Gov. John Hickenlooper, Colorado’s 42nd state leader, good-naturedly guffawed his way through this year’s Denver Stories, Curious Theatre Company’s homage to local movers and shakers, staged one-night only Wednesday.
Attendees, who coughed up $1,000 a ticket – a new fundraising strategy this year – dined on buffets by Occasions Caterers, sipped cocktails (including the signature sip The Looper made of tequila, mint, lime, simple syrup and soda) prior to curtain.
Before the world premiere of the play “Riding on a River of Beer: The Life and Times of the Hon. John Hickenlooper”, Curious artistic director and co-founder Chip Walton told the tony air jordan 12 crowd that the theater company had just finished a record-breaking 14th season for ticket sales.
“Writing a play about the governor was quite an experience,” Walton said. “It could have been a six-hour four-act play, but fortunately for you it’s not.”
The plot followed hizzoner’s journey to Colorado as a geologist who ended up a microbrewery pioneer when he was laid off from his geo job.
Throughout the story, high-profile locals and would-be thespians played cameo parts, including drama’s grand dame Judi Wolf, power broker Steve Farber, Hick’s chief of staff Roxane White, money man Blair Richardson, jobs guru Andrew Hudson and Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries.
They all offered sage advice that would land Hickenlooper in the mayor’s office and eventually to the governor’s seat with several jabs along the way about his famously frumpy attire.
After the governor wowed the crowd with a little ditty on the banjo, the Curious cast closed the show with its rendition of the OneRepublic hit “Good Life.” OneRepublic, a national act with roots in Colorado Springs, held a concert at Hickenlooper’s inauguration party.
“Thank you all, this was so much better than I thought it was going to be,” The good guv told the audience.
Morris makes the line-up
During the after-play-party, it was revealed that music man Chuck Morris, President-CEO of the Rocky Mountain Region AEG will be the 2013 Denver Stories subject.
The play will celebrate the concert promoter’s 42 years in the band biz.
“I will have no rules,” Morris told me. “There are not going to be any secrets.”
Bling’s the thing
Fred Meyer Jewelers, the nation’s third largest jewelry retailer, will open a 1,300-square-foot store Wednesday inside the new King Soopers at 15051 E. 104th Ave. in Commerce City.
On opening day, the first 100 Fred Meyer Jewelers customers will receive a free six-piece freshwater pearl bracelet gift set valued at $65. The bracelet set features six different colored cultured freshwater pearls set on a stretch cord.
Customers can also enter to win a Sitara diamond pendant valued at $2,395. Also, there will be special grand opening savings on jewelry, free watch batteries, air jordan 13 complimentary jewelry cleaning and double King Soopers fuel points.
Vesta on TV
Denver’s Vesta Dipping Grill will be featured on The Cooking Channel’s “Unique Eats” Global episode, beginning at 8 p.m. our time on Sunday.
“Crazy to think that we shot this episode nearly a year ago, still we are very excited, and can’t wait to hear what you think,” said executive chef Matt Selby.
Eavesdropping on a woman to a man at Denver Stories: “Helen Thorpe, (Hickenlooper’s wife) isn’t here because they couldn’t get a babysitter (for Teddy).”
“Two words: State Patrol.”
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