Saturday, October 9, 2010

News Bulletin: Werewolves in Cripple Creek


This marks our 5th annual trek to Cripple Creek for the Halloween play. This year I think they outdid themselves.

When I say "they" I mean the Thin Air Theatre Company (TATC). This group went above and beyond to create a spooky love story complete with three focal points on stage and the sense that you did not know who was coming up the aisle behind you at any given time. It was brilliant.

The original play was penned by long-time favorite, Chris Sorensen. He is a veteran to the theater scene in Cripple Creek and started out as one of the original Imperial Players. His other favorite plays include: A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol, The Vampire of Cripple Creek, Miracle on Bennett Avenue and Dr. Jekyll's Medicine Show, just to name a few. Some little know fact about him: he is also an award winning audiobook narrator for Recorded Books.

In the direcotor's chair this time was Chris Armbrister, another veteran to the Cripple Creek stage and a co-founder of the TATC. He also graced the Imperial Stage back in the day. His use of the surround-the-audience-with-actors was a wonderful addition to the already fun experience we have come to expect from this group at the Butte Opera House.

The acting was great, especially the casting of Mel Moser as the villianous southern colonel. It was fun to boo the villian and cheer the hero, played by co-producer, Mickey Burdick. It is evident that this troupe really enjoys performing together.

The original score was beautifully done by Jamie Malbin, and he turned out to be the third focal point on stage as you tried to watch the action center of the saloon, stage right with the meat locker and the werewolf activity and his facial expressions stage left as he played the tunes. It was action, action, action no matter where you looked. And for a small stage that is a lot of action.

Once the play was concluded with as happy an ending as you can expect from werewolves, the all-original Halloween olio began. I cannot say enough about the creativity that goes into this part of the production. It is singing, dancing, comedy and people dressed in ways you did not expect. I will say no more, because I do not want to ruin it for anyone who is planning to go.

Take heed! This play is only done during October, currently it is running on Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m. Hurry and get your tickets for a great time! They can be ordered online here.

Don't forget to take your wolfsbane and silver shavings for there be werewolves in Cripple Creek this October~!

1 comment:

Cathy R said...

That sounds like a LOT of fun!

And kudos for working the words "meat locker" and "werewolves" into the same sentance.