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Buell Theatre
1350 Curtis St., Denver
The COVID-19 pandemic brought numerous cancellations and rescheduled show dates. But many of those postponed performances are finally returning to the stage at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ (DCPA) Buell Theatre, including Broadway musicals Come From Away and Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the The Temptations.
From Tony Award–winning director Christopher Ashley, Come From Away tells the true story of flight passengers stranded in Newfoundland following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This emotional and heartwarming story, told in just an hour and a half (with no intermission), will restore your faith in humanity through the retelling of the kindness of strangers. Come From Away has a limited run—closing on October 9—so be sure to secure your tickets before it rolls out of the Buell. Tickets range from $30–$120.
Also based on true events, Ain’t Too Proud will open on October 25 and run through November 6, telling the story of soul music icons the Temptations as they rose to fame. Tickets range from $35–$120.
Curious Theatre Company
1080 Acoma St., Denver
To kick off its 25th season, Curious Theatre Company is showing the regional premier of Heroes of the Fourth Turning, written by Will Arbery and directed by former DCPA producing artistic director Kent Thompson. The controversial, thought-provoking work—showing through October 15—centers around four young conservative Catholics in Wyoming who explore their ideology and politics. In the playbill, Thompson writes, “It dares us to listen to perspectives that many of us in the audience will find abhorrent; however, if we do listen, we may learn something about those on the other side of the current political divide in this country.”
Facilitated group discussions will be held after the 135-minute show (no intermission) at the October 7 and 13 performances. Tickets range from $32–$48.
Buntport Theater
717 Lipan St., Denver
Brought to you by local playwright Ellen K. Graham, Buntport Theater welcomes the unique comedy, Coyote. Badger. Rattlesnake, which brings viewers behind the scenes with museum workers Carroll and Glenn as they use taxidermied creatures to build a nature display—and experience their own revelations about humanity along the way. The show is making a limited return to Buntport through October 15.
During the pandemic, Buntport introduced a “name your price” ticketing system in hopes of keeping live theater accessible for all. Audience members are still able to choose their own ticket prices but are encouraged to reserve their seats online in advance. Masking is required for all guests.
The Bug Theatre
3654 Navajo St., Denver
For one weekend only, see John Logan’s Tony Award-winning two-man play Red, a drama inspired by acclaimed American painter Mark Rothko. The hour-and-a-half performance follows Rothko, known for his abstract color field paintings, and his fictional assistant Ken as they work together on mural commissions. Performances at the Bug Theatre begin at 7 p.m. on October 15 and 16 with tickets priced at $17.
Following its run at the Bug, Red will move to Jesters Dinner Theatre in Longmont (224 Main St.) on October 29 and 30.
Vintage Theatre
1468 Dayton St., Aurora
The stage at this East Colfax gem may be smaller than the likes of DCPA, but the talent at Vintage Theatre is just as large. Catch the regional premiere of the Piano Teacher, written by Julia Cho and directed by Dwayne Carrington, Fridays through Sundays until October 16. The at-first seemingly innocent story of a lonely widow turns into a suspenseful drama with an unexpected twist. The show’s run time is 85 minutes with no intermission, and tickets range from $20–$34.
Phamaly Theatre Company
9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Denver’s critically acclaimed Phamaly Theatre Company debuts Vox Vergere, directed by Betty Hart, on October 13 at the People’s Building in Aurora. Eight original short plays written and performed by intersectional artists with disabilities discuss “love, connectivity, and joy within the disabled community” and how these things converge with topics of race, gender, sexuality, age, and class. Wheelchair-accessible seating, captioning, and other accessibility services are available for each show. (On October 16, American Sign Language interpretation and audio description are available, and can also be requested for later dates up to two weeks in advance.)
Vox Vergere is sure to spark meaningful conversations, which will begin during the conversation following each performance. The productions run through October 23, and tickets range from $20–$30. Guests are required to wear masks in the building.
Miners Alley Playhouse
1224 Washington Ave., Golden
The Miners Alley Children’s Theatre is getting into the spooky season with the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This version of Washington Irving’s classic 1820s tale, adapted and directed by Rory Pierce, will run twice each Saturday through October 29 with shows beginning at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Join Ichabod Crane as he discovers his small town’s ghostly legends—and the infamous Headless Horseman—which just might prove to be more than folklore. Tickets for both adults and children cost $14 each.
Arvada Center
6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
The River Bride, written by Marisela Treviño Orta and directed by Jamie Ann Romero, runs at the Arvada Center Black Box Theatre until November 6. The hour-and-a half performance (with no intermission) takes place in a Brazilian fishing town and fuses “Brazilian folklore with magical realism.” Themes of love, family, and magic pull in audiences with tickets starting at $45.
A special American Sign Language interpreted performance will take place on October 9 at 2 p.m. Wheelchair-accessible seating options are also available. Questions about accessibility can be directed to the box office at info@arvadacenter.org or 720-898-7200 ext. 1.
Adams Mystery Playhouse
2406 Federal Blvd., Denver
Adams Mystery Playhouse is Denver’s premier mystery dinner theater, and audiences can get their frightening fix and put their crime-solving skills to the test with two interactive shows this October: Steam Trunk Murder and Murder at the Speakeasy. Set in the midst of the French Revolution, Steam Trunk Murder runs through November 12. And Murder at the Speakeasy, a classic “whodunnit” set in the 1920s world of flappers and gangsters, runs through November 19. Guests are encouraged to don steampunk- and 1920s-themed costumes for each show, respectively. Tickets, which include both dinner and admission to the two-hour experience, range from $54–$64.
BDT Stage (formerly Boulder’s Dinner Theatre)
5501 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
BDT Stage celebrates its 45th season—and what is expected to be its last—with Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story. Thursdays through Sundays from now until January 28, 2023, guests can watch as the true story of Buddy Holly’s short-lived fame and ultimate impact on the world of rock and roll in the 1950s is told through his music. Tickets range from $70–$75 per person and include an entrée. Appetizers, desserts, and drinks from the specialized menu—which even includes real cricket tacos in honor of Buddy Holly’s band, the Crickets—are available for an additional price.
