I Love a Piano

If there was ever a composer and songwriter whose work represented the American century, Irving Berlin was it. His career spanned 40 of the most important years of the 20th century, including World War One, the Depression, World War Two, and the rebuilding that followed.

His gems include "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (his first hit), "Everybody's Doin' It," "Blue Skies," "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails," "Puttin' on the Ritz," "Cheek to Cheek," "Let's Face the Music," "How Deep the Ocean," "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning," "White Christmas," "God Bless America," "Gee, I Wish I Was Back in the Army," "Easter Parade," "The Girl That I Marry," "Anything You Can Do," and "There's No Business Like Show Business," every one of which and more are included in Denver Center Production's, I Love a Piano. Not bad for a guy who didn't play the piano properly and couldn't read music.

With the hope of putting together a national tour, Denver Center Productions held national auditions and found six versatile actor-singer-dancers, (including two locals, Alex Ryer and Michael Gold) to tap and swing their way through Berlin's gifted take on his life and times. Director and choreographer Ray Roderick's polished cast form a perfect blend of ages and styles that capture the joy, wit, and nostalgia of Berlin's melting pot ideal.

The dozens of smart costume changes (Sam Fleming) and evocative set designs (Larry Gruber) take us back to moments representing collective memories for tens of millions of Americans. It's great fun, but I Love a Piano won't be here for long. It closes September 1st. 303-893-4100.

Bob Bows