Avenue Theater

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Coordinates: 39°44′36″N 104°58′54″W / 39.74333°N 104.98167°W / 39.74333; -104.98167

Avenue Theater
Avenue Theater.JPG
The Avenue Theater in May, 2005


Avenue Theater Black & White Logo
Location: 417 E 17th Avenue, Denver, CO, USA
Website: www.avenuetheater.com

The Avenue Theater, located at 417 E 17th Avenue in Downtown Denver, Colorado has been a local favorite, producing fine Comedies, Musicals & plays as well as Improvisational comedy for 28 years.

It is home to the World Humor Organization (WHO) and Chicken Lips Entertainment

Contents

History[edit]

Early years[edit]

Robert Wells originally founded the Avenue Theater in 1985. At that time the theater was located at East 17th & Vine, 17 blocks east of the current location. Bob ran the theater for its first seven years.

Changing Hands[edit]

In 1992, John Ashton became the owner. He ran it for 9 years until, in 2001, the original Avenue Theater was closed. After its closing John spent the next two years finding a location and rebuilding the Avenue Theater. In Spring of 2003 John re-opened the Avenue Theater – the NEW & IMPROVED Avenue Theater – with business partner Robert Roehl.

In 2005, the pair sold the theater back to original owner Robert Wells and his business partner, Dave Johnson, who turned the theater into a non-profit, 501(c)(3). In 2011 they hired a new Director of Operations - Colin Elliott. Late in 2012, Dave Johnson stepped down as Executive Director, and Nuri Heckler was appointed. These three, along with and a number of other dedicated volunteers, interns, staff members and artistic contributors, maintain the artistic mission of the theater.

Radio Avenue[edit]

Every month Bob Wells & Dave Johnson write a comical radio show entitled Radio Avenue. It is broadcast on KGNU on the first Monday of each month at 8.00pm (Mountain Time) and is recorded the day before during a live performance at the Avenue. Because of its improv comedy nature, Radio Avenue is recorded live to a free audience, to help create a natural show.

List of Shows[edit]

At the Old Avenue[edit]

At the New Avenue[edit]

2005[edit]

2006[edit]

  • The Smell of the Kill
  • Destination Dinosaurs
  • Beyond Therapy
  • Tales Of An Englishman (Produced by A.C.E. Comedy)
  • The A.C.E. Show (Co-produced by A.C.E. Comedy & Avenue Theater)
  • Miscast (Produced by Next Stage Theatre Company)
  • Some Unfortunate Hour (Produced by The Other Theatre Company)
  • Denver Improv Festival (Produced by The GroupMind Foundation)
  • BFE, The Town That Christmas Forgot (Co-produced by Rattlebrain Theater & Avenue Theater)
  • Murder Most Fowl

2007[edit]

2008[edit]

  • Girls Only (Co-produced by A.C.E. Comedy & Avenue Theater)
  • Oleanna
  • Almost Denver: The Songs and Failures of Jim Aurora
  • Free Gas: Chicken Lips Gives It To America

2009[edit]

  • That Woman Show
  • Vagina Monologues
  • 60 Minutes: The Musical
  • Die! Mommy Die!
  • Santa's Big Red Sack
  • What the Dickens?!

2010[edit]

  • Secrets of a Soccer Mom
  • The Booty Guard
  • Hedwig and the Angry Inch
  • The Love List
  • VOX Phamalia: Triage
  • Santa's Big Red Sack

2011[edit]

  • The Goode Body
  • The B-Team
  • Hedwig and the Angry Inch
  • Breach
  • Completely Hollywood (Abridged)
  • VOX Phamalia: Quadrapalooza
  • Rattlebrain (Special Event, Original One-Man Sketch Comedy Show)
  • Santa's Big Red Sack

2012[edit]

  • Santa's Big Red Sack
  • Scriprov
  • Murder Most Fowl
  • Love Child
  • Dave Shirley's Rattlebrain
  • String of Pearls

Awards[edit]

2006 Denver Post Ovation Awards (6 Nominations, 2 Wins)[edit]

  • Best Actor in a Children's Play: Chris Boeckx (Destination Dinosaurs) - WINNER
  • Best Children's Play: Destination Dinosaurs
  • Best Sound Design: Dave Johnson (Beyond Therapy)
  • Best Actress in a Comic Role: Megan Van DeHay (The Smell of the Kill)
  • Best Actor in a Comic Role: Kevin Hart (Beyond Therapy)
  • Special Achievement Video Design: Brian Freeland (Destination Dinosaurs) - WINNER

2006 Marlowe Awards (10 Wins)[edit]

  • Best Production of a Play, Comedy: Beyond Therapy - WINNER
  • Best Director, Comedy: Bob Wells (Beyond Therapy) - WINNER
  • Best Actor, Comedy: Kevin Hart (Beyond Therapy) - WINNER
  • Best Actress, Comedy: Megan Van DeHay (The Smell of the Kill) - WINNER
  • Best Supporting Actor, Comedy: Josh Hartwell (Beyond Therapy) - WINNER
  • Best Supporting Actress, Comedy: LuAnn Buckstein (Beyond Therapy) - WINNER
  • Best Actor, Children’s Show: Chris Boeckx (Destination Dinosaurs) - WINNER
  • Best Children’s Show: Destination Dinosaurs - WINNER
  • Best Videography: Brian Freeland (Destination Dinosaurs) - WINNER
  • Best New Musical: BFE: The Town Christmas Forgot - WINNER

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Avenue_Theater&oldid=549460905"