THURS, 5/12
Shaking the Dew From the Lilies is focused on
Cherry Creek's loos.
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Cherry Creek Shopping Center has pretty, posh potties. The lovely latrines that were once cited by the Chicago Tribune as the reason for the mall's successful bottom line are celebrated in Shaking the Dew From the Lilies, opening tonight at 8 p.m. at the Playwright Theatre, 2119 East 17th Avenue. The Creek's commodes are the butt of jokes in the new comedy, about five very different women who find themselves locked in the ladies' lavatory overnight. "This play is emotionally compelling and really, really funny," says director Cynthia Davies. "The things that are addressed are honest. I've never seen any of this material on stage before." Describing the production as Sex and the Citymeets Steel Magnolias, Davies says men will find the chick chat intriguing and women will find it witty. This premiere, the American debut for Canadian playwright Paddy Gillard-Bentley's work, features an all-Colorado cast. "We decided to make each performance region-specific, and this version will be at Cherry Creek," says Davies. "It has been an incredibly dynamic process working directly with the playwright. This is not an old theme that has been done over and over. This story is totally fresh and new."
Lilies runs through June 18. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students; call 303-499-0383 or go to www.cjdproductions.com. -- Kity Ironton
Rainbow Laughter
The Comedy Gay-La turns ten.
SAT, 5/14
Once a year for the past decade, KBDI's Sam Safarian and Out Front Colorado editor Greg Montoya have assembled a night of gay- and lesbian-themed comedy. To mark tonight's tenth anniversary of Comedy Gay-La, the two picked standups whom they consider the best of the best. With everything from Focus on the Family to gay marriage in the spotlight, Safarian notes, "it's pretty straightforward humor."
One returnee is Shann Carr, a Californian who often entertains on gay cruises. In one routine, Carr explains that her anxious mother expressed relief that if there were any trouble at sea, the comic would be okay, because seafaring rules allow women and children first on the lifeboats. "I laughed and told her, ŒOn this trip, I think twinkies and queens are first. Heck, they're expecting the dykes to fix the ship before it goes down!'"
Also performing are Mimi Gonzales and an "openly Bob Smith." The event begins at 8 p.m. at the Stage Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Tickets are $24 and available at 303-830-8497 or www.ticketmaster.com. For information, call KBDI at 303-296-1212 or go to www.kbdi.org. -- Jerri Theil
