Trailblazing Black Women Musicians in Colorado

From the archives: this article was originally published on March 9, 2023 THE WIZ strikes a chord with Colorado’s musical roots. Fun fact: Denver once served as a mecca for Jazz musicians and singers, including Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. Other trailblazing Black women performed in the Mile High City. Here’s a brief overview of […]

Katori Hall: A Playwright for Authentic America

Katori Hall, the playwright behind the Denver Center Theatre Company’s The Hot Wing King, has a celebrated and extensive history with groundbreaking material. Denver audiences might be familiar with the fact that The Hot Wing King received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2021. However, a lesser-known fact is that Hall is one of the […]

Phamaly Theatre Company: Empowering the Community through Education

Phamaly Theatre Company’s “creative home for theatre artists with disabilities” does more than provide opportunities for actors to shine on stages across the Denver metro area. The company aims to transform the entire theatre industry so that all artistic spaces are willing to create accommodations for artists and uplift disabled voices. Until then, Phamaly will […]

Flytraps, Corpses, Joe Pesci: A fact-finding mission to Denver Botanic Gardens

I will be frank: the Denver Center Theatre Company production of Little Shop of Horrors has shaken my gardening confidence. If the story of Mushnik’s Flower Shop taught me one thing, it’s that plant care is a life-threatening and morally fraught enterprise. So, with spring and a sense of doom in the air, I made […]

Black-Owned Restaurants Within 3 Miles of the Arts Complex

Please note: Restaurant hours, locations, and menus are subject change, so please visit the restaurant website or call in advance of visiting. There is no shortage of restaurant roundups that feature Black-owned businesses, but this one is intended to get you to the show on time! These local establishments are all within three miles of […]

Worthy of the Crown: The Hot Wing King Pits Family Against Fame

Royalty comes in many forms. A proud and gleaming crown. A leader, whether head of the household, a proud parent, or the coach of a team. Or even the playful banter between lovers, endearments of “Queen!” that make another person feel warm and shining from the inside out, worthy of love and devotion. This potent […]

A Brief History of Alan Menken

Alan Menken is perhaps best known for his work in musical film scoring, including but certainly not limited to The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Newsies, and Tangled. Theatre enthusiasts might recognize Menken’s stage productions, many of which are adaptations of his work in film and […]

Black Musicians Impact Local Music Scene

From the archive: this article was originally published on September 12, 2023 THE WIZ is coming to the Buell Theatre this April. The groundbreaking musical influenced a variety of genres of music and musicians of all ages. We’re fortunate to have Black musicians, based here in Colorado, who have been influential and entertaining, creating their […]