SEVENTEEN-SEVENTY SNOOZE

BY TONI TRESCA

Hot off last year’s revival production at the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York, the national tour of 1776 is set to wrap its final weekend at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

The pitch to revive this Tony Award winner for Best Musical was simple: reimagine America’s political origin story with a racially diverse slate of women, transgender and nonbinary performers as America’s “Founding Fathers.” Yet, for a smartly casted musical about political turmoil, 1776’s politics are shockingly safe.

While some conservative snowflakes might be triggered by the production’s casting decisions, the players aren’t the problem with the musical. In fact, the performers’ energy is the only thing keeping this poorly paced congressional procedural afloat.

Peter Stone’s script puts audiences in the halls of the Second Continental Congress as John Adams (Gisela Adisa) struggles to get his proposal for independence through Congress. The setting allows for the easy introduction of other famous political figures like Thomas Jefferson (Nancy Anderson), Benjamin Franklin (Liz Mikel) and John Hancock (Oneika Phillips), and a multitude of heady philosophical debates.

The real issue with 1776 is that it wastes the talents of the entire creative team on a revival of Stone’s dated musical from more than half a century ago, rather than creating space for this talented group of performers to create something new. Though directors Jeffrey L. Page and Diane Paulus seek to make America’s founding fresh again by using new voices to tell the story, the show is bogged down by a script that presents a generic retelling of the birth of a nation.

In defense of this production of 1776, casting performers who would have been denied property rights allows for a few well-directed moments that highlight the founders’ hypocrisy. But these feel underdeveloped in a production that spends a large portion of its nearly three-hour runtime examining the struggles of wealthy landowners who rose up against England to escape paying taxes. As hard as performers like Adisa and Mikel, as John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, try to make Stone’s muddled book relevant, the cast is undercut by a script rife with parliamentary procedure and Sherman Edwards’ forgettable music. While states across the country seek to ban historical information about people of color and the LGBTQ+ community, this lackluster production’s Hamilton-ification of a bloated musical (about a topic that is not in jeopardy of being removed from classrooms anytime soon) is unurgent and uninspired. Despite a stacked cast, 1776 lacks the material to truly speak to the complicated political moment America faces in 2023.

ON STAGE: 1776 by Peter Stone. Various times through April 2, Buell Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 1101 13th St. $35

THEODOSIA AMMONS: CELEBRATING

A CHAUTAUQUA LEGEND

5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30, Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway, Boulder.

Theodosia Ammons broke barriers at Colorado State University as the school’s first woman dean, as the president of the Colorado Equal Suffrage Association, and as director of Chautauqua’s first continuing education school, among a number of other accomplishments. Celebrate the lasting legacy of this trailblazer with the Museum of Boulder for a tour of her historic cottage and her induction into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.

1

ABSURD APRIL FOOL’S DAY PARADE

3

TERRIBLE, THANKS FOR ASKING: BAD

VIBES ONLY TOUR

30

SACRED ART OF THE POWWOW: AN EVENING OF NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AND STORYTELLING

7 p.m. Thursday, March 30, Stewart Auditorium, 400 S. Qual Rd., Longmont. $18

Longmont Museum presents a stunning showcase of Indigenous dance, local powwow drum groups, traditional Native flute and more as part of its Thursday Nights @ the Museum programming. The event will also feature storytelling by members of our local Native artist community along with internationally acclaimed performing artist and author Red Feather Woman (Sioux/Assiniboine).

PASSWORD: COMEDY — WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

7-9 p.m. Friday, March 31, The Speakeasy, 301 Main St., Longmont. $5

Longmont’s longest-running stand-up showcase is back this month with an allwomen lineup. Sidesplitting Entertainment invites you to come out and enjoy some of the best in Colorado comedy, with headliner Leslie Fox and a slate of performers that will have you laughing until it hurts. Head to downtown Longmont for your weekend kickoff and get your tickets at the door.

6:14-7:06 p.m. Saturday, April 1, Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont. Free

No, those times aren’t a typo; they’re just one of the many absurd features of Left Hand Artist Group’s annual April Fool’s Day Parade. Bring your kids, bring your pets, and dress head-to-toe in the wildest costume you can put together. This shamelessly fun event encourages noise, fun and community — no joke. 2

THE COLOR WHEEL PROJECT

8 p.m. Monday, April 3, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $56

Award-winning author and podcaster Nora McInerny isn’t in the business of answering “I’m OK” when asked how her day is going. In fact, she embraces honesty. Maybe you’re sad as all hell, or overwhelmingly anxious, or feeling awful. McInerny invites you to explore that sentiment in-person on April 3, as she brings her podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking to the Boulder Theater for a show that will make you laugh and cry, “maybe even at the same time.”

4-5

BOCO INTERNATIONAL FLAMENCO FESTIVAL

SPRING FLING KIKI BALL

5-8 p.m. Saturday, April 1, Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder. Free

Spring-inspired fashion and high-energy ballroom culture collide this weekend at the Spring Fling Kiki Ball. Join Out Boulder County in a community celebration featuring a roster of best-dressed competitions for all-ages and identities. This collaborative celebration with Kiki House of Majik is a dance and performance party you do not want to miss.

4 p.m. Sunday, April 2, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $20

When visual arts and dance intersect, it’s a sight to behold. T2 Dance Company wants you to come see for yourself on Sunday, when they’ll be selecting artwork created by elementary school students from across the county, and using those works as inspiration to create new choreography before your eyes.

7-8:30 p.m. Tues.-Wed., April 4-5, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $40

Flamenco, an art form based on folkloric musical traditions of Southern Spain, captures both contemporary and traditional creative styles of the region. This two-night event at the Dairy Arts Center will feature world-class Flamenco performers from Spain, film screenings, dance workshops, local Spanish restaurants, educational opportunities and more.

THURSDAY, MARCH 30

FUTUREBIRDS WITH THE TEXAS GENTLEMEN AND BIG PINCH

8 p.m. Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder. $28

DAN MOCHMAN WITH THOM LAFOND 9 p.m. Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. $15

SABRINA CARPENTER WITH SPILL TAB. 8 p.m. Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver. $40

WOLFBLITZER WITH COPPER TEETH, OLD SKIN, CHAINMACE AND SCUFFED 8 p.m. Aggie Theatre, 204 S. College Ave., Fort Collins. $18

BLACK VIOLIN. 8 p.m. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place, Denver. $30

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

FY5 8 p.m. Chautauqua Community House, 301 Morning Glory Drive, Boulder. $20

HENHOUSE PROWLERS WITH ALLIE KRAL 9 p.m. Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. $12

THE DISCO BISCUITS. 8 p.m. Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver. $39

N3PTUNE AND RUSTY STEVE WITH NEON THE BISHOP AND CAIN CULTO 8 p.m. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. $22

HEART TRIBE. 6 p.m. BOCO Cider, 1501 Lee Hill Drive, Unit 14, Boulder. Free

THE EPHINJIS AND OPIUM.

7:30 p.m. The End Lafayette, 525 Courtney Way, Lafayette. $15

DABIN 6 p.m. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison. $63

ELI YOUNG BAND 8 p.m. Grizzly Rose, 5450 Lincoln St., Denver. $35

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

THE GREEN HOUSE BAND, LIVER DOWN THE RIVER AND THE BUZZ

8 p.m. Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder. $15

MARCHFOURTH WITH THE PAMLICO SOUND 8 p.m. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $23

COVENHOVEN 8 p.m. Chautauqua Community House, 301 Morning Glory Drive, Boulder. $20

THE GOOD KIND 9 p.m. Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. $10

THE DISCO BISCUITS 8 p.m. Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver. $39

BOULDER CHAMBER ORCHESTRA AND BOULDER CHORALE PRESENT

BEETHOVEN’S MASS IN C 7:30 p.m. Boulder Adventist Church, 345 Mapleton Ave. $30 Story on pg. 15.

SHOVELIN STONE WITH STILLHOUSE JUNKIES AND PONDER THE ALBATROSS 8 p.m. Aggie Theatre, 204 S. College Ave., Fort Collins. $18

STRANGEBYRDS. 6 p.m. BOCO Cider, 1501 Lee Hill Drive, Unit 14, Boulder. Free

STEELY DEAD & DEADPHISH ORCHESTRA 8 p.m. The Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland. $20

EPIK HIGH 8 p.m. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. $50

JAKE JACOBSON WITH JACOB CHRISTOPHER. 8 p.m. Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St., Denver. $10

SUNDAY, APRIL 2

MARGO CILKER WITH PATRICK DETHLEFS 9 p.m. Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. $15 Story at boulderweekly.com.

JASON GREENLAW. 4 p.m. BOCO Cider, 1501 Lee Hill Drive, Unit 14, Boulder. Free

KEY GLOCK 7 p.m. Fillmore Auditorium, 1501 N. Clarkson St., Denver. $85

DOM DOLLA 5 p.m. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison. $88

MONDAY, APRIL 3

MAGGIE LINDEMANN WITH KAILEE MORGUE 8 p.m. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. $22

JOHN MAYER 7:30 p.m. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver. $120

MICROWAVE 7 p.m. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway, Englewood. $36

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

BILLY IDOL WITH KELSY KARTER & THE HEROINES. 8 p.m. Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver. $74

ZAKIR HUSSAIN AND THE MASTERS OF PERCUSSION 7:30 p.m. Macky Auditorium 1595 Pleasant St., Boulder. $130

ALY & AJ. 7 p.m. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St., Denver. $40

BLACK BELT EAGLE SCOUT WITH CLAIRE GLASS AND ADOBO. 8 p.m. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St., Denver. $15 Story on pg. 14.

MUSE 6:30 p.m. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver. $50

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5

PARALEVEN. 9 p.m. Meow Wolf Denver, 1338 First St., Denver. $25

BOULDER BLUEGRASS JAM. 7 p.m. Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St., Boulder. Free