The Denver Center Attractions 2014-15 season features Tony Award-winning hits and family favorites straight from Broadway including the national tour launch of “Pippin”; “Forbidden Broadway: Alive & Kicking!”; “Kinky Boots”; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”; “Motown the Musical” and “Annie.”

“Pippin” is back on Broadway for the first time since it thrilled audiences 40 years ago, and has now won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival! With a beloved score by Tony nominee Stephen Schwartz (“Godspell”, “Wicked”), “Pippin” tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Direct from an acclaimed run at Boston’s American Repertory Theater, this new production is directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus (“Hair,” The Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess”).

Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, “Kinky Boots” follows a struggling shoe factory owner who works to turn his business around with help from Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos.

Together, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible proving that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. Inspired by a true story, “Kinky Boots” features a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper, direction and Tony-winning choreography by Jerry Mitchell and a hilarious, uplifting book by four-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein.

“Forbidden Broadway: Alive & Kicking!” returns with an all-new, fresh view of the highs and lows of recent Broadway shows, including “Porgy and Bess,” “Anything Goes,” “Spiderman,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Follies,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and “Death of a Salesman.”

“Motown the Musical” is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more.

Leapin’ Lizards! Annie returns in time-honored form.  Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin, this production of Annie will be a brand new incarnation of the iconic original.

Denver Center Attractions 2014-15 subscription packages start at eight payments of $21.38. Restrictions apply. To purchase a subscription, please call Denver Center Ticket Services: 303-893-4100 or 800-641-1222, or visit the ticket office located in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex at Speer & Arapahoe.  Subscription packages may be purchased online at www.denvercenter.org/bwaysubs.

From top, ‘Jersey Boys'; ‘Kinky Boots'; ‘Motown: The Musical’ and ‘Wicked’ (below). (Photos by Joan Marcus and Denver Center Attractions)

Walt Imhoff, one of the nicest men ever in Denver, apparently died of natural causes on Tuesday. His wife, Georgia, who preceded him in death, was one of the founders of Blacktie-Colorado.com.

Walt was 82, which marks a good long life, but his demise is shocking. I am so sorry for his family and friends, who are legion.

Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, Lucky Strike, the boutique bowling and entertainment brand, announced that bowling a perfect game (300) at participating locations this Valentine’s Weekend can benefit both lovers and the unlucky-in-love alike.

From Friday, Feb. 14, through Feb. 17, those “lucky in love” that bowl a perfect game will win a complimentary wedding reception at Lucky Strike.  Conversely, those who continue to “strike out” on the dating scene, but bowl a perfect game, will win an epic break-up party to help them get over their ex.

Each event will take place at the Lucky Strike location of the winner’s choice and consist of a three-hour reception in a VIP space, food and beverage package, complimentary bowling and a DJ for up to 50 guests.

“Bowling is fun, but tough – and so are relationships,” said Steven Foster, founder and CEO of Lucky Strike.  “As Lucky Strike provides our guests with the very best in entertainment, food and drinks, we thought we would create a unique Valentine’s Weekend incentive that will end with an epic party, regardless of which side of the relationship fence they are on.”

For information on participating Lucky Strike locations, visit www.bowlluckystrike.com. Participants must be 21 and over to win and cannot bowl using bumpers. In Colorado, there’s a Lucky Strike bowling alley in the Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall and at Belmar in Lakewood.

I think my first encounter with a random act of kindness was when I lived in San Francisco and saw a meter maid approaching my car that was parked at an expired meter.

I was on the second floor of the apartment building, and couldn’t get my act together fast enough to feed the meter. As the meter maid approached with her ticket pad in hand, a random guy waved her off and put coins in my meter.

I was stunned. I opened the window and yelled a big “Woo hoo!” and profusely thanked him for his kindness. That was more than 30 years ago, yet I’ve never forgotten that single act.

This is the week to pay it forward. It’s International Random Acts of Kindness Week is Feb.10-16.

Take this week to step out of your normal routine or comfort zone and attempt a new random act of kindness each day of the celebratory week.

Post and share your stories, photos, videos and ideas on social media channels. If you need inspiration or more information, visit the website, www.randomactsofkindness.org.

Kenny Sonoda, founding father of the Sonodas chain of sushi restaurants, has opted to call it quits on his LoDo eatery at 1620 Market St. after nearly 19 years.

Sonoda, 65, is trying to retire, but his original spot at 3108 S. Parker Road in Aurora, a place he opened in 1995, will remain open.

Here’s what Sonoda posted on www.sonodassushi.com:

“With over 26 years in the business now behind me the time has come for me to hand up the knives and announce my retirement. And yet it is with more than a bit of sadness that I announce the closure of my Downtown Restaurant on Market Street on Feb. 15.

“In 1973 I first came to Denver, Colorado,to help build and open the Gasho of Japan, a Japanese Hibachi style steak house in downtown Denver (1627 Curtis St.). In 1976, I returned to Denver to build a free standing building of Gasho of Japan Restaurant. This time I build a replica of a 400-year-old Gasho farm house, found in Takayama City of Japan, the sister city to Denver, Colorado. This Gasho of Japan restaurant was located in DTC on Belleview and I-25 where Shanahan’s Steak House is currently standing.

“In 1988, I opened my first Sonodas Sushi Restaurant in Aurora, Colorado. I was one of the first to introduce the cuisine to Denver hen the concept of sushi and sashimi was still unknown. I worked hard to teach Denver about a tradition and a delicacy that I love so very much. I cannot say that I ever imagined that sushi would become the trend it has, but I am happy that my adopted country has grown to love it in the way that I have my entire life.

“I have been fortunate to met and get to know entire families. I have watched their children grow and have children of their own but it is no time for me to retire and enjoy the next chapter of my life. I will miss all of you. That task now falls on the shoulders of the man who started Sonodas with me so many years ago — my friend and master sushi chef Makoto Kawafne.

“Makoto will continue to serve you and your families at his Aurora location. Your Welcome Club points can be used there as always and he will greet you with the same family spirit that I have.

“And one more time, Domo Arigato.”

As a proud Auroran for more than 15 years, On the Town Junior and I, along with my On the Town sister when she visited from Chicago, made it our tradition to dine at the original Sonoda’s. We had the time of our lives! Thanks, Kenny, for the memories!

Eavesdropping on Denver Post sports columnist Benjamin Hochman on Twitter: “People keep asking me who won the Carmelo trade. The answer, of course, is La La.”

La La Anthony (Facebook photo)

My condo BFF and cohort in crime, Trisha Lindeman, decided to do some undercover research into the singles world to support our current Singles Ready to Mingle promotion. Here’s what she reports:

“As the matchmaker for Penny’s Singles Ready to Mingle campaign, I wanted to delve deeper into how singles find that perfect match.

“The Singles Ready to Mingle in this column are my friends, old and new, and I love to find love for them. I happened to stumble upon a Monday at 8 event at my local neighborhood bar, Oblio’s (1225 Logan St.)  I was a spectator at the bar and met David Robinson and Georgina Schwery, two of the participants.

“Curious, I called Ross Taraborelli, the founder and matchmaker, at Monday at 8.  He founded the company in 2011 because he, like me, just loves making those connections.  It is simple to sign up with Monday at 8.  They start with a background check, interview and an online personal profile.

“There are three levels of service and a speed dating option.  He and his staff will personally look for that compatible someone for you.  Check out the website at www.mondayat8.com for events and more information.

“Ladies, while you are there check out Ross, who is single and adorable. Georgina and David both thought the experience was a great way to meet some fun and interesting people.

“Oblio’s will be hosting future events because as owner Tommy Gilhooly puts it, ‘It is a great way to generate a buzz in the restaurant and it has gotten great reviews from participants and guests alike’.”

Check out the profiles of our eligible singles below.

On Friday, Goodwill of Denver held its fourth annual Good Exchange Fashion Show & Clothing Swap.

“Project Runway” star Mondo Guerra and international fashion guru Tim Gunn announced the winning outfit by designer Kellehanna E’Shawn and model Sade Preston, both Denver School of the Arts students.

Yay! On The Town Junior, although not a fashion student, graduated from DSA.

The Four Seasons Denver Hotel, 1111 14th St., blew the socks off invited guests last week when it debuted the Blow-Dry Bar, a posh pampering place inside the hotel’s spa.

The menu of services includes a list of blowouts from the basic at $65, to a formal up-do at $95 to a bridal up-do at $120 and more in between.

You can also get a scalp massage for $30, conditioning treatment for $35, and makeup application for $65.

For reservations, call 303-389-3020.