Three Special Shows to See in Denver Before Christmas

Looking for something special to do in Denver before Christmas? There’s nothing like live theater.  Denver is incredibly lucky to have some of the best stage performances, from original works to big Broadway productions. As someone who sees a lot of shows, I can sincerely say the productions in Denver right now are extra special. It would be a shame not to see at least one before they end.

When it comes to extraordinary live theater, Wonderbound Dance, Cleo Parker Dance and the Denver Center for Performing Arts are three exceptional gifts to the Denver community that can’t be taken for granted. If you haven’t been to all three, add them to your Denver Bucketlist! Here’s what’s playing now.

Jolly Moxie

Wonderbound Dance | December 12-22, 2024

Wonderbound’s Rachael-Dean, David McGovern in Garrett Ammon’s Jolly Moxie with the Colorado-Jazz Repertory Orchestra. Photo by Martha Wirth

Wonderbound’s holiday show, Jolly Moxie, combines innovative and exquisite contemporary dance with outstanding live jazz, It is not only an original world premiere and artistic masterpiece, but Jolly Moxie is the first combined works of Wonderbound and Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra (CJRO). Both companies are widely celebrated for their artistic collaborations and innovative art, so this momentous first is something not to be missed!

The show is totally mesmerizing, brilliant, sexy and nothing you have ever seen before! Exploring relationships, fascination, fervor, lust and intrigue the show sizzles and stirs your emotions.  A notable standout among a stage full of standouts is world-renowned jazz vocalist Tatiana Lady May Mayfield. Ms. Mayfield IS the great Ella Fitzgerald re-incarnated!

Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield might just be the best living jazz singer in the world right now!

-Garrett Ammon, Artistic Director Wonderbound Dance

Though Jolly Moxie just opened and goes until December 22nd, the run is almost sold out!  But don’t fret. Here are three things you can do:

  1. Snag tickets for Wonderbound’s next Denver dance show, Agent Romeo, to see these phenomenal dancers in motion.  Agent Romeo will run from February 27 – March 9th.
  2. Mark your calendars for January 11th at the Aurora Fox to see Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra’s A Night in New Orleans featuring Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield; and January 25th at Arvada Center for Summertime in Winter: The Music of Gershwin & More with Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield.
  3. Hop on Wonderbound’s website as soon as possible and buy any ticket you see.  There isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum

Courtesy of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance | December 7 – 21, 2024

Going with family and friends to see Cleo Parker Robinson’s Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum Show is a favorite Denver dance holiday tradition! For 33 years, the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble has been presenting this multicultural celebration that blends dance, live music, and spoken word to share meaningful holiday traditions from different religions, countries and cultures. Yet, each year new scenes and elements are added.

As the story of Granny unfolds: Granny’s memories are her gifts to those she loves, but she has forgotten many of her stories and the magical dances she’s seen and performed in her lifetime. In her youth, she danced in winter festivals honoring the birth of Christ, the African Harvest, the Native American Winter Solstice, the Celtic Yule Time, and Las Posadas in Mexico, Kwanzaa in the United States, the ancient Hebrew Festival of Lights, the Chinese New Year, and the Caribbean’s Junkanoo Day. Now Granny seeks to relive these memories of rich cultural traditions, bringing them alive again for her grandchildren.

The show touches the hearts of people of all backgrounds, kindling the wonderment and magic shared across the winter holiday season.

For showtimes and tickets, go to CPRD.

 

Funny Girl

Denver Center for Performing Arts | December 10 – 22

Hannah Shankman and Stephen Mark Lukas in the National Tour of Funny Girl – Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Denver Center for Performing Arts is known for bringing world class Broadway shows to Denver. This season, its choice to bring the Broadway tour of Funny Girl for the holiday season was a great decision!  Featuring one of the greatest musical scores of all time, including classic songs “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” this love letter to the theatre is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

This particularly cast of Funny Girl is definitely worth seeing! I’ve seen three casts now, two in New York on Broadway and one here, and the actor performing now at the Denver Center are amongst the highest caliber in their abilities. The set is also stunning and grand. You can’t help but leave feeling moved and elevated. The burst of confetti (won’t spill when) is so fun and festive, and the red velvet Buell Theater is always a special setting for a big show.

For showtimes and tickets, go to Denver Center for Performing Arts

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