Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Parking: Wildly expensive and poorly managed Tickets: Often don’t work, have to wait in a box office line to get them reprinted Staff: Aggressively rude - physically pushed me out of line while trying to sort out their ticket QR code error Seats: Torture devices Bathrooms: Scarce, with 20 minute lines Concessions: Overpriced and low quality Fire hazard: 10/10 - the place is packed like a sardine can with very few exits. It doesn’t matter how good the performance is - at the end of the night you’ll feel frustrated, sore, and financially exploited - so really, what’s the point?

I use to be a subscriber and could always find an affordable spot for quick bites. Well those days are long gone. Inside the Helen Bonfis Theatre Arts complex use to have soup and hot sandwiches option. I just paid nearly $50 for a crappy cold sandwich and a glass of cheap wine. I asked if it was independent vendor and the cashier said it was a part of DCPA. What the hell DCPA? $80 for the show ticket, $17 to park and a terrible meal that cost nearly $50. I guess you really don’t care about making theatre affordable and only want to appeal to the wealthy. What do you spend your SCFD fund on. Kinda a Las Vegas move.

We attended the Book of Mormon (sat in front row) and during the second act were pulled out of the theater by staff who accused us of being belligerent and smoking marijuana. Although we were doing neither of these things, we were still taken out of the performance, interrogated, and embarrassed. We were told that two different parties had accused us of acting belligerent but previous to us being removed from our seats, we were unaware of any accusations. At one point the staff said we were “over-laughing” what does that even mean? (Also, it’s the Book of Mormon…) After a discussion and demonstration that we were coherent and non-belligerent, we were allowed to return back to the venue, however, instructed “not to act in any way that didn’t agree with the rest of the crowd,” and asked to switch seats with one another. The whole situation was completely embarrassing and odd. My friend and I were at our first outing following my friend’s brain tumor surgery, and were in no way acting out of line. (She couldn’t even have 1 drink because of the medication she needed to take.) Following the show, we found the house manager and inquired about filing a formal complaint against the venue for this embarrassment/discrepancy, and were given a generic information card. Needless to say, we are less than impressed with the theater and the way they handled the situation.

FUN FACT: Did you know that many theatre’s around the country allow touring productions to paint a mural backstage? Once the mural is painted, the full company signs it. There’s so much beautiful history on the walls backstage! I’ve been touring with Broadway shows for 16+ years - it’s always a treat to revisit murals from my past, and catch up with awesome locals on the crew!

Such a great place to see a play! So many theater options, from Broadway to local shows. Musicals, drama and comedy. Symphony is wonderful as well. Decent places nearby for a drink or bite and several of the venues host private functions as well. Always a stimulating artistic adventure!