The Hudson-Reed Ensemble, always full of theatrical surprises, has a new trick up its sleeve: the formidable David Ledingham as the original Tricky Dicky, the Bard's Richard III.
Patrick Holloran will direct ACT's fall musical 1776. Performances will be held at the historic Wheeler Opera House November 4 - 14, 2010.
"Get your tickets now for 'Defying Gravity,'" writes Aspen columnist Su Lum, "or you'll miss the boat. I attended the opening on Friday night and it was a full house, standing ovation, and everyone there will be telling their friends what a great show it is so it may very well sell out quickly. It runs this week through Saturday and that's it.
Since the subtitle was 'Broadway's Biggest Hits,' I dreaded a medley of old War Horses being trotted out from shows I had seen in New York when I was in my teens (after the big stars had left and tickets were cheaper) and had heard a million times since. On the other hand, I haven't seen a Broadway show in 50 years and I knew the cast featured many of my favorite Aspen stars, including a number of alumni of the greatly missed Crystal Palace, so I was also optimistic."As truly horrendous and reprehensible ideas go, the one that would put Charlie Sheen to work as a part-time expert on the craft of acting at Theatre Aspen will be hard to top, even in a town know for all-hours retching and wretched excess.
Continue Reading 3 comments June 5th, 2010
Nobody wants to see the Wheeler Opera House grow and prosper more than me. A first-class venue in the heart of town could mean the world to everyone from Theatre Aspen to artists who might find a reason to matriculate anew in Aspen.
The problem for me from the start has been that the Wheeler would have to literally raid their kitty to make the $30 million expansion happen--and the kitty was long ago approved by voters for maintenance and operations -- NOT expansion.
Continue Reading 6 comments December 9th, 2009
The Hudson Reed Ensemble will present a staged reading of Elizabeth Aley’s one act play, PARADOX COLORADO Friday, December 4th in the Old Youth Center building at 7 p.m. in Aspen. Free admission.
Aley’s one act play dives headlong into the western slope gas drilling controversy which has become a heated political debate due to the proliferation of gas drilling rigs on the western I-70 corridor.
A great influx of drilling equipment, roads and workers has deeply divided folks in a small rural community on the Western Slope in this humorous and thought provoking tale of greed and glory. The debate is joined by a colorful array of ten characters that each have a stake in whether the town sells out or tries to maintain it’s ranching based economy and traditions.
Buck Anderson, owner of a rundown gas station in town, is counting on money his grandparents stand to make off selling gas drilling rights on their land. However, Verle, Buck’s scruffy sidekick and sometime employee, is worried about the impact drilling will have on the health and environment of the town and their neighbors.
Meanwhile, Buck & Verle’s girlfriends, Rhonda and Darlene are scheming on how to spend some of that money on the town at the Dance & Prance.
Playwright, Elisabeth Aley, a longtime resident of Aspen, has been a reporter for the Aspen Times in the early fifties, a stringer for the Denver Post and later a feature writer for Aspen Today, and the Snowmass Sun. Aley is also a past president of the Aspen Writer’s Conference.
The play has won has won the Roaring Fork Valley Annual Playwright Series.
This reading is a part of the Anita Rosenau Memorial Playwright’s Project.
Add comment November 27th, 2009
For immediate release
Aspen Community Theatre is looking for volunteers to work backstage on The Music Man. We have opportunities to work on the deck, with lights & mikes, and on the flyrail – October 26 thru November 8 and November 12 thru 15.
We also need help working with Hair and Makeup for Dress Rehearsals and Performances – November 3 – 8 and November 12 - 15.
Call Dav @ David Oakes 925-7687. More information on The Music Man at www.aspencommunitytheatre.com .
Add comment October 15th, 2009
Okay, I’m a convert to Theatre Aspen. At the end of the day—at the end of the night—if it ain’t on the page it ain’t on the stage, but if it ain’t on the stage you’ve got bupkus.
Of course, Theatre Aspen has its own page to turn: Paige Price, the singer-actor-labor official-artistic director now responsible for the pages that end up under the tent on the stage on the edge of Rio Grande Park. First recruited as a performer to Theatre Aspen by former bossman David McClendon, she has not only raised expectations for a regional-caliber troupe but has begun to deliver this season with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a raucous and occasionally raunchy musical comedy now well underway under the tent and running through August.
Continue Reading Add comment July 1st, 2009
The Hudson Reed Ensemble will hold auditions for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM on Sunday, June 14 from 2-4 p.m. and on Monday, June 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the Crossroads church, 7th & Francis.
This abridged version of Shakespeare's magical tale of lovers and fantasy will be directed by Mike Monroney. Actors are asked to bring a prepared piece or they may read from the play itself. All experience levels are urged to audition. The character's age range is between sixteen and sixty, and there are 8 roles available.
Continue Reading Add comment June 3rd, 2009
Advanced Acting Workshop for Musical Theatre
Aspen Community Theatre is offering a free workshop on Saturday, April 4 from 1 pm to 5 pm for experienced actors looking to improve their audition skills for musical theatre. Actors will present their musical audition pieces, get feedback and explore various acting exercises & tools designed to strengthen their audition skills. They will then present their piece a second time to experience the results of proper preparation. The audition workshop will be team taught by professional actor, director, teacher David Ledingham & musical director, vocal coach David Dyer.
Please prepare an audition song of about two minutes and bring the sheet music in the correct key to the workshop.
Enrollment is limited.
Call Liz Bokram @ 925-6452 to register.
Add comment March 9th, 2009
Aspen Community Theatre is offering a free acting workshop for adults on “How to create an unforgettable character” hosted by actor, director and teacher David Ledingham.
The workshop will use exercises and tools to create a believable three dimensional character enabling you to Be not Act the role you are playing. Whether you are a playing a chorus member or the lead of a show, this workshop is invaluable.
David Ledingham has taught acting and movement technique at universities and professional theatres across the country and is a private acting coach. He also directs theatre & film nationally including for Theatre Aspen & has written several screenplays & a TV pilot. He recently developed & directed the play “The Song That Killed The Snake” with a 16 piece chamber orchestra at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He holds a BFA in acting from CU Boulder & an MFA in Acting from UCSD (rated one of the top three acting programs in the U.S.)
The workshop will be held on Saturday, January 10 from 1:30 to 6:00 pm at the Black Box located in the Aspen High School at 335 High School Road.
To register call Liz Bokram at 925-6452. Enrollment is limited.
Add comment December 25th, 2008
Before the experience fades into the gloaming, I'd like to take a moment to pay tribute to the play "Chicago," as performed over the past two weekends by the Aspen Community Theatre.
Ed Foran's "Mr. Cellophane" quite rightly got its share of the kudos, but I was amazed at the depth and breadth of the cast, the costumes, the music, the dancing, the set, the staging--and the general feeling of naughty enterprise that kept the evening sailing along from start to finish.
Continue Reading Add comment November 19th, 2008
Aspen Community Theatre has announced the cast for its fall musical “Chicago” which opens at the Aspen District Theatre on November 6 and runs through November 16.
Set in prohibition era Chicago, the story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice, and the concept of the celebrity criminal. “Chicago”, A Musical Vaudeville, has everything that makes Broadway musicals great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping-song after another and exciting dance numbers, Bob Fosse style. “Chicago” has been honored with 6 Tony Awards, 6 Oscars, a Grammy, and thousands of standing ovations.
Continue Reading Add comment September 17th, 2008
