24
24 The Independent
April 18, 2013
Music, verve make for lively play By Sonya Ellingboe
if you go
sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com As the audience enters the Vintage Theatre, it finds an old-fashioned wrap-around porch filling the stage — like the ones found on big old Southern homes. The setup for the band is just in front of the stage, which works really well — except perhaps for front row seats. Interaction between band and cast adds a nice note. Vintage Theatre, with director Deb Flomberg, has staged a really polished, well-designed production of the perennially popular “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” with its mix of ladies of the night and their wonderful madam, Miss Mona; twofaced politicians; a sheriff who just wants to run his territory undisturbed; and a bunch of randy football players. With score and lyrics by Carol Hall and a book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson, the 1978 original Broadway production garnered six Tony Awards: for Best Musical, Featured Actor and Actress, Direction, Book and Choreography — in other words, a solid bit of material to work with. And Flomberg has picked up on the satire and humor to craft a well-paced, entertaining piece. The story is based on one written by King about the actual Chicken Ranch, in
“Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” plays through May 5 at Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $30 at the door, $25 advance. 303-856-7830, vintagetheatre.com.
The band is seated in front of the stage and cast for Vintage Theatre’s production of “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” Courtesy photo by DenverMind Media Texas since 1910 — and its demise, lending itself to larger-than-life character. Boni McIntyre is a fine, self-assured Miss Mona, as she sings about the Chicken Ranch. Scott
Bellott shows his versatility as the toughtalking Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd. Chris Gallegos may overact a bit as Melvin P. Thorp, the do-gooder who wants to
28th Annual South Metro Denver Small Business Leadership Award Finalists Announced South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and South Metro Denver Economic Development Group are proud to announce the finalists for the 28th Annual Small Business Leadership Awards. The award finalists are: Small Business of the Year Footers Catering Greystone Technology Group, Inc. Strategic Programs, Inc. Emerging Business of the Year Abby Senior Care, Inc. Cascade Solar USA Pixorial, Inc. Brian R. Vogt Community Leader of the Year Norm Stucker Jeff Wasden Melanie Worley According to Marcia McGilley, Executive Director of the South Metro Denver SBDC, “It was a difficult decision in every category
this year. The Selection Committee deliberated late into the evening to narrow the nominees down to three finalists in each of the three categories. As Chamber President and CEO John Brackney said at the VIP Reception, ‘...all those nominated are the best of the best of the BEST!’” Finalists will now host company site visits and go through intensive interviews by the Selection Committee to determine the winners of this year’s prestigious awards. The Selection Committee consists of business experts in the following areas: management, marketing, operations, finance, legal, and human resources. This year’s committee includes: Jean Barker, owner of J Barker and Associates and Chairperson of the Selection Committee; Bret Yoder, CPA with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP; Jerry Healey, President of Colorado Community Media; Wendy Nelson, CPA with B2B CFO; Susan Rogers, President of thresholdHR; Theresa Mehringer, attorney with Burns, Figa & Will P.C.; Cleve Wortham, President of the Arapahoe County branch of First Bank;
and Marcia McGilley, Executive Director of the South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center. Winners will be announced at the 28th Annual South Metro Denver Small Business Leadership Awards Event on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, from 3:30 – 7:00 pm at Comedy Works South in Greenwood Village. The event, which is always light-hearted as well as inspirational, will be emceed by a local comedian. The Small Business Leadership Awards are sponsored by the South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center corporate and community sponsors, including the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Colorado SBDC Network, Douglas County, the City of Centennial, the City of Greenwood Village, Colorado Community Media, Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Business Bank, MetLife, BellCO, AMG National Trust Bank, ICOSA, Webolutions, and the Microsoft Store in Lone Tree. For ticket information, go to www.bestchamber.com.
clean up the world, but Patrick Brownson is right on as the governor with his “Sidestep” dance. Choreography by Jamie Horban is cleverly worked out in limited space and Shaun Albrechtson’s set allows scenes within and without. Some of said scenes are probably not appropriate for the youngest family members, but teens and adults should enjoy the lively music and action. “Really this show is about just forgetting your troubles, sitting back and getting lost in a world filled with bright colors, fun, music, dance — lots and lots of dance,” said Flomberg. “Look closely and you’ll also find a story of strength in the face of adversity, moral corruption, political strife and loyalty to those who matter most. But you’ll also find fringe. And cowboy boots. And maybe even some sequins.”
Calendar of Events For a complete calendar of South Metro Denver Chamber events or more information, visit our web site at www.bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142. Thursday, April 18th Columbine High School Social Enterprise Project The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial How to Lead Your Tribe Using Meetup The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Renovation Celebration of the Hyatt Regency DTC 7800 E. Tufts Ave., Denver Friday, April 19th Social Media Marketing and SEO - Get a Top Rank... The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure Council: Gammabrite & Veritek The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial 21st Century Learning & Teaching: Scott Murphy, Dr. Fagen, Mary Chesley The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Saturday, April 20th 3rd Annual B.I.G. Day Volunteer Opportunity Throughout the Denver Metro Area Tuesday, April 23rd Get Lean & Mean at Kosama - Highlands Ranch 7150 E. County Line Rd., Highlands Ranch Business Bible Study The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Building a Referral Business The Portola at SouthGlenn, 6851 S. Gaylord St., Centennial Wednesday, April 24th What is Your Employee Turnover Rate? The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Local Business Summit - Get Found & Be Chosen Grand Hyatt Denver, 1750 Welton St., Denver Thursday, April 25th Building a Sustainable Workforce for Colorado’s Future The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Grand Opening Celebration for Orange Theory Fitness 6860 S. University Blvd., #140, Centennial Social Security: Getting the Most Out of Your Benefits VI at Highlands Ranch, 2850 Classic Dr., Highlands Ranch
April and Anthony Lambatos of Footers Catering (on left & right) stand with Peter Melby, President of Greystone Technology Group at the Small Business Leadership Awards Reception held at the South Metro Denver Chamber this week.
(l to r) Chamber President & CEO John Brackney, Judge and South Metro Denver SBDC Executive Director Marcia McGilley, Nominee Jeff Wasden of PROformance Apparel, and Judge Jerry Healey of Colorado Community Media.
Friday, April 26th President’s Leadership Forum The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Chamber Unplugged hosted by the Nonprofit & Business Partnership The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial