Every Brilliant Thing: What is a Brilliant Thing?
Every Brilliant Thing opens soon! We asked Colt Neidhardt the sole performer what a “Brilliant Thing” is to him.
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Meet The Cast of Barefoot in the Park: Andrew Tebo
Summer is far from over at the LDTC! Barefoot in the Park opens Aug. 30. We caught up with Andrew Tebo who has been seen in several LDTC productions including 1940’s Radio Hour & You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Here’s a little about Andrew’s take on his character the Telephone Man and his thoughts about the show.
Can you tell us about your character? I play the telephone repairman. He goes up huffing and puffing, to Corie and Paul’s new apartment in an attempt to fix their phone. He’s a true New Yorker and a fly on the wall to their marital discord.
What does Barefoot in the Park mean to you? Barefoot in the Park is a show full of heart and laughs. One of Neil Simons most witful written pieces.
What can audiences expect when they come to Barefoot in the Park? The LDTC Audiences should be ready to smile from ear to ear watching a quirky newlywed couple settle into their new home, six stories up from the busy New York streets.
What is the most challenging part of Barefoot in the Park? The most challenging part of Barefoot in the Park is the expectations that come with being in a Neil Simon play. It’s a high standard of comedy that takes precision.
What is the most exciting part of Barefoot in the Park? The most exciting part about Barefoot in the Park is being in a Neil Simon play! He’s a literary genius. I’m so stoked to be bringing his words to life! This is a bucket list show for me and I’m excited to be part of it right here at LDTC.
What is most exciting about returning to the LDTC and Summit County? I’m so happy to be returning to my home away from home. Summit County warms my heart every time I’m there. So grateful for the work and opportunities that LDTC always offers me.
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Meet The Cast of Barefoot in the Park: Andrea Fleming
Summer is far from over at the LDTC Barefoot in the Park opens Aug. 30! We caught up with Andrea Fleming who was previously Sherrie in the LDTC’s production of Rock of Ages. Here’s a little about Andrea’s take on her character Corie Bratter and her thoughts about the show.
Can you tell us about your character? I see Corie as the burning spirit of the play. She has such zest for life and is the bright center at which the paths of all the other characters in the show converge. At times she can seem slightly contradictory but she isn’t a liar. It is because she takes each moment in life for exactly where and when it is … though through her own very colorful lens. She responds so truthfully with whatever emotions come up for her in any given instance, letting go of whatever feelings she might have had of one thing in the past, near or distant. She may seem like a lot, but no one you would want to live without because she fills each individuals space with such vibrance. As Mother would say, “She seems to get a terrific kick out of living. You’ve got to admire that…”
What does Barefoot in the Park mean to you? Barefoot in the Park means letting go of sensibility and living life in the raw; colorfully, emotionally, vividly.
What can audiences expect when they come to Barefoot in the Park? Expect to leave with a huge smile on your face and maybe a willingness to play in the wild parts of life. 😉
What is the most challenging part of Barefoot in the Park? What can be a challenge is not allowing the humanity of some of the characters to come through. Corie is a prime example. It might be easy to play her as this crazy, childish, oblivious caricature because she really wears her emotions on her sleeves. However, Corie is just a human who truly just says and does from her heart what most people would only keep in their heads.
What is the most exciting part of Barefoot in the Park? What’s exciting is experiencing the different personalities come together and influence one another. Each person in the play compliments each other so well. Paul’s sensibility and Corie’s wild authenticity make such a beautiful swirl of interactions. They are truly like peanut butter and jelly. And at some point, you start to see how each brings out the opposite flavors in the other. Delicious! 🙂
What is most exciting about returning to the LDTC and Summit County? I am too excited to be back in this community. The people here really welcome visitors with such warmth. It’s like a theatre home away from home!
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It’s a Beautifully Brilliant Life
Ice Cream, Kung Fu movies, laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose – as a mother battles chronic depression, a son creates a list of everything that makes life worth living. As time passes, the list grows. With equal parts humor and empathy, Every Brilliant Thing tells the story of a young man who has lived in the shadow of mental illness and examines the lengths we will go for those we love.
With Every Brilliant Thing opening on August 16th, the company at The Lake Dillon Theatre wanted to make a list of all of the ‘Brilliant Things’ that we thought make life worth living! Here are our Brilliant Things:
Full Time Staff Brilliant Things-
Chris Alleman (Executive Director): Having your child crawl into your bed in the middle of the night because he is scared.
Josh Blanchard (Executive Director): Family, laughter, running, sunrises and rainstorms.
Colt Neidhardt (Director of Education & Outreach):Soul Music! Mavis Staples, Aretha Franklin, Brittany Howard, Paul Janeway— voices that can raise you to your feet or bring you to your knees.
Anne Orban (Marketing & Sales Manager): Sitting in front of the camp fire.
Rachel Dilliplane (Production Manager): Quoting an obscure movie and someone responding with the next line.
Wendy Fellner (Bookkeeper & Office Manager): Getting out in nature to clear my mind – I love being in the woods for a hike with my dog & husband.
Casts Brilliant Things-
Mark Rubald (Mamma Mia!): The great good luck to be offered second chances, in a variety of fields.
Tony Melson (Mamma Mia!): My Buddhist practice keeps me centered and compassionate, it’s an amazingly brilliant thing in my life. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!
Adam Magnacca (Mamma Mia!): My brilliant thing is my amazing and supportive family!
Chrissy Schmidt (Mamma Mia!): The stunning Summit County!
Mark Woodard (Barefoot in the Park): Laughter.
Production Teams Brilliant Things-
Jillian Parzych (Costume Design): When Targets have a Starbucks inside them, just makes life a little easier.
Stefanie M. Senior (Sound Supervisor): Waking up to my cat fast asleep and snuggled into the crook of my knees.
Michael Meketa (Musician): The beauty of creation in summit county.
Melinda Pfundstein (Director of Every Brilliant Thing): When any of my three daughters takes my hand as we walk.
Apprentice Staff Brilliant Things-
Mo Labiaga (Company Management Apprentice): Being alive, my family, being able to see the mountains every morning and The Lake Dillon Theatre Company—having the opportunity to work and learn from them.
Shannon Midlin (Patron Services Apprentice): My sister sending me the most random pictures when she knows I’m under the weather. Or pictures of her cat, or my parents making a theme song for my sisters cat that they sing to her over FaceTime.
Nate Reid (Development Apprentice): Mist drifting through mountain valleys in the morning.
Emilia Anderson (Marketing Apprentice): Meeting new people from all over the world, spending time with family and friends, and hammocking in the mountains!
Maggie Banter (Sound Apprentice): Warm chocolate chip cookies!
Liam Romano (Scenic/Carpentry Apprentice): Playing cards with people I love.
Alexa Hendrickson (Acting Apprentice): Long late-night phone calls with friends from home!
Sometimes in life, it is easy to overlook the ‘brilliant things’ and let our stressors take over our thoughts and cloud our judgment. If you’re reading this, we challenge YOU to pick a few things from your own life that you consider brilliant share them on Facebook and hashtag #LDTCBrilliantThings. Who knows maybe your brilliant thing will end up in the show!
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A Stage Manager Takeover!
The Lake Dillon Theatre Company is always excited to work with a variety of talented artists both on and off the stage. So we decided to hand over our Instagram account Stephanie Holms the Stage Manager of Mamma Mia!
If you haven’t seen Mamma Mia! yet purchase tickets here. If you look up you just might see Stephanie calling the show!
Every Brilliant Thing: Meet The Actor!
The Lake Dillon Theatre Company’s Production of Every Brilliant Thing opens in a month! We are so excited we sat down with actor Colt Neidhardt to learn more about what he thinks is “Brilliant.”
What does Every Brilliant Thing mean to you?
To me, a ‘Brilliant Thing’ is something that we often take for granted- the little moments of beauty and simplicity that we sometimes miss while we are stuck thinking about the bigger concerns of life (health, bills, work, family, etc.)Every Brilliant Thing is a show that helps to remind us of the little wonders that anxiety and depression can rob us of; finding something you thought was lost, licking the beaters after Mom makes a cake, dusk settling in around Buffalo Mountain, etc.
Can you tell us about your character?
My character is the Narrator of a story that is all too common. As a young person, he finds himself trapped in the middle of the tension of having a mentally ill Mother and a distant Father that is struggling to cope with his wife’s illness. After his Mother’s suicide attempt, my character begins creating a list of everything brilliant in the world, everything worth living for. As my character grows up and begins to face the challenges of adulthood the list continues to grow- eventually reaching one million brilliant things.
What do you think will be the most challenging part of doing a one-person show?
The most challenging part of doing a one-person show is the isolation. It’s just me and the audience for 70 minutes straight. In a show with multiple performers, you can always rely on one of your scene partners to get you out of a jam if something were to happen. In this case, I have to fix my own problems, think a couple steps ahead, and still be present with the audience. Its a terrifying and thrilling challenge all at the same time!
What are some Brilliant Things that you think make life worth living?
1. Soul Music! Mavis Staples, Aretha Franklin, Brittany Howard, Paul Janeway— voices that can raise you to your feet or bring you to your knees.
2. The miracle of homemade bread & butter.
3. Hummingbirds- enough said.
4. Spending a lazy Sunday with someone you love.
5. The feeling of elation/relief/joy that happens after you accomplish something that you didn’t think you could do.
What excites you about doing Every Brilliant Thing?
As an actor, it’s always exciting to perform in a show that has a real opportunity to affect positive change. Suicide rates have increased by 24% nationally over the past 15 years and Colorado consistently has some of the highest suicide rates in the country. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24, second only to vehicular accidents, and those rates are even higher among People of Color and the LGBT population. This is a topic that is often approached with a great deal of stigma and Every Brilliant Thing allows us to create a space where mental health issues can be represented/discussed without fear of judgment. I am also very excited about Lake Dillon Theatre Company’s partnership with Building Hope and the Summit County Community Care Clinic, who will be providing their expertise to our panel discussion as well as providing mental health resources to everyone who comes to see the show.
What can audiences expect when they come to Every Brilliant Thing?
Audiences can expect a truly unique show going experience—When you come to see Every Brilliant Thing, you will receive a page or item from the list of ‘brilliant things’ that my character has created. As we work our way through the list together, you may be asked to shout out the item on the list when I mention the corresponding number or you might even be asked to perform in a brief scene with me (don’t worry- I will tell you exactly what to do/say!). Audiences can also expect to feel a sense of community connection- this show will be staged in the round in the Henry Studio Theatre which will help everyone to feel a part of the action. Last but not least, laughter! This is a serious topic, but it’s tempered with a healthy sense of humor that is going to be refreshing and relatable to everyone who comes.
If you want to be added to my list of brilliant things— then you better come see this show! 🙂
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Cabaret: A Brief History
With Summer in full swing, the Lake Dillon Theatre Company is gearing up for one of it’s most popular events of the year, Summer Sunday Cabarets! This year the LDTC will feature four Summer Sunday Cabarets with a variety of themes including, ‘My first job,’ ‘The Ensemble,’ ‘Beatlemania!,’ and the ever popular ‘Jukebox Musicals.’ With a summer full of excitement and the music of Mamma Mia! these four musical events are the cherry on top of the LDTC’s 25th Anniversary Season.
But where did cabaret originate? And why do we enjoy these intimate story-telling concerts? Here is a brief history.
Cabaret’s origin has been traced to Europe in the late 19th Century. While this kind of entertainment was seen across Europe during this time the first cabaret has been credited to France and took place in November 1881 in Paris. Rodolphe Salis created what was initially called Le Cabaret Artistique which began a culture in which musicians, dancers, poets, and even writers would gather to discuss their ideas and works over drinks and food.
We now know cabaret as a frivols art form in which artists gather to perform for an audience while they dine or drink. When you attend a cabaret at the Lake Dillon Theatre Company you will be greeted with so much more than just a show. Each performer brings their own unique story to the stage. Many times, these meaningful stories engage audiences in ways that a regular theatre performance cannot.
So what are you waiting for? Come to the Cabaret and listen to the music and the story!
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‘Cool Kid’ Chronicles
Polkadots: The Cool Kid Musical talks all about what it means to be a ‘Cool Kid’. People often ask, “What is a Cool Kid?” Well, if you are reading this, then you are already a pretty cool kid! Cool Kids encompass the best of our amazing country: a belief that we are all created equal. Cool Kids come in every shape, size, color, age, orientation, and religion.
Cool kids surround us everyday! In fact, even YOU are a cool kid! We thought it would be interesting to ask some of the actors here at Lake Dillon Theatre Company what being a ‘Cool Kid’ means to them!
First, we asked actor Corey Barrow who plays Henry Square in Polkadots. Corey said, “Being a cool kid means owning who you are no matter where you come from, what you look like, how you talk, just know that you are you, and you are magnificent!”
Next, we asked actress Sofie Flores who plays Gabby Square and Mamma Square in Polkadots.
Sofie said she thinks “A cool kid is someone that embraces who they are and treats others with the same respect that they want to be treated with!”
It is important to be the coolest kid you can be! This means accepting yourself as uniquely you and accepting others as uniquely them. You will never meet the same person twice; we are all different in our own special, and amazing ways! Learning to accept the people around you for who they are is a key component in being as cool as possible. Accepting individuality does not have to mean agreeing or disagreeing. Instead, embrace one another and recognize the amazing contributions that each and every one of us gives to the world around us. Accepting yourself and others is a great way to make a difference in the world so come as you are ‘Cool Kids’! Let’s unite and stay cool!
Come watch Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical at The Lake Dillon Theatre Company July 6, 12, 13, 20, 26; August 2, 3, & 9 At 10:00 AM. Tickets available for purchase at the box office the day of the performance.
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Meet the Cast of ‘Polkadots: The Cool Kid’s Musical!’
Returning to the LDTC’s 2019 season is the ever-popular Family Series! This year we are excited to present Polkadots: The Cool Kid’s Musical! We sat down with the cast to learn more about the show, who the characters are and more!
Mamma Mia! Actor Spotlights- Mercedes Perez and Alan Osburn
The Lake Dillon Theatre Company welcomes back to Summit County Mercedes Perez and Alan Osburn. Perez returns in the iconic role of Donna in Mamma Mia! after her beautiful performance as “Molina’s Mother” in Kiss of the Spider Woman (2012). Osburn joins the Mamma Mia! cast as “Sam” after directing LDTC’s Sleuth (2013) and Cloak and Dagger (2015). We had a few minutes to catch up with the real-life husband and wife team.
1. We are so excited to have you back at the LDTC for our 25th Anniversary Season. What excites you about Mamma Mia!?
Mercedes: What excites me about working on a piece like Mamma Mia! is it’s really an ensemble show and I enjoy that kind of work. And of course, the music is fun! Takes me back.
Alan: The way people go nuts over the music. When I was the Artistic Director at Theatre Aspen we took a theatre trip to London. I was really excited to see Shakespeare, Stoppard, Pinter, all of the great English masters. But no, the only thing my Board of Directors wanted to see was Mamma Mia!. Reluctantly, I went along. The crowd went crazy. One couldn’t help but get excited.
2. In 2019, we are celebrating the LDTC’s 25th Anniversary season. Do you have any favorite memories from your time at the LDTC?
M: I played Molina’s mother in Kiss of the Spider Woman in the summer of 2012. I loved the old theatre space in Dillon. When one had to make entrances from the front of the house, you had to go out and around to the front of the building. My favorite time was when it was raining. It was refreshing!
A: It’s not my “favorite” but I will never forget it. When I directed Sleuth. The morning of opening night, I arrived at the theatre around 10:00 am. We were supposed to have a final dress rehearsal before we had our first audience. When I arrived, I was informed that we couldn’t do the dress rehearsal as the electricity had gone out the night before and the newly painted floor was wet. As I contemplated how to proceed I made a stop at the restroom, only to find it wasn’t working due, to the fact that the pipes were frozen. When I went backstage, Chris Alleman was trying to keep the Fire Marshall from shutting down the theater as the space heaters that were being used to warm up the pipes were a violation of the fire code. When Chris finally came out to the house he said to me, “You will probably never want to work here again.” But here we are, in a brand new gorgeous facility, with state of the art bathrooms, lots of electricity, and not a space heater in sight.
3. Mamma Mia! Is about a mother and daughter’s relationship amidst the daughter’s search for her past. As parents what do you hope to bring to your roles as a mother and possible father?
M: As a mother of a 16-year-old daughter, I hope that I can bring/portray the understanding and patience it takes to bring up a daughter in complex situations.
A: I am actually more aware of what the role is going to bring me, as opposed to what I might bring to the role. As a father, one of the things I will dread most of all will be giving my daughter away at her wedding. It might be good practice watching Sophie being given away seven times a week, but somehow I’m thinkin’ I will probably still be a mess.
4. What do you hope audiences take away from Mamma Mia!?
M: I hope audiences have a good time, forget their worries for a few hours. And laugh!
A: Just have fun.
5. What is Mamma Mia! about to you?
M: Accepting and forgiving the bad decisions you made in the past. Getting on with life.
A: Spending time with the people you love, and a new beginning at long last.
6. We are also exploring the concept of human connection for our season this year. In what ways do you think theatre connects the world today?
M: In a world of computers, cell phones, and texting, it’s important to keep a connection with live people telling a story. And listening instead of being bombarded by electronic images.
A: The same way it connected 2,000 years ago when the Greeks came up with the idea in the first place. We all want to know that there are other people in the world, no matter the time or the place, that have to go through what we have to deal with on a daily basis. We all have problems, frustrations, hopes, dreams, and desires. When we see someone on stage dealing with their issues we “connect” and are somehow comforted, motivated, enlightened, or maybe we just smile.
7. You have performed in productions in New York, On regional tours, in Denver, and in regional houses all across the country. As actors what roles have you played that has stuck out to you the most?
M: The most interesting character I’ve played was Eva Peron in Evita. The most fun was being a cat in Cats. I am a cat person at heart. And the most memorable was the touring company of Les Miserables where I met my wonderful husband Alan.
A: Playing Javert in Les Miserables on Broadway was the role of a lifetime. It’s not everyday one has the opportunity to be a part of a masterpiece at the highest level. The first Broadway show I ever saw was when I was in college. It was the day before the Tony Awards in New York City and I the guy handing out the swag in the TKTS booth line told me about a dark musical that was up for a lot of awards. When I left the theatre I thought, maybe, just maybe, one day I could be that guy. Playing Sweeney Todd was a life-long dream.
We are thrilled to have you back in the 2019 acting company. What does it mean to return to Summit County and the Lake Dillon Theatre?
M: Returning to the Lake Dillon Theatre means having a great time with a lot of talented and fun people in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Can’t think of a better summer!
A: What makes working here special is the pursuit of excellence. The people in charge aren’t interested in just “putting up a show;” they want everything on stage to be the best it can possibly be.
Tags: What's up at the LDTC, MammaMia!