Colorado's Thriving Arts Scene Unveils a Tapestry of Premieres

Colorado's cultural landscape is set to dazzle audiences this year, as theaters, dance troupes, and other artistic entities prepare to unveil a remarkable array of world, regional, and national premieres. From the highly anticipated national tour of the Tony Award-winning "Kimberly Akimbo" to the Colorado debuts of acclaimed productions like "Back to the Future: The Musical" and "Life of Pi," the state's performing arts scene is poised to captivate and inspire.

Elevating the Arts: Colorado's Premiere Performances Unveiled

Groundbreaking Dance Debuts

Denver's acclaimed contemporary dance company, Wonderbound, has been captivating audiences with a remarkable lineup of world premieres, nearly selling out every performance in its new space. Artistic director Garrett Ammon will debut four entirely new shows this season, each promising to push the boundaries of the art form. From the dark and alluring "Devil's Crush" to the madcap adventure of "Jolly Moxie," these productions will showcase the company's innovative spirit and technical prowess.Elsewhere in the state, the Zikr Dance Ensemble in Littleton is also set to unveil several unseen pieces as part of its fall "Secrets" showcase. Artistic director David Taylor has expanded and transformed his dance performance set to the "Dune" film score, while the new "Cham Mandala," inspired by Tibetan mysticism and purification rituals, will feature captivating new choreography.The Colorado Ballet will also make a regional premiere, presenting "Casanova," a bold new ballet by Kenneth Tindall that explores the decadent proclivities of the infamous romantic through dynamic choreography, iconic Venetian masquerades, and a passionate narrative set to the music of Kerry Muzzey.

Theatrical Trailblazers

The Curious Theatre Company in Denver, known for its intense and topical productions, is set to stage several regional premieres that promise to challenge and captivate audiences. "Downstate," an intense story of four convicted sex offenders sharing a group home, and "Confederates," a time-traveling tale of institutional racism, are just two of the thought-provoking works on the company's docket.Offering a much-needed dose of humor, the Curious Theatre will open its season with the "chaotically funny" all-female play, "POTUS." Next spring, the company will bring Samuel D. Hunter's "A Case for the Existence of God," a poignant story of two melancholic single fathers.Nearby, the creative minds at Buntport Theater in Denver are preparing a world premiere that promises to be both comedic and completely horrifying. The play will explore the 20th anniversary of the infamous "Dave Matthews Band Chicago River incident," in which the band's tour bus emptied its blackwater tank onto an open-top sightseeing boat below, from the perspective of the inanimate objects involved.

Reimagining the Classics

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will stage the regional premiere of "Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really" by Kate Hamill, a production that promises to "drive a gleeful stake through the heart of the patriarchy itself." This gory, funny, and clever spin on the classic novel is sure to surprise and delight audiences.Bas Bleu Theatre in Fort Collins will present the Colorado premiere of "The School for Lies," a David Ives farce set in 1666 Paris, while OpenStage in the same city will debut the world premiere of "October Surprise," a new play by local playwright Miguel Muñoz that explores family, morality, and American politics.In Colorado Springs, the Funky Little Theater Company will present the world premiere of "Bootleg Jedi," a comedy set in 1983 that is "loosely inspired by a zany, true-ish story" of a misfit teen film thief. The company will also stage the regional premiere of "Mockingbird," a play adapted from the National Book Award-winning novel that revolves around an 11-year-old girl on the autism spectrum.