There was never any doubt that Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden was going to make returning to live theater a big deal. Over the last 18 months plus, the theater has invested in giving audiences the …
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There was never any doubt that Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden was going to make returning to live theater a big deal. Over the last 18 months plus, the theater has invested in giving audiences the best experience possible via video. But nothing beats the real thing.
“I’ve been looking forward to that every-night experience of being in the theater and feeling the back-and-forth energy of art and storytelling,” said Len Matheo, Miners Alley’s artistic and executive director. “I knew that when we came back, I wanted us to be back with our best work. And this play is what live theater is all about.”
The play he’s talking about is “The Treasurer,” written by Denver playwright Max Posner, and directed by critic and local director John Moore. The show runs from Friday, July 16 through Saturday, Aug. 7 at the theater, 1224 Washington Ave. in Golden. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, but there is also a video version for those who prefer staying home. Pricing is on a “Pay it Forward” model, which means audiences can pay nothing or up to $100, and as such, pay for others’ tickets.
“It’s a Denver play written by a Denver playwright, so when I saw the world premiere in New York City, I made a commitment to Max that I’d ensure that someone did it in Denver,” Moore said. “When I took it to Len, I was so happy he was able to do it. It’s such a meaty and meaningful play.”
Featuring Augustus “Augie” Truhn, Billie McBride, Jasmine Jackson and Peter Trinh, the show is described by Moore as a “bike ride to hell,” that centers on the strained relationship between a mother and son. Told with propulsive force and featuring characters in different states, the show is a wildly different animal than many audiences will be familiar with.
“It’s a serious play, but there’s a lot of humor in it. Audiences will be laughing out loud and have these moments of recognition,” Matheo said. “We’re coming out of a hard time, and I think a lot of people will need some catharsis.”
For Moore, the show is not only an opportunity to work with a dream cast, but also to work with a script that he describes as “a banquet of words.” He said it’s been joyful but also intimidating to bring the show to life, and hopes that audiences find in it something that really connects with them.
“I’ve always been an advocate for the power of live theater to change lives,” he said. “We learned through the pandemic that there’s no replacement for actually being there. Every time an audience gathers, it’s the only time in history that that group of people will be in the same room. There’s some kind of magic in that.”
For tickets and information, call 303-935-3044 or visit minersalley.com/the-treasurer.
Celebrate the All-Star Game with the Hall of Legends
With the MLB All-Star Game fast approaching at Coors Field, History Colorado and the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club Foundation have teamed up to present the Hall of Legends during MLB All-Star Week at the new Rally Hotel at McGregor Square, 1600 20th St. in Denver.
On view from Saturday, July 10 through Sunday, the 18th (except for a closure on July 13), the exhibit features about 30 distinct pieces of baseball memorabilia, including a program from Jackie Robinson’s color-barrier-breaking Major League debut in 1947 and “the Holy Grail of baseball cards” — a mint-condition 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card that will be displayed for the first three days only.
The exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get more information at Rockies.com/HallofLegends.
K Contemporary celebrates the ‘Soft Monuments’
Denver-based artist Kevin Sloan is featured in a new exhibit at K Contemporary, 1412 Wazee St. in Denver, entitled “Soft Monuments.” The exhibition begins Saturday, July 10 with an opening event from 5 to 9 p.m. and runs through Saturday, Aug. 14.
The exhibit features 14 paintings and four ceramic sculptures, marking the first time Sloan is exhibiting sculptural work, according to provided information. Sloan will also be creating “Soil,” an installation of small watercolors, ink and charcoal drawings in the gallery’s project space.
Visit kcontemporaryart.com for all the pertinents.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Rachel and Vilray at the Boulder Theater
Getting a vintage sound right is a tricky thing, but Rachel Price (lead singer of Lake Street Dive) and Vilray get it exactly the right. On their first album, the duo perfectly captures the early doo-wop and folk sounds that were percolating in the 1930s through 1950s.
Rachel and Vilray will be performing together at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 11 at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. in Boulder. They’ll be joined by Taylor Ashton, a folk-rocker from Vancouver, British Columbia who has performed with Price before. Get tickets at 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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