Playbill: Three New Performances in Denver November 4-8

This week an old Broadway favorite is returning to the Buell, while Denver’s Wonderbound rolls out a new work at the Mizel Center’s JAAMM Fest. And in celebration of Denver Arts Week, Chance to Dance invites the public to check out what’s coming out of dance studios around town.
Disney’s The Lion King
Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex
Wednesday, November 4, through November 29
Daily except Mondays; no show on Thanksgiving
Tickets start at $30
Disney’s The Lion King is one of those musicals that’s survived the test of time as new generations of kids grow old enough to go to the theater. At the Buell, old enough means four and up, all the way to 100, and that’s why the all-ages hit is a perennial sellout whenever it comes back to town. It helps that Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor’s stunning show pairs wonders of stagecraft and costuming with a killer set of songs from Elton John and Tim Rice to evoke the characters and setting. This Lion always roars: Get your tickets while you can.
Hidden Constellation 
Elaine Wolf Theater, Mizel Arts and Culture Center
7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 5
Tickets: $30 to $36
The Mizel Arts and Culture Center's JAAMM Fest invited Denver’s Wonderbound dance ensemble to join in on Hidden Constellation, a new dance work exploring the mystic side of Judaism. Also on the bill is the return of a past collaboration with local klezmer heroes Hal Aqua and the Lost Tribe; the evening promises to leave you slack-jawed with wonder, but still tapping your toes.
Chance to Dance, BBTA Choreography Competition
Studio Loft, Ellie Caulkins Opera House
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 7
Free
As part of Denver Arts Week, Denver Arts & Venues and Denver First Lady Mary Louise Lee’s Bringing Back the Arts are hosting the daylong Chance to Dance at the Ellie, beginning with a morning of dance workshops showcasing choreographers from around the city. In the afternoon, the event will turn over the stage to Denver Public Schools students, who were challenged with the task of creating their own choreography on a "Remembering Michael Jackson" theme. Throughout the competition, which will award cash prizes to the three best acts, there will be performances by hip-hop groups Swingin’ Denver, Spoke N Motion, Bboy Factory, Sweat Shop and Ni Shang Dance Academy. It’s all free — drop in for a while to cheer the kids and catch some pros at work. Learn more about the morning workshops online.

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