'Waitress' ala mode: Serving up 10 plays and musicals that are new to Colorado

You can know everything you need to know about a person by how they treat their waitress. Just ask Jessie Nelson , who slung the hash while she pursued her dream to become a film writer and director.

“I always called waitressing my Hollywood Finishing School, because I learned everything I know about writing from waitressing,” Nelson told me in a 2017 interview. “You can size up a person’s character in two brushstrokes. There is something profound in that.”

While Nelson was pulling hundreds of double shifts, she came across both amazing real-life characters — “people with really generous, open hearts,” she said — “and those people who think they are entitled to treat you like you are not a human being.”

All of that informed her first foray into writing for the musical theater. Nelson wrote the stage adaptation of “Waitress,” based on the late Adrienne Shelly ’s breakout indie film of the same name. Add the cherry of a Sara Bareilles score on top, and “Waitress” became the breakout Broadway hit of 2016, running for nearly four years.

“Waitress” made history as the first-ever Broadway musical with a female director, writer, composer, choreographer and orchestrator. The Arvada Center team is similarly led by director Lynne Collins, music director Susan Draus, choreographer Taeler Cyrus and starring actor Anne Terze-Schwarz as Jenna, a pregnant, unhappily married waitress in an unlikely relationship as a last attempt at happiness.

“We call Jenna ‘The Queen of Kindness and Goodness,’” said Nelson, who wrote and directed “I Am Sam,” starring Sean Penn, and many hilarious episodes of Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm. “She knows how to take care of everybody but herself. She presents this sunny exterior, and she bakes these extraordinary pies, and she’s the only one who can handle the curmudgeonly customers. But she’s also living this very dark secret — this relationship she’s in that is really destroying her self-esteem, her hopes and her dreams.” And everyone in this world that Shelly first created, from the restaurant’s customers to fellow waitresses, rallies around Jenna.

“Telling a story about a woman doesn’t make it a woman’s story," said Nelson. “It makes it a human story.’

Waitress came through Denver as a national touring production in 2017. But the Arvada Center production, running through Oct. 13 at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., will be the first homegrown staging of “Waitress" in Colorado. Info at 720-898-7200 or arvadacenter.org

As the fall theater season begins in earnest, here is a brief look at 10 more upcoming shows that, like "Waitress," will be new to Colorado audiences, in order of opening date:

Vintage Theatre’s 'Della Doucet'

When: Through Sept. 22

By: Kirsten Dahl

The pitch: This romantic comedy was the winner of Vintage’s 2023 New Play Festival, with the prize being a full, world-premiere staging. It follows a Louisiana-born wife and mother whose flight from her marriage to a military officer takes her to New York, where she discovers punk rock, the East village art scene and romance without commitment.

Look out for: Johanna Jaquith as Della Doucet

At: 1468 Dayton St., Aurora

Info: 303-839-1361 or vintagetheatre.com

Dana Cain’s 'The Android’s New Soul'

When: Sept. 6-15

By: Dana Cain

The pitch: This world-premiere, silly sci-fi rock musical, written by a teenage girl in the 1970s, takes place in radiation-plagued, mutant-filled, post-apocalyptic California, where a scientist reprograms an android to be her boyfriend. Directed by Denver creative savant Jeff LaGreca.

Look out for: Suzanne Slade-LaGreca and Matthew Combs

At: The Bug Theater, 3654 Navajo St.

Info: 303-477-9984 or bugtheatre.info

Carpa San Diego’s 'Stories of the Invisible'

When: Sept. 7-8

The pitch: Su Teatro, Denver’s only Chicano theater company, hosts their San Diego brethren for this play presented in the Chicano-Mexican vaudeville tent-show tradition. Carpa stories are created from interviews with community members talking about vulnerable issues such as health, labor, immigration and the border.

Look out for: Company founder Samuel Valdez

At: Su Teatro Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive

Info: 303-296-0219 or suteatro.org

Curious Theatre’s 'Potus'

When: Sept. 7-Oct. 13

By: Selina Fillinger

The pitch starts with the play’s clever subtitle: “Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive.” Election season has proven a terrible time to present serious political theater. But “POTUS” is anything but. It’s a riotous comedy about the women in charge of the man in charge of the free world. Directed by Jada Suzanne Dixon.

Look out for: An all-star cast of local women led by Tara Falk, C. Kelly Leo, Leslie O’Carroll and Natalie Oliver-Atherton

At: 1080 Acoma St.

Info: 303-623-0524 or curioustheatre.org

Theatreworks' 'Henry IV and V'

Adapted by Max Shulman from three plays by William Shakespeare

The pitch: University of Colorado-Colorado Springs associate professor Max Shulman compresses the meteoric rise of King Henry V down to one fast-paced, 2 1/2 hour adventure. So you know the head that wears the crown won't be uneasy for long.

Look out for: Versatile actor Colton Pratt, one of Colorado Springs' leading leading men

At the Ent Center, 5225 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs

Info: 719-255-3232 or entcenterforthearts.org

DCPA Broadway’s 'Kimberly Akimbo'

When: Sept. 22-Oct. 5

By: David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori

The pitch: This unlikely Broadway hit adapts David Lindsay-Abaire’s unusual play about 15-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition that causes her to age quickly into a Tony Award-winning best musical. Ever the optimist, Kim navigates family dysfunction, her first crush and possible felony charges with optimism. And Denver gets to host the launch of the show’s first national tour.

Look out for: Three-time Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello as Kim

At: Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex

Info: 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

Local Theater Company’s 'Stockade'

When: Sept. 26-Oct. 13

By: Andrew Rosendorf with Carlyn Aquiline

The pitch: A group of LGBTQ+ soldiers gather on Fire Island in 1952 at the height of the Lavender Scare. As the U.S. government was purging its ranks of homosexuals as “security risks,” these soldiers must choose between revealing their identities and remaining in the closet. Directed by Christy Montour-Larson.

Look out for: Alex J. Gould as Cliff and Thadd Krueger as Cliff

At: Carsen Theater at the Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder

Info: 720-379-4470 or localtheatercompany.org

BETC’s ‘Enemy of the People’

When: Sept. 26-Oct. 13 at the Savoy, 2700 Arapahoe St. Also: Nov. 8-17 at the Dairy Arts Center, Boulder

Adapted by Mark Ragan from the play by Henrik Ibsen

The pitch: Ibsen’s masterpiece centers on a doctor who discovers a health-care emergency and is vilified by politicians, libeled by a corrupt news media and shunned by a gullible citizenry. Will he stand up for the truth, even if it means taking on his neighbors and the leaders of his town? Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company Managing Director Mark Ragan calls the play “a slow-motion horror story of how fascist societies are born. Anyone who thinks it can’t happen here needs to watch this play.”

Look out for: Former Boulder Daily Camera theater critic Mark Collins as Dr. Thomas Stockmann

Info: 303-440-7826 or boulderensembletheatre.org

DCPA Theatre Company’s 'I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter'

When: Sept. 27-Nov 3

Adapted by Isaac Gómez from the novel by Erika L. Sánchez

The pitch: A tragic accident on the busiest street in Chicago leaves one high-schooler dead and another behind to both unravel her imperfect sister’s secret truth and reassemble the shattered pieces of her family. Artistic Director Chris Coleman calls the play “a love story to young Chicanas who, in trying to find the truth about the people and the world around them, end up finding themselves.”

Look out for: Rosa Isabella Salvatierra as Julia

At: Kilstrom Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex

Info: 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

Wonderbound’s ‘Devil's Crush’

When: Oct. 17-27

By: Garrett Ammon

The pitch: Denver’s hipster storytelling modern ballet company opens its new season with Lucifer laying down a bet with a soul on the line. Only this time … he loses. Forced to walk the Earth as a mortal, the Devil fights to regain his powers until he is confronted with a new challenge: Falling in love. Ammon draws from literary sources including Dante’s “Inferno,” Milton’s “Paradise Lost” and Twain’s “Letters from the Earth” – and, natch, an eclectic indie-rock soundtrack.

Look out for: Cameron Cofrancesco and Rachael Dean as Lucifer and his love

At: 3824 Dahlia St.

Info: 303-292-4700 or wonderbound.com

Off-Center’s ‘Monopoly Lifesized’

When: Oct. 22-Jan. 5

Licensed by Hasbro; produced by The Path Entertainment Group

The pitch: Off-Center, the DCPA’s most adventurous programming wing, often takes audiences on off-site theatrical adventures. Next it hosts the launch of a traveling version of this hit London attraction, which offers audiences a high-octane, “4D” way to play the world’s most enduring board game. Gamesters must solve escape-room-type challenges to unlock the chance to buy property, charge rent, and break out of jail.

At: DCPA Off-Center at Broadway Park, 407 S. Broadway

Info: 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

2024-25 THEATER SCHEDULES

(Does not include companies that have not yet announced an upcoming title)

ADAMS MYSTERY PLAYHOUSE

Presented by Marne Interactive Productions, 2406 Federal Blvd., Denver, 80211, 303-455-1848 or adamsmysteryplayhouse.com

Sept. 6-21: “Murder at Haunted Blood Mansion” (plus other ongoing events and rotating shows)

AND TOTO TOO THEATRE COMPANY

At the Roaming Gnome Theatre, 10255 E. 25th Ave., Aurora

Sept. 3: Queer Reading Series (Three new short plays)Oct. 1: “Steve Perry Loves Me” (staged workshop)

ARVADA CENTER

6901 Wadsworth Blvd., 720-898-7200 or arvadacenter.org

Aug. 30-Oct. 13: “Waitress”Sept. 27-Nov. 3: “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really” (in the studio theater)Nov. 24-Dec. 29: “Once Upon a Mattress”Feb. 14-March 30, 2025: “Clybourne Park” (in the studio theater)March 28-May 11, 2025: “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”

AURORA FOX ARTS CENTER

9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, 303-739-1970 or aurorafox.org

Oct. 5-27: ”Around the World in 80 Days”Nov. 30-Dec. 22: “Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Aurora Fox Christmas Show”

BAS BLEU THEATRE

401 Pine St., Fort Collins, 970-498-8949 or basbleu.org

Sept. 20-Oct. 13: “The School for Lies”Nov. 29-Dec. 22: “Airness”Feb. 28-March 23, 2025: “The Trip to Bountiful”May 23-June 8, 2025: “My Brilliant Divorce”May 30-June 15, 2025: “Another Medea”Aug. 8-10, 2025: Special Sauce”

BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS

At The Denver Improv, The Shops At Northfield, 8246 Northfield Blvd., denver.improv.com

Oct. 1-31: “The Rocky Horror Show” (Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Oct. 31)

BOULDER ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY

At the Savoy Denver, 2700 Arapahoe St.

At the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder

At the Nomad Playhouse, 1410 Quince Ave, Boulder

303-440-7826 or boulderensembletheatre.org

Sept. 26-Oct. 13: “Enemy of the People” (at the Savoy)Nov. 8-17: “Enemy of the People” (at the Dairy Arts Center)Oct. 17-Nov. 3: “The Ballot of Paola Aguilar” (at the Dairy Arts Center)Dec. 5-29: “Little Women” (at the Dairy Arts Center)Jan. 23-Feb. 16, 2025: “Hope and Gravity” (at the Savoy)Feb. 21-23, 2025: “Hope and Gravity” (at the Nomad)April 10-May 4, 2025: “The White Chip” (at the Dairy Arts Center)

BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

121 S. Ridge St., 970-453-0199 or backstagetheatre.org

Oct. 10-26: “The Haunting of Breck Theatre”

BUG THEATRE

3654 Navajo St., 80211,303-477-9984 or bugtheatre.info

Sept. 6-15, 2024: “The Android’s New Soul”Sept. 16: “Exposed: Raw Memoirs on Display”Every last Monday: Freak Train (variety)Every last Saturday: The Grawlix (comedy)

BUNTPORT THEATER

717 Lipan St., 720-946-1388 or buntport.com

Third Tuesdays: The Great DebateThird Wednesdays: The NarratorsNov. 1-23: Next original full-length play, title TBA (in collaboration with square product theatre)

CANDLELIGHT DINNER PLAYHOUSE

4747 Marketplace Drive, Johnstown, 970-744-3747 or coloradocandlelight.com

June 27-Sept. 8: “ Disney’s High School Musical”Sept. 19-Nov. 10: “Always ... Patsy Cline”Nov. 21-Jan. 12: “Scrooge! The Musical”Jan. 23-March 30, 2025: “Oklahoma!”April 10-June 8, 2025: “Bright Star”June 19-Aug. 31, 2025: “Anastasia”

THE CATAMOUNTS

At the Anythink Library, 9417 Huron St., Thornton

1410 Quince Ave., Boulder, 80304

Through Sept. 14: After the End”

CHERRY CREEK THEATRE

At the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., 303-316-6360 or cherrycreektheatre.org

Oct. 25-Nov. 17: “The Mountaintop”

CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE ENSEMBLE

At the Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre, 119 Park Avenue West, 303-295-1759 or cleoparkerdance.org

Sept. 14-15: “Black Orpheus” (at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House)Dec. 7-22: “Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum”

CLOCKTOWER CABARET

D&F Clock Tower, 16th and Arapahoe streets, 303-293-0075, clocktowercabaret.com

Ongoing events, mostly drag and burlesque

COLORADO NEW PLAY FESTIVAL

Chief Theater, 813 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, cnpfsteamboat.org

June 8, 2025: Colorado New Play Festival

COLORADO SPRINGS FINE ARTS CENTER AT COLORADO COLLEGE

At 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, 719-634-5581 or fac.coloradocollege.edu

Sept. 19-Oct. 6: “Dial M for Murder”Nov/ 2-24: “The City Dog and the Prairie Dog”Nov. 20-Dec. 29: “The Little Mermaid”Feb. 13-March 2, 2025: In Her Bones”Feb. 28-March 30, 2025: “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience”May 1-25, 2025: “Sister Act”

CURIOUS THEATRE

1080 Acoma St., 303-623-0524 or curioustheatre.org

Sept. 7-Oct. 13: “POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive”Nov. 9-Dec. 8: “Confederates”Jan. 18-Feb. 16, 2025: “A Case for the Existence of God”March 15-April 20, 2025: “Downstate”May 8-25, 2025: “Exhibit”

DEBUT THEATRE COMPANY

Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre, 417 West Magnolia St., Fort Collins, 970-221-6730 or lctix.com

Oct. 11-26: “The Fall of the House of Usher”

DEEPALI

Aurora Fox Studio Theatre, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, 303-739-1970 or app.arts-people.com

Sept. 19-21: “Confluence: A Story of Human Connection and Water”

DCPA THEATRE COMPANY

Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

Sept. 13-Oct. 6: “Hamlet,” Wolf TheatreSept. 27-Nov 3: “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” Kilstrom TheatreOct. 4-Nov 17: “Avaaz,” Singleton Theatre*Nov. 22-Dec. 29: “A Christmas Carol,” Wolf TheatreJan. 17-March 9, 2025: “The Reservoir,” Singleton TheatreFeb. 7-March 9, 2025: “The Suffragette’s Murder,” Kilstrom TheatreMarch 1-2, 2025: Colorado New Play Summit, Bonfils Theatre ComplexApril 11-May 18, 2025: “Little Shop of Horrors,” Wolf TheatreApril 25-May 25, 2025: “The Hot Wing King,” Kilstrom Theatre

DCPA BROADWAY AND CABARET

Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

Sept. 4-22: Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End”Sept. 22-Oct. 5: “Kimberly Akimbo”Sept. 10 and Dec. 2: “Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert”Oct. 16-Nov. 24: “Hamilton”Nov. 2, 2024-May 4, 2025: “Gutenberg! The Musical!” (Garner Galleria Theatre)Nov. 29-Dec. 1: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical”Dec. 6-8: “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas”Dec. 10-Dec 22: “Funny Girl”Jan. 22-Feb. 9, 2025: “Back to the Future: The Musical”Feb. 25-March 2, 2025: “Mean Girls”March 18-30, 2025: “Life of Pi” (a play)April 8-26, 2025: “The Wiz”May 2-4, 2025: “The Addams Family”May 6-18, 2025: The Book of Mormon”Jun 4-15, 2025: “& Juliet”June 25 – 29, 2025: “Mamma Mia!”July 8-20, 2025: “Some Like it Hot”Aug. 5-10, 2025: “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”

OFF-CENTER

303-893-6090 or denvercenter.org/about-us/off-center/

July 11-Sept 1: “Darkfield” (2532 Larimer St.)Oct. 22, 2024-Jan 5, 2025: “Monopoly Lifesized: Travel Edition “ (at Broadway Park, 407 S. Broadway)

DCPA EDUCATION THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES

Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre, Newman Education Building, 1101 13th St. 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

Oct. 18-Dec. 22: “Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are in a Play!’

THE DINNER DETECTIVE

Interactive murder mystery comedy dinner theatre held most Saturday evenings in these cities:

Embassy Suites Denver, 1420 Stout St. Marriott Fort Collins, 350 E. Horsetooth Road Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Drive, Colorado Springs

866-496-0535 or thedinnerdetective.com

EVERGREEN PLAYERS

At Center/Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, 303-674-4934 or evergreenplayers.org

Oct. 18-Nov. 10: “Spirit Level”Dec. 20-22: “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”

FIREHOUSE THEATER COMPANY

At the John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. 1st Place, 303-562-3232 or firehousetheatercompany.com

Oct. 5-Nov. 3: “The Girl on the Train”Nov. 23-Dec. 22: “Little Women”Feb. 8-March 9, 2025: “Blues for an Alabama Sky”April 5-May 4, 2025: “Perfect Arrangement”May 31-June 29, 2025: “Ripcord”

FOUNTAIN COMMUNITY THEATER

326 West Alabama Ave., Fountain, 719-233-5192, fountaincommunitytheater.org

Sept. 5-14, 2024: “Dearly Undeparted”

FUNKY LITTLE THEATER COMPANY

At the Westside Community Center, 1628 W. Bijou St, Colorado Springs

At the Palmer Lake Town Hall, 42 Valley Crescent St, Palmer Lake

719-471-4462 or funkylittletheater.org

Oct. 11-26: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (Palmer Lake Town Hall) Oct 12: “The Play Crawl” (Old Colorado City) Nov. 2: “Give 'em Hell, Harry” (Westside Community Center)Dec 5-14: “A Christmas Carol” (Westside Community Center)Dec 19-21: “A Christmas Carol” (Palmer Lake)

GIVE 5 PRODUCTIONS

At Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora

At the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker

give5productions.com

Oct. 11-Nov. 17: “Murder for Two” (at Vintage Theatre)Jan. 17-February 9: “Mary Poppins” (with Parker Arts at the PACE Center)March 31, 2025: “Undressed” (location TBD)

GLENWOOD VAUDEVILLE REVIEW

915 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, 970-945-9699 or gvrshow.com/

Through Oct. 13: “Vaudeville Show ​Summer Show”

IRON SPRINGS CHATEAU

444 Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs, 719-685-5104 or ironspringschateau.com

Through Oct. 1: “Star Quest”

JESTERS DINNER THEATRE

224 Main St., Longmont, 303-682-9980 or jesterstheatre.com

June 14-Sept. 1: “Seussical”Sept. 6-Dec. 1: “Fiddler on the Roof”Dec. 6-31: “Scrooge” (abbreviated version)

KING PENNY RADIO

At RISE Comedy, 1260 22nd St., 303-578-0079, risecomedy.com/kingpennyradio

Fourth Saturdays: “The King Penny Radio Show”

LOCAL THEATER COMPANY

The Carsen Theater at The Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-379-4470 or localtheatercompany.org

Sept. 26-Oct. 13: “Stockade”Feb. 20-March 9, 2025: “Chasing Breadcrumbs”April 25-27. 2025: Local Lab 14: New Play Festival

LONE TREE ARTS CENTER

10075 Commons St., just west of Interstate 25 and Lincoln Avenue, 720-509-1000 or lonetreeartscenter.org Oct 17- 27: “Million Dollar Quartet”

MAIN STREET LIVE

info.mainstreetlive@gmail.com , 719-846-4765, mainstreetlive.org

131 W. Main St., Trinidad, 81082

Oct. 18-27: “Blithe Spirit”Dec. 13-22: “A Commedia Christmas Carol”

MAGIC MOMENTS

At Kent Denver School 4000 E. Quincy Ave., Cherry Hills Village, Englewood, 303-575-1005 or magicmomentsinc.org

March 27-30, 2025: "Don't Stop Believin'"

MILLIBO ART THEATRE

1626 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, 719-465-6321, themat.org

Sept. 19-22: “The Bluebird” with Buba Basishvili

MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

1224 Washington St., Golden, 303-935-3044 or minersalley.com

July 26-Sept 15: “School of Rock”Oct. 4-Nov. 10: “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear”Nov. 29-Dec. 29: “A Christmas Carol” (adapted by Josh Hartwell)Jan. 24-March 2, 2025: “Morning After Grace” Feb. 14-15, 2025: “Love Letters”March 28-April 8, 2025: “National Bohemians”May 9-June 29, 2025: “Ring of Fire”Aug. 8-Sept. 14, 2025: “Assassins”Oct. 3-Nov. 9, 2025: “Diva Royale”Nov. 28-Dec. 28, 2025: Holiday Show (TBD)

MISCREANT THEATRE COLLECTIVE

(Formerly 5th Wall Productions)

At The Creepatorium, 1974 S. Acoma St, ticketleap.com/pillowman/

​Sept. 13-29: “The Pillowman”

MOTUS THEATER

motustheater.org

At the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder

Sept. 7: “Motus Music to Restore the Heart with violinist Anthony Salvo”Sept. 7: Motus Improv Playback TheaterSept 21: “TRANSformative Stories” (at the Arapaho Center, 300 E. Simpson St., Lafayette)Oct. 17: “TRANSformative Stories” (at the Louisville Center for the Arts, 801 Grant Ave., Louisville)Oct. 19: “Civic Love Stories with Undocumented Leaders” (Canyon Theater at the Boulder Public Library, 1000 Canyon Blvd.)Nov. 23: “Civic Love Stories with Transgender and Nonbinary Leaders” (Canyon Theater at the Boulder Public Library, 1000 Canyon Blvd.)

ONE NIGHT STAND

At Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora, 303-856-7830 or onenightstandtheater.org

Oct. 13: "Doctor Crypt's House of Terror"

OPENSTAGE THEATRE & COMPANY

Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins, 970-484-5237 or openstagetheatre.org

The Park at Columbine Health Systems, 947 Worthington Circle

Nov. 2-30: “Reefer Madness” (Lincoln Center)Jan. 18-Feb. 15, 2025: “The 39 Steps” (Lincoln Center)March 22-April 19, 2025: “The Minutes” (Lincoln Center)June 7-12, 2025: “Pride and Prejudice” (the Park at Columbine Health Systems)Sept. 27-Oct. 12: “October Surprise,” location TBAMay 9-24, 2025: “Agnes of God,” location TBA

OVATION WEST PERFORMING ARTS

Center Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen, 303-674-4002 or ovationwest.org

Sept. 13-29: “Man of La Mancha”Jan. 24-Feb. 2, 2025: "Sisters of Swing"

PARKER ARTS

At the Parker Arts Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker

At the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker

Oct. 25-Nov. 17: “Nunsense” (with Veritas Productions at the Parker Arts Schoolhouse)Jan. 17-February 9: “Mary Poppins” (with Give 5 Productions at the PACE Center)

PERFORMANCE NOW

Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, 303-987-7845 or performancenow.org

Sept. 6-22: "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"Dec. 6-22: “Irving Berlin's White Christmas”March 14-March 30, 2025: “Fiddler on the Roof” June 13-29, 2025: 42nd Street

PHAMALY THEATRE COMPANY

at The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.

Oct. 11-20: “Funny as a Crutch”Oct. 17-20: “The Glorious World of Crowns, Kinks and Curls”

PLATTE VALLEY PLAYERS

At The Armory at the Brighton Cultural Center, 300 Strong St., Brighton, 303-227-3053 or plattevalleyplayers.org

Oct. 4-19: “Cabaret”Nov. 4 and 9: “The Little Prince”

RED ROCKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

13300 W 6th Ave., Lakewood, 303-914-6458, rrcc.edu

Oct. 17-19: “Scars”Nov. 21-23: "The Sins of Sor Juana"

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REPERTORY THEATRE

800 Grand Ave., Grand Lake, 970-627-3421 or rockymountainrep.com

Aug. 30-Sept. 28: "I Left My Heart"

SHAKESPEARE IN THE WILD

Outside The Goodson Rec Center, 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial, shakesinthewild.com

Through Sept. 2: “Twelfth Night”

SHARK BOX THEATRE COMPANY

At StageDoor Theatre, 25797 Conifer Road, Conifer, sharkboxtheatre.com

Sept. 6-21, 2024: “Run For Your Wife”

SPRINGS ENSEMBLE THEATRE

2409 W. Colorado, Colorado Springs, 719-357-3080 or springsensembletheatre.org

Sept. 19-Oct. 6, 2024: “God of Carnage”Nov. 7-24: “The Thanksgiving Play”Feb. 13-March 2, 2025: “On Clover Road”April 10-27, 2025: “Doubt: A Parable” June 5-22, 2025: “The Revlon Girl”

SQUARE PRODUCT THEATRE

At Buntport, 717 Lipan St., 720-946-1388 or squareproducttheatre.org

Nov. 1-23: Original full-length play, title TBA (in collaboration with Buntport Theater)

STAGEDOOR THEATRE

25797 Conifer Road, Conifer, 303-838-0809 or stagedoortheatre.org

Oct. 4-27: “The Rocky Horror Show”Dec. 6-14: “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”Jan. 31-Feb. 23, 2025: “The Cottage”May 2-10, 2025: To be announced

STEEL CITY THEATRE COMPANY

611 N. Main St, Pueblo, steelcitytheatre.org

Oct. 18-Nov. 3: “Disney's Descendants: The Musical”Dec. 6-22: "A Christmas Story"Feb. 21-March 9, 2025: "The Play That Goes Wrong"April 11-April 27, 2025: "Little Shop of Horrors"May 2-10, 2025: "Cruise to Nowhere"June 12-21, 2025: "The Laramie Project"July 10-12, 2025: “James and the Giant Peach”

STORIES ON STAGE

At the Su Teatro Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive, or

At the Nomad Playhouse, 1410 Quince Ave, Boulder, CO, or

At the King Center on the Auraria campus

303-494-0523 or storiesonstage.org

Sept. 15: The Sporting News (Su Teatro)Oct. 12: Woke Up!” (Nomad, Boulder)Oct. 12-13: Woke Up!” (Su Teatro)Nov. 10: “Mixed Company with Jenny Shank” (Su Teatro)Dec. 14: “Making Merry” (Nomad, Boulder)Dec. 15: “Making Merry” (King Center, Auraria)Jan. 12 2025: “Big, Fat Liars” (Su Teatro)Feb. 16, 2025: “A Cure For Loneliness” (Su Teatro)March 15, 2025: “Taylor vs. Taylor” (Nomad, Boulder)March 16, 2025: “Taylor vs. Taylor” (Su Teatro)April 6, 2025: “Maybe I Should Stop Talking Until I Have Something To Say” (Su Teatro)May 4, 2025: “Local Literary Lights” (Su Teatro)

SU TEATRO

At the Su Teatro Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive, 303-296-0219 or suteatro.org

Sept. 7-8: Carpa San Diego Presents “Stories of the Invisible”

TENTWENTYTHREE PRODUCTIONS

1023-productions.com/tickets

Sept. 12-22: The Critic (at Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St.)

THEATRE ASPEN

The Hurst Theatre, 470 Rio Grande Place, 844-706-7387 or theatreaspen.org

Sept. 3-4: “Tuesdays with Morrie”Sept. 5-11: “Solo Flights” (one-person plays festival)

THEATER COMPANY OF LAFAYETTE

At the Arapaho Center (formerly the Mary Miller Theater), 300 E. Simpson, 720-209-2154 or tclstage.org

Oct. 25-Nov. 10: “A Twilight Zone Parody: Serling Centennial”Dec. 13-15: “Holidazed and Confused”

THEATRE D’ART

Manitou Springs Heritage Center, 517 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, theatredart.org/

Oct. 4-25: “Ghost Stories of Old Manitou” (walking tour)

THEATRE SILCO

At the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center, 460 Blue River Pkwy, Silverthorne, 970-513-9386 or lakedillontheatre.org

Through Sept. 1: “The Legend of Georgia McBride”Dec. 3-22: “A Christmas Carol”

THEATREWORKS

At the Ent Center, 5225 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, 719-255-3232 or entcenterforthearts.org

Sept. 19-Oct. 13: “Henry IV & V”Nov. 29-Dec. 22: “Sense & Sensibility”Jan. 30-Feb. 16, 2025: “The Heart Sellers”March 13-April 6, 2025: “Turn of the Screw”May 1-25, 2025: “Silent Sky”July 10-27, 2025: “Flyin' West”

THIN AIR THEATRE COMPANY

Butte Theatre, 139 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, 719-689-3247 or thinairtheatre.com

Oct. 4-Nov. 2, 2024: “Spamalot”

THINGAMAJIG THEATRE COMPANY

At the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts, 2313 Eagle Drive, 970-731-7469 or pagosacenter.org

Through Aug. 30: “Escape to Margaritaville”Thorough Aug. 31: “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”

THUNDER RIVER THEATRE COMPANY

67 Promenade, Carbondale, 970-963-8200 or thunderrivertheatre.com

Sept. 13-29: What the Constitution Means to Me"

TOWN HALL ARTS CENTER

2450 W. Main St., Littleton, 80120, 303-794-2787 or townhallartscenter.com

Sept. 6-Oct. 6: “Jersey Boys”Oct. 18-20: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”Oct. 25-Nov. 3: “Cannibal: The Musical”Nov. 22-Dec. 29: “Meredith Wilson’s Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical”Jan. 17-Feb. 09, 2025: “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”Feb. 28-March 9, 2025: “‘Night, Mother”Match 28-April 27, 2025: “Once”May 23-June 22, 2025: “On Your Feet”

TWO-CENT LION

The People’s Building 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, twocentlion.com/rockyhorror

Sept. 21-Oct. 5: “The Rocky Horror Show” (in collabiration with Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient )

THE UPSTART CROW

Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-442-1415 or theupstartcrow.org

Aug. 22-Sept. 1: “The Dover Road”Dec. 6-15: “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play”Feb. 13-23, 2025: “Long Day’s Journey Into Night”May 1-18, 2025” “Romeo and Juliet”

VERITAS PRODUCTIONS

At the Parker Arts Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker, 303-805-6800 or parkerarts.org

Oct. 25-Nov. 17: “Nunsense” (with Parker Arts)

VINTAGE THEATRE

1468 Dayton St., Aurora, 303-839-1361 or vintagetheatre.com

Sept. 20-Oct. 20: “Murder on the Orient Express” (Nickelson Auditorium)Aug. 23-Sept. 22: “Della Doucet”Nov. 29-Dec. 29: “Black Nativity”Dec. 2-31: “Who’s Holiday!”Jan. 10-19, 2025: “Sisters of Swing”Jan. 17-Feb. 23, 2025: “She Kills Monsters”Feb. 14-March 23, 2025: “Guys & Dolls”March 21-April 27, 2025 “Grand Horizons”May 2-June 8, 2025: “Ride the Cyclone”May 30-June 29, 2025: New Play Festival winnerJune 20-29, 2025: “Follies” (concert production)

WHEAT RIDGE THEATRE COMPANY

5455 W. 38th. Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, 720-244-5204 or wheatridgetheatre.com

Sept. 13-29: “Bad Jews” Oct. 6-27: “X Minus One” (radio drama, Sundays evenings only)Oct. 25-Nov. 10: “Mindgame”Dec. 6-22: “Scrooge in Rouge”

WINDSOR COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE

561 E. Garden Drive, 970-674-1790 or windsorplayhouse.org

Oct. 4-20: "Beer for Breakfast"