Theater shows to see in Colorado fall 2021

The curtain rises. (Or the laptop warms up, hitched to a nice-sized monitor.) The theatergoers gather, masked and in-person. (Or sit at home, feet on the coffee table and no protocols to keep track of.)

With a mix of in-person and virtual offerings, this fall’s theater season is going to look a little different — yet so much better than 2020’s. (At least at the time of this writing, since it still feels a little vulnerable.)

Here are some of the offerings headed into theaters or available online in the coming weeks.

(Note: These are the latest updates on shows with up-to-date theater protocols; all are subject to change. Please check each theater’s requirements.)

The Arvada Center

Musicals return to the regional mainstay’s main stage with the two-hander marriage romp “I Do! I Do!,” which follows Agnes and Michael through 50 years of wedded bliss and then some. Fave fact: Carol Burnett and Rock Hudson headlined a national tour of the show in 1973. “I’m so glad we had this time together,” indeed. (Sept. 10-Oct. 10)

The Center’s Black Box opens with A.R. Gurney’s comedy “Sylvia,” about love, marriage and a dog (not necessarily in that order). (Oct. 1- Nov. 7) arvadacenter.org

Before you go: Masks are required in all public spaces. If you don’t have a mask, one will be provided.

The Aurora Fox Arts Center

Ahead of “Hundred Days,” the Fox has been touting the creative team set to bring the musical to its intimate stage — and for good reason. Director Nick Sugar and musical director David Nehls tag-teamed the Fox’s exhilarating “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Sure, this autobiographical love tale by the neo-folk duo the Bengsons (Abigail and Shaun) and Sarah Gancher is a different beast, but Sugar and Nehls are sure to rock its intimacy, joy and fretful moments. (Sept. 16-Oct.  10)

Differently intimate, differently rocking, differently a duo, dueling pianists the Barton Brothers’ “Play Me a Memory: A Tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John” launches the Fox’s cabaret series. (Oct. 15-17) aurorafoxartscenter.org

Before you go: Unvaccinated patrons should remain masked while inside the building and throughout the performance. Masks are optional for vaccinated patrons once seated.

Buntport

This wiseacre band of creatives — emphasis on “wise” — stayed strong during the worst of 2020, putting talkative grasshoppers in their parking lot and later offering that same (safe) space to other troupes. This fall, Buntport will head into its belove black box with “Cabaret De Profundis: Or How To Sing While Ugly Crying,” based loosely on Artemisia II of Caria (go ahead, look it up). (Oct. 28- Nov. 13)

Before that, the company will host a few one-offs in the parking lot: The Great Debate (Sept. 14), “Narrators: Inside Out.” (Sept. 15), and “The Sausage and the Skewer (Sept. 25). In response to 2020’s challenges, Buntport has instituted a pay-whatever-you-can policy for this year’s shows. It also is making its theater available to other arts groups, prioritizing those who work for and with historically underrepresented communities free of charge.

Before you go: The outdoor events require … chairs. (And you thought we were going to say “masks.” Stay tuned for indoor protocols. buntport.com

The Catamounts

This ace Boulder-based company kept the theater coming during the tough times, most recently with summer’s “Land of Milk and Honey.” Now the outfit with the tagline “Theatre for the Adventurous Palette” will be adventuring to Aurora — and the People’s Building on East Colfax —  in early November with the regional premiere of “Eddie and Dave” by Amy Staats. The dudes of the title are rockers Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth. That might be lure enough for you to go, but there’s more: This gender-tweaking rumination on vexed friendship, awesome musicianship and the performative casts women in the male roles and guys in the female ones. (Nov. 6-21)

Before you go: Catamounts is following the Denver Center COVID-19 protocols. See below.