All stories by John Wenzel on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Water damage at DCPA cancels second showing of “Hairspray” by John Wenzel

Ticketholders for the March 5 and 6 performances can exchange for alternate dates or receive a refund.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 08:48PM
Monday, March 4, 2024

Denver’s latest Broadway shows: “Back to the Future,” “Kimberly Akimbo” lead DCPA’s 2024-25 schedule by John Wenzel

Single tickets are on sale at a later date, with more shows to be added.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 02:12PM
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

“Space Explorers” at Stanley Marketplace is eye-popping fun, but lags behind VR trailblazers by John Wenzel

The VR-driven show, running through May 5 at the Hangar in Aurora's Stanley Marketplace, is an experiment in scaling a singular experience into a mass gathering.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 01:12PM
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Review: “Jesus Christ Superstar’s” 50th anniversary lap is a wild ride by John Wenzel

The 90-minute, intermission-free show remains faithful to its early 1970s origin.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 06:12PM
Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston loves the arts. Will he let it show? by John Wenzel

A close look at his budget and campaign policies shows that there is a bridge between the arts and his plans to revitalize downtown.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 12:42PM
Thursday, December 28, 2023

Amid national theater crisis, Denver has staged a comeback. Will it last? by John Wenzel

Unlike other cities, there have been no major closures. Instead, the buzz for some shows has built far in advance of their openings, while upcoming titles for next year have recorded impress…

SOURCE: Denver Post at 02:36PM
Monday, December 11, 2023

Taylor Swift hype, Red Rocks hailstorm, and Drake’s big diss: The year in Denver concerts by John Wenzel

Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Denver DJ-producer Illenium likely set records at Empower Field at Mile High.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 08:48AM
Monday, December 4, 2023

Here’s how Colorado Ballet’s “Nutcracker” ticket prices have changed since 2000 by John Wenzel

You might be surprised by how little they've budged, despite decades of inflation.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 12:36PM
Thursday, November 30, 2023

10 holiday-themed Denver shows for under $50 per ticket by John Wenzel

Holiday shows with tickets under $50 are getting harder to find. That's why we rounded up 10 of them.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 05:12PM
Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Here’s how to get $30 tickets to Broadway’s “Six” at the Denver Center by John Wenzel

The show runs Dec. 5-24 at the Buell Theatre, and most tickets are already gone

SOURCE: Denver Post at 10:18AM
Thursday, November 9, 2023

Did Jim Gaffigan just set an all-time record for the Paramount Theatre? by John Wenzel

The stand-up boasts a whopping 7 shows the venue, with more possible

SOURCE: Denver Post at 03:36PM
Friday, September 22, 2023

Is TikTok-focused crowd work ruining stand-up comedy? by John Wenzel

"Now everyone thinks you’re trying to get a viral clip. And that translates to either people giving you preposterous answers to any kind of interaction."

SOURCE: Denver Post at 10:55AM
Thursday, September 21, 2023

Denver’s toughest tickets: Good luck getting into these shows, restaurants or games by John Wenzel

In-demand Colorado spots include newly Michelin-starred restaurants, but also concerts and holiday shows

SOURCE: Denver Post at 04:37PM
Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Broadway’s “Beetlejuice” a naughtier, louder take on Tim Burton film | Review by John Wenzel

While updating itself for Gen Z, Broadway's "Beetlejuice" is a zany, old-school romp that flies by with charm and visual delight.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 05:33PM

City buys historic $30M Loretto Heights theater in southwest Denver by John Wenzel

The funding was provided by a bond approved by voters in 2021.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 11:33AM
Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Colorado’s creative, cultural and service-industry workers look to unions for leverage by John Wenzel

There has been an explosion of union action like this across the country this year, extending far past the marquee strikes that taking place in Hollywood right now and into the world of deli…

SOURCE: Denver Post at 09:55AM
Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Broadway’s “Frozen,” which began in Denver, is finally making its Mile High return by John Wenzel

The show is one of seven that the Denver Center for the Performing Arts has added for the 2023-2024 season.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 07:55PM
Thursday, May 18, 2023

Denver Museum of Nature and Science will close “problematic” American Indian Cultures Hall by John Wenzel

For now, the museum has posted a "healing statement" at the front of the Hall -- written "after taking into account the concerns expressed by the community."

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 11:46AM
Thursday, May 4, 2023

Damien Patterson beat the odds as a celebrated dancer. Now he’s hanging up his shoes. by John Wenzel

Patterson will retire May 14 after an unlikely career as a celebrated dancer and artist.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 09:12AM
Thursday, March 23, 2023

Broadway’s “1776” musical revival is almost too much of a good thing by John Wenzel

Brilliant concept, powerful performances in "1776" revival are slowed by plodding book, production choices. Read our opening night review.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 09:18AM
Tuesday, March 21, 2023

A copyright battle over AI-generated art will begin in Colorado by John Wenzel

"We're prepared to go all the way to the Supreme Court."

SOURCE: Hartford Courant at 09:29AM
Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Aaron Sorkin’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” crackles with energy, but struggles to focus by John Wenzel

From the outset, and especially with Scout, our narrators sprint through a veritable novel's-worth of lines that breeze by like static.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 02:28PM
Friday, January 13, 2023

Aaron Sorkin’s new version of “To Kill a Mockingbird” is painfully relevant by John Wenzel

After nine Tony nominations and a pandemic-induced paralysis, Aaron Sorkin's new take on Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is striding into the Buell Theatre, with Richard Thomas as Attic…

SOURCE: Denver Post at 08:00AM
Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Here’s every free day at Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Zoo, museums and other cultural hotspots by John Wenzel

The annual free days offered by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District cover the metro area's biggest nonprofit institutions, and they're always family-friendly hits.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 08:00AM
Tuesday, December 6, 2022

How to get tickets to Broadway hits “MJ,” “Beetlejuice,” “Book of Mormon” and “Six” in Denver by John Wenzel

Broadway's "MJ: The Musical," "Six," "Company" and other Denver Center for the Performing Arts' 2023-24 season shows are on sale Dec. 15.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 03:32PM

Arts groups see record holiday revenues this year from shows like “Nutcracker,” “Zoo Lights” by John Wenzel

Christmas comes but once a year for Denver's nonprofit arts and culture groups, who typically live and die by their revenue from holiday shows. This year, ticket sales and revenue from "The …

SOURCE: Denver Post at 10:03AM
Thursday, December 1, 2022

10 great holiday shows that aren’t “The Nutcracker” or “A Christmas Carol” by John Wenzel

All of Colorado Ballet's "Nutcracker" performances are sold out -- as expected. Denver Center's "A Christmas Carol," while the region's best production, is deeply familiar to most audiences.…

SOURCE: Denver Post at 08:42AM
Monday, November 28, 2022

“Immersive” is the new buzzword in entertainment. But what is it? by John Wenzel

Denver's buzzy, loosely defined "immersive entertainment" scene is getting another boost this month with world premieres, touring debuts and the promise of a new year filled with even more h…

SOURCE: Denver Post at 09:24AM
Thursday, September 22, 2022

Things to do in Denver this weekend: An oaky lager fest, Latin Fashion Week, a pizza pop-up and more by John Wenzel

Looking for something fun to do in Denver this weekend? Check out these local events.

SOURCE: Denver Post at 09:19AM
Thursday, September 15, 2022

“Theater of the Mind,” David Byrne’s immersive new show, is funny, light and disjointed by John Wenzel

Some of the best parts of "Theater of the Mind" happen after the show has ended, its long tail cracking, whip-like, as you try to eat dinner or fall asleep. Here's our review of the new show…

SOURCE: Denver Post at 08:43AM
Friday, September 9, 2022

David Byrne talks “Theater of the Mind,” high-tech drama before Denver’s world premiere by John Wenzel

David Byrne's choice of Denver for the world premiere of the high-tech play -- developed with and produced by Denver Center for the Performing Arts' Off Center -- was seen as a major artisti…

SOURCE: Denver Post at 09:19AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards