64 APRIL 4-10, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | enthusiastic audiences, makes Denver Comedy Underground the epitome of af- fordable, high-quality comedy. Best Boundary-Pushing Comedy Club Denver’s Dangerous Theatre 2620 West 2nd Avenue, #1 720-989-3283 dangeroustheatre.com Dangerous Theatre has been a go-to for daring and innovative comedy since 2007, when Winnie Wenglewick moved here from Orlando to start the club. It’s become known for its dedication to showcasing new, audacious works that challenge so- cietal norms, as well as its Limit Breaker open-mic variety show on the fi rst Sunday of each month, an uncensored platform that celebrates the unique voices of people liv- ing on the outskirts of society. Adding to its inclusive ethos, the Improv Shenanigans workshops on Tuesdays invite performers and improvisers of all skill levels to hone their craft in an environment that values creativity and diversity. Best Local Version of a National Comedy Club Denver Improv 8246 Northfi eld Boulevard, Unit 1400 303-307-1777 denver.improv.com As the local embodiment of the esteemed national comedy chain, the Denver Improv stands out not just for its lineup of big-time talent, but for its approach to fostering lo- cal laughs. Opting for collaboration over competition in a city bustling with come- dic ventures, the Denver Improv has in- troduced Roast Battles as a platform for top regional comedians to showcase their skills, enhancing the local scene rather than overshadowing it. Best Variety Comedy Club RISE Comedy 1260 22nd Street risecomedy.com Since its founding in 2011, RISE Comedy (formerly Voodoo Comedy Playhouse) has quickly become a go-to for a wide variety of comedy. Under the leadership of Stephen Wilder, Nick Armstrong and Josh Nicols, RISE caters to a broad spectrum of creative tastes, offering everything from improv and standup to sketch comedy, variety shows, drag comedy, clown performances and com- edy festivals. This eclectic mix ensures that every visit is a unique experience, and be- yond the laughs, guests can enjoy a full-ser- vice bar with local beer, wine and cocktails. Best Longstanding Comedy Festival High Plains Comedy Festival highplainscomedyfestival.com The High Plains Comedy Festival celebrated its tenth anniversary in September 2023, when more than 100 comedians from around the globe gathered to mark a de- cade of laughter and community. Founded by Adam Cayton-Holland, a local come- dian with an impressive national profi le, the festival’s evolution refl ects his vision of showcasing Denver’s comedic talent on an international stage, achieved through a care- fully curated mix of local and national acts. Best Comedy Show Hosts Rach Angard and Jared McBain instagram.com/thefl eamarketshow Friends Rach Angard and Jared McBain are the hilarious hosts of Flea Market, a daring variety show at Forest Room 5 that breaks the mold of conventional comedy. This in- ventive event merges standup, theater and performance art, creating a unique space for unconventional, daring and downright weird acts. With backgrounds in impro- visation and performance, Angard and McBain have cultivated an environment where artists are encouraged to explore new comedic methods, and the combina- tion of creativity, community and unapol- ogetic authenticity makes them the ideal hosts for a local comedy show. Best Theater for Stoners Bowls With the Bard bowlswiththebard.com Bowls With the Bard was founded by Mi- caela Mannix in 2017 after she’d attended similar Shakespeare-with-booze events and decided she’d rather go the Stoned Shakespeare route. The result is an expe- rience that transforms the way audiences engage with classic literature as actors navigate the complexities of Shakespear- ean language while under the infl uence of cannabis. In both its shows — the Denver- based troupe currently performs at the Cof- fee Joint — and a related podcast, Bowls With the Bard works to smash stereotypes of Shakespeare being inaccessible and ston- ers being dumb. As Mannix points out, it’s an excellent way to get lit. Best Production of a New Play Stonewall Benchmark Theatre 1560 Teller Street, Lakewood 303-519-9059 benchmarktheatre.com Benchmark Theatre’s production of Stone- wall was staged during Pride Month. The original docudrama, directed by Neil Trug- lio and Samwell Rose, masterfully chroni- cled the seminal 1969 uprising, delving into the emotional and societal undercurrents leading up to and following the event that catalyzed the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The play honors the legacy of those who fought at the Stonewall Inn while also serv- ing as a powerful exploration of community resilience and solidarity. Through a blend of meticulous research and creative dra- matization, Benchmark Theatre crafted an unforgettable experience that celebrates queer joy. Best Ensemble Theater Performance The Minutes Curious Theatre Company 1080 Acoma Street 303-623-0524 curioustheatre.org What makes a great ensemble is extremely subjective, but cast- Arts and Entertainment continued from page 62 continued on page 66
