There are a lot of arguments out there around the playing of holiday music too early. While some save the holiday music for well, the Holidays, there are so many reasons why it makes us happy and brings us back to a more joyful time of our lives. Here are a few reasons to get into the spirit of the season and listen to some of the most classic songs to ever exist.
It’s Joyful.
Yes, there are a few songs out there that talk about giving up your heart on Christmas and having it given away the very next day, but most of us are blaring “Joy to the World” and “Deck the Halls” and who could forget every elementary kid’s favorite “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.” If these titles didn’t make you smile, you might be the Grinch.
It’s Scientifically Proven To Make You Happier
On a neurological level, your brain connects holiday music to those joyful times in your life. The nostalgia certain songs bring you helps your brain make these connections.
Bing Crosby
Better known as the father of holiday music. His albums are still on top as some of the best holiday albums ever made, and most everyone in the world has heard his renditions of “O’ Holy Night,” “White Christmas,” and just about every other joy-filled tune played during the Holiday Season.
Holiday Follies
That’s right, the Lake Dillon Theatre Company’s Holiday Follies are the perfect opportunity to get in the spirit of the season. A perfect mix of yuletide classics and new songs celebrating the season of giving. It is a warm hug by a cozy fire. Featuring some of the LDTC’s favorite artists including Chrissy Schmidt, Bob Moore, Alexa Hendrickson, Caleb Warren, Britney Jeffery, and Arnold Harper II. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready for a whole lot of holiday celebrations and purchase your tickets before they run out. We can’t wait to see you there!
Tiny Beautiful Things opens Friday, November, 22, we would be remiss if we didn’t share a few of our favorite behind the scenes photos of the rehearsal process, from the rehearsal room to the tech week stage.
Before any show is ready to be seen on stage it starts in a rehearsal room. This room is often filled with set pieces that will eventually end up on stage as well. This is so the cast can get used to interacting with the set pieces before it is built.
At the Lake Dillon Theatre Company, we are fortunate enough to have several spaces that serve as rehearsal rooms. For Tiny Beautiful Things, the rehearsals took place in the Hadley Lab Theatre.
At the LDTC we have a much shorter rehearsal process so it is important for our actors to come prepared.
The final week of rehearsals is referred to as tech week in the theatre world. During this week all of the technical elements come together and the cast rehearses in costume and on stage to perfect every part of the show.
We are so excited to be able to present Nia Vardalos’s Tiny Beautiful Things adapted from the Novel Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed. Will you join us? We’ll have a seat waiting for you!
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In this provocative, poignant and rich (NY Times) production, we explore what it means to be connected to strangers in today’s world. Now is your chance to connect with our cast of new and returning artists.
Introducing Sanam Hashemi, This is Sanam’s LDTC debut.
Can you tell us about your character(s)?
I play a lot of them and they are all so different. It’s great to jump into a 70-year-old married man and then to an opinionated blogger. But above all, the characters are all grappling with something. That’s why we hear from them in the play. So it’s neat to see how everyone is questioning or struggling or re-evaluating something in their lives.
What does Tiny Beautiful Things mean to you?
Celebrating being a human.
What excites you about working on Tiny Beautiful Things?
I think the most exciting part of this play is that everyone is real. Just real people trying to get through their day and dealing with real human questions and roadblocks in life. Nothing glamorous, but extremely relatable.
What do you think will be challenging about Tiny Beautiful Things?
I think Nia Vardalos did an incredible job of shaping these letters into a narrative. She takes the audience and Sugar through hilarious, tragic, touching, and hopeful moments. As an actor, I think it’s just technically going to challenging to remember the sequencing of all of the amazing letters, but I have faith in the process and our team.
You play letter writers are there any particular questions you connect with the most?
One of the characters I portray lends advice as part of the greater “Sugar community” on what advice they would give their younger selves. So, it’s not really a question, but more of a reminder to focus on your life and not your career. I just love it. “The useless days will add up to something.”
We are so excited to have you join the LDTC family! What excites you about coming to the Lake Dillon Theatre for the first time?
It’s always great to work with a new group of people to create something. So that’s extremely exciting. But also, I’ve never been to Colorado, and wow! What a beautiful place this theatre calls home. I feel really lucky to be a part of it.
In this provocative, poignant and rich (NY Times) production, we explore what it means to be connected to strangers in today’s world. Now is your chance to connect with our cast of new and returning artists.
Introducing Kevin Minor, This is Kevin’s LDTC debut.
Can you tell us about your character(s)?
What’s up! So I’m Letter Writer #3 which allows me the awesome task of playing people that are all different and unique in their own way. Each of my “letters” (I hope) have their own cadence and their own form and way they take up space in the world which is both fun and challenging all at the same time.
What does Tiny Beautiful Things mean to you?
From the moment I was sent this script the first word that came to mind was “empathy”. Nia Vardalos’ script is so beautiful in that she is daring us as actors (and as the audience as well) to have fierce and unapologetic empathy for the experience of our fellow person. What I think is so beautiful about it artistically, and the statement it made to me, is that we aren’t all that different from each other. We’re all wondering what’s next, we’re all searching for love, we’re all wondering WTF (you’ll get that reference when you see the show), and we all just want to belong. It’s a show that isn’t going to wow you with a bunch of lights and jumping around and dancing but is instead about the thing that unites us all and that’s being human and figuring out what the hell this thing called Life is all about. I love that about this show. It’s soulful and funny and gut-wrenching and it offers something that I truly believe each and every audience member will be able to look at and say to at least one letter or part of the show: “that’s me”.
What excites you about working on Tiny Beautiful Things?
Bringing all of these letters to life. Each of them is so unique and they each have a life entirely of their own so to be able to play and create each of these is an honor. Of course, with any show, building a family with your castmates is one of the most rewarding parts so I’m looking forward to getting into the room and getting to know them and building our version of this world together.
What do you think will be challenging about Tiny Beautiful Things?
The actor’s burden with any show is to play a set of circumstances that are different than your own and make them feel real and true. Now oftentimes we are cast because we somehow fit the character naturally but this show is different because each letter offers something totally different than the rest. Our challenge, as letter writers, is to fully embody the reality and depth of each characters’ circumstances which is scary and challenging yet rewarding. My hope is for each of these letters, and the experiences of those who wrote them, I do justice to the experience to which they are speaking.
You play letter writers are there any particular questions you connect with the most?
It’s not necessarily a question but the statement that I couldn’t get out of my head from my first read of the script is “I chose Van Gogh”. It’s simple yet deep and it touches on the choice we make every day in how we view the world. Of course, there are things out of our control and each of our lives is significantly different. We all experience our own adversities and difficulties but it’s our perspective and how we choose to approach the world that ultimately defines our character. So the phrase “I chose Van Gogh” encapsulates that to me.
We are so excited to have you join the LDTC family! What excites you about coming to the Lake Dillon Theatre for the first time?
I’m excited about being in Colorado! I visited with my family for a summer when I was in college and by the end of the trip I was no joke looking to try to transfer to DU (I was playing soccer so, of course, I couldn’t). Colorado is a really beautiful place and I’m excited about going outside and seeing mountains….but also, to be fully transparent, not so sure I’m excited about the snow but this isn’t an outdoor theater, right?
In this provocative, poignant and rich (NY Times) production, we explore what it means to be connected to strangers in today’s world. Now is your chance to connect with our cast of new and returning artists.
This is Sheryl McCallum‘s second time on the LDTC Stage. You may recognize her from her role as Mrs. Banks in Barefoot in the Park earlier this season.
Can you tell us about your character?
My character is named Sugar. The is an author, mother, and wife who says yes to a request to take over an online advice column.
What does Tiny Beautiful Things mean to you?
Tiny beautiful things to me means that no matter what we go through in life, the highs and especially the lows, We must remember to recognize, appreciate, and accept all the small beautiful gifts that come our way.
What excites you about working on Tiny Beautiful Things?
What excites me about Tiny, is diving into the character of Sugar. What made her say yes to the request? How she answers her column in her own voice. She shows her pain, her joy, and her humor. It excites me that these are real letters. I’m excited to lift these words off the page and use my voice.
What do you think will be challenging about Tiny Beautiful Things?
What will be challenging is that there is a lot of dialogue and a short rehearsal time. Also, some of the letters are weighty. The challenge will be to let the responses to the letters, feel genuine and not presentational. But that’s why Chris is there.
You play the character Sugar. In what ways do you feel you connect with her?
I connect most with Sugar in how she speaks about her mother who passed away. The love she has for her. I also connect with her saying, she doesn’t know it all. Odd for an advice columnist.
You Recently played Mrs. Banks in Barefoot in the Park and we are so excited to have you back, what excites you about coming back to Summit County and the LDTC?
I am looking forward to spending some of the Holidays in Dillon. Also, it’s great to come back to a place where you were treated so well. I absolutely loved being at LDTC and look forward to a great time again. This time in the snow!!
Tiny Beautiful Things is the LDTC’s final theatre production in our 25th Anniversary season entitled “To Be Connected…”
In this provocative, poignant and rich (NY Times) production, we explore what it means to be connected to strangers in today’s world. Now is your chance to connect with our cast of new and returning artists.
Introducing Hugh Hysell, This is Hugh’s LDTC debut.
Can you tell us about your character(s)?
I play a lot of real-life middle-age people who ask Sugar for advice. They need help with all kinds of problems ranging from work woes to romance gone weird to parental advice. While some of the other characters in the play are quite moving, all of mine are pretty funny and I get to provide a lot of comic moments for the show until near the end of the play when there is a huge surprise. I think this twist will be one of the most memorable theatrical moments of the show. I’m excited to take the audience on this unexpected turn.
What does Tiny Beautiful Things mean to you?
Tiny Beautiful Things is a beautiful play which speaks to everyone. While each of us have our own individual problems, the play shows us that we have much in common with the letter writers. Everyone has issues in our lives that we have to face (some funny, some touching, some tragic), and yet, we all could use some help to get to the other side of our problems. The play reminds that if we are brave enough to ask for advice, our roads might be a little (or a lot) less rough. We are all in this together, and if we reach out to others, most things will work out for the better.
What excites you about working on Tiny Beautiful Things?
I’m excited to work on this play for a lot of reasons. Many of my lines are funny (which is right in my wheelhouse), and I love crafting my delivery of a joke to get the biggest response from an audience. I also get to play multiple characters, all quite different (which is always exciting as an actor).
What do you think will be challenging about Tiny Beautiful Things?
All of the letters my characters write to Sugar’s advice column are real letters from real-life people, and each is intimate in its own way. Therefore, my portrayal of each letter writer has to be honest, vulnerable and extremely believable. Plus, one of my character’s letters is quite long (3 pages in the script) – which is a challenge to any actor. Whenever I have worked on a show where I have long monologues, I personally find that I need a good deal of time to learn those lines. Lucky for me, I was cast in this show months ago, and so I started working on memorizing that speech right away. It took me about a month to learn it. I think you’ll love it – I do!
You play letter writers who are sending their questions to Sugar. Are there any particular questions you connect with the most?
I relate with all of the letter writers, but I especially connect to a letter about a father and son. While I don’t have a son, I feel deeply connected to this letter through the memory of my dad (who left us far too early). I feel his presence in those beautiful words.
We are so excited to have you join the LDTC family! What excites you about coming to the Lake Dillon Theatre for the first time?
I have been really looking forward to spending time here in Lake Dillon. The theatre has a terrific reputation and I am excited to be working with this fine company. Plus, this town is beautiful and the views of the lake and mountains are so stunning, they seem almost magical. It feels like an adventure awaits me here.
The Lake Dillon Theatre Company (LDTC) continues its 25th Anniversary Season with a one-of-a-kind Signature Concert entitled Divas and Duets on Nov. 8 and 9 at 7:30 PM in the Henry Studio Theater featuring Summit County favorite Kelly Renoux.
The LDTC is dedicated to bringing a diverse season including a unique music series of concerts and musical revues. The Signature Concert Series features performers from around the country for one-weekend only events. Divas and Duets will feature a collection of songs curated by Renoux from different music genres including Broadway, rock and roll, country, and pop. Special guests will join Renoux for surprise duets throughout the evening of story and song.
A professionally trained actor and singer, Renoux has lived in Summit County for more than twenty years and has been a featured performer with the LDTC for more than two decades. Her credits at the LDTC include Rita from Lucky Stiff and Patsy in Always Patsy Cline, among more than a dozen others.
Renoux as Rita in “Lucky Stiff”
Renoux holds a position on the executive team at Copper Mountain and feels fortunate the LDTC provides opportunities for her to perform.
“I am so fortunate to have a career on the executive team with Copper Mountain Resort, but also I get to regularly indulge in my passion for theatre.” Renoux says, “The one thing that kept me from going into theatre full-time was the dread of having to find a new job after each show closed; but I truly have the best of both worlds – I’ve been with Copper for over 20 years now, and I’ve been performing with LDTC and around the county for the same period of time!”
Renoux will be joined by music director and accompanist Wayne Shuker. A New York-based performer and musician, Shuker returns to Summit County after several appearances with the LDTC, including most recently having performed the role of “Paul” in Barefoot in the Park.
Shucker as Paul Bratter in “Barefoot in the Park”
“I’ve always had a passion for making music which even led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music education. I’ve been lucky enough to get to play on stage but when I’m in between gigs I spend a lot of my time teaching voice lessons and accompanying in New York. I’m thrilled to get the chance to make my professional music directing debut in a place that always makes me feel welcome.” Shucker says.
Yes, summer is coming to a close, but the LDTC can’t say goodbye to summer without a zany comedy. From the master of oneliners, the LDTC is proud to present Barefoot in the Park. As the show has been running for a week now we wanted to show a behind the scenes look at the rehearsal process and the work that the cast put into the show before opening!
Every Brilliant Thing‘s run at the Lake Dillon Theatre Company began Aug. 16. If you haven’t been to this show yet prepare yourself for an interactive show-going experience, unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
When you go to a one-person show one of the biggest questions you may have is how did the actor remember all of their lines? The answer is lots and lots of rehearsals. For Every Brilliant Thing, rehearsals were just as unique as the show as Colt Neidhardt, who plays The Man, needed practice audiences to help him with the intricate and interactive pieces on this show. Below enjoy a few of our favorite behind the scenes moments.
Rehearsals started in our LAB Theatre. Here a practice audience including actors, apprentices, stage managers, and crew members all were assigned Brilliant Things to read and were cast as characters including Mr. Patterson, and the Vet.
All shows have a final dress rehearsal. For Every Brilliant Thing, a select audience of Community Members and LDTC volunteers were invited to view the performance. In full costume on a completed set, and with a brand new audience the show took its form.
Want a little more brilliance in your life? Need a reminder of the Brilliant Things? Every Brilliant Thing runs now – Sept. 15.
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