The Denver Center Theatre Company will make a major statement about its commitment to new work when it unveils three world premieres in three weeks starting Jan. 17. And its sister company, Denver Center Attractions, is gearing up to unveil its locally produced "The Last Five Years" in the Galleria Theatre (Feb. 9) and christen the new national touring production of "A Chorus Line" in the Buell (May 4).

Buntport is readying its next original adaptation, "The Three Musketeers" (May 2), while Curious Theatre will launch a major theatrical initiative addressing homelessness called "The Denver Project" (May 10).

The Avenue Theater not only will stage the searing David Mamet gender drama "Oleanna" (March 14) but also resurrect the lamented Rattlebrain Theatre's "old but improved" John Denver parody "Almost Denver: Songs and Failures of Jim Aurora" (May 9).

2011 theater schedules

Town Hall Arts Center will revive "Company," one of the biggest Broadway revivals last year (May 23).

And those are all titles that didn't make our list of "10 Plays to Watch" for what promises to be an extraordinary winter season. (In truth, Denver Center shows aren't on the following list because they each will be advanced separately.)

Here's just a taste of what's coming up, listed by opening date. For the complete banquet, go to, where we have updated our complete, searchable theater schedules by company and opening date:


Uncorked Productions, Jan. 18-Feb. 23

By: Patrick Marber

Where: The Bindery Space, 720 22nd St.

The story: In this disturbing, 1997 modern relationship drama, four strangers meet, fall in love and become caught up in an intermingling web of sexual desire and betrayal.

Why this play's the thing: No Jude Law or Natalie Portman, but this first production by a promising new company has a top-notch cast of Ed Cord, L. Corwin Christie, Trina Magness and Todd Webster.

Info: 877-862-6752 or uncorked's home page

"Someone Who'll Watch Over Me"

Bas Bleu Theatre Company, Jan. 26-March 2

By: Frank McGuinness

Where: 401 Pine St., Fort Collins

The story: A poetic and poignant 1992 drama about three hostages imprisoned in Lebanon, based on the experiences of Irish teacher Brian Keenan.

Why this play's the thing: With America at war and former Beirut hostage Thomas Sutherland living in Fort Collins, when better to explore how any detainee copes with isolation, terror and the uncertainty of his very survival?

Info: 970-498-8949 or


El Centro Su Teatro, Feb. 21-March 29

By: Daniel Valdez

Where: 4725 High St.

The story: This original musical performance piece, developed by Denver's Valdez at Stanford, tells of Hernan Cortez and the conquering of Tenochtitlan (the Spanish conquest of Mexico) through indigenous eyes.

Why this play's the thing: This expanded world premiere features Valdez's original music and traditional Azteca dance. Valdez will direct and collaborate with local dancers, musicians, designers and actors.

Info: 303-296-0219 or

"The Lieutenant of Inishmore"

Curious Theatre, March 8-April 19

By: Martin McDonagh

Where: Acoma Center, 1080 Acoma St.

The story: Padraic, a ruthless "Irish Liberation Army" enforcer, can torture a human being without batting an eye, but pity the fool who has to inform him that his beloved little black cat, Wee Thomas, has died. The feline fatality sets off a Euripidean-scale cycle of wildly entertaining, murderous revenge.

Why this play's the thing: The play marks the Denver return of Gene Gillette, our most deliciously frightening stage actor since ... well, Gene Gillette. Here, kitty, kitty . . .

Info: 303-623-0524 or

"Dar Al-Harb"

TheatreWorks, March 13-April 6

By: Murray Ross

Where: Bon Vivant Theater, 3955 Cragwood Drive, Colorado Springs

The story: This new play imagines the fateful year Islamic Egyptian radical Sayyid Qutb came to Greeley in 1949 to pursue his master's in education. He found American life primitive and shocking, and left hating this country. Why? It may have had something to do with the founder of Islamic radicalism mingling with mischievous coeds.

Why this play's the thing: It will be performed in repertory with "Nine Parts of Desire," starring Karen Slack.

Info: 719-262-3232 or

"Dinah Was"

Shadow Theatre, opening March 20

By: Oliver Goldstick

Where: 1468 Dayton St., Aurora

The story: When "Queen of the Blues" Dinah Washington ("What A Difference a Day Makes") arrived in Las Vegas to headline at the Sahara Hotel in 1959, hotel management had a room reserved for her — a trailer in the back parking lot.

Why this play's the thing: This cabaret- musical bio marks our only black company's highly anticipated move into a new, $585,000 theater that will anchor Aurora's East Colfax Arts District. Too bad acclaimed jazz singer Rene Marie just may bring down the house, first time out.

Info: 720-857-8000 or

"Reefer Madness"

Backstage Theatre, March 28-April 27

By: Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney

Where: 121 S. Ridge St., Breckenridge

The story: This campy musical was inspired by the notorious 1936 anti-marijuana propaganda film. After young Jimmy Harper's first puff of the "demon weed," he's lost in a malaise of drug addiction and sexual temptation. Will Jimmy give in to a life of bloodshot eyes, paranoia and an endless case of the munchies? "Reefer makes you sell your babies," we're told " — for drug money!"

Why this play's the thing: See above, dude.

Info: 970-453-0199 or


Next Stage, April 18-May 10

By: William Finn and James Lapine

Where: Aurora Fox Studio Theatre, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.

The story: This acclaimed and savvy 1992 musical is the entirely sung story of Marvin, who leaves his wife and young son to live with another man. Two years later, he's reunited with his lover on the eve of his son's bar mitzvah, as the AIDS epidemic is just beginning. Sound morose, but it's wildly funny.

Why this play's the thing: Next Stage takes up residency in the Aurora Fox and christens the swank new Studio Theatre.

Info: 303-364-9998 or next stage's home page

"Altar Boyz"

Arvada Center, April 22-June 15

By: Gary Adler, Michael Patrick Walker and Kevin Del Aquila

Where: 6901 Wadsworth Blvd.

The story: A quintet of dreamy altar boys turned "Altar Boyz" — Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham — perform their final concert, and they aren't playing their last hip-hop beat till they've saved your soul.

Why this play's the thing: It's wafer-thin, but it has "Mass" appeal. After the Country Dinner Playhouse folded, the Arvada Center jumped at the chance to bring this huge off-Broadway hit to the metro area.

Info: 720-898-7200 or

"The History Boys"

Theatre Group, May 1-June 7

By: Alan Bennett

Where: Theatre Off Broadway, 1124 Santa Fe Drive

The story: About hormonally charged seniors at a British boarding school, and the inspiration they derive from a maverick old teacher and a younger history teacher who challenges his school as much as his students. Adult themes.

Why this play's the thing: It's the 2006 Tony Award-winning best play, and usually it's the Denver Center or Curious that stages world premieres of plays like this one. A big coup.

Info: 303-777-3292 or John Moore: 303-954-1056 or