New Play Summit This Weekend!
February 20, 2020
Every thespian’s dream—the Colorado New Play Summit Festival—has arrived! Five exciting new plays have been workshopped by actors and directors based on audience feedback from last weekend’s readings. Now after a week of intense work, the Colorado New Play Summit brings you readings of these fully-workshopped plays, as well as productions of two plays that were featured readings at last year’s Summit. You’ll have no trouble finding something fun to do this weekend in Denver and Aurora.
Thursday – Sunday, February 20-23
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
On the cutting edge of tomorrow’s daily life are drones—and this fascinating exhibit takes a close look at the past, present, and future of remotely-controlled pilotless aircraft. Drones are already being used for homeland defense, in the motion picture industry, and amateur home use, but how much further will they go? Will people completely give up the controls?
Drones: Is The Sky The Limit? examines not only safety but also privacy issues and will shed light on aspects of the devices that you never even thought of. Developed by subject experts from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Drones: Is The Sky The Limit? covers the history of drones as well as the exciting possibilities for the future: someday drones will explore Mars, serve as pilotless flying taxis, and deliver packages and groceries to our front doors. The interactive exhibit features real drones, rich audio/visual content, and even drone racing!
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sun., 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: Included in price of admission, $9.95-$16.95
Phone: 303-360-5360
Friday, February 21
CULINARY TRAVEL TO VIETNAM
Learn how to created exquisite culinary masterpieces from the land known for international comfort food! You’ll learn all about the ingredients unique to the region and the techniques that make the flavors shine. Then join in creating your own dinner with hands-on expert guidance: the menu includes Lemongrass Chicken, Beef Pho, and Sweet Banana Ice Cream.
The only thing better than making it is eating it afterwards!
Cook Street School of Culinary Arts, 43 W. 9th Ave., Denver
6:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $119
Phone: 303-308-9300
PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Enjoy a fun night out as a couple or with your friends while the kids have their own adventure at the Southshore YMCA’s Kids Night Out event at the Lakehouse. They’ll have a blast with other kids through age 12, watching the movie Inside Out about Riley is a happy, hockey-loving 11-year-old Midwestern girl, but her world turns upside-down when she and her parents move to San Francisco. Kids will also enjoy playing games, doing crafts, and having dinner. Children must be potty-trained in order to attend, and registration for the event is required.
The Lakehouse, YMCA Southshore, 27151 E. Lakeview Dr., Aurora
6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Registration: $15-$17
Phone: 720-870-2221
PEE-WEE AT THE PARAMOUNT
If you were a fan of the silly and hugely popular Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure movie back in the 80s, you’ll love revisiting this classic when it screens with Pee-Wee himself (Paul Reubens) in attendance! After the screening, Reubens will share hilarious stories about the making of the movie.
Paramount Denver, 1621 Glenarm Pl., Denver
7:30 – 11:30 p.m.
Tickets: $39.50-59.50
Phone: 303-623-0106
Friday – Sunday, February 21-23
NEW PLAY SUMMIT
The Colorado New Play Summit Festival is a whirlwind of readings, events, and a chance to meet and mingle with the artists, industry leaders, and fellow theatre-lovers. In addition to hearing fully-workshopped readings of exciting new plays, the Summit includes lunches, a formal dinner and party in Seawall Ballroom, and a Playwrights’ Slam! Check out the daily schedule for individual readings and events, or splurge and spend the entire weekend at DCPA with a Summit Pass!
New works include Another Kind of Silence, an ensemble drama about two expatriate couples living and creating art in Greece; Hotter Than Egypt, a play about a middle-aged American couple who travels to Cairo and gets entangled in romantic temptations; In Her Bones, a drama set in Colorado about the legacy of Sephardic Jews who fled the Spanish Inquisition five centuries ago to settle in the San Luis Valley; Reclaiming One Star, a courtroom thriller based on the true story behind the origins of the racist name of the football franchise the Washington R*dsk*ns; and Alma, a touching family drama about an undocumented Mexican immigrant and her teenage daughter.
Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex/DCPA, Speer Blvd. and Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri., 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Sat., 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (next day); Sun., 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $7-$10 per reading; package of 4 readings, $23-$36.80
Phone: 303-446-4841
SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE
It’s a story too amazing to be anything but true: when Albert Einstein was a professor at Princeton University in 1937, he received a phone call from the internationally-renowned classical singer Marian Anderson who was giving a concert at the university’s theatre. But because she was African-American, Anderson was denied a hotel room. So Einstein invited her to stay at his home.
The play Secrets of the Universe is based on the true relationship of these titanic figures, imagining what the conversation between these two might have been. While the original production of the drama was a musical, this is the world premiere of the non-musical version of the show!
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$37
Phone: 303-873-6622
LOCAL THEATRE – THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS
Another case of truth being stranger than fiction: this musical tells the true story of the infamous 1930s Scottsboro Case, where a group of young African-American men are falsely accused of a terrible crime. From the songwriting team that created Chicago and Cabaret comes a modern masterpiece that’s both humorous and haunting.
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $32
Phone: 303-856-7830
FINAL WEEKEND FOR SINATRA
If you haven’t had a chance to catch this phenomenal tribute to the music and persona of Frank Sinatra, this is your last chance! This Sinatra tribute show brings Ol’ Blue Eyes to life as you journey back in time to a Vegas nightclub, where all your favorite classic hits will be performed—over 50 in all!
Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $33-$38; dinner-and-show package starts at $49.50
Phone: 303-800-6578
BEETHOVEN’S MISSA SOLEMNIS
In celebration of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday, the Colorado Symphony is joined by the Colorado Symphony Chorus to perform one of Beethoven’s greatest masterpieces. While not as well-known as his iconic Ninth Symphony, Missa Solemnis was composed around the same time. Considering the two works together sheds light on Beethoven’s religious world view.
The familiar Ode to Joy in the Ninth Symphony is a hymn to man and brotherhood, while the Missa Solemnis is a hymn to God. So monumental is the work that it could not have been accomplished by words—or music—alone. The finale is an unanswered plea for peace amid approaching war.
Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. and Arapahoe St., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876
Saturday, February 22
MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION
If you’re craving a great Mardi Gras Celebration, take a day trip out to the Village at Winter Park Resort!
They’ll have live music and will be mixing up hurricanes in their cocktail/beer garden. This is a family-friendly celebration, with crafts and photo opps for the kids.
Get a little taste of Louisiana right here in the Rockies!
Winter Park Resort, 85 Parsenn Rd., Winter Park
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 970-726-1578
Saturday – Sunday, February 22-23
TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE SHOW
There’s a whole world out there to explore, and the Travel and Adventure Show is just the place to find out all about it! Well-known travel celebrities like Rick Steves and Pauline Frommer will be in attendance to offer ideas about forging your own epic travel adventure! This show goes beyond the typical travel packages to open doors to paths you didn’t even know existed!
You will have the opportunity to discover more than 150 destinations all over the globe and talk face-to-face with thousands of travel experts. Other travel celebrities include Josh Gates and Cheryl Strayed. You can attend educational seminars with them and enjoy entertainment featuring faraway cultures. There will even be segway rides and a photo booth, so bring the entire family!
Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Hall C, Denver
Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$22
Phone: 303-932-8100
COLORADO HOME AND GARDEN SHOW
It may be snowing outside, but inside the Colorado Home and Garden Show, a fragrant wonderland awaits you! This is the Rocky Mountain region’s oldest, largest and most prestigious garden and home show, nine days inside the Colorado Convention Center that you won’t want to miss! Discover the latest trends in landscaping, gardening and home improvement—all while enjoying a stroll through more than an acre of professionally landscaped gardens.
Meet Denver area gardening gurus and home improvement experts to get advice about all your project ideas and learn about the latest trends in landscaping and home renovation. All this, and you’ll also be contributing to a great cause! The show is the biggest fundraiser for Colorado Garden Foundation who provides college scholarships for education in agricultural industries and to fund horticulture-related grant projects throughout Colorado!
Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver
10:0 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$12
Phone: 303-932-8100
The Arts, Music and More Near Southshore!
Enjoy Life at the Lake in the master-planned community of Southshore—and find culture and entertainment within easy reach! Looking for a new home you can add your signature style to? Tour the beautiful model homes from Taylor Morrison, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers. Available in ranch and two-story designs, Southshore homes are priced between the upper $400s and the $700s.