The year 1933 was one of the harshest of the Depression era, and it's a cold time indeed for a family in Colorado in the new play, 1933, getting its world premiere by the Denver Center Theatre Company Jan. 18.
Adapted from the fact-inspired memory novel, "1933 Was a Bad Year," by the late John Fanté, the play follows the life of young Dom, son of an Italian-immigrant bricklayer in Boulder, CO. Dom dreams of playing professional baseball but finds his hopes bending and changing as the years pass. The new work is told through the memories of an old man, called The Writer. Young Dom is played by Bryant Richards. The Writer (the old Dom, living in sunny Malibu, in 1985), is played by Yusef Bulos. The Writer's Wife is played by Kathleen Brady.
Randal Myler (who directed and co-wrote Broadway's It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues, and directed the regional hit, The Immigrant) co adapted 1933 and directs. Brockman Seawell, a writer and producer, is Myler's co playwright.
The piece "explores the meaning of family, the power of dreams and the struggle of Italian immigrants in the cold Colorado winter of 1933," according to production notes. At the DCTC's Ricketson Theatre, the white, minimalistic design by G.W. Mercier includes photographic projections (by Jan Hartley) of many locations, from Malibu to Arapahoe Street along Boulder Creek. Costumes are by Andrew V. Yelusich, Charles R. MacLeod is lighting designers and Craig Breitenbach is sound designer.
The cast includes Mike Genovese, Jacqueline Antaramian, Irma St. Paule, Michael Twist, Stina Nielsen and Mark Rubald, with Daniel E. James, Aaryn Smith, Steve Hughes and Dan O'Neill. Previews began Jan. 10 at the Ricketson, the velvet-walled jewelbox in the collection of DCTC spaces at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Performances continue to March 3.
Tickets are $34-$38. For ticket information, call (303) 893 4100 or (800) 893-4100. Visit the DCTC website at www.denvercenter.org.
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The Denver premiere of David Hare's Amy's View begins previews Jan. 18 at DCTC's The Space Theatre. Official opening is Jan. 25.
— By Kenneth Jones
