Benchmark Theatre explores gun rights

Coming Attractions

The issue of gun rights is one that almost everyone has an opinion about and has the rare distinction of being one that is literally costing lives as more and more time goes on.

All of this makes tackling guns on the stage no easy feat. But those are just the kinds of stories LakeBenchmark eatre, 1560 Teller St., lives to tell. And that’s what they’re doing with the world premiere of “Jeremiah.” e show runs through Saturday, Sept. 2. Performances are at 8 p.m. ursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Written by Tami Canaday and directed by Kate Poling, the show follows four young men (Brandon Billings, Nate Cushing, James Giordano and Kaden Hinkle) who get enmeshed in a situation involving a gun. e challenge of exploring toxic masculinity and gun culture in a way that everyone in the audience can hopefully relate to. I think theatre can shine a light on issues in really powerful ways, and the opportunity to narrow a wide-ranging and hot-button topic to a slice of life in Aurora was a fascinating and enticing challenge.

We spoke to Poling about the show, the cast and more.

Interview edited for brevity and clarity.

What drew you to the production?

Tell me about working with the cast?

Because this is a world premiere, we are developing these characters without precedent, and it’s been wonderful to work with a group of actors who are nding the humanity of these characters. It would be easy to create stereotypical characters, and I think my cast has done an excellent job of cutting through that to create fully rounded characters. Every character is both hero and villain, and, hopefully, the audience will nd a connection to each of them.

With a topic as challenging as the one covered in “Jeremiah,” how do you go about addressing it?

I think approaching the topic with understanding is the key. While I have my opinions about guns and gun control, the only way to tell a story that doesn’t alienate people is to re ect and understand all sides, and let those sides be re ected within the play.

What do you hope audiences come away with?

I hope every audience member sees themselves re ected in some way. I hope they have a conversation about guns. No matter what side of the gun debate they might be on, I hope every person can connect to the story being told in a way that maybe opens their mind just a little bit. If people are still thinking about this show the next day, I feel like we’ve done our job.

For information and tickets, visit www.benchmarktheatre.com/ tickets-jeremiah.

Go back in time at Corral Blu s e Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., is home to a new bilingual exhibit that takes visitors back millions of years thanks to a newly discovered collection of fossils at Corral Blu s near Colorado Springs.

After the Asteroid: Earth’s Comeback Story shows visitors how Earth recovered after the asteroid impact 66 million years ago that wiped out the dinosaurs. It features fossils from the nd, multimedia storytelling, art stations and much more.

Anyone who wants a glimpse at what our state was like in ancient times should visit www.dmns.org/ visit/exhibitions/after-the-asteroidearths-comeback-story/.

A screaming good time at Lakeside is year’s event is from 6 to 11 p.m. on ursday, Aug. 24 and will feature a tribute to the 90s with live comedy, music and magic performances, as well as a little pro-wrestling. And that’s not all — audiences also get unlimited rides and nightlong open bars.

I can’t really think of a cleverer idea than Denver Film’s annual Summer Scream fundraiser being hosted at Lakeside Amusement Park, 4601 Sheridan Blvd. in Denver. It just the perfect blending of purpose and novelty, making for the perfect evening.

Tickets are on sale at denver lm. org.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Swell season at Levitt Pavilion

There are a few situations where art and life blend in really beautiful ways and one of my favorites of this century is The Swell Season , the duo made up of Ireland’s Glen Hansard and the Czech Republic’s Markéta Irglová. They were a group before taking on the roles of two star-crossed lovers in the seminal indie musical, “Once,” which earned them an Academy Award. Not long after they stopped performing together but stayed close and they have reunited this year to tour the country.

The Swell Season will be performing at Levitt Pavilion , 1380 W. Florida Ave. in Denver, at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20 with opener Lizzie Weber. Their music is wistful and gorgeous and I know this will be a fantastic night under the stars.

Purchase tickets at www.axs. 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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Thu 8/17

Dirty Side Down Band: Dirty Side Down @ Odde's Music Grill @ 8pm

Odde's Music Grill, 9975 Wadsworth Pkwy, Westminster

Sat 8/19

Mon 8/21

Dogstar @ 7pm

Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

Fri 8/18

Breakfast Burrito Bingo @ 3pm

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Standley Lake Bird Walk @ 7am

Standley Lake Regional Park & Wildlife Refuge, 11610 West 100th Avenue, Westminster. lbmartin@ cityofwestminster.us, 303-4251097

Hunter Safety : August 19-20 @ 3pm Aug 19th - Aug 20th

Fort Lupton Community / Recreation Cen‐ter, 203 S. Harrison Avenue, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Sun 8/20

Erie Half & 5k @ 7am / $25-$50

Reliance Park, 900 County Road 1.5, Erie

Embryology: Baby chicks at Anythink Brighton @ 9am

Anythink Brighton, 327 East Bridge Street, Brighton. rbowman @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053230

100 Things to Do Before You're 12 @ 4pm

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

The Diabolics: Floodstage Ale Works @ 8pm

Flood Stage Ale Works, 170 S Main St, Brighton

Colorado Rockies vs. Chicago White Sox @ 1:10pm / $11-$300

Coors Field, 2001 Blake St., Den‐ver

Tue 8/22

COURSE: Active Minds: The Roots of Country Music @ 9pm East Boulder Community Center, 5660 Sioux Dr, BOULDER Movie @ The Landmark's Mayan Theater (8/22) @ 7pm Offsite, 6060 E Parkway Drive, Commerce City. 303-289-3760

Wed 8/23

Jagged Little Pill @ 7:30pm Buell Theatre, 1031 13th St., Den‐ver The Sherpa House & Cultural Center & Lunch (8/23) @ 5pm Offsite, 6060 E Parkway Drive, Commerce City. 303-289-3760

Thu 8/24

Homeschool Bird Banding! Day 1 @ 9am / Free Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Pica‐dilly Rd, Brighton. 303-659-4348 ext. 53

Crafty Corner: Paint Tiles (8/24) @ 4pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760