Play Ball!

It's not easy being a local playwright. David McClinton and Karl Kopp (the well-known minister of Denver's First Divine Science Church, who died in October), both veterans of the 2004 Playwrights Showcase of the Western Region, reached this dire conclusion when they noticed that last year's showcase replay featured only one measly Colorado scribe. They decided to organize their own event, and this is it: Brooks Center Arts hosts the Play Showcase Festival at First Divine. The event features staged readings of seventeen works by fourteen playwrights from Colorado and neighboring states, beginning tonight with a reception at 6 p.m. and continuing in blocks through Sunday afternoon. And although Kopp isn't here to reap the rewards of his efforts, his stamp is all over the thing, right down to the distribution of two Kopp Memorial Awards for best short and full-length plays.

Admission is $5 per session; for times and information, call 303-322-7738 or go to www.dvscdnvr.org/events.htm.
Fri., Feb. 24, 6 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 25, 9 a.m.-noon, 1-5 & 6-10 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 26, 12-6 p.m.