CRUEL INTENTIONS – Created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Roger Kumble; Directed by Lexie Lazear; Musical Direction by Tanner Kelly; Choreography by Erin Carrino. Produced by Shifted Lens Theatre Company (Presented at the People’s Building, 9995 East Colfax, Aurora).
Once again, it’s too late to see this show. But I want to let everyone know about this new theatre company that has formed and will be performing with some degree of regularity in the People’s Building in Aurora.
Lexie Lazear and friends have opened the door to bring diversity and opportunity to perform to talented singers and dancers who might not get the chance otherwise. And perform they did in their first production of CRUEL INTENTIONS. This was a musical remake of the old 1988 movie Dangerous Liaisons brought forward to today in an exclusive private school full of conniving, back-stabbing Heathers. Both sexy and seductive, it looked like a lot more fun than my high school.
The 90’s was not my era for music. So, while the music sounded vaguely familiar and was well performed, it seemed immediately recognizable to the younger members of the audience. However, I do still have an NSYNC CD that I do housecleaning to and recognized “Bye Bye Bye.”
The production also introduced a very talented cast of relative newcomers to their audiences. While sporting impressive resumes and experience in theatre, this production certainly expanded their exposure to Denver/Aurora audiences and the larger theatre community. I had been forewarned that the performance I attended was the understudy performance – a sometimes theatre tradition that gives the people who have learned one or two parts additional to the one they regularly perform a scheduled opportunity to show their stuff. I went in anticipating that all the leads were being performed by the understudies and was amazed at their professionalism. I didn’t find out until after the show that Dani Morris-Tate was the only understudy performing that night and she blew the ceiling off the People’s Building singing the lead seductress.
Too often finances and lack of resources plague early productions for a new company. However, the set that was put together for this show was charming, sharply dramatic, and appropriate. The black and white decor set the mood for the decadent activity and quickly identified the good and the bad boys and girls. The costumes were cute school uniforms and over-the-top sexy catsuits – both appropriate to the characters.
Ms. Lazear has achieved a great start for her new company. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about the show before it was over. But I highly recommend that you watch what this talented company takes on next. You won’t be disappointed.