68 APRIL 4-10, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | Basishvili, Meghan Frank, Tiffany Ogburn and Nicole Dietze — took audiences into the mind of a lone soldier navigating a bi- zarre factory where the taste of nostalgia is harvested from the memories of its work- ers. The play combined the sweetness of nostalgia with the bitterness of lost memo- ries, and original music by David Rynhart and lighting by Sean Mallary amplifi ed the haunting atmosphere, making The Pâtis- serie an unforgettable dive into physical theater and the profound infl uences of nos- talgia. With this bold production, Theatre Artibus left audiences hungry for more. Best Holiday Show Audacious Theatre Company audacioustheatre.com Forget your traditional holiday spectacles: Audacious Theatre Company’s Drunk Christmas provides unmatched holiday revelry, giving A Christmas Carol a hilari- ously inebriated twist. This annual fun- draiser goes beyond mere performance, immersing audiences in a retelling where the actors — and audience — are as spirited as the ghosts visiting Scrooge. Staged in the cozy confi nes of local bars, the production cleverly incorporates a drinking game, en- suring that every “Humbug” and carol sung is a cue for communal merriment, making it a holiday must-see. Best Theater Bar Town Hall Arts Center 2450 Main Street, Littleton 303-794-2787 townhallartscenter.org Town Hall Arts Center enhances the theater-going experience with its unpar- alleled theater bar, ensuring that patrons enjoy a fully dimensional experience that extends beyond the stage. Under the vi- sion of Savannah Reeves, THAC’s director of patron and community engagement, the venue has transformed its bar with up- grades including digital menus, QR code pre-ordering and curated playlists. The di- verse drink menu caters to all tastes, from budget-friendly wines and local beers to organic options and production-themed cocktails. Best Season for a Theater Company Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada 720-898-7200 arvadacenter.org Under the artistic direction of Lynne Collins, the Arvada Center offered an impressive lineup last season, including thought-provoking productions of Our Town and The Laramie Project alongside crowd-pleasers such as Damn Yankees, Cinderella and the enchanting Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. These selections not only highlighted the state’s top talent, but also underscored the center’s commit- ment to a wide variety of programming. Building on the success of its 2023 season, the Arvada Center is poised to captivate audiences once again in 2024. Best New Theater Miners Alley Performing Arts Center 1100 Miner’s Alley, Golden 303-935-3044 minersalley.com Miners Alley Performing Arts Center’s $4.95 million transformation of the for- mer Meyer Hardware into a state-of- the-art theater space is a testament to vision and community spirit, and signi- fi es a monumental step toward making Golden a year-round cultural destination. The renovation project debuted with a 157-seat black box theater, a warm and welcoming lobby, an inviting bar and a versatile backstage area, setting a new standard for theater spaces. Best Theater Adaptation The Savoy Denver 2700 Arapahoe Street 303-476-5902 savoydenver.com The Savoy Denver could be the crown jewel of adaptable, intimate theaters. Located in the historic Curtis Park neighborhood, this Victorian gem, built in 1889, has been thoughtfully renovated to honor its rich history while serving the modern needs of the community. Its second fl oor, once a bustling social hall, has been transformed into a versatile space that hosts an array of theater companies while also serving as the permanent home of Theatre Artibus. Best Choreography in a Theater Production Sophisticated Ladies Vintage Theatre 1468 Dayton Street, Aurora 303-856-7830 vintagetheatre.org Vintage Theatre’s Sophisticated Ladies did justice to Duke Ellington’s legacy. Director and choreographer Christopher Page-Sanders, in conjunction with musi- cal director Jodel Charles, crafted a spec- tacle that celebrated Black joy through the power of Ellington’s music, set against the backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance. The choreography not only highlighted the en- semble’s talent, but also conveyed themes of love, sexuality and life’s pleasures. Best Theatrical Dance Group Wonderbound 3824 Dahlia Street 303-292-4700 wonderbound.com Wonderbound has fi rmly established itself as a premier contemporary ballet company, as evidenced by its ambitious four-show 2023 season: Reckoning at the Red Herring Tavern, The Sandman, Wicked Bayou and Icy Haught. Under the artistic leadership of Garrett Ammon and Dawn Fay, this pow- erhouse, now celebrating its tenth season, creates collaborative artistic experiences that transcend the medium’s boundaries and engage audiences in the exploration of the human experience. With a new per- manent home at 3824 Dahlia Street, Won- derbound has both secured its future in the city and elevated its ability to produce captivating performances. Arts and Entertainment continued from page 66 Saturday, June 8 to 21+ ONLY | RAIN OR SHINE WESTWORDOUTTOBRUNCH.COM Win a Pair of VIP Tickets 11:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. | VIP EARLY ENTRY: 11 A.M. | GA ENTRY: 11:30 A.M YORK STREET YARD Unlimited SAMPLES FROM THE HOTTEST BRUNCH SPOTS
