AURORA | Well of course in the thick of so much election drama and theatrics the local theater community will actually be able to one-up reality with a bevy of “no way” shows. If the news isn’t entertaining right now, check out the notorious “Producers” at the Vintage Theatre. Mel Brooks’ most wincing work can still bring you “Springtime for Hitler,” with a straight face. More? Hold on to your grimace with “Misery” at the Arvada Center. Yup, you made it through the movie but the play has even more to offer when it comes to torture with a smile for “your number one fan!” That’s just a start. Scroll down for more.
“Feeding Beatrice” at Aurora Fox Arts Center
Playwright Kirsten Greenidge’s chilling horror-drama makes its Colorado premiere in this haunting, thought-provoking narrative. The story centers on June and Marcus, a Black couple who buy a sprawling suburban home with dreams of settling down, only to encounter Beatrice — an eerie, ravenous ghost living in their house who demands to be fed. What begins as an unsettling domestic disturbance quickly deepens into a rich allegory about gentrification, systemic race relations, social obligations, and the historical debt owed to previous generations. Blending spine-tingling suspense with sharp social commentary, the production challenges the audience to consider what price must be paid to achieve the American Dream.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Previews Oct. 1; opens Oct. 2; performances run through Nov. 1
Place: Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: $17–$45
Information: www.aurorafoxartscenter.or or 303-739-1970
“Machinal” at The People’s Building
Presented by the Miscreant Theater Collective, Sophie Treadwell’s landmark expressionist drama from 1928 receives a modern adaptation directed by Paul Wells. Inspired by real-life events, the play follows a young woman trapped in a mechanized, male-dominated society as she navigates an unwanted marriage, workplace alienation, and societal pressures. Treadwell’s classic explores themes of bodily autonomy, gender expectations, technology, and individual freedom in an increasingly automated world.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Oct. 4 Performances are Sept. 24, 26, 27, and Oct. 1, 2, 3, 4
Place: The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.O
Tickets: $29 with a Pay-What-You-Can performance on Sept. 27
Information: www.miscreanttheatre.org or call 720-819-6680
“The Wild Party” at The Storyteller Space
Presented by The Storyteller, this immersive musical set in the roaring 1920s delves into the dark side of the Jazz Age. The story follows Queenie and Burrs, a vaudeville dancer and a clown, whose turbulent relationship erupts over the course of one night during a decadent, prohibition-era party in their Manhattan apartment. As drinks flow and dynamic guests arrive, long-buried jealousies, obsession, and hidden desires boil over to a dramatic conclusion.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Oct. 3 with shows on Sept. 25, 26, 27 and Oct. 2, 3
Place: The Storyteller Venue, 9905 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: $25–$35
Information: www.auroraculturalartsdistrict.org or 562-235-4106
Fareed Haque, Harvie S & Mike Clark Trio Live at Dazzle
Guitarist Fareed Haque, bassist Harvie S, and drummer Mike Clark join forces for a dynamic evening of jazz fusion, post-bop, and rhythm-driven improvisation. Haque brings a blend of classical technique and jazz-rock fusion, paired with Harvie S’s bass work and Mike Clark’s funk-infused drumming.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Sept. 25, 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Place: Dazzle Jazz, 1080 14th St.
Tickets: $25–$35
Information: dazzledenver.com or 303-839-5100
Tish Hinojosa in Concert at Swallow Hill Music
Singer-songwriter Tish Hinojosa presents an evening of folk and Americana acoustic music rooted in Mexican-American heritage. Singing in both English and Spanish, Hinojosa blends traditional Mexican corridos, folk-pop, and country balladry with lyrics focusing on cultural history, family heritage, and personal journeys.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Place: Swallow Hill Music at the Tuft Theatre, 71 E. Yale Ave.
Tickets: $26–$32
Information: swallowhillmusic.org or 303-777-1003
Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” at Vintage Theatre
Kick off Vintage Theatre’s 26th anniversary season with their 200th mainstage production, Mel Brooks’ classic musical hit “The Producers”. Directed by Bernie Cardell, this hilarious, Tony Award-winning show follows down-on-his-luck Broadway producer Max Bialystock and his timid accountant Leo Bloom as they scheme to get rich by producing the biggest flop in Broadway history. Filled with eccentric characters, show-stopping musical numbers, and Brooks’ signature irreverent humor, it offers a big-budget theatrical experience right in Aurora’s arts district.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Oct. 11
Place: Vintage Theatre Main Stage, 1468 Dayton St.
Tickets: $24–$42
Information: vintagetheatre.org or call 03-856-7830
“Destiny of Desire: A Telenovela Play with Music” at Wolf Theatre
Karen Zacarías’ smart, fast-paced comedy brings the dramatic flair, romance, and plot twists of a classic Latin American telenovela to the stage. Set on a stormy night in Mexico, two newborn baby girls are swapped at birth—one born to rich aristocrats, the other to a poor working-class family. Eighteen years later, their lives cross paths in a high-energy explosion of live music, dance, comedic melodrama, and social commentary.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Oct. 4, 2026
Place: Wolf Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 14th and Curtis streets.
Tickets: $35–$95
Information: denvercenter.org or call 303-893-4100
“The Outsiders” at Buell Theatre
Based on S.E. Hinton’s iconic novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s classic film, this Tony Award-winning new musical tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, and their brotherhood of “Greasers” in 1960s Tulsa. With a dynamic score by Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine, the production explores class divides, survival, love, and the longing for belonging.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Sept. 27
Place: Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 1400 Curtis St.
Tickets: $45–$140
Information: denvercenter.org or call 303-893-4100
“Hold Onto Your Butts” at Garner Galleria Theatre
A frantic, live-performed parody of the classic 1993 dinosaur blockbuster, “Hold Onto Your Butts” features two actors playing dozens of characters alongside a live Foley sound artist. Using simple props, physical comedy, and lightning-fast quick-changes, the performers recreate the iconic movie beat-for-beat in an affectionate, laugh-out-loud tribute.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Oct. 4
Place: Garner Galleria Theatre, 14th and Curtis St.
Tickets: $30–$55
Information: denvercenter.org or call 303-893-4100
“pARTy: Celebrating 50 Years” at Arvada Center Galleries
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Arvada Center’s exhibition program, this immersive art event transforms the main galleries into a space for play, optimism, and community engagement. Featuring original interactive installations and works from over 20 regional artists—including Koko Bayer, Moe Gram, and Phil Bender—visitors are encouraged to actively engage with the art rather than view it passively.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Nov. 8. An opening reception is scheduled for Sept. 10, 6p.m.–9 p.m.
Place: Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities Main Gallery, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd.
Tickets: Free and open to the public
Information: arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200
“Storytellers: The Blackfeet Nation and Charles M. Russell” at Denver Art Museum
This major visual arts exhibition examines the creative interactions and artistic dialogue between Western painter Charles M. Russell and members of the Blackfeet Nation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The gallery combines Russell’s paintings with historic and contemporary Blackfeet beadwork, quillwork, and paintings to present a multi-voiced look at cultural storytelling and artistic influence.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Jan. 24, 2027
Place: Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway
Tickets: $15–$22 (Free for museum members and youth 18 & under)
Information: denverartmuseum.org or call 720-865-5000
“Borrowing Funny” at Vintage Theatre
This world-premiere comedy turns a stand-up routine into a courtroom-style battle over intellectual property. In the 1990s-set story, comedian Jacey Weisz accuses a national headliner of stealing one of her jokes. A fired comedian, an overconfident replacement and a police officer become entangled in the dispute as the comedy club owner tries to save his weekend. The result is billed as a no-holds-barred “comedy kumite.”
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Sep. 27; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Place: Nickelson Auditorium at Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.
Tickets: $30
Information: www.vintagetheatre.org or 303-856-7830
“Misery” at Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Adapted by William Goldman from Stephen King’s bestselling novel, this psychological thriller follows romance author Paul Sheldon as he recovers from a devastating car crash. Rescued by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, Paul finds himself captive in her remote home after she discovers he killed off her favorite character. Forced to write a new novel under suspenseful duress, Paul must fight for survival in a high-stakes battle of wits.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Oct. 11, 2026
Place: Arvada Center Main Stage Theatre, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd.
Tickets: Starting at $60
Information: arvadacenter.org or 720-898-7200
”Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver” at Town Hall Arts Center
This musical revue celebrates the life and music of American singer-songwriter John Denver. Featuring a live band and an ensemble of performers, the show weaves together over two dozen of Denver’s iconic tunes—including “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Rocky Mountain High,” and “Sunshine on My Shoulders”—interwoven with personal letters and historical context.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through Oct. 24, 2026
Place: Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 West Main St.
Tickets: $41–$59
Information: townhallartscenter.org or 303-794-2787
”Bad Theater Night” Hosted by One Night Stand Theater at Vintage Theatre
One Night Stand Theater presents an evening dedicated to celebrating dramatic misfires, theatrical satire, and comedic parodies. Featuring a troupe of local actors performing short comedic scripts, spoof monologues, and intentional stage disaster sketches, the show offers a lighthearted parody of traditional theater.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Place: Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.
Tickets: $12
Information: vintagetheatre.org or 303-856-7830
Ravi Coltrane Quartet: Centennial Celebration at Newman Center
GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist and composer Ravi Coltrane leads his quartet in a special performance honoring the 100th anniversary of his father, legendary jazz master John Coltrane. The evening highlights classic compositions from the elder Coltrane’s repertoire, complemented by Ravi’s original contemporary jazz works.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Place: Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts in the Gates Concert Hall, 2344 E. Iliff Ave.
Tickets: $30–$65
Information: newmancenterpresents.com or call 303-871-7720
“Live Music at The Local Drive’ at Stanley Marketplace
This ongoing live music series transforms the Stanley Marketplace hangar into a vibrant performance space featuring local and regional musicians. The programming spans genres—from indie and folk to jazz and rock—creating an eclectic soundtrack for Aurora’s creative community.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Fridays and Saturdays after 5 p.m.
Place: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St.
Tickets: Free admission