KUVO’s 30-year History Featured on Arts District | Oct. 22, 7:30 PM

Did you know that KUVO  was the first Hispanic-led public radio station in the country?

Join the First Take crew each Thursday at 8:35 AM as they talk about Colorado’s cultural scene with Arts District host Carrie Saldo. Below is the summary from October 22, 2015. 

Life’s choices juxtaposed in ‘If/Then’ at Denver Center

Doors. Windows. Paths. There are a variety of metaphors for life’s choices. “If/Then” is the story of Elizabeth, a woman poised to re-start her life. Whichever handle she turns, pane she lifts, or direction she selects will determine her new course.   

A plot flaw notwithstanding, the musical starting its national tour at the Buell Theatre, is (mostly) lighthearted entertainment populated with clever dialogue and humorous songs delivered by highly accomplished vocalists and actors and strong dancers.

It stars the four original Broadway cast members Idina Menzel, who received a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Elizabeth, LaChanze, (”The Color Purple”) Anthony Rapp (“Rent”) and James Snyder (“Cry-Baby”).

After divorcing her husband in Phoenix, Arizona and her career as a professor of urban planning, Elizabeth returns to New York City. There, through the magic of theater, her life is divided into parallel plots.

On-stage the distinction is drawn by names and eyeglasses; Liz, a loving wife and mom, who wears them and Beth, a cold career woman, who does not. The dual, trite plots juxtaposed get confusing and could go so far as to beg the same question as one of its songs, “What the [explicative].”

On opening night at the Buell, Menzel’s entrance and first line elicited thunderous applause from the audience. Her powerful and articulate singing voice, first lauded in the musicals “Rent” and “Wicked,” has earned her a place among Broadway’s biggest stars. And her role in the animated film “Frozen” has endeared her to millions of young fans. But this isn’t a show for children, as at least one parent who brought her child to the theater in her “Elsa” gown likely discovered.

Written in 2014 by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt the production’s dialogue and lyrics are of the contemporary ilk. Brief mentions of the Platte River and Josh’s (Snyder) mid-west roots played well to the Denver crowd.

Michael Grief’s imaginative direction, Larry Keigwin’s fluid choreography, and Mark Wendland’s stark and variable set design accurately reflect the constant motion of life in New York City. All the while the uncharacteristically bright and clean Manhattan depicted remind us “If/Then’s” wending dual plots are far removed from reality.

This play runs through October 25 at the Buell Theater.

Sneak-peek of what Stanley Marketplace has in store

Culture, food, music, art and community are the foundational tenets of the Stanley Marketplace. And a festival being held on the grounds of the forthcoming development is meant to help patrons get a sense of what they can expect when it officially opens next year.

CherryArts at Stanley, which opens Friday, is a weekend festival of art, music, family-friendly activities, culinary demonstrations and more.

The indoor and outdoor event is being staged on a small section of the sprawling site, formerly home to Stanley Aviation in Aurora, which borders Denver’s Stapleton neighborhood. Renovation of the 140,000 square foot space began in August, and festival attendees can participate in tours to get a glimpse of where the site is headed.

CherryArts’ juried art show includes 75 national artists working in 14 different media, among them fiber, painting, and metal.

Boulder-based artist Jen Lewin’s “Chandelier Harp” will give festival attendees a chance to

play a hi-tech, ceiling mounted, harp. Although, playing it does not require previous musical training.

Lasers take the place of strings. And rather than plucking with fingers, all manner of body parts passed through the lasers can be used to activate its sounds.  

A “grand tasting” Friday night, which includes food and drink from Stanley Marketplace businesses, is a ticketed event. Saturday and Sunday entrance to the festival is free.  

The festival is a precursor to Stanley Marketplace’s grand opening, slated for early 2016. Project developers have said it will house 50 local businesses, a 10,000-square-foot event area, a co-working office, and a community garden.

Cristina Ceballo, Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator for the CherryArts Festival, said it hopes to make this an annual event at the marketplace.  

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