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Articles by Jon Bee
Music Director Search Announcement - Denver Young Artists Orchestra
Dear DYAO Family and Friends, We write to you today with exciting news and deep gratitude for your continued support of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. This organization's strength comes from your belief in what we do and we are proud to share several important updates that reflect where DYAO stands today and where we are headed.
Review: High-Flying Feats in WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at the Denver Center
The national tour of Water for Elephants is the latest show to stop at DCPA as it makes its way across the country. I only just last year read the novel by Sara Gruen followed quickly by the feature film starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson. As most things are, the original source material outweighs its movie counterpart, but the stage production comes equipped with some added bells and whistles to make up for the underrepresentation of live animals.
Review: COWBOYS AND EAST INDIANS Defies Assumptions at DCPA
DCPA Theatre Company's legacy of "outdoing" themselves continues with their latest world premiere production of Cowboys and East Indians, based on the short story collection by Nina McConigley and written by McConigley and Matthew Spangler. Originally produced as part of DCPA's 2024 Colorado New Play Summit, this new play comes at just the right time given the greater discourse taking place across the country.
Review: THE NOTEBOOK Makes it Rain at DCPA
It is no wonder so many movies, tv shows, and musicals start out as the written word. I would argue the best stories are those that draw you in and keep you engaged from start to finish, regardless of how long it takes to finish. Perhaps that is why when I first read The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks in high school, I read it in one day.
Meet DYAO’s Interim Executive Director: Michael Williams
DYAO is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Williams to the role of Interim Executive Director! Michael Williams is an experienced arts administrator, fundraiser, educator, and flutist. He most recently served as Development Manager for the National Flute Association, directing fundraising operations for a global community of more than 4,000 flutists.
Getting to Know You: Timothy Dombrowski
Timothy Dombrowski is this season’s YAO Chamber Concerto Competition Winner! Timothy Dombrowski is a bass trombonist from Centennial, Colorado. He will graduate in 2026 from Heritage High School. Timothy has been a member of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra since 2023 and previously was a member of the Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestras for six years.
Review: DCPA’s CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF Offers Fresh Fire and Familiar Heat
I have a love/hate relationship with Tennessee Williams. It's not really his fault, it's more thanks to my time working for a theater festival honoring the playwright. The work was incredible, but the work environment was, in a word, insufferable. Since then, it has been generally easy to draw a veil over Tennessee Williams in part due to the fact that his work is, IMHO, underproduced in the Denver area.
Review: DCPA GETS SHUCKED - A CORNY AND CHARMING NIGHT AT THE BUELL
Cob County comes to Denver in the latest National Tour to make its way to the Buell at DCPA. Shucked tells the story of a small farm community where the residents face a crisis when their beloved corn crop mysteriously begins to die. To save her town, a brave young woman named Maizy ventures beyond the county’s borders for the first time, seeking help from a big-city “corn doctor” named Gordy, who turns out to be a con man with his own agenda.
Review: When History Speaks, We Must Listen - THE HAPPIEST MAN ON EARTH at DCPA
In the wake of all that is miserable in our country, I have been delving deeper into books. Among my readings are a couple non-fictions that have helped me cope. What I have learned (so far) is that in thousands and thousands of years of recorded history, human beings haven't changed at all. We only have more resources available to us. I have also learned that while authoritarian regimes never last, they always come at a price to the people.
DYAO cellist and member of the Young Artists Orchestra, Alexander Peterson, is the 2025 YAO Concerto Competition Winner! Read on to learn more about Alexander. Alexander Peterson is a senior in high school at Kent Denver and hopes to attend college as a music and economics double major. He is an honors student, participated in Kent’s music program in the band SoularWave, (taking a few voice lessons, teaching himself electric and string bass along the way), and was on the Varsity tennis team.
Getting to Know You: Gavin & Zac Schleiger, String Ensemble & Allegro Strings Concerto Competition Winners
Music is a family affair! Brothers Gavin and Zac Schleiger each came out on top in their respective Concerto Competitions for DYAO’s String Ensemble and Allegro Strings. Read more about these fantastic young musicians! Zachary Schleiger, Cello – Allegro Strings Concerto Competition Winner Zachary is a sixth grader at Newton Middle School. He began playing the cello when he was 4 years old and has studied privately with Katie Burns and Heather Hadley.
Getting to Know You: Sylvia Yu, Conservatory Orchestra Concerto Competition Winner
Sylvia Yu is this season’s Concerto Competition Winner for DYAO’s Conservatory Orchestra. Sylvia Yu’s musical journey began at the age of 7 when she discovered her love for the piano. Under the guidance of Ling McLoughlin, she perfected her skills and achieved significant milestones, including passing the RCM Level 10 piano exam. Her artistry has earned her numerous awards, including a silver medal in the American Protégé Romantic Period Competition as part of a piano duet.
DYAO & Colorado Symphony Alliance: Healing Through Music
This April, the Colorado Symphony and DYAO brought the power of live music to the heart of Denver’s healthcare community through a special three-stop hospital performance series.
New Music Release: Marion Bauer’s American Youth Concerto by Jon Bee | May 30, 2025 | General News Exciting News – DYAO is proud to announce our next featured recording to hit your favorite streaming services. Our live concert recording of Marion Bauer’s “American Youth Concerto” featuring the incredible Clare Longendyke is now LIVE! Listen to it on Spotify below or search for it on Apple Music and YouTube!
Review: The Renaissance is Reborn in & JULIET at DCPA
Shakespeare is alive and well at DCPA, at least as it pertains to the latest National Tour to come to Denver, & Juliet. This is a show I have been waiting to see after hours of listening to the soundtrack by pop music aficionado Max Martin. It was delightful to experience the songs come to life in the context of the show. The design elements are spectacular with Paloma Young's costume design work alongside J. Jared Janas's hair and make-up design elements.
Review: Framed, Not Finished - EXHIBIT Lacks Theatricality at Curious Theatre
Curious Theatre Company's 27th season comes to a close with its presentation of a new work in its World Premiere, Exhibit, directed by Artistic Director Jada Suzanne Dixon. Written and performed by Golden Globe winner Regina Taylor, the one-woman show introduces the audience to Iris, a somewhat established visual artist who agrees to meet with a representative of a museum that hopes to showcase Iris' work, though it comes with certain stipulations that amount to the erasure of the Black artist.
Review: THE HOT WING KING Brings the Heat—and Heart—to DCPA
DCPA's final show before the summer, The Hot Wing King, brings the 24-25 season to a spicy close, though it is sure to leave you wanting more. Directed by Timothy Douglas and written by Katori Hall, the show is one female playwright's love letter to queer Black men based in her own hometown of Memphis. An intimate cast of six, the play tells the story of a group of friends gearing up for a local hot wing contest under the leadership of their wing master, Cordell.
Review: DCPA Delivers a Killer LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
DCPA hardly ever disappoints when it comes to the creative elements of a production and their current production of Little Shop of Horrors is no different. The scenic design by Alan E. Muraoka is a great example of theatrical excellence. It is by and large a stationary set that allows for dynamic staging from Director Chris Coleman. Costume Designer Samantha C. Jones perfectly captures the beloved elements of each character that we have come to expect when producing Little Shop of Horrors.
Review: When the Sound Fails, the Cast Soars in THE WIZ at DCPA
Get Access To Every Broadway Story Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click. Email: Existing user? Just click login. Technical difficulties once again take centerstage at the Buell for the latest National Tour to come to Denver. The Wiz got off to a late start and even later second act after audio equipment failed. I am not sure if these issues are specific to the touring productions or if the problems are in-house.
Review: A Bloody Grand Time, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at Arvada
The Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities has a total hit on their hands with their latest show to take the mainstage, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. Directed by Geoffrey Kent, Arvada's production is an exhibition of theatrical excellence. There is a profound understanding of the show. They don't take it or themselves too seriously, yet deliver at a seriously high level.
Review: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Phamaly Theatre Company
City Park Jazz 2025 Summer Season Lineup Announced City Park Jazz has announced the lineup for its 39th annual summer series and Celebration of Community. This year, the season spans 10 Sunday evenings from 6–8 p.m. starting June 1, 2025, except for Aug. 3, which will start at 5:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Aspen Music Festival's Summer Lineup Includes Patti LuPone Concert & More This summer, vocal music takes center stage at the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS).
Review: Long Live the LIFE OF PI at DCPA
Sometimes as I read through the latest novel on my TBR list - "to be read" for the uninitiated - I can't help but to visualize how the book would translate to the silver screen. Pop culture is full of books that end up in the cinematic universe. The next seemingly logical step is the transition from screen to stage, thus completing the trifecta of storytelling mediums. Life of Pi is among the more recent adaptations to start as the written word and make its way to Broadway.
Review: MEAN GIRLS at the Denver Center
In today's pop culture canon, most folks of a certain age have some sort of connection with Mean Girls. The original movie and its all star cast have left an indelible mark on American, if not global, culture. On Wednesdays we wear pink. On October 3rd, we ask what day it is. There's a 30% chance it's already raining. These are just a small handful of memorable moments from a movie that influenced multiple generations. Its longevity still continues to prove itself.
Review: THE SUFFRAGETTE'S MURDER is a New American Classic at DCPA Theatre
The world is full of kismet-esque scenarios. Oftentimes, you don't have to look too far for them to show their relevance. It is also true that life imitates art - and art imitates life. The latest world premiere coming out of DCPA's Theatre Company, The Suffragette's Murder, is a prime example of this phenomenon as the show tackles timeless issues wrapped in a periodic play and tied with a comedic bow.
Review: THE RESERVOIR Resonates with Audiences at DCPA Theatre Company
The path toward addiction is often paved by the negative, if not traumatic, experiences that life throws at us. The proverbial bricks that fly at our faces with breakneck speed are used in a manner that is mostly haphazard, lacking method and precision. It doesn't take a scientist to understand the connection between addiction and trauma, whether it be physical or emotional, but that doesn't make coming to terms with your own baggage any easier.
Review: BACK TO THE FUTURE STRUGGLES WITH NOSTALGIA at DCPA
Television and film have always encapsulated my attention with a fervor. The imprint left by action movies from a bygone era still burn with a certain reverence. It is no secret that the culture of today seems to thrive on nostalgia which is why we see so many theatrical productions having made their way from the screen to the stage.
Review: I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER is Exemplary at DCPA
Familial trauma comes in all shapes and sizes, and usually when you least expect. A single moment can lead to many more in what may feel like a spiral, or perhaps even dominoes tumbling over each other, one by one. After the sudden death of her sister, Olga, Júlia Reyes must navigate her own sudden trauma while dodging that of her grieving mother.
Review: HAMLET is a Haunting Spectacle at DCPA
There are quite a few staples to Shakespeare. A rather on-the-nose setting of the scene, an inciting incident that furthers debauchery, off-screen plot development, sidekicks, and a hatred for women are just a handful of general expectations. In the DCPA season opener, The Bard of Avon's Hamlet has the makings of a great story - a lot of plot points that will, at some point, add up to something climactic. The issue, though, are the clunkly in-between moments that only elongate the process.
Review: Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End is Filled with Lost Opportunities at DCPA
The Silent Generation, born between 1928 and 1945, grew up during times of economic hardship and war, leading to a reputation for resilience, loyalty, and a preference for stability over revolution. They were shaped by events like the Great Depression and World War II, and many became hardworking, civic-minded adults. My grandparents belonged to this generation and from my own perception, women endured more hardships and showed more resilience.
Review: WAITRESS Whips Up Warmth and Wit at Arvada Center
I have long been a Sara Bereilles stan. My love for she and her music stems from my high school days, extends to my college years when I saw her twice in concert, and leads to where we are now: Bareilles making her way from concert venues to theatrical stages, earning three Tony nominations along the way for her work on the latest show to make its way to the Arvada Center, Waitress.
Review: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH BRINGS RAW POWER AND EMOTIONAL DEPTH
Get Access To Every Broadway Story Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click. Email: Existing user? Just click login. Throughout modern theatrical history, there have been shows that have entered the cultural zeitgeist, gained widespread recognition, yet have stayed in my own personal peripheral vision. It is not for a lack of interest; often times, it all comes down to access.
Review: DISNEY'S FROZEN Brings Its Magic To DCPA
Get Access To Every Broadway Story Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click. Email: Existing user? Just click login. Time and time again, Disney proves itself to be both a Jack of All Trades and Master of the Craft. Frozen is no exception and is the latest show to make its stop at DCPA's Buell Theatre.
Review: COMPANY National at the Denver Center
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe. Email: Existing user? Just click login. The breadth of Sondheim's work all have one thing in common: the thumbprint of the musical artist that is Stephen Sondheim. Once you see enough of his shows, however, you start to notice the diversity in the stories.
Review: WHERE DID WE SIT ON THE BUS? at DCPA Theatre Company
Get Access To Every Broadway Story Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click. Email: Existing user? Just click login. I often think that are lives are marked in core memories, much like how they are pictured in the movie Inside Out. Moments in time that stand out from the rest: the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you had the chance to tell the story of your childhood, what moments would make the cut?
Review: EMMA is Eccentric at the Denver Center
Get Access To Every Broadway Story Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click. Email: Existing user? Just click login. When people think of works of art that have vastly outlived their creator, especially as it relates to literature, there is no bigger name than William Shakespeare. His mark on history has proven to have an impact that will live on in perpetuity.
Feature: SIDE BY SIDE WITH DYAO at the Colorado Symphony
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe. Email: Existing user? Just click login. The Colorado Symphony continues to build upon it's Artistic Alliance with the premiere youth orchestra in the state, the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. On March 13, DYAO's flagship ensemble will take center stage at Boettcher Concert Hall in a special opportunity for the budding musicians.
Review: CEBOLLAS at DCPA is a Hit and a Miss
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe. Email: Existing user? Just click login. As the youngest of four siblings, I understand the value of family relationships, especially when catastrophe strikes. It is in these moments that familial ties are strengthened. Whatever experience you traverse with your siblings, it is sure to leave you closer than you were before.
Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR at Denver Center
Growing up in the church was not without its challenges. As a longtime member of the RTC (religious trauma club), I have spent much time since those days deconstructing what I was taught so that I could truly learn things for myself; so that I could learn more about myself. Although those days are behind me, the stories and parables from the best selling book across the globe still hold worthwhile life lessons. Among those stories is "the big one" - the life and times of Jesus Christ.
Review: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at DCPA
The biggest theatre name in town continues to produce granduer productions - even those that have "small" in the title. Directed by Chris Coleman, DCPA's A Little Night Music fills the space like only they can: with top notch performers and clever, intricate staging. Coleman's direction accompanied by Kevin Copenhaver's costuming and Robert Mark Morgan's scenic design all work cohesively and give the actors quite the stage to stand on.
Review: JAGGED LITTLE PILL Goes Down Easy at DCPA
I'll be honest, I'm a late addition to the Alanis Morissette Fan Club, but only like 2012 late! With an iconic discography full of clever lyrics, it was only a matter of time before her breadth of work made its way to the stage. Lo and behold, we were graced with Jagged Little Pill, which is the latest national tour to make a stop at DCPA. Under the direction of Diane Paulus, the production tells a more authentic, real story than your average theatre production.
Review: THE 39 STEPS at DCPA is Chaos Incarnate
There are plenty of movies and written works that have transcribed for the stage. But, how many of them changed genres? The 39 Steps at DCPA reigns supreme as the King of Farce. In other satrical works I have seen, there are so many times where I have felt those shows went, shall we say, overboard. DCPA's mounting is the "Goldielocks" of comedic theatre. The creative elements of the production also exceed expecations - something very hard to do given expectations are high for DCPA.
Review: THE COLOR PURPLE Is Excellently Black at DCPA Theatre Company
Why paint with every color when purple is so royal? DCPA's latest locally produced production proves why the color is never out of style in their mounting of Alice Walker's novel-turned-musical, The Color Purple. In so many words, this production is incredible. The very definition of Black Excellence. No crumbs were left, as the kids say. Under the direction of Timothy Douglas, DCPA once again brings in the best. Music Direction by S. Renee Clark is itself worth relishing over.
Review: TICK, TICK... BOOM! Blows it Out of the Water at Vintage Theatre
Jonathan Larson is one of those artists who, because they died young (and infamously), will live on through their treasured work. Rent, of course, is the big one for him. Though his lesser known work, Tick, Tick... Boom! is getting its moment in the sun after the hit Netflix movie version starring Andrew Garfield and directed by Lin Manuel Miranda. It has also found a most recent home at Vintage Theatre as their latest hit production.
Review: National Tour of 1776 Proves that a Woman's Place is in the House of Representatives
History has always appealed to me. In school, I wasn't much of a math genius but the storytelling of real history I think lends itself to the creative types. It's how we got Hamilton. But before Lin Manuel's New American Musical, there was 1776 which is the recent National Tour to come to DCPA but with a whole new story to tell. Under the directiong of Jeffrey L.
Review: National Tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Establishes a New 'Tradition' at DCPA
The summer after high school, I was in a local community theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof. Though the show was already an established classic, I generally remember that summer as one where I watched the other "sons" and "daughters" my age bond while the director felt my baby-face would be better used as a "papa." Needless to say, it was not my favorite musical experience. The First National Tour, however, is a production I will carry with be for the rest of my life.
Review: HOTTER THAN EGYPT at DCPA Theatre Company
Some say the world will end in fire - they must not be familiar with husbands who can be as cold as ice. Such is the case in DCPA's latest local production, Hotter than Egypt. The show tells the story of a married couple on their anniversary vacation in Egypt while the husband takes the opportunity to explore some professional interests - or unprofessional depending on who you ask. We also meet a young Egpytian couple who have come to act as tour guides for the visiting American husband and wife.
Review: LAUGHS IN SPANISH at DCPA is a New Classic in World Premiere Production
Laughing, as it turns out, is a universal language. Theatre is often boiled down into two things: comedy and tragedy. From there, the seeds take root and bloom into a plethora of unique stories. However, I often find the greatest stories capture both elements and therefore are that much stronger and beautiful a bloom. Such is the case for the newest play from DCPA, Laughs in Spanish.
Review: The Broadway Revival Of MY FAIR LADY At
I'd heard and read other people's thoughts about this current touring production of Lincoln Center's My Fair Lady, quickly pointing to the fact that it is a non-Equity (AEA) tour as the source of it's problems. I, personally, am not so quick to jump to an actor's credentials as a reason for a production's shortcomings. Frankly, I find it in poor taste and I will also solidly point to this ensemble of actors as incredibly talented and worthy of an audience.
Review: AN EVENING WITH BERNADETTE PETERS at Colorado Symphony
Some performances will stay with me forever. This year alone, I have had the pleasure of seeing both Adam Pascal and Kristen Chenoweth, two legendary Broadway performers who were large influence on a me as a young thepsian. Each time, core memore was formed. The most recent addition however is Berndaette Peters live with the Colorado Symphony. In her first appearance in Denver, Peters premiered before a warm and welcoming audience.
Review: BUDDY, THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at BDT Stage
Like any other generational art form, music holds a sense of time within it's very being. When you press play on a playlist of hits from every decade, you can easily be transported from 2022 to any previous period of time. At BDT Stage, we are taken all the way back to the 1950s in Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story. Generally speaking, I know when I see a show at BDT Stage I am in good hands. To that degree, the same is true for this production.
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