A Weekend of Comedy, Drama and Space Talk!

February 28, 2019

You don’t need to venture far from home to find top-notch theatre performances! Neighborhood theaters in Aurora offer professional productions of comedies, dramas, musicals—even experimental theatre! With talented casts and award-winning plays, this weekend you can catch a hilarious parody of a Chekov play, a Denver-premiere of a musical comedy about love and murder, and an edgy experimental drama about clowns! Enjoy entertaining arts of every variety this weekend!

Thursday-Saturday, February 28-March 2

EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE ABOUT CLOWNS
For a complex and thought-provoking work of physical theatre, Idiopathic goes beyond generic clown stereotypes and uses this familiar character to illuminate the extreme difficulties of the human condition with humor and poetry.

This new experimental work by Nick Trotter is a hallucinatory vision of a life whose purpose has eroded from within, thanks to addiction, anxiety, and insomnia. “Idiopathic” is a medical term for diseases or conditions that can’t be explained: the literal translation is “self-­caused.” The music for the show is performed live on “instruments” including circular saw blades, rusted brake drums, sheet metal, and other found objects and noisemakers. Edgy experimental theatre is right here in the neighborhood!

The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Phone: 729-819-6680

CATCH MAZ JOBRANI LIVE ON STAGE
Comedian Maz Jobrani is all over the place. He’s made over 50 guest star appearances on TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, True Blood, and Shameless. He’s also a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and has given two TED Talks. In his spare time, Jobrani wrote an LA Times bestselling book, I’m Not A Terrorist But I’ve Played One On TV.

Most recently, you may have seen him in his starring role in the CBS sitcom Superior Donuts or streamed his Netflix stand-up special, Immigrant, which was filmed at the Kennedy Center. Jobrani was a founding member of The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, which aired on Comedy Central in 2007. He has co-starred in many films including Disney’s Descendants, Sydney Pollack’s The Interpreter, and Ice Cube’s Friday After Next.

Comedy Works-Downtown, 1226 15^th St., Denver
Thurs., 8:00 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.; Sat., 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$50
Phone: 303-595-3637

Thursday-Sunday, February 28-March 3

ONE OF THE 25 COOLEST FILM FESTIVALS!
The 15th annual Boulder International Film Festival is well worth the drive to Boulder! Named one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World, BIFF presents 60 to 70 acclaimed, new films for every taste.

You’ll see shorts, comedies, documentaries and features—as well as parties, special events, celebrity interviews, filmmaker talkbacks, live music, free programming for students and seniors, an amazing CineCHEF culinary competition, and much more! If you are a film enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to experience this world-class film festival just an hour away! 

BIFF Office, 2338 Broadway, Boulder; Screenings at various locations
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $15
Phone: 303-449-2274

FINAL WEEKEND FOR ICE SKATING!
With spring right around the corner, don’t miss one last chance to indulge in your favorite winter sports before it’s too late! This is the final weekend to take a spin at Southlands’ ice skating rink—a magical winter wonderland where friends and family can share some old-fashioned fun gliding around the ice!

The Pond Ice Rink at Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
Thurs., 4:00-9:00 p.m.; Fri., 4:00-10:00 p.m.; Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $3.50 – $8.50
Phone: 303-627-5000

THE WHISTLEBLOWER – A WORLD-PREMIERE PLAY
Eli is a screenwriter whose dream of creating his own TV show has finally come true, but instead of being elated, he finds himself wondering why he had that dream in the first place. So he sets out to uncover some hard truths in his own life, creating chaos among his coworkers, family, exes, and friends in the process.

Be among the first to see The Whistleblower, a world-premiere performance by Tony Award-winning playwright, Itamar Moses, about the lies we tell ourselves and others—and what happens if we decide to come clean.

Space Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe, Denver
Thurs., 6:30 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $37-$72
Phone: 303-893-4100

XANADU ON STAGE
Remember the 80s movie with Olivia Newton-John? It’s been reinvented as a stage musical, and it’s just as fun! Xanadu is the magical journey of a Greek muse, Kira, who becomes human in 1980’s Venice Beach, California, to inspire a struggling artist to invent roller-disco. Of course, they fall in love! 

This Tony Award-nominated roller-skating, musical adventure about following your dreams despite the limitations others set for you, rolls along to the original hit score. Whether you are a fan of roller-skating, falling in love, or being inspired, this feel-good show has something for everyone!

Garner Galleria Theatre/DCPA, 1101 13th St., Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sat./Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $46-$49
Phone: 303-571-4401

Friday-Sunday, March 1-3

WHIRLING DERVISH AT THE SYMPHONY
The exciting works in this program have driving dance rhythms in common, even as they span the centuries. Beethoven’s energetic Symphony No. 7 was called the “apotheosis of the dance” by Wagner for the spinning, whirling motion at its heart. The second movement—Allegretto—is a standalone haunting piece of classical music, one of Beethoven’s most well-known works.

Fast forward a couple hundred years to two pieces written by contemporary composer Mason Bates. Auditorium is a baroque thriller, delivering its own version of haunting music, and conjuring up ghosts of classical music past. The second Bates piece features cello superstar Joshua Roman in his Colorado Symphony debut, performing an energetic piece that Bates wrote especially for him, Cello Concerto. By the final movement, rhythmic energy consumes the piece—after all, as Bates noted, Roman is know for playing arrangements of Led Zeppelin, and “I had to send him out with a bang.”

Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876

CHEKOV – ON STAGE
If watching a Chekov play makes you want to stand up and scream at the characters, “If you don’t like your life, DO something about it!”, then you are going to love this play! Life Sucks is an updated and reworked Uncle Vanya about a modern group of friends, ex-lovers, acquaintances and family members who all seem to be in love with the wrong person—and spend most of their time hilariously lamenting about it. 

While capturing the “love, longing, and loss” themes of Chekov, this play makes one important departure—characters advise each other to “do something to make your life better!” Don’t miss this hilarious community theatre production!

Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E Colfax Ave., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$37
Phone: 303-739-1970

A MUSICAL COMEDY ABOUT LOVE AND MURDER!
This hilarious Tony Award-winning musical is a Denver premiere! Monty Navarro is down on his luck, juggling two girlfriends and the constant threat of landing in the slammer. When he finds out he’s the heir to a family fortune, he can’t believe how his luck has turned—until he realizes he first has to eliminate the eight pesky relatives who are in line before him. 

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder will have you laughing out loud—and wondering why you are actually rooting for Monty! You don’t need to go far for great theatre—the Vintage Theatre is right in the neighborhood!

Vintage Theatre Productions, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $38
Phone: 303-856-7830

Saturday, March 2

FREE DAY AT THE ART MUSEUM
Get artsy this first Saturday of the month! Denver Art Museum offers FREE general admission to see their collection and non-ticketed exhibitions, including fun things to do for the entire family. Bilingual programs are available! 

A master storyteller will tell the stories behind the objects during Cuentos del Arte at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. You can catch a 1:00 p.m. tour of an exhibition in Spanish, or create some art of your own at the Create-n-Takes galleries. You can even try your hand at new techniques in the Studio with the bilingual staff!

Denver Art Museum, 100 West 14th Ave., Denver,
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE (First Saturdays)
Phone: 720-865-5000

PJ MASKS SAVE THE DAY – LIVE!
Fluttering Feathers! Leaping Lizards! If your kids are fans of the PJ Masks series, they will love this live musical show featuring the adorable heroic trio! Families who watch the show already know these are characters with heart, kids who turn into superheroes when they put on their pajamas! The live show is filled with the same positive energy, great music, and valuable lessons.

 Watch Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko along with their new friend, PJ Robot, as they try to save the day from the sneaky villains: Romeo, Night Ninja, and Luna Girl! There will be plenty of leaping, flipping, and climbing—all live on stage! 

Bellco Theater, 700 14th St., Denver
1:00 and 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $37-$65
Phone: 303-228-8260

Sunday, March 3

APOLLO 9 LECTURE
This family-friendly space talk is so exciting, the kids won’t even realize it’s educational! The Apollo Series traces the steps from the invention of rockets in 1926 to the Moon Landing on July 20, 1969. This lecture focuses on Apollo 9, which tested the lunar module for the first time while in Earth orbit and a huge step toward the landing on the moon later that year. Space-enthusiasts Stephen Kelly and Chuck Stout outline the history of Apollo 9 with exciting anecdotes!

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $8.50-$15
Phone: 303-360-5360

Entertainment, Education and The Arts 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 Century Communities, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers. Available in ranch and two-story designs, Southshore homes are priced between the $400s and the $700s.