Middle of Nowhere

"Growing up in Aurora, people used to always say I lived in BFE," recalls Dave Shirley. That's "Bum Fuck, Egypt," for those of you who didn't grow up in the 'burbs. Instead of being offended, however, Shirley — of locally based Rattlebrain Entertainment — took the idea and ran with it. The colloquialism became the title of his first traditional musical: BFE: The Town That Christmas Forgot, which opens tonight with preview performances at the Avenue Theater, 417 East 17th Avenue.

"BFE is a Brigadoon-type place where no strangers have ever been, and you cross it by accident," Shirley explains. "They don't know anything about Christmas. They've never heard of it. But then a stranger happens upon the town, and he teaches them about the holiday." Instead of being grateful, however, the townspeople turn on their guest, and what ensues is much singing, dancing and hilarity — because as Shirley points out, "What's funnier than people starting to dance all of a sudden?" Well, not much, Dave. Not much.

The not-so warm-and-fuzzy holiday play starts at 8 p.m.; tickets are $10 tonight and tomorrow, $20 to $24 thereafter, through December 23. Call 303-321-5925 or go to www.avenuetheater.com.
Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 5 & 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.; Thursdays, 7 p.m. Starts: Nov. 17. Continues through Dec. 23