Performing Arts in Denver
Buntport Theater
Tel: 720/946-1388
717 Lipan St
Injecting a fresh dose of originality and zaniness into the Denver theater scene, the Buntport plays host to a number of original productions and touring shows at its black-box-style theater south of downtown.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Tel: 303/295-1759
119 Park Ave. W
A highly acclaimed multicultural modern-dance ensemble and school, the Cleo Parker Robinson group performs a varied selection of programs each year, both on tour around the world and at several Denver locations. Tickets usually run $25 to $40.
Colorado Ballet
Tel: 303/837-8888
1278 Lincoln St
The state's premier professional resident ballet company performs at various theaters downtown. The company presents five productions during its fall-through-spring season -- a balance of classical and contemporary works that always includes The Nutcracker at Christmastime. Tickets range from $25 to $150.
Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Tel: 303/623-7876
1000 14th St., #15
This international-caliber orchestra performs more than 100 classical, pops, and family concerts each year at locations throughout the metropolitan area, mostly at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets run $15 to $70.
Comedy Works
Tel: 303/595-3637
1226 15th St
Considered one of the region's top comedy clubs for more than 20 years, this is your best bet for seeing America's hot comics at work -- Dave Chappelle and Lewis Black recently took to the stage. Admission is $7 to $10 on weekdays, more on weekends and for marquee performers. Several shows a week are nonsmoking.
Coors Amphitheatre
Tel: 303/220-7000
6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd
Formerly Fiddler's Green, alfresco summer concerts here feature national and international stars of rock, jazz, classical, and country music. The amphitheater has about 6,500 reserved seats and room for 10,000 more on its spacious lawn. Located in the southwestern section of the metropolitan area, just west of I-25 between Arapahoe and Orchard roads, it's open from May to September.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Tel: 800/641-1222
An umbrella organization for resident and touring theater, youth outreach, and conservatory training, the DCPA includes the Denver Center Theatre Company, the largest professional resident theater company in the Rockies. With 40 artists on its payroll, the troupe performs about 10 plays in repertory from October to June, including classical and contemporary dramas, musicals, and premieres of new plays. Tickets cost roughly $30 to $60. Denver Center Attractions brings in more than 10 touring Broadway productions annually. Tickets run $20 to $80. For both companies, many shows sell out well in advance.
Denver Civic Theatre
Tel: 303/296-0219
721 Santa Fe Dr
A recently restored 1921 gem, the Denver Civic Theatre is a burgeoning outlet for an Hispanic theater and cultural center, El Centro Su Teatro. El Centro presents bilingual productions on a regular basis. Tickets cost $10 to $20.
Denver Performing Arts Complex
Tel: 800/641-1222
Covering 4 square downtown blocks, from Speer Boulevard to 14th Street and Champa to Arapahoe streets, the Center for the Performing Arts (called the "Plex" by locals) is impressive even to those not attending a performance. Its numerous theaters seat from 157 to 2,800, and there's also a restaurant.
Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret
Tel: 303/293-0075
1601 Arapahoe St
In the basement of the landmark D&F Tower on the 16th Street Mall, Lannie's is a funky bordello-inspired theater that sees a wide variety of entertainers on its stage, including hostess/singer Lannie Garrett (known for her portrayal of "Patsy DeCline") as well as burlesque, comedy, and music.
Opera Colorado
Tel: 877/475-4833 for tickets
695 S. Colorado Blvd., #20
The company stages three operas (four performances each) with English supertitles each season at the new Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Internationally renowned singers and local favorites sing the lead roles. The typical schedule is three evening performances and one matinee each week from February to May. Tickets usually cost $30 to $120.
Paramount Theatre
Tel: 303/623-0106
1621 Glenarm Place
A performing-arts center since 1929, this restored 2,000-seat downtown theater is a wonderful place to enjoy jazz, pop, and folk performances, as well as comedy, lectures, and theater. Recent bookings have included Burt Bacharach and Dwight Yoakam.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Tel: 303/295-4444
16351 County Rd. 93
Quite possibly the country's best and most beautiful venue for top-name outdoor summer concerts, Red Rocks is in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 15 miles southwest of the city. Four-hundred-foot -high red sandstone rocks flank the 9,000-seat amphitheater, a product of the Civilian Conservation Corps. At night, with the lights of Denver spread across the horizon, the atmosphere is magical.
The Beatles performed here, as have Jimi Hendrix, Paul Simon, the Grateful Dead, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, and top symphony orchestras from around the world. The venue has a sparkling new visitor center at the amphitheater's apex, which affords amazing views and displays detailing the varied performances that have taken place here since it opened in 1941. There's also a restaurant. The trading post carries a good selection of American-Indian jewelry and pottery, plus a variety of other curios and souvenirs.