Arvada Center to bring Tony-winning ‘Memphis’ to Arvada
Felicia Boswell as Felicia and Bryan Fenkart as Huey in the national touring production of “Memphis.” The Arvada Center will stage the first local production of the Tony-winning musical next season. Photo by Paul Kolnik.
By John Moore
The Arvada Center has announced a three-play, three-musical lineup for its 38th season, headlined by the first locally staged production of the Tony Award-winning best musical, Memphis. (Here’s my 2012 review of the national touring production.)
Like the Denver Center, the Arvada Center is reducing its total show output next season, while maintaining its ongoing collaboration with Creede Repertory Theatre.
“As one of the region’s largest professional theaters, we are committed to artistic excellence and to producing inspiring work that will engage our audiences’ hearts and minds,” Arvada Center Executive Director Philip C. Sneed said in a press release. “As we look to the future, we must also ensure our financial sustainability, so that we can continue to provide the quality our patrons have come to expect.“
The Arvada Center has offered seven shows each of the past four seasons. Next year the total will be six.
"We believe this is the most financially prudent approach to ensuring quality and growth,” Sneed said.
The rest of the season includes She Loves Me, The Last Romance, Harvey, The Archbishop’s Ceiling and A Man of No Importance. Christy Montour-Larson, who directed the Denver Center’s Shadowlands (running through April 27), will helm Creede Rep’s The Last Romance, which visits the Aervada Center starting Sept. 30.
“This season promises to entertain, challenge and enlighten our audiences,” said Artistic Director Rod A. Lansberry.
Here’s a wild hair: Perhaps Lansberry might use Memphis as an opportunity to bring Montego Glover back to Arvada. The best actress Tony winner for Memphis appeared in the Arvada Center’s “Putting it Together.”
Arvada Center 2014-15 season at a glance:
Memphis
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music and Lyrics by David Bryan
Directed by Rod A. Lansberry
Main Stage Theater
Sept. 9-28, 2014
The Last Romance
Presented by the Creede Repertory Theatre
By Joe DiPietro
Directed by Christy Montour-Larson
Black Box Theater
Sept. 30-Oct. 26, 2014
She Loves Me
Book by Joe Masteroff
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Based on a play by Miklos Laszlo
Directed by Gavin Mayer
Main Stage Theater
Nov. 25 - Dec. 21, 2014
Harvey
Written by Mary Chase
Directed by Gavin Mayer
Black Box Theater
Jan. 27-Feb. 22, 2015
The Archbishop’s Ceiling
By Arthur Miller
Black Box Theater
March 24-April 19, 2015
A Man of No Importance
Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Directed by Rod A. Lansberry
Main Stage Theater
April 28-May 17, 2015
(Featuring live music by the Colorado Irish-Folk Band Colcannon)
For complete show descriptions and additional information, click here.
Ticket orders can be placed by phone at 720-898-7200, in person at the Arvada Center box office or online beginning April 28 by clicking here.
The Arvada Center is located at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. For more information, go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.