Denver's performing arts center takes a bow

Sunset, Feb, 1992 by Lora J. Finnegan

THE WEST'S BIGGEST performing arts center is complete. November's opening of the 2,830-seat Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex means that the city can now host big, technically complicated shows that once by-passed it.

The complex, at 14th and Curtis streets, offers its widest array of performances--ballet, symphony, drama, musicals--through March.

NEW THEATER JEWEL

In its former life as a sports arena, the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre headlined the likes of Hulk Hogan. Gutted and remodeled, it now hosts Broadway hits. It boasts a proscenium stage and dramatic open lobby. All four levels--orchestra, mezzanine, balcony, and box seats--have clear sight lines.

The theater opened with The Phantom of the Opera, which runs through February 1 (tickets $25 to $60). If you act fast, you may catch one of the final performances. Or plan for the March 10 opening of Tru (based on Truman Capote's life), starring Robert Morse. For tickets to either, call (303) 893-4100.

CAESAR OR SWAN LAKE?

Elsewhere in the complex, the Denver Center Theatre Company performs Shakespeare's Julius Caesar February 3 through 29 in modified in-the-round style at The Space, a 435-seat theater. The company will also present To Kill a Mockingbird February 10 through March 7 at The Stage, a 650-seat theater with a thrust stage. Tickets for either cost $15 to $25; call 893-4100.

At Boettcher Hall, the Colorado Symphony offers Family Pops concerts in February, including a special Valentine's Day program February 14 and 15. For tickets ($7 to $27), call 595-4388.

The Oakland Ballet revives three 1920s works (choreography by Bronislava Nijinska, costumes by Coco Chanel) in the 2,200-seat proscenium-style Auditorium Theatre on February 28 and 29 at 8 P.M. For tickets ($25 to $30), call Colorado Contemporary Dance at 892-9797.

The Colorado Ballet performs Swan Lake March 21 through April 4. For details and tickets ($6 to $32), call 298-0677.

In the Galleria Theatre's remodeled Showroom, you can see the musical revue Dancing in the Street in the 210-seat cabaret-style house; performances run through February 22, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7 and 9. For tickets ($15, $21), call 573-6100.

PARKING TIPS

Parking is a challenge when events overlap. One strategy: arrived 2 hours early and you can find room in the Performing Arts Complex garage ($3 per event), then walk to dinner. It's two blocks northeast on Curtis Street to the 16th Street Mall restaurants.

Or ride over on the new shuttle from the Tabor Center garage ($2), at 16th and Lawrence streets; it stops at the Westin Hotel/Tabor Center every 15 minutes 6 P.M. to midnight (except Mondays).