By Kate Berry
Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) has announced their 56th Season, which will consist of CRT in the Park, CRT at the Creede Hotel & Restaurant, and robust offerings for young audiences and students. It will also be the company’s first entirely outdoor season.
“The past year at CRT has been about reframing the limitations of a pandemic into opportunities for innovation and joyful renewal,” says Producing Artistic Director John DiAntonio. “Piloted beautifully by 2020’s innovative outdoor KID Show, CRT is taking our whole season to the great outdoors for the very first time.”
CRT in the Park will be performed in beautiful Seime Park, overlooking the town of Creede, and will feature three plays in rotating repertory: Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise, a romantic comedy about love across great distance during WWII, directed by Michael Perlman, starring Caitlin Wise and Graham Ward; Red Riding Hood by Allison Gregory, a family friendly modern spin on a classic fairytale, directed by John DiAntonio; and An Iliad by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare, a modern retelling of Homer’s classic tale of the Trojan War, directed by Betty Hart, starring Lavour Addison.
Performances begin June 25 and run through September 4, 2021 with six shows per week – see all three shows in just two days!
CRT will partner with The Creede Hotel & Restaurant to present Cabaret at The Creede Hotel and the 15th season of Boomtown! Improv Comedy from July 1st through September 4th in their newly renovated outdoor venue. Enjoy a meal while serenaded by your CRT favorites Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7pm, and a belly-laugh with a cocktail in-hand at Boomtown! Friday nights at 9pm.
Education at CRT is ready for another amazing season! Every year, The KID Show offers a professional theatrical experience for students ages 10 and older through the creation of an original show; this year CRT will carry on this 19-year tradition with The Tree Watcher, a magical conservation journey devised and directed by Bethany Eilean Talley, performing July 8th – 10th. The 38th season of CRT’s flagship program, The Young Audience Outreach Tour, will offer The Guava Tree / El Guayabo, a tale of displacement and resilience with an anti-bullying message performed in English and Spanish. The Guava Tree will have two performances at the Virginia Christensen Multi-Use Facility in Creede on August 27th and 28th before traveling to rural and underserved communities across the Southwest through November. Day Camps run from July 12th through 30th exploring design, stage combat, theatre creation, and literacy for students ages 3 and older. If you have a student who wants to join in on the fun, visit our website to learn more about CRT’s summer programming and register!
In August, CRT will present its 9th Annual Headwaters New Play Festival in a digital format. Get a front row seat (in your own living room) to the process of bringing new plays to life, including readings of brand-new work and an interactive talk back with festival playwrights and directors. The two festival readings will take place on August 27th and 28th and will include a stream of the in-person World Premiere of our Young Audience Outreach Tour, The Guava Tree/El Guayabo.
“CRT’s 56th Season is a whole-community effort made possible by the partnership and generosity of Silver Thread Public Health, the City of Creede, Mineral County, Shelly Dee and John Arp at The Creede Hotel & Restaurant, Creede America, and too many more to name,” says Morgan Manfredi, Managing Director. “We are overwhelmed, though unsurprised, by the unwavering support this community has for CRT and its commitment to keeping the arts alive in our mountain town.”
COVID-19 SAFETY
CRT’s COVID-19 Safety protocols are crafted in partnership with public health officials with adherence to government recommendations and union requirements to protect the health of staff, artists, students, and patrons. To learn about CRT’s response to COVID-19 and what will be required of patrons at performances, visit www.creederep.com/covid19safety.
TICKETS
CRT in the Park – Boxes start at $60 and can seat 1-4 people
CRT Cabaret at the Creede Hotel – $20
Boomtown! at the Creede Hotel – $10
The KID Show – Free!
Headwaters New Play Festival Pass – $25
For tickets, visit www.creederep.org, call the box office at (719) 658-2540 opt 1, or email boxoffice@creederep.com.
SEASON SHOWS and PERFORMANCES
Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise: June 25th through September 4th
Red Riding Hood by Allison Gregory: June 26th through September 4th
An Iliad by Lisa Petersen and Denis O’Hare: June 26th through September 3rd
The KID Show: The Tree Watcher: July 8th, 9th, and 10th (World Premiere)
Boomtown! at The Creede Hotel: Fridays at 9pm, July 2nd through September 2nd
Cabaret at The Creede Hotel: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7pm, July 1st through September 4th
Headwaters New Play Festival: Virtual Readings on August 27th and 28th.
Young Audience Outreach Tour El Guayabo/The Guava Tree: August 27th and August 28th (World Premiere)
About Creede Repertory Theatre
Founded in 1966, Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) is a professional theatre company located at 9,000 feet of elevation in the historic town of Creede, CO, which offers beautiful mountain views, hiking trails, and stunning campsites in a county comprised of 97% public land. From its Rocky Mountain roots, CRT serves as an artistic home to our rural community and beyond, through the creation of repertory seasons, dynamic educational programs, and compelling new works. In a typical season, CRT produces six plays in rotating repertory, hosts numerous musical events and concerts, develops new works through the Headwaters New Play Program, and creates nationally recognized educational programs. With deeply rooted values in diversity, equity, and inclusion, CRT is committed to creating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive. Learn more at https://creederep.org/
Kate Berry is Associate Artistic Director and Interim Marketing Associate for Creede Rep.
The Pagosa Daily Post welcomes submissions, photos, letters and videos from people who love Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Call 970-903-2673 or email pagosadailypost@gmail.com