66 APRIL 4-10, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | ing eleven of the area’s best actors is a good way to start, as evidenced by Curious The- atre Company’s production of The Minutes, by Tracy Letts. This political satire follows the absurdities of a city council meeting in the fi ctional town of Big Cherry, offering a comedic yet critical perspective on Ameri- can democracy. It was an ambitious start to Curious’s 26th season, but under the fresh leadership of Jada Suzanne Dixon, Curious upheld its legacy of tackling thought-pro- voking, socially relevant plays. The produc- tion, directed by Christy Montour-Larson, benefi ted from its cohesive and talented cast, whose sharp performances mirrored the complexities of governance and com- munity dynamics. Best Long-Running Theater Troupe Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center 721 Santa Fe Drive 303-296-0219 suteatro.org As Su Teatro celebrated its fi ftieth anni- versary and the triumphant burning of its mortgage, it fi rmly cemented its status as the best long-running theater troupe in town. With its roots deeply embedded in the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and ’70s, Su Teatro has continually of- fered a powerful voice through original, homegrown productions that narrate the Chicano experience. This year’s vibrant season, from El Espíritu Natural and The Miracle at Tepeyac to the recent Cuarenta y Ocho (48), showcases its commitment to bringing accessible, high-caliber the- ater to diverse audiences. Su Teatro also produces the Chicano Music Festival, the XicanIndie Film Fest, WordFest and the impactful teachings of the Cultural Arts Education Institute, making it a dynamic hub of cultural and artistic exploration. Best Nomadic Theater Troupe Phamaly Theatre Company 303-365-0005 phamaly.org Who says you need a permanent theater space to make great art? The nomadic Phamaly Theatre Company had a trail- blazing season last year. With productions ranging from Spring Awakening at North- glenn Arts to A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and culminating with Indescribable at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, Phamaly not only showcased its versatility across various stages, but also its unyielding com- mitment to disability-affi rmative theater. The company’s 2023 season underscored its mission to celebrate diversity within the human condition, transforming traditional narratives and audience perceptions alike. Best New LGBTQ+ Theater Troupe The Agenda Theatre instagram.com/the.agenda.theatre The Agenda Theatre has quickly become the city’s premier LGBTQ+ theater troupe, offering groundbreaking productions that examine the queer experience. Founded by Danté J. Finley and Chloe Ryan, and sparked by the talent showcased in Bench- mark Theatre’s production of Stonewall, the company is dedicated to shaking up the theater scene with innovative storytell- ing and dynamic performances. Its mis- sion to celebrate and explore the diverse narratives within the LGBTQ+ community through theater has already resulted in the successful staging of such unique shows as Mean Ghouls. With Rebecca Gorman O’Neill at the helm of new play develop- ment, Agenda is committed to introducing exciting new works that challenge societal norms and foster inclusivity. Best Immersive Performance Strange Natures Control Group Productions controlgroupproductions.org Produced by Control Group Productions, Strange Natures was a 75-minute dance party held in the historical DeLaney Home- stead Historic District that married queer ecology with a candid narrative about our plastic-laden world. Directed by Caroline Sharkey and created by George Delaney and Elle Hong, the production delved into the present realities of climate change with both gravity and gaiety. Its unique format, comprising chaotic vignettes set in a trans- formed, bright, plastic ecosystem, pushed boundaries and invited audience interac- tion, making each performance a dynamic, shared experience. Best Adaptation of Napoleon’s Story The Death of Napoleon: A Play in Less Than Three Acts Buntport Theater 717 Lipan Street 720-946-1388 buntport.com While Ridley Scott’s recent fi lm adaptation took nearly three hours to capture Napo- leon Bonaparte’s epic saga, Buntport The- ater managed to distill the emperor’s life and downfall into a more captivating spec- tacle in substantially less time. The Death of Napoleon: A Play in Less Than Three Acts not only humorously explored the twilight years of one of history’s most iconic fi gures on the small island of Saint Helena, but also looked at the broader implications of power, isolation and the human penchant for rewriting history. The ensemble’s col- laborative approach to storytelling and ingenious use of a compact stage space to bring Napoleon’s complex persona to life made the play the year’s best adaptation of his storied existence. Best Chocolate Trip The Pâtisserie Theatre Artibus 303-476-5920 theartibus.com The Theatre Artibus production of The Pâtisserie at the Savoy was a Willy Wonka journey for the theatrically adventurous and the cocoa-curious. This dark (choco- late) comedy — masterminded by the cre- ative genius of Buba Arts and Entertainment continued from page 64 continued on page 68 2631 Larimer St. 263 L i S A New Pop-Up Event Series
