic Director Christopher Willard and starring area favorites, Bob and Missy Moore. 
Spark Theater in Denver is taking the Craigslist ads we love to read (an occasionally even respond to) and putting them onstage. Starting on January 27th, Casual Encounters/Missed Connections will give Denver theatergoers a fictional look at the real personal ads posted on Craigslist.
Brrr. It’s cold in here…
Step inside the Big Heart Bar and Grille, a popular saloon in Pueblo, Colorado, where a bevy of colorful characters can always be found on Amateur Talent Night. On this particular Saturday, the loyal locals are bemoaning the opening of a competing country and western disco across town. These die-hards open their hearts, reveal their insecurities and take a united stand in this fun, down-to-earth romp with people who will remind you of folks you know – maybe even yourself.
Originally debuting in London’s West End and later on Broadway, Chess is a rock opera that uses the game of chess – with all of its power plays, manipulations, and sacrificial pawns – as a metaphor for the universal conflicts in love and life as well as global strife and the desire for a peaceful coexistence. The Arvada Center Artistic Producer and show Director, Rod A. Lansberry has announced the cast for Chess, A Musical.
Curious Theater Company Presents 9 CIRCLES, the winner of the 2011 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theater Critics Association Best New Play Award. Tangled in a web of moral ambiguity and military bureaucracy, 9 CIRCLES is the riveting story of the young and disturbed Daniel Reeves, on trial for war crimes committed during his tour in Iraq. In a series of nine scenes mirroring the nine circles of Danteʼs Inferno, 9 CIRCLES takes us on a journey through the post-traumatic mind of a soldier and his descent into darkness, holding a jarring mirror up to some of the most complex and troubling issues of our times.
The next production in Town Hall Arts Center’s 30th Anniversary Season will be A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. This popular farce is directed by Robert Wells, with musical direction and tracks by Donna Debreceni and choreography by Nick Sugar. This light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent show is one of the funniest musicals every written. It takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from the time-tested 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.
For audiences with eyes on their pocketbooks, a world premiere play is an unsettling idea when thinking about which show to go see, but the Denver Center is committed to not only providing top notch productions of classic works but being on the cutting edge in the national theatre community. That is why the new year not only brings with it resolutions and playoff football, but also new works brought to us by the Denver Center Theatre Company. As it has done for quite some time, DCTC has taken two plays directly from their new play summit and has mounted full productions – The Whale and Two Things You Don’t Talk About at Dinner.
In a modern version of Adam’s seduction by Eve, THE SHAPE OF THINGS pits shy and awkward Adam against analytical and daring Evelyn, a graduate student in art. After a chance meeting at an art museum, Evelyn and Adam embark on an intense relationship that causes Adam to go to extraordinary lengths to improve his appearance and character. What follows is a passionate and disturbing study of power within human relationships and the ethics involved in the relationship of art and life.
Of the shows opening this weekend, these are the ones we want to see. These could be the best shows of the year or these shows could end up being terrible. As always we encourage you to chime in with your thoughts on our list and what shows you are seeing this weekend. 
