Aladdin the Musical Comes to Town!

April 5, 2018

If you loved the story and music of the Disney movie Aladdin, you won’t want to miss the spectacular Broadway musical with all of your favorite songs as well as a few brand-new ones! Also in town this weekend, choose from a wide selection of other plays and concerts, comedy shows, dance performances and a special movie tribute to America’s favorite pastime! Take your pick of the great entertainment choices in the Aurora area this weekend!

Thursday-Saturday, April 5-7

CHRIS HARDWICK’S STAND-UP ACT
Pop culture enthusiasts know Chris Hardwick as the voice of their generation. With his quick wit and razor-sharp intellect, Hardwick has become a successful comedian, actor, TV host, author, writer, producer, and podcaster. His wildly successful podcast, Nerdist, boasts over 5.5M downloads per month! This is your chance to see him live on stage! As one of today’s top touring stand-up comedians, Hardwick released his most recent one-hour comedy special titled Funcomfortable after his 2016 tour.

He’s been all over TV, as the host of various shows including NBC’s hit game show series The Wall, the highly-rated Talking Dead, the after-show Talking with Chris Hardwick, and the upcoming NBC series The Awesome Show. You may have also seen Hardwick in one of his memorable appearances alongside Kelly Ripa as guest co-host of Live with Kelly.

Comedy Works-Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
Thurs., 8:00 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.; Sat., 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $35
Phone: 303-595-3637

Thursday-Sunday, April 5-8

THIS IS MODERN ART
In the stealth of night’s cover, a different kind of artist sets out to make bold and controversial statements on unexpected canvases. These graffiti crews are known to some as bold visionaries and to others as vandals and criminals. When one Chicago graffiti crew goes too far, the consequences get serious and spark a public debate asking, where does art belong?

This Is Modern Art gives a glimpse into the lives of anonymous graffiti artists and asks us to question the true purpose of art. Staged in the innovative no-frills Jones Theatre, you never know what will happen next. With a thrust stage and tiered seating, the theatre allows for surprising new performances and one-of-a-kind interactive experiences, just what you would expect from a play about graffiti artists!

Jones Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Thurs., 6:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25
Phone: 800-641-1222

AN INTRIGUING PLAY ABOUT PICASSO
All of the complexities of the man and artist are concentrated into a potent mix of quotable lines in this compelling drama. When Picasso goes into hiding in Paris during the German occupation in World War II, a Third Reich cultural attaché, Miss Fischer, finds and interrogates the cubist master to verify three of the master’s works for the Ministry of Propaganda’s “degenerate” art exhibition.

In a dramatic twist, Miss Fischer becomes a Picasso sympathizer as they conspire to save two of the works. Since “all’s fair in art and war,” A Picasso reveals truths and tensions rise when art, politics, sex and lies collide.

MACC – Pluss Theatre, 350 South Dahlia Street, Denver
Thurs., 7:00 p.m.; Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$35
Phone: 303-800-6578

Friday, April 6

CELEBRATE NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!
“Poetry is an act of peace” (Pablo Neruda). “Poetry is eternal graffiti written in the heart of everyone” (Lawrence Ferlinghetti). “Poetry is the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash” (Leonard Cohen). What is poetry to you?

Come to the Aurora Public Library to celebrate National Poetry Month by writing your favorite poem or verse outside with sidewalk chalk. Bring the kids and stop by the Youth Services department for fun poetry activities for kids and teens.

Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora
4:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 303-739-6600

THE LEGO MOVIE KIDS NIGHT OUT
Everything is awesome when you’re part of THIS team—the Lakehouse YMCA’s Kid’s Night Out! The Lego Movie is a fun-filled escape into Legoland that your kids will love as they hang out in the company of other Lego fans. Meanwhile, you can use the time for a parents’ night out! Children must be potty-trained, and all ages up to 12 years old are welcome. Registration is required.

The Lakehouse, YMCA Southshore, 27151 E. Lakeview Dr., Aurora
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Cost: $15-$17
Phone: 720-870-2221 

Friday-Sunday, April 6-8

NATIVE GARDENS
In this new play by celebrated Latina playwright Karen Zacarias, two couples must come to terms with their own biases in order to become good neighbors. When Pablo and Tania, a young Latino couple, move into a well-established DC neighborhood, long-time residents Frank and Virginia have the best intentions for making the new couple feel welcome next door.

But their budding friendship is tested when they realize their shared property line isn’t where it’s supposed to be. Frank is worried he will lose his prize garden while Pablo feels he is being cheated out of what is rightfully his. Both women would rather worry about other matters, but it requires everyone to take a hard look at the root of their problems if they are ever to find a way to connect.

Space Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. at Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$65
Phone: 800-641-1222

FAREWELL CONCERT WITH COPLAND’S RODEO 
Copland’s Americana Rodeo: Ballet in One Act is a classic that never gets old, and it’s this rollicking favorite that Maestro Andrew Litton revisits for his final performance as Principal Guest Conductor with the Colorado Symphony. Masterful cellist Alban Gerhardt joins Litton onstage for a rare performance of Barber’s exceptionally challenging Cello Concerto, while Brahms’ rustic, energetic Symphony No. 2 — the Symphony that put him on the map — is the crown jewel of this concert. Come for the splendor and to say “bravo” to Maestro Litton!

Boettcher Concert Hall/DPAC, 1000 14th St. #15, Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876

THE AUDIENCE – A ROYAL PLAY 
For over six decades, Queen Elizabeth II has held a private weekly audience with each of her 12 prime ministers. The discussions are utterly secret, even to the royal and ministerial spouses.

The Audience imagines what might have conspired behind those closed doors, as playwright Peter Morgan brings to life the Queen and prime ministers from Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher to David Cameron in this captivating drama. As the creator of the Netflix series The Crown, Morgan brings his fascination with and expertise of all things royal to the stage!

Vintage Theatre Productions, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $26-$32
Phone: 303-856-7830

INSPIRATION ACROSS THE AGES – DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
“In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” These inspiring words become heart-wrenching when considering they were written in the diary of a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. The dramatization of Anne Frank’s diary has been performed countless times over the past half-century, yet her story remains as important and relevant as ever.

This classic play is a must-see for adults and older children to bear witness to the astonishing bravery, honesty and compassion of the young heroine. The Diary of Anne Frank frames history in the most humanistic terms in this Pulitzer-Prize and Tony-Award winning play.

Lowry’s Spotlight Theatre Company/John Hand Theater, 7653 E 1st Pl., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$25
Phone: 720-530-4596

Saturday, April 7

FANCY FOOTWORK – AN ACT OF LOVE
Don’t miss this special fundraising performance organized by the Colorado Ballet dancers themselves! Selections include excerpts from the great classics to new contemporary works by choreographers within the Colorado Ballet family. All proceeds from the event will go towards Colorado Ballet’s Career Transition Fund, Next Step.

A dancer’s career flares brilliantly yet briefly, and the next step in their lives is always on the horizon. Help them to move on gracefully! Guests attending the evening performance will also have the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind items and experiences in a silent auction, also coordinated by the Colorado Ballet dancers.

Armstrong Center for Dance, 1075 Santa Fe Drive, Denver
1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30
Phone: 303-837-8888

Saturday-Sunday, April 7-8

ALADDIN – THE MUSICAL!
One lamp. Three wishes. You know the story, but you’ve never experienced it like this! The hit Broadway musical features all your favorite songs from the Disney film, as well as new music written by Tony® and Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (Newsies) with lyrics penned by the legendary Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast), and Tony Award winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Aida).

Everything about this production is top-rate and over-the-top! From the producer of The Lion King, the timeless and heartwarming story of Aladdin is presented as a whole new world, filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy, and breathtaking spectacle.

It’s an extraordinary theatrical event, called “fabulous” and “extravagant” by The New York Times. See why audiences and critics agree that Aladdin is “exactly what you wished for!” (NBC-TV).

Buell Theatre/DCPA, 1350 Curtis St., Denver
2:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $45-$175
Phone: 800-641-1222

Monday, April 9

SANDLOT ANNIVERARY SCREENING
In a love-letter to the sport of baseball, director David Mickey Evans gave us the movie Sandlot 25 years ago. Celebrate the movie and the sport that you love at this special baseball-inspired screening party.

Bring out your whole team for a homerun of fun at this one-of-a-kind anniversary show where you can kick back with a hot dog and a cold one, and fall in love with this modern family classic all over again — or better yet, share it with your own little sluggers. For a limited time and while supplies last, you can also score a keepsake baseball hat, available for purchase exclusively with tickets to this show.

Alamo Draft House Theatre, 4255 W. Colfax Ave., Denver
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $13
Phone: 720-577-4720

Plenty to do in the Southshore Area!

There’s no end to your entertainment choices near the master-planned community of Southshore! Soon, the lake will be open for all sorts of recreational fun and games, so if you’re visiting Southshore, check out the spectacular models from Toll Brothers in Vista Point, Century Communities in The Hills, and Richmond American Homes at Lakeview. It’s enviable lakeside living in the assortment of ranch and two-story models, priced from the upper $300s to the $700s.