20 Westsider
20
March 29, 2013
New shows in Denver and Boulder worth checking out “The Doyle and Debbie Show” playing at the Garner Galleria Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts proved to be as entertaining as the press releases claimed. Created by Bruce Arnston, who also stars in the show as Doyle Mayfield, this rollicking musical is knee-slapping funny. Arnston is hilarious, and some of his moves/sounds are beyond mere description. We meet a has-been country star who is attempting to revive his career after 30 years, four wives and three Debbies. His new Debbie (Jennifer Blood) hopes this will be her chance to make a big splash in Nashville. The interaction between D and D is priceless. Rounding out the team is their one-man band, Buddy (Matthew Carlton). Keep your eyes on Buddy. As I talked with my com-
panions afterwards, I found that I’ d missed some good stuff while I concentrated on D and D. Here’ s a small sample of the original tunes: “Grandma Flickertail,” Blue Stretch Pants” and “ Fat Women in Trailers.” For tix and info on all DCPA productions, call 303-893-4100 or visit www.denvercenter.org.
”Church Basement Ladies” is the current musical production playing up the road at Boulder’ s Dinner Theatre. Anyone who has been in a typical church basement will immediately feel right at home. The gentle humor is a tonic for the spirit and comfort food for the soul. You’ ll recognize the elderly matriarch, the young bride-tobe and her mother, the resident comedienne and the long-suffering cleric. The delightful cast includes Barb Reeves, Bren. Eyestone Burron, Alicia Dunfee, Heather Doris and Wayne Kennedy, who plays the pastor. Through story and music, the four women, along with their kindhearted spiritual leader, navigate a Christmas dinner that draws a record number of diners, the funeral of a friend, a Hawaiian Easter fundraiser (wait ’til you see the bunny), and a wedding.
It was lovely to see Bren. back at BDT. She and her husband, Brian, are now part of the Candlelight Dinner Theatre family up I-25 near Johnson’ s Corner. Last time I saw her, she was playing a very restrained and sophisticated (for Bren.) version of Mame. Now, she’s back in her sweet insanity. Delightful. Kudos all around to a strong cast. For info and tix, call 303-449-6000 or visit www.bouldersdinnertheatre.com. And, by the way, don’ t forget the yummy food.
Sports scene
How about our Colorado basketball teams? We’ re right in the middle of March Madness, as I write this, and CSU has won its first tourney game in about 200 years. CU plays today. I have now added basketball to my favorite sports list. Amazing what winning will do for a fan base.