Benchmark Theatre goes beyond Stonewall

The Stonewall uprising is a key ashpoint in 20th-century American history — one that changed the course of the struggle for LGBTQIA+ equality in the country. But a lot of what happened during the summer of 1968 is shrouded in memory and mystery. And while there will always be questions that remain unanswered, the Benchmark eatre explores the events that lead to and followed the uprising in the world premiere of “Stonewall.”

Coming Attractions

“With how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go, it seemed like the right time to revisit Stonewall,” said Neil Truglio, director of the production and artistic director at Benchmark. “ e question for us was, how can we dramatize the events in a way that’s interesting and educational? e aim of “Stonewall” was to tell as accurate a story of what happened as possible, so the show was culled from actual interviews and information about the uprising and was inspired by members of the largest cast the space has ever seen. Since the crowds at Stonewall would have been incredibly diverse, diversity needed to be re ected in the production.

Developed by the creatives at Benchmark, 1560 Teller St. in Lakewood, “Stonewall” runs through Saturday, July 1. Performances are at 8 p.m. ursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

“We went about the piece by opening the casting as wide as we could,” Truglio said. “From the community that turned out to the auditions, we were able to create and elevate the characters we wanted to tell the story.”

SEE STONEWALL, P20

of available parking nearby.) Was concerned about the venue after a tion to artists to enter Core New Art Space’s exhibit, “Once Upon a Time,” at the gallery’s new location in Lakewood at 6501 W. Colfax Ave. (In the Hub, near Casa Bonita.) e title calls forth thoughts of fables and fairy tales, legend and lore, myth and magic ... It will be fun to see what materializes there! juried by Valerie Savarie, Denver artist and director of Valkarie Gallery in Belmar. She specializes in altered books, creating three-dimensional versions of stories ... e exhibit will run from July 14 to 30 and gallery hours are: ursday, noon to 5 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Visit the website at coreartspace.com for more information.

On a recent weekend, I visited the new Lakewood art space with my daughter and will certainly recommend it to readers. I very much wish Littleton could manage to open a similar gathering of galleries. With food court nearby, it works well for a family outing.

Included in the space with CORE New Art Space: Kanon Collective, 40 West Gallery, EDGE Gallery, Lakewood Arts, NEXT Gallery and Red Herring Art Supplies. e building was formerly a Denver Drumstick restaurant, and has changed its image smoothly into colorful art spaces — a creative hub for the community, which has a number of other galleries and art-related businesses as well, under a 40 West Arts organization that seems to keep growing.

We were happy to also see Benchmark eatre at 1560 Teller St., where the world premiere of “Stonewall” is running through July 1. Details at benchmarktheatre.com. (Lots

Parking is also available near the gallery space, although the proximity of Casa Bonita will no doubt a ect e 40 West Arts District, a statecerti ed nonpro t arts district, collaborated with the Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District to purchase and renovate the 11,000-square-foot building, which is now open during limited hours. 40 West is worthy of our attention and emulation, I’m thinking. Very effective, as it works with artists

CORE New Art Space members listed on the building include Gina Smith Asued, Earl Chuvarsky, Susie Beal, Michelle Lamb, Kathryn Cole, Kathy MitchellGarton, Barbara Veatch, Christine O’Dee, Chuck McCoy, Deborah Abbott, Richard Neff, Julie Vaught, Fred Becker, Chris Hudson, David Karim, Sam Smith and Edgar Dumas. I know they are all proud of this new move. Core New Art Space has made several moves — most recently to the old Pasternack pawnshop building farther west on Colfax. I’m sure this new location will work well for visibility for these artists, who take turns keeping the gallery space open and operating.

Also in the neighborhood is the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design at 1500 Pierce St., which adds to the arts atmosphere that develops in Lakewood.

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While the creatives were building the show, it was almost impossible not to compare the situation at the time to where society currently is, especially with the rollback of trans rights in many states and book bans on LGBTQIA+ books. e resulting show serves as a dialogue between the past and present.

“A member of the cast was there at the time and said there’s too much of then in now,” Truglio remembered. “People still feel like second-class citizens and live their lives based on court decisions.” e hope that audiences who see “Stonewall” come away willing to have conversations and think critically about what occurred at the time and what is happening now, according to Truglio.

“Every group, community and individual has their own vision of what Stonewall was like, so we wanted to create a show where everyone who attends will learn something,” he said. “I hope audiences walk away with newfound knowledge and an appreciation for where we are today. People should see Stonewall as the beginning, not the end.”

For tickets and information, visit www.benchmarktheatre.com.

Have a laugh at DMNS ere are all kinds of approaches to learning and one of the best has to be by pairing education with laughs. at’s just the method the Denver Museum of Nature & Scienceis embracing for the Science Riot: Standup Comedy for Science Fans event. e 21-and-older show will be held at the Morgridge Family Atrium in the museum, 2001 Colorado Blvd. in Denver, at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 16. According to provided information, the event feature local STEM professionals trying their hand at standup.

GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY: Call

Secure access to the event at www. dmns.org/visit/events-and-activities/.

Rock and roll with ‘Coco’ in Northglenn

I’d never have thought of pairing the music of Led Zeppelin with the timeless power of Pixar’s “Coco,” but I reckon that’s why I’m a columnist and not in charge of a city like Northglenn, which is doing just that to kick o its free Summer Concert & Movie series at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21.

Ten Years Gone, a Led Zeppelin tribute act, will kick o the event and entertain attendees at the Festival Lawn, 1 E. Memorial Parkway, until the “Coco” begins at dusk. ose looking for a quick bite can purchase food from one of the food trucks that will be on hand for the event.

All the details can be found at https://northglennarts.org/ programs/summer-concert-movieseries/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Neko Case at the Denver Botanic Gardens

You can’t go wrong with an outdoor concert almost anywhere in the metro area — there is no shortage of great spots for music under the starts. But the Denver Botanic Gardens is a gem among gems, which makes it the perfect place to host a performance by Neko Case, who is, herself, a true gem in the alt rock world. rough her multi-decade career as a solo artist and a member of e New Pornographers, Case has rmly established herself as one of the best and most powerful vocalists working. And she’ll be stopping by the Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. in Denver, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20. She’ll be joined by opener Nora O’Connor. Get tickets at www.ticketmaster. com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.

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