The Denver Center for the Performing Arts 2015-16 Broadway season features Tony Award-winning hits and family favorites straight from Broadway including “Matilda The Musical”, “If/Then” (national tour launch), “Murder For Two”, “A Christmas Story, The Musical”, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”, “Disney’s Newsies”, “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical”, “The Book of Mormon”, “Disney’s The Lion King”, “Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour”, “Once”, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” and “The Sound of Music”.

The season starts with “The Book of Mormon” Aug. 11 through Sept. 13.

Subscriptions start as low as eight payments of $26.13 and are available by calling 303-893-4100 or by visiting www.denvercenter.org.

Additional subscriber benefits include preferred seating, free ticket exchanges and various special offers throughout the season.

‘A Christmas Story, The Musical” is just one of the shows on the Denver Center’s 2015-16 theater season.

The Colorado Symphony and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission invite you to a free annual celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy as a leader, visionary, and pillar of the Civil Rights Movement, to be held Jan. 13 at Boettcher Concert Hall in The Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex.

Now in its 25th year, this community concert recognizes individuals and organizations who embody King’s dream of equality, peace, service, and social justice. New this year, the Colorado Symphony will be joined by Denver’s Flobots, a hip-hop ensemble that uses music as a tool to ignite awareness, action, and positive change.

Hosted by TV personality Tamara Banks, the program will be conducted by Scott O’Neil and will include symphonic selections by Beethoven and Dvorak as well as African American composers Brian Keane and George Walker. In collaboration with the full orchestra, the Flobots will perform orchestral arrangements of their music, with original arrangements by Tom Hagerman of DeVotchKa, commissioned by the Colorado Symphony.

The winners of four Humanitarian awards, as well as the Menola Upshaw Lifetime Achievement Award winner, will be honored during the program; all honorees are nominated and selected by the community and overseen by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission. The concert is part of a week-long celebration of Dr. King’s work as well as a call to community action. For a complete list of events, visit www.drmartinlkingjrchc.org/.

Tickets to this free concert are available at the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St., and the Colorado Symphony Box Office in the Boettcher Concert Hall at 14th and Curtis streets. For details, visit www.coloradosymphony.org. The Box Office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, and two hours before every performance. Please note the box office will be closed Thursday and Friday.

A ticket is required for admission. All seating is general admission on a first come, first-served basis and a ticket does not guarantee a seat.

Part Second City, part Monty Python, “The Bicycle Men” rolls into The Garner Galleria Theatre for a short ride that ends on July 20.

This zany musical, lets you leave your rational mind at the door as you take this zany journey with four versatile actors — Joe Liss, John Rubano, Derek Manson and Bruce Green (with music accompaniment by Ryan McCurry) – who take on a variety of roles. It’s pure silliness.

The story takes place in the heart of France where an American man takes his biciclete into a repair shop, but that’s where sanity ends and you strap on your helmet for a wild ride. While waiting for overnight repairs, the character “Steve” meets the locals and takes a no-hands journey through town.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. July 17-20 and at 2 p.m. July 19 and 20.

Single tickets for “The Bicycle Men” start at $29. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303-893-4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303-893-9582. Groups of 10 or more, please call 303-446-4829. Additionally, tickets may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.

Every year, foodies flock to The Big Eat to sip, snack and celebrate the culinary diversity of Denver’s indie restaurants.This year, while strolling the new event site in The Galleria at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (on 14th Street between Champa and Curtis), you’ll get wined and dined by local chefs from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. (VIPs enter at 6:30) Thursday.

Some of the participating restaurants:  Ace Eat Serve, Adelita’s, Ambli Gourmet Eatery, Appaloosa Grill, Argyle Whiskey Beer, Bones, Carmine’s on Penn, Central Bistro & Bar, dbar , Euclid Hall, Gallo di Nero, Harman’s Eat Drink, Interstate, Jonesy’s Eat Bar, Krewe BBQ, Limelight, Little India, Lou’s Food Bar, LowDown Brewery + Kitchen, Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizza, Panzano, Rialto Café, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, St. Ellie, Steuben’s Food Service, Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs, Stoney’s Bar & Grill, Tana’s Delights, The Lobby, Trillium, Uber Eats, Vesper Lounge, Vesta Dipping Grill, Work & Class and the Wynkoop Brewing Company.

Tickets are $55 per person, which includes tastings from 36-plus restaurants, craft beer, wine, entertainment, cocktail demos and more. VIP tickets are $75 per person, which includes early entry with special tastings from newly opened restaurants plus a VIP only hangout.

The Big Eat Private Balconies for a party of 10 are $1,250. Includes early entry and a private space with a balcony overlooking the event. Platters of food will be waiting for your arrival with an to an open bar with craft cocktails, beer and wine.

“The Book of Mormon,” the smash hit Broadway musical currently playing a record-breaking engagement at The Buell Theatre, will be back by popular demand for a limited engagement Aug. 11-Sept. 12, 2015, at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday with a limit of eight per household.

“The Book of Mormon” holds the all-time single ticket on-sale record for The Denver Center for the Performing Arts with more than 38,000 tickets sold on June 10. The previous record also was “Book of Mormon” for its 2012 national tour launch.

Tickets for the return of the musical start at $35, and are available by calling 303-893-4100 or at the Denver Center Ticket Office in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby or online at www.denvercenter.org.

(Photos by Joan Marcus, provided by The Denver Center)

For a suit-and-tie CEO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Daniel Ritchie makes a handsome woman.

And he proved just how fetching he can be in a blingy ball gown during “Theatre Threads,” a costume department fashion show featuring models from the DCPA’s financial and emotional support group.

As an unadvertised final entry in the fashion show, Ritchie shuffled to the microphone where 9News entertainment editor Kirk Montgomery was lending emcee duties. Much to the delight of the lunching crowd, Ritchie sported a Texas-sized blonde wig, full makeup, false eyelashes, figure hugging bedazzled gown, feather stole, full-length black gloves and black patent open-toe heels.

In a twisted way, he looked hot!

Ritchie was promoting “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” which plays in the Ricketson Theatre from Jan. 10 to Feb. 23.

“We didn’t have costumes yet so we hired a professional drag queen, and he worked with Dan on the outfit,” said Alexandra Griesmer, public relations and promotions manager for the Denver Center Theatre Company. “(Ritchie) was such a great sport – didn’t take much convincing!”

Ritchie said his gender-bender experience lent him more empathy toward females.

“I learned that high heels are risky,” Ritchie said while Montgomery, dressed as one of the three musketeers, doubled over in laughter. “I was surprised to learn what you do every day. My respect is even higher (for women).”

The play is about a straight young man who unexpectedly takes a dip into the world of drag, Ritchie said. “I didn’t know much about being a woman, so I thought I should learn first hand.”

Denver Center Alliance’s Theatre Threads is a tribute to the talent and passion of the models and backstage stars, Denver Center Theatre Company’s costume department. Proceeds support the Arts in Education program, which allows more than 50,000 students the opportunity to experience live theater this academic year.

Other models were: BJ Dyer as a sinister character from “Dracula,” Judi Wolf and Carmel Koeltzow from “Pork Pie: A Mythic Jazz Fable,” Jeremy Anderson from “Dirty Story,” Fiona Baldwin from “Sense & Sensibility The Musical,” Murri Bishop from “A Christmas Carol,” Keri Christiansen from “Scapin or the Con Artist,” Roger Hutson from “A Winter’s Tale,” Sharon Cooper from “Picasso at Lapin Agile,” Terri Fisher from “Room Service,” Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons and Alice Foster from “The Three Musketeers,” Gayle Novak from “Richard III,” Stacy Ohlsson and Jackie Rotole from “Romeo & Juliet,” Loretta Robinson from “1001,” Jamie Angelich from “Twelfth Night” and Robyn Taylor from “The Voysey Inheritance.”

Wolf, the DCPA’s grand dame, choreographed the show and chose the musical accompaniments.

Denver Center CEO Daniel Ritchie (with emcee Kirk Montgomery of 9News) dresses in drag as part of ‘Theatre Threads’ with the entire cast below. Below that photo is Loretta Robinson as a character from ‘1001.’ Bottom photo: Gayle Novak from ‘Richard III.’ (Photos by Vicki Little)

In other DCPA news …

Matthew Morrison, who plays choir teacher Will Schuester on Fox TV’s hit series “Glee,” is this year’s headliner at “Saturday Night Alive,” the annual big fancy fundraiser.

Although Morrison has received national attention for his role in “Glee,” his acting career blossomed on Broadway with performances in “Footloose,” “Hairspray” and “The Light in the Piazza.”

“Saturday Night Alive” begins at 6 p.m. March 1 in the Seawell Grand Ballroom. Tickets start at $400; proceeds benefit the Arts in Education program. More information: 303-446-4815 or at www.denvercenter.org.

Matthew Morrison will perform at Saturday Night Alive, a fundraiser for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts on March 1, 2014. (Photo courtesy of matthewmorrison.com)

Fish tales

If you order fish at a local restaurant or pick up some DIY fish filets or shellfish at a specialty grocer, it’s likely that the source is Seattle Fish Company, the 95-plus-year-old distributor based in Denver. Seattle Fish supplies the lion’s share of swimmers (roughly 80 percent) from a variety of species to the Colorado market.

On Monday, Seattle Fish held its inaugural tasting and seminar in its SFC Educational Series, a media focused program designed to provide a better understanding of the seafood industry. Monday’s topic was “The state of the seafood industry, and what does that mean for the future?”

Featured seafood was “discards, underutilized seafood and trash fish.” Chef/owner of Il Posto (2011 17th Ave.) Andrea Frizzi bravely went where most chefs dare not tread – into the world of fish that rarely earn a spot on local menus. Dishes sampled included blue fish crudo (Italian ceviche), mackerel crudo, spot fish and porgy.

Seattle Fish chief operating officer Derek Figueroa “schooled” us on aquaculture or farm raised fish vs. wild catch, which uses different hooks and targets specific species. Whereas 2011  fish “scale” statistics in terms of the farm-raised vs. wild fish supply showed roughly two-thirds farm-raised fish to one-third captured in the wild, by 2030, indicators are that the two methods of harvesting fish – farm-raised and wild – will be nearly equal.

Frizzi said he’s not above serving “discard fish” on his menu, which changes almost daily. The chef is most concerned over what’s fresh.

“Andrea goes out on a ledge and plays with a variety of fish,” Figueroa said. “We’re going to make ‘discards’ sexy.” And Frizzi delivered. In addition to the two crudo dishes, we sampled (cooked) porgy with sweet potato soup and (cooked) spot fish with baby carrots, hearts of palm and cipollini onions.

“I’m a fly fisherman – catch and release,” Frizzi said. “I want to make my resources stay that way.” For more information on sustainable species, go to www.sustainablefish.org.

Que paso?

Restaurant mogul Richard Sandoval isn’t one to let cilantro grow under his feet. If a concept isn’t working, he’s willing to throw out el bebe con el agua de bano (the baby with the bath water).

Hence the upcoming reincarnation of the al Lado space at 1610 Little Raven, right around the corner from Sandoval’s successful Zengo restaurant.

Al Lado, a small plates and multiple wines by the glass concept, will close on Saturday for a remodel and re-concepting into La Biblioteca (the library), a tequila library and lounge modeled after Sandoval’s spot by the same name in New York City.

La Biblioteca will serve an extensive collection of Sandoval’s hand-chosen tequilas, some of which are aged up to 250 years. Patrons will “check out” bottles of tequila instead of books and store their selections in a personal locker to sip upon their return. The new casual concept will be a more affordable sibling to Zengo and the menu will feature Latin American and Asian inspired dishes ranging from sushi and wok creations to ceviche and tacos.

Interior changes will include the installation of tequila lockers along the walls, more comfortable furniture, marble-topped tables and more.  And in the spring the space will expand with a new patio.

Boffo burger

Zagat.com food folks included the buffalo burger at Denver’s CityGrille (321. E. Colfax Ave.) in its piece called “50 States, 50 Burgers” currently posted on www.zagat.com.

The best-burger story includes the kind of meat or meat substitute Americans like for the burgers, what kind of roll, favorite condiments and where the best burgers can be found, first posted by Culinary Colorado (http://culinary-colorado.com/2013/10/23/city-grille-tops-zagats-denver-burger-list/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+culinary-colorado+%28CulinaryColorado%29).

Here’s what Zagat said:

“In a state known for buffalo and burger lovers who crave bison over beef, it’s only fitting that the Buffalo Burger is a favorite of the Centennial State. Bison, or American buffalo, is often leaner, less fatty and some say sweeter — though many also claim the taste isn’t much different from a beef burger. Over at local favorite CityGrille in Denver, they serve up a hefty buffalo burger: a half-pound patty, charbroiled to perfection. Much praised, the healthy low-fat, low-cholesterol burger can be topped with a variety of cheeses, a fried egg or guacamole.”

For my money, the bun also deserves a nod for its toothsome texture which holds up to a dripping burger without disintegrating under the weight of the patty, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. CityGrille has been a favorite of the On the Town family for years. Check out the menu at www.citygrille.com.

The seen
Rocker Joe Cocker (who’s lived in Colorado for 20 years) dining at The Oceanaire Seafood Room on Wednesday. My spy tells me that Cocker, who recently returned from a summer-long 46-city European tour, enjoyed fish and chips English style.

Eavesdropping a man talking to a woman about “The Book of Mormon” at “Theatre Threads:” “The first time through, it’s crazy. It’s like signing up for Obamacare.”

Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

Because of a technical glitch, Monday’s column went out to subscribers with only a few lines from the first item.

What was supposed to happen was the launch of a new format that would give subscribers the top item, then direct them to click on the link to the Blacktie-Colorado website in order to drive more traffic there. Let’s hope it works today…

So, here’s what you missed on Monday:

Let’s rewind the clock to a few days before the Broncos victory over the Jaguars, who though winless, were certainly no pushovers in Sunday’s game.

Former Broncos tight end turned CBS Sports commentator Shannon Sharpe, in Denver Sunday to cover the Broncos-Jaguars game, was spotted at his former quarterback, John Elway‘s Cherry Creek steak house Saturday night.

But while he warmly greeted Elway and his wife, Paige, in the restaurant, was he also picking Elway’s pocket? During the “NFL Today” broadcast, Sharpe told fellow football prognosticators James Brown and Dan Marino that he had dined at Elway’s establishment Saturday night.

“I put dinner on John Elway’s tab,” Sharpe said, most likely joking. I can only confirm that Sharpe, joined by fellow former teammate Rod Smith, were there, but who paid is not known.

Meanwhile, back at “The Late Show With David Letterman” last week, lead guest Michael Strahan, star of “Live! With Kelly and Michael” and former New York Giants defensive end, and Letterman discussed Broncos QB Peyton Manning. Although Letterman will always favor his hometown Indianapolis Colts, he can’t “quit” Manning after all his years as the Colts QB.

Here’s the transcript from CBS.com:

Dave asks (Strahan) about Manning: “What’s all that barking he does at the line of scrimmage?  Peyton points and shouts and prances up and down the line yelling instructions to his linemen and backs. What’s he doing?”

Strahan: “It’s a lot of B.S.  Peyton Manning may be smart enough to understand all that yakking he’s doing, but the guys he’s yelling to? The linemen? The other guys on the team? They aren’t that smart. He’s doing it for show. The defense bark, ‘Just snap the ball!!'”

Que bueno!

I took a neighbor to see “Just Like Us,” the play adapted from the book by Helen Thorpe, the estranged wife of Gov. John Hickenlooper, at the Stage Theatre last week.

We were the two mature women sitting in the first few rows with tears streaming down our faces. The story follows the plight of four young Latina women — two who are U.S. citizens and two who are illegal immigrants — as they struggle with their high school, college and post-college years.

At the urging of Kent Thompson, Denver Center Theatre Company’s producing artistic director, Thorpe agreed to let playwright Karen Zacarias transform her words onto the stage.

The result is a riveting performance, which no matter where you stand on immigration, will at least make you think. The cast is simply marvelous and the sets move around almost as fast as the teacup ride at Disneyland.

If you can go, go. “Just Like Us” plays at the Stage until Nov. 3. Tickets: 303-893-4100 or at www.denvercenter.org.

Helen Thorpe wrote ‘Just Like Us,” which was transformed into a stage play for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. (Blacktie-Colorado photo)

Diamonds are this girl’s best friend

Call it the fickle finger of fate. Call it divine intervention. Or call it just plain luck.

But on Saturday during the annual Champagne and Diamonds gala to benefit Sense of Security, the evening’s last act was a random drawing from a glass bowl full of names who had purchased a chance to win a $12,000 diamond necklace donated by Hadley’s House of Diamonds.

Drum roll, please. The winner was Vicki Tosher, and the crowd gathered at the downtown Grand Hyatt went wild. Tosher founded the breast cancer patient financial support charity 13 years ago after a dear friend had been diagnosed. Tosher is a two-time survivor.

When her name was called, Tosher wobbled toward the dance floor and her prize in sheer shock. Then she fell to her knees.

“I’ve won two other things in my life,” she said after being helped to her feet. “One was a calculator.”

Congratulations, Vicki. There is no one more deserving. Sparkle on, girl!

Playing dress-up

It may be a bit premature for Halloween, but nevertheless, some of Denver’s fiercest supporters of The Denver Center for the Performing Arts will be modeling costumes from the Denver Center Theatre Company’s closet during Theatre Threads from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Seawell Ballroom. Proceeds will benefit DCTC and its education programs.

From the looks of the get-ups modeled in the past, this event will upstage a Vegas floor show. This years models are Jeremy Anderson, Jamie Angelich, Fiona Baldwin, Murri Bishop, Keri Christiansen, Sharon Cooper, BJ Dyer, Terri Fisher, Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons, Alice Foster, Roger Hutson, Carmel Koeltzow, Gayle Novak, Stacy Ohlsson, Loretta Robinson, Jackie Rotole, Robyn Taylor and (dame) Judi Wolf.

But a would-be thespian also hinted that DCPA chairman and CEO Daniel Ritchie is expected to get into a get-up.

The event features the aforementioned fashion show and luncheon hosted by the Denver Center Alliance.

“I will always remember as a child going to the theatre and being swept away into this magical world filled with lively characters dressed in beautiful costumes,” said event chair Denise Bellucci. “It’s because of fundraising events like Theatre Threads that, not only can the Denver Center for the Performing Arts give a child this wonderful experience and love of the theatre, but they also help support the creation of it.”

Tickets are $100 per person. Reservations: 303-446-4815 or visit www.denvercenter.org/threads.

Judi Wolf will be one of many of Denver’s charitable citizens modeling Denver Center Theatre Company’s costumes at the Oct. 23 event, Theatre Threads, at the Seawell Ballroom. (Denver Center photo)

Wise wine guy

If you haven’t heard Marczyk Fine Foods and Fine Wines owner Pete Marczyk wax poetic about the perfection of wine and food pairings, you’ve missed seeing a showman at his grapey best.

Now’s your chance. Marczyk, along with colleague Maxine DiJulio, will present a selection of some of their favorite Italian holiday wines representing styles you may know but varietals you likely don’t during an event sponsored by The Denver Chapter of the American Wine Society, beginning at 6:30 p.m. today (Oct. 16) at Panzano, inside the Hotel Monaco at 909 17th St.

Each course, prepared by exceptional executive chef Elise Wiggins and her team, will be paired with two wines of similar styles but at different price points. Attendees will compare and contrast these wines and then pick a favorite. After the votes are counted (barring any hanging chads), the price of each will be revealed.

The event is $65 for AWS members and $75 for non-members and guests. Registration is online only by visiting https://www.blacktie-colorado.com/calendar/event-detail.cfm?id=26189.

Eavesdropping on a woman at a recent charity event: “I am growing out my bangs, it’s cheaper than Botox.”

Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

The accolades keep coming for Colorado, especially for two suburban Denver cities.

Money magazine ranked its “best places to live” and Louisville (ranked No. 2) and Parker (12th) were cited for their economic success and excellent housing.

Louisville previously had been ranked No. 1 twice on the Money list in the past. The northwest Denver suburb that lies just east of Boulder is noted for “its place in the technology-rich Denver-Boulder corridor” that “has kept the job outlook solid.” Money also said that Louisville is a “great place to raise a family, with well-regarded schools and a safe community. Read more about Louisville here.

Parker was noted for its performing-arts center (particularly its 500-seat theater and outdoor amphitheater) and the H2O’Brien Pool water park. You can read more about Parker here. Money says Parker has rebounded nicely from the housing downtown, citing increased new construction and its 30-minute drive to downtown Denver.

Let the chips fall where they may

As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad publicity.” Especially if it’s free publicity.

Boulder Canyon’s potato chips got a plug on cable TV’s “Breaking Bad” Sunday night when a character in the AMC network series is shown munching on a bag of Boulder Canyon’s sea salt and cracked pepper chips.

In Sunday’s mid-season premiere, Hank Schrader (played by actor Dean Morris), a Drug Enforcement Agency agent and brother-in-law of Walter White, the series’ chemistry teacher turned crystal meth maker – is digging into a bag Boulder Canyon’s chips.

How did Boulder Canyon take the news that its product was featured on a hit cable series about cancer-stricken high school teacher (played by Bryan Cranston) turned drug kingpin?

On its Twitter feed (@BoulderCanyon), the company wrote:

“Now we know Hank’s got good taste in his snacks! We wonder what flavor Walt would like…?” and “Eating our chips clearly helps in the investigative process.”

Boulder Canyon said it did not pay for product placement on the show.

The Boulder Camera first reported the story and you can read it here.

Actor Dean Morris plays the character Hank Schrader, who was munching on Boulder Canyon chips on AMC’s “Breaking Bad.” (AMC network photo)

Telluride rates No. 8 friendliest city

Conde Nast Traveler recently rated “the friendliest and unfriendliest cities in the U.S.” Telluride, one of the most quaint towns in Colorado came in at No. 8. The magazine’s website gave Telluride an 82.9 score and here’s what they wrote:

“Already popular with in-the-know skiers who admire its ‘fantastic’ terrain, Telluride, Colorado, is also lauded for its friendly people. Wonderful restaurants and great live music options add to its charms, and longtime fans also urge new visitors to check out the summer festivals that this “overlooked gem” has to offer. The temperatures might be cold in sophisticated but not pretentious Telluride, but the locals certainly aren’t.”

Moore posted on his Facebook page this tidbit about an upcoming Aug. 29 show:

“Joey McIntyre — yep, the kid from New Kids on the Block — is coming to the Galleria Theatre to workshop his new one-man theatrical musical, called, yep, ‘The Kid,’ Aug. 29 through Sept. 15. It is billed as a ‘deeply personal coming-of-age story.’ McIntyre takes the audience from his hometown of Boston to sold-out stadium tours, as three generations of family drama becomes three decades of stage dreams. … Hmmm … A NKOTB getting all theatrical in the intimacy of the Galleria Theatre? You gotta go see this, right? … Right?”

Tickets are on sale at www.denvercenter.org or by calling 303-893-4100.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Randy Couture will host a new reality series, “Gym Rescue,” on Spike TV and the show is looking at Denver gyms to rehabilitate.

The show is based on the hit Spike TV show, “Bar Rescue,” in which host and bar/restaurant expert Jon Taffer brings a team to a failing bar and turns it around. Taffer came to Denver recently to help Zanzibar Billiards  in downtown Denver and Kazbah Lounge in Aurora.

Casting Producer Scott Hiller told Fightline.com that Couture “figures out what the core problem is and with his team of experts, whips that gym back into shape. Gyms can be of any type: fighting or fitness, climbing, gymnastics or yoga. The problems are of any kind and combination, too, such as failing marketing strategies, equipment in disrepair, staffing issues, poor management. A generous gym makeover is usually part of the show.”

Hiller added that production is expected to start later this fall and he is currently looking at Colorado, the Philadelphia/New York City/New Jersey area and Minneapolis for gyms to work with, but “is not limited to those regions.”

The seen

Famous drag queen RuPaul having brunch at Panzano on Sunday. “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Taylor Armstrong and her attorney/boyfriend John Bluher brunching Sunday at Rioja. She was also seen hanging out in the EDGE restaurant at The Four Seasons on Tuesday night.

I’m such a big fan of all the “Real Housewives” shows that I had a star-struck moment chatting with Armstrong, who couldn’t be more charming!

Taylor Armstrong of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” (Bravo TV photo)

 

Beer here

New Belgium Brewing, as well as Odell Brewing Co, Avery Brewing Company and Oskar Blues Brewery were named in the top 15 craft breweries in the USA. Read the full story at: http://www.9news.com/news/article/349835/339/4-Colo-craft-breweries-listed-as-top-15-in-the-US

No one in Denver has led a more illustrious, glamorous nor decorated life than Donald Seawell. Nor has anyone done so for 100 years.

And although Seawell insisted that friends keep his century mark celebration on the down low, Judi Wolf, Seawell’s confidante and best buddy, coaxed her close friend into hosting an intimate cocktail party and dinner inside the ballroom that bears his name on Aug. 1, and to include select members of the press. I’m one of them.

But how do you sum up the life of such an iconic figure whose credits include founder, chairman and CEO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Broadway and London theatrical producer, nike cortez femmes chairman and publisher of The Denver Post and mastermind of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex? Not bad for a lawyer from North Carolina.

So I crafted some questions for Seawell, and with the help of Wolf, conducted a Q&A session via e-mail.

How does it feel to have reached triple digits?

By the time one has reached 100, too many parts of the body have deteriorated…including the brain.  What was the question?  I forgot what you asked.

What single story or incident stands out? 

There were many.   In college I was picked to represent American colleges and universities in a series of debates in England, Scotland, Ireland and France.  That led to a scholarship at Oxford where I debated Winston Churchill.  After law school I was appointed to the newly formed Securities and Exchange Commission. Later I became general counsel of the S.E.C. and speechwriter for both President Roosevelt and Truman.

In World War II, I was a counterintelligence officer during the invasion planning of D-Day.  Later I was parachuted behind enemy lines to work with the French underground.

After the war, I became a New York lawyer with offices in London and Tel Aviv as well as a Broadway producer.  I produced more than 100 plays and musicals in New York and London.  Helen Bonfils was a part of the New York theater scene and that led to my representing The Denver Post against Newhouses’ takeover attempt of the newspaper.  This led to me becoming chairman, president and publisher of The Denver Post.  When I sold it, I used the money to create the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Most of these positions required real battles.  They each were memorable.  Pick one.

How has Denver changed over the years?

When I created the Denver Center, the tallest building in the downtown area was the D&F Tower.  No one stayed downtown after work except the hoboes who lived under the bridges and in box cars.  Mayor (Bill) McNichols warned me that he had a reliable company investigate and found only 3,000 people in Denver and the surrounding cities who had ever seen a professional performing arts production.  Over the years millions of people have come to enjoy a myriad events at our Denver Center for the Performing Arts.  And just look at all the great buildings we now have in downtown Denver!

What do you want your legacy to be for the city?  How do you want to be remembered?

I hope I have contributed to Denver’s ceasing to be a cow town and becoming a thriving  nike kobe 9 metropolis. I enjoyed the responsibility of bringing culture and entertainment to as broad an audience as possible.

What has been your greatest achievement?

I sincerely hope it is yet to happen.

Ruth’s Chris returning

Ruth’s Chris Steak House, which famously ditched Denver in 2009, has selected a site in downtown Denver at 700 15th St. to make a comeback.

The high-end restaurant is to occupy a 9,000 square-foot space that formerly housed Wolf Camera on the corner of 15th and California in the Denver Dry Goods building.

Alecia Pulman, spokeswoman for the Winter Park, Fla.-based Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc., would not confirm that a company-owned Ruth’s Chris was returning to the Denver market.

Denver’s first Ruth’s Chris, at 1445 Market St., was a franchise operation that failed. The same franchisee also closed the Aspen branch of the brand.

Kelly Greene, a colleague of the broker who leased the space, wasn’t surprised that Ruth’s Chris was returning.

“This is a pretty major market for them not to be in,” said Greene, a seasoned restaurant broker at David Hicks & Lampert. His colleague Ken Himel, who represented the restaurant, did not return my phone call. “I think they have a loyal following and they’re a nationally recognized brand.”

Greene said Ruth’s Chris picked that location – which by some estimates is a bit off the downtown restaurant beaten path – because of the proximity to the Colorado Convention Center and hotels.

“Their food is respected and their brand is really ,” he said. Speculation is that the restaurant will open next summer.

Eavesdropping on a woman talking about her new dog to another woman: “She won’t let me out of her sight and when we go out, I can hear her barking so I am pretty sure she has separation anxiety.”

“That’s OK. Every time my husband goes out I bark at him – mostly when he comes back!”

Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.