AURORA | If you can’t cry then laugh, or maybe do both this weekend as the fall theater season in and near Aurora gets underway. Guffaw your way through the cheeky champion “The Producers” at the Vintage Theatre, or hold your own hands tight as real life unfolds among the “greasers” in “The Outsiders” at the Buell Theater.
Or if you feel the need for live music or just a place to catch a killer food truck, scroll down.
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: Sept. 12 through Oct. 11
Place: Vintage Theatre Main Stage, 1468 Dayton St.
Tickets: $24–$42
Information: vintagetheatre.org or call 03-856-7830
‘From Page to Stage’ at Aurora Fox Arts Center
An educational and engaging behind-the-scenes event for theater enthusiasts and families, “From Page to Stage” takes audiences through the creative journey of transforming a script into a full theatrical production. Directors, designers, and actors demonstrate set design, costume development, and vocal preparation, giving attendees a unique glimpse into the artistic magic that happens before opening night.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Sept. 19, 11 a.m. to noon
Place: Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: Free admission, but RSVP is required
Information: aurorafoxartscenter.org or call 303-739-1970
“Destiny of Desire: A Telenovela Play with Music” at the DCPA 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: Sept. 11-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: Sept. 16-Oct. 4
Place: Garner Galleria Theatre, 14th and Curtis St.
Tickets: $30–$55
Information: denvercenter.org or call 303-893-4100
Elephant Revival: Benefit for Swallow Hill Music
Acclaimed Colorado indie-folk band Elephant Revival headlines an intimate benefit concert in support of Swallow Hill Music’s community programs. Known for their blend of Celtic, Americana, gypsy, and alt-country music, the band plays a limited-capacity show to raise funds for music education and outreach across the metro Denver area.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Sept. 19, show at 7 p.m.
Place: Swallow Hill Music in Daniels Hall, 71 E. Yale Ave.
Tickets: $75–$150
Information: swallowhillmusic.org or call 303-777-1003
The Sweet Lillies at Swallow Hill Music
String band favorites The Sweet Lillies bring their blend of acoustic string music, hip-hop-influenced vocal phrasing, and rich harmonies to the stage. Supported by acoustic guitar, banjolele, violin, and upright bass, their high-energy performance creates a uniquely modern Americana sound.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Sept. 11, show at 8 p.m.
Place: Swallow Hill Music in Daniels Hall, 71 E. Yale Ave.
Tickets: $20–$25
Information: swallowhillmusic.org or call 303-777-1003
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
‘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
Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra Presents “Fate and Future”
The Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra opens its classical season with a program centered on destiny and transformation. Featuring full orchestral works by classical and romantic composers, the evening highlights dramatic brass motifs and sweeping string melodies under the direction of the region’s top community-based symphonic musicians.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Sept. 18, 2026; 7:30 p.m.
Place: Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St.
Tickets: $21–$36
Information: www.lonetreeartscenter.org or 720-509-1000
‘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
‘Route 15’ at Roshni Healing Arts Sanctuary
“Route 15” is an immersive theater production built around the real-life stories of people connected to the communities served by Roshni. The central character, Moe, drives an East Colfax bus route that becomes a vehicle for meeting people described as displaced, disabled, divergent, disadvantaged and disruptive. The production blends world dance, comedy and multidisciplinary arts to tell a story about welcome, kindness and shared connection.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Sept. 6–Sept. 20; opening Sept. 6 at 2 p.m.; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.
Place: Roshni Healing Arts Sanctuary, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: $1-$25
Information: www.roshniislight.org or 720-819-6680
‘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: Sept. 11–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
37th Annual Friendship Powwow at the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum’s annual Friendship Powwow celebrates Native American art and culture with a gathering open to the public. The 37th edition takes place during a Denver Art Museum free-admission day, making it an especially accessible opportunity to experience Native dance, music, art and community traditions while also visiting the museum’s galleries.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Sept. 12, beginning at 10 a.m.
Place: Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway
Tickets: Free; advance reservation recommended
Information: tickets.denverartmuseum.org or 720-865-5000
‘The Move West, Gold Rush and Homesteading’ at DeLaney Historic District
This hands-on history program explores the Colorado Gold Rush and the westward movement that helped shape the region. Participants can try gold panning and explore the history of Aurora’s early settlers through activities connected with the historic DeLaney homestead. It is designed as an activity-based homeschool program, but it also offers an engaging look at local history for families interested in Aurora’s cultural roots.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Sept. 11, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Place: DeLaney Historic District, 170 S. Chambers Road
Tickets: $8 per child
Information: www.goaurora.org or 303-739-6660
‘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