Mike's Performance & Stage Slideshows
Great Singers, Actors, Dancers and Friends
Listed below (Scroll Down) are Shows and Performances I've been priviledged to work in.
They represent fine memories for me! I've been so blessed to work with such great people on and off the stage. 
Click the link or image to start a particular slide show. The Music will start first, but be patient for the images.
These slideshows require a "Flash" enabled browser.  Enjoy!!!

Thank You All for sharing my Love of Singing and Theatre.

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For my friends and family who weren't in the shows, and would rather see a
slide show where I'm in all the photos, I've included a set of random pics from various shows. I encourage everyone to sample all the shows below as time permits. Click on Images to the left for picture slide shows.  

One of my most memorable times was an act Karen Kraus and I did in 2005
... can you believe Sonny & Cher. See the 5 min Video!!!
Click on Small Pic to see Slideshow

THEATER MUSICALS & PLAYS
Date, Location and some Commentary from my Perspective!

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42nd St. - Aug 2004 - Town Hall, Littleton Co
First Venture into Musical Theatre.  I was the "real" Stage Manager for the show as opposed to the stage manager role in the show.  Jane Borg-Chilson was our director. Thank You, Jane, for this opportunity!  What great Actors, Singers and Dancers!  Can you believe how many great tappers there are in Denver. And to learn Stage Managing first at Town Hall. Just throw me in the Fire!!!
   My Roles:  STAGE MANAGER (Yikes!)

gd2.jpg (135849 bytes) Guys & Dolls - Oct 2004 - Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre - Lakewood Colorado
My first role in Musical Theatre. What a place to start! The Theatre is Beautiful and one of the Best Theatre Companies in Denver. The Dancing was tough in this Show (For the Guys) Thank You, Nancy and Ken, for giving me a start and a chance! I learned that I like theatre.
    My Roles: Gangster-Brandy Bottle Bates, Havana Dancer and Waiter! 

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Mrs California - Jan 2005 - Sinclair MS Theatre - Littleton, Colorado
I had a little time between shows and volunteered to help Main Street Players with their first production, in many years, away from Town Hall Theatre.  Mrs. California was not a musical, and had a small cast, but it was well suited to test out the usability of the Sinclair Middle School Auditorium/Theatre.  I didn't get many pictures; just these behind the scenes pictures, but at least many of the great cast are in the shots.
    My Roles: The Sound Engineer.
1.jpg (42514 bytes) Annie - Feb 2005 - Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre - Lakewood Colorado
Wow. We had a bunch of youngsters in the show!  Our Annie was a great little actress and singer. Go Shelby! I really enjoyed my role as Cordell Hull on the Roosevelt Cabinet. More great Performers.  Thanks, Michael and Alyssa, for the opportunity and all the fun.
    My Roles:  Cordell Hull, Hooverite, Sailor and Staff Servant.
baker'~1.jpg (52066 bytes) The Baker's Wife - April 2005 - Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre - Lakewood, Co
New director! Gary Hathaway.  He sure thought me a lot. Lots more lines and stage time.  Great, Great people in this show. We all came together (Especially as Friends). Thanks Everyone! I only had one costume for the whole show. How did that happen? Enjoyed it, Gary!
    My Roles: Village Priest (that's it!)
1.jpg (41260 bytes) Sweet Charity - June 2005 - Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre - Lakewood, Co
Nancy was great in letting me have the small (but neat) Role as Charlie, plus many other ensemble characters.  I really enjoyed the part of Charlie in the opening scene (and I didn't have to say anything either). Jill was fun to work with, and we all had a blast in "Rhythm of Life". Closest I've been to being a Hippie!
    My Roles: Charlie, Hippie, Man at Carnival, Man in Dance Hall
a-flyer.jpg (44501 bytes) Anything Goes - Oct 2005 - Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre - Lakewood, Co
This was a fun Show for Me. I worked with some neat people (As Always!).  I got to play a Religious again! This time a missionary and had a neat Duo scene with Michael. He's Great! Mostly played a sailor, but I sure remember lots of costume changing! The Buddy Beware scene was special. Lots of great new actors in this show!
    My Roles: Hendry T Dobson, a Passanger and a Sailor
the_secret_garden_cvr_s.jpg (2683 bytes) The Secret Garden - Jan 2006 - Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre - Lakewood, Co
This show is special.  Gary Hathaway directed, and as in "the Bakers Wife", he seems to know how to bring a cast together. The Singing and Acting Talent in this cast was phenominal. I felt so prevledged to be in this cast.  My role as an Indian Fakir was a little strange, but I enjoyed it and was happy to sing with the ensemble. I was in the opening scene again and got to sing solo. Too bad it was Indian chanting!  At least no costume changes again. Thanks GARY!
    My Roles: Indian Fakir

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Hello Dolly - April 2006 - Singlair MS Theatre - Littleton, Colorado
After a nasty time fighting my "Kidney Stone attack" in Feb and Mar, I was ready to get back into helping somewhere.  Karen K and I were asked to do our "Sonny & Cher" routine for the Cast party of Arsenic and Old Lace and there I volunteered to help out with Hello Dolly. I knew Jane Borg Chilson had the Lead part and I just wanted to be involved somehow. Jane directed 42nd St (my first) and was Dolores & my Tap instructor too. This Cast was great and had a lot of fun. So did I, from the Sound Board position!
    My Roles: The Sound Engineer. - First time Main St used body Mics (8 total)
billboard_2.jpg (60461 bytes) Mozart Missa in "C" - June 2006 - Carnegie Hall - New York, New York
This had to be the Highlight for me in 2006 and ranks in the Top Ten for lifetime events.  As part of the St Vincent DePaul Adult Choir and with the St Mary's Academy Honor Choir, we all went to NYC to join other choirs from around the U.S. for 2 days of rehearsal, which culminated in our performance in "The" "Carneigie Hall".  Under the Direction of Jonathan Griffith, we performed the Mozart Coronation Mass with the New England Philharmonic Orchestra.  What a Treat!  It is amazing to stand on that historic stage which seats 2804 people. I was so pleased that our audience seemed to fill about 80% of those seats.  It was also very special that my wife (Dolores), Daughter (Jeannette) and Son-in-Law (Pete) were also able to be with me for this trip.  We stayed a few days extra seeing NYC & Boston. Since you are not allowed to take pictures in Carnegie Hall, these pics are for memories mostly (A few Carnegie pics snuck in).
    My Roles: Chorus Singer - Tenors
MFL-logo.jpg (11618 bytes) My Fair Lady - Oct 2006 - Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre - Lakewood, Co
Dolores and I were crewing backstage for this Performance Now production directed by Nancy Goodwin. It had a great cast, with lots of new folks I was very happy to get to meet. This particular show had a rather large rolling set (The Study) that split in the center and had to be hidden in the wings.  It was brought in and out several times and was very heavy and difficult to handle. Needless to say, the crew did a great job managing that huge piece.  The Show was very well received.  Oh my Back!!!
    My Roles: Backstage Crew (moving sets and set pieces)
The Odd Couple - Dec 2006 - Singlair MS Theatre - Littleton, Colorado
Karen Lemmer was producer for this Show and asked Dolores to manage the props (a lot of them) and I was asked to be the "Stage Manager".  Needless to say, this turned out to be quite a challenge for both Dolores and Me.  Messy props, real food, messy guys to clean up after and a large set that had to be torn down and rebuilt right in the middle of the run, made for a very interesting experience.  I ended up doing Sound Design and Running sound effects from backstage, which I hadn't planned on, on top of normal Stage Manager duties.  It was a really good show. The 6 guys and 2 girls were awesome.
    My Roles:  Stage Manager, Sound Design, Sound Effects
Noises Off - Feb 2007 - Sinclair MS Theatre - Littleton, Colorado
What a way to start 2007 off.  The Play produced by Main Street Players was a riot.  The set was 2 floors high, large and had to be rotated for various scenes representing backstage and on-stage.  On top of that, I had to make sure the cast could hear what was going on from the back because they often had lines or entrances based on the dialog on stage ... and then the sound-effect speakers had to follow the set position forward for the audience.  It kept us on our toes.  What a crazy, fun cast.  This was the first time I got to work with Karen Krause on a production other than the Chorale!  GOOD, FUNNY Show!
    My Roles:
Sound Designer & Tech, Stage Crew.
Grease - April 2007 - Sinclair MS Theatre - Littleton, Colorado
This show was directed by Brian Bell. Lots of his own crew but I was fortunate to get to design and run sound for him.  We bought a new soundboard just for the show, because there were 12 body mics.  I really had fun gathering sound effects and recording special stuff.  This was a very good cast.  Danced and sang their tails off!  
    My Roles:
Sound Designer & Show Tech.
Jesus Christ Superstar - Jul 2007 - Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre - Lakewood, Co
I was very surprised to get a part in this show - but very happy.  This was produced by Main Street Players and Ovation Players.  What a powerful show. The leads were fantastic!  We in the chorus were great too!  I played a High Priest, a Blind Man, a Villager and a Dead Person.  What a huge cast and the band was big too and sounded great! 
    My Roles:
Jewish High Priest, Blind Man, Crowd person & Dead Spirit.
Kiss Me Kate - Nov 2007 - Pinnacle Theatre - Littleton, Co
Produce by MainStreet Players, this show proved to be their last musical.  It appeared they might close up shop after 25+ years!  Glad I had a chance to do this.  I had a very good role as "Pops", the doorman.  I got to sing the opening number solo (first few lines) and felt very visible in the role. I also played (what else), the Village Priest during the taming of the shrew segment and also had a very visible role.  This was the first time at this large dinner style theatre. Made lots of new friends. Good Cast!  Dolores found herself running spotlight for the show.
    My Roles:
Pops the Door-man, Village Priest & Servant.
Beauty and the Beast - Feb 2008 - Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre - Lakewood, Co
Wanting to get back to PNTC, Dolores and I were able to work on the backstage crew for this great show. Brian Bell was directing so you knew it was going to be big (no Huge!).  It was. This was a wonderful show with very, very talented actors and turned out to be a huge success.  It was worth just being a part of it.
    My Roles: Backstage Crew

 

Curious Savage - April 2008 - Gaslight Theatre - Westminster, Co
Karen Krause had joined the Gaslight Theatre Co as a full time member and asked if I'd be interested in running lights & sound.  I thought I'd try and glad I did.  I met lots of great new people, but especially happy to have met Jane & Ed Schoenradt (The owner/producers).  Besides both being extremely talented, they are really nice people.  Small theatre but I was impressed with how functional it was. I used some of my own equipment to help them out, and I learned a lot about lighting that I didn't know.  It's not so scary!  This was a fun show too.
    My Roles:
Sound & Light, Design & Show Tech
2989671 Jekyll & Hyde - Jun 2008 - Lakewood Cultural Center Theatre - Lakewood, Co
Gary Hathaway is one of my favorite directors and I hoped he'd let me in to another of his shows.  This one sounded scary. He wanted us to stretch and push the limit.  After you see the pictures you'll know what he meant. At the beginning of the show, during the first number we had to remove our Asylum costume and change to our next scene costume right there on stage.  Hadn't done that before!  This show was dark, R-rate and very intense.  All of us in the cast loved being in the show. I played a naughty Bishop who was the first to be killed, ending Act 1.  Jekyll bashed my head into a wall & getting that packet of blood I was carrying onto the wall and all over my face discreetly was a challenge!  I later played a dead zombie for the Murder, Murder number!  Good Experience ... Thanks, Gary.
    My Roles: Bishop of Basingstoke, Asylum Patient & Dead Zombie.
A Funny Thing Happened ... Jul 2008- Lakewood Cultural Center - Lakewood, Co
MainStreet Players asked us to work crew for this show and Dolores & I don't know how to say no.  Actually, we never consider saying no, if it fits our schedule.  I believe Karen asked Dolores to work props and I tagged along.  This was a fun show to watch and be a part of.  It's a show I wouldn't mind being a part of.  Actually, I auditioned for this show but withdrew my name when I got the part in Jekyll.  I need to find more pictures from this show too!
    My Roles: Backstage Crew
Peter Pan - Aug 2008 - Gaslight Theatre - Westminster, Co
This was a children's show I volunteered to do for Ed & Jane.  Glad I did!  Ellen, our director, was neat to work with and the kids were fun to rehearse.  I found myself trying to help a young man with his singing (he had been a bit off key - but he did well for the show).  Rachel, who played Peter Pan was perfect for the part.  This was a fun show!
    My Roles:
Sound & Light, Design & Tech
Blithe Spirit - Oct 2008 - Gaslight Theatre - Westminster, Co
I found myself doing lots more lighting design for this show.  Got lots more creative.  As usual, this cast of company players were very good and lots of fun.  We enjoyed their cast parties too!  You'll have to ask Jane if she enjoyed her role.  She was covered in white makeup for the entire show every night!  She was a ghost, you know. 
    My Roles:
Sound & Light, Design & Tech
It's a Wonderful Life - Nov 2008 - Gaslight Theatre - Westminster, Co
I'm really sorry we have no pictures from this show.  I worked with the production team to get sound effects and light prepared for this show (was minimal), but because Dolores and I were going out of town soon for the birth of our first grandbaby, I was only able to run the show on the opening weekend.  Another tech ran the shows in our absence. 
    My Roles:
Sound & Light, Design & Tech
Crazy for You ... Feb 2009- Lakewood Cultural Center - Lakewood, Co
Well, Dolores & I are back from a difficult delivery and hospital stay but all is well in the end, and we came back Grandparents!  Anna Rose was born weighing 9lbs and had a mild stroke in the process.  Well, we jumped in with both feet again and worked this fun dance show.  What a fun time we had with this cast. Great People!  Stacy Baker was the lead and what was amazing is that she had never auditioned for a show before.  She just hoped to get in as a chorus dancer!  Excuse me ... Wow, is she talented!  Congrats.
    My Roles: Backstage Crew
Fiddler on the Roof ... Feb 2009- Lakewood Cultural Center - Lakewood, Co
Ok, I was all hyped up to perform again after working Crazy for You.  Kelly Van Oosbree was the director who cast me as the village Rabbi. This was the best role I've had. Great part, acting opportunity, some solo dance and great visibility and stage time.  Thank You, Kelly - I had the time of my life.  On top of that, this was a fabulous, tight cast.  On top of that, we had sold out houses every night!  On top of that, we ran for 17 performances, the most in PNTC history!  This show had unbelievable (No- all were very believable) actors & singers. The response from the audiences was the best one could hope for (everyone said it was the best they had ever seen and most people have seen Fiddler many times). The quality was compared to NY Broadway caliber!  It feels so good.
    My Roles:
Village Rabbi (Principle role)
Click on a Picture
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The Northland Chorale Shows
Date, Location and some Commentary from my Perspective!

17_in_the_chapel_in_the_moonlight.jpg (53890 bytes) VIVA Las Vegas - Fall 2001 - The DL Parsons Theatre  - Northglenn, Colorado
This was my first show with the Chorale.  I loved the members and actually got a solo singing "In the Chapel in the Moonlight". Terry and I also played the roles of Rob and Laura Petrie in a  Hawaiian wedding scene.  I really loved performing on stage. No jitters at all. Met some really neat people, who are destined to be longtime friends. 
group.jpg (57812 bytes) Where in the World is Elvis - Spring 2002 - The DL Parsons Theatre  - Northglenn, Co.
Got involved in Set Design. I painted the USA backdrop we used in the first act.   Got to sing "High Hopes" with Janet and Sandy. I'm starting to get the feel of the "Performance High!". I joined the Board of Directors starting the next season and still there 4 years later.  We did a cool "Chattanooga Choo Choo" - Jill, Bob, Kristi, Janet and I
pb010022.jpg (57032 bytes) KNLC Live! - Fall 2002 - The DL Parsons Theatre  - Northglenn, Co.
I Helped Susie and Joe produce this Show. I gots lots of others interested in the Production Commitee too. We put on a three act show, including a Halloween segment. Everyone really had a ball dressing up for Halloween.  Neat Music Too!  Sang with Sandy and George this time.  Singing "All I Ask" with Sandy G was really special!  Became Business Manager TOO!
dscf0127.jpg (47067 bytes) What Ever Happened to Vaudeville - Spring 2003 - Audi Theatre - Broomfield, Co.
We couldn't get the Northglenn Theatre, so we went a travelin' to a Broomfield theatre and also put on two nights of a Dinner Theatre format at the IHM Parish Center. This show was very different from previous formats because is was heavily performed by small group numbers. The number of great acts and talent that came out of this show was phenomenal. I sure enjoyed my number with Karen.  I also did a Solo Al Jolson song.
pc120004.jpg (71776 bytes) Christmas Chaos - Fall 2003 - The DL Parsons Theatre  - Northglenn, Co.
We're back at our home turf in Northglenn, and with renewed commitment from the Northglenn Theatre folks who have again granted us resident status. The show was really fun to do.  My first All Christmas theme show. And I loved singing/performing with Becky. She has such a great voice and presence. Karen and I also did a number called "Never Say No". Very tiring choreographically but we had fun as always.
imageb6.jpg (79065 bytes) And the Winner is! - Spring 2004 - The DL Parsons Theatre  - Northglenn, Co.
What a beautiful show this was! Built as an awards show, it was just classy!   Everyone looked and sounded GREAT! The set was equally well done (John, Russ, Jane and I will take the Credit), but I can say that the Design was all mine! And what a fun number Becky, Karen, Gerry and I put together ( Lullaby of Broadway). This was one of our Best Shows since I've been there.
Oh yeah. I designed a neat little "Top Banana Award" that was our Focal Point for the Show.
dscf0042.jpg (74938 bytes) Weather or Not - Fall 2004 - The DL Parsons Theatre  - Northglenn, Co.
This Show was a difficult theme to audition for.  Most of the songs in this category were about Rain or Sunshine.  It was fun, non the less. I put together a trio (Becky, Gary and I) to do "Good Morning" from the Movie "Singing in the Rain". That was a blast to do!   I had to leave the Set Design and Production Commitiees. I was just getting too busy to handle it all. And I sang a neat duet (Summer Nights from "Grease") with Mary and backed by the Chorale.
dscf0385.jpg (46290 bytes) Made in the USA - Spring 2005 - The DL Parsons Theatre  - Northglenn, Co.
The show had some great numbers. The infusion of new talent into the group since after "And the Winner Is!" show, has really made auditions competitive. Some great Singers!  I had to do a little convincing to get Karen to try doing a Sonny and Cher number but she is so talented, that she pulled it off fabulously. We had so much fun with that number! Got lots of compliments and have actually done the number for other gigs. We did Costume, Hair, Props, Vocals, the Works!
picture_468.jpg (79737 bytes) The Color of Music - Fall 2005 - The DL Parsons Theatre  - Northglenn, Co.
This was a Good Show Too. The Quality of singing does nothing but improve.   Oops, we forgot to take pictures! We hope to get some soon, from a different source. Karen, Alice, April and I came up with a fun skit singing "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini. Alice really  didn't have to wear the real thing.   I had a Special Solo of "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer", backed by the Chorale in a big production number.  That was neat!
dscf1191.jpg (65465 bytes) Love, The Good, Bad & the Ugly - Spring 2006-The DL Parsons Theatre, Northglenn, Co
This was another big challenge to find music, etc. and I had a plan for Karen and I again, but alas I got sick and couldn't audition. Actually, I wasn't healthy enough to even rehearse with Karen. 2006 started out as not being my Year.  I finally got relief from my kidney stone attack and was strong enough to sing with the Chorale. I did get to sing a small duet part with Mary. Always enjoy singing with her.  The only big news I had this year was my opportunity and trip to NYC to sing with a group in Carnegie Hall.  That saved 2006 for Me!!!!
dscf1784_s.jpg (6473 bytes) Travelin' Along - Singin' a Song - Fall 2006 - The DL Parsons Theatre, Northglenn, Co
I can't say I was into this show at first.  I knew Karen, April and Alice all had to drop out for this show. We then started rehearsing for the Oct show in July and still not feeling that great, I had no idea if I wanted to audition for anything. Well as things turned out, Joe asked me to be part of a men's groups he was doing, Sue asked me to join their quartet and then I came up with a Solo number I really liked.  Well, all three auditions made it and suddenly I was very busy again.  The show went well and it was nice to get it over early in the season, before Christmas. The men's number was the hit of the show, along with everything Joe did - The ladies love him!
We'll Sing for Food - Spring 2007 - The DL Parsons Theatre, Northglenn, Co
Karen came back for this show and she asked me to be part of her Vitameatavegemin routine.  YES!  We had a great time with it.  I also got to sing the opening number (ok 2nd), "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast.  That was fun!  Got to also play the guitar lots, once for Carolyn's number and then with Bob Tracy (I sang a little with him too!).  We even did RAP~!
All in all, this was a very entertaining show.  Of course, Gary was a big part of that success.
This was Ray & Sandy's last show!  We really miss them.
Crooners and Swooners - Fall 2007 - The DL Parsons Theatre, Northglenn, Co
Ah, good songs from years past.  I got to share solo with Randy on 'Luck Be a Lady" and in the second act, soloed "I'll Be Home for Christmas". The Chorale was backing.  This show came together well and looked very nice. The Chorale performed all these very special songs, masterfully. 
Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! - Spring 2008 - The DL Parsons Theatre, Northglenn, Co
Oh, the Choreography!!!  I remember working our tails off for this show.  Lots of words to remember and lots of steps & motions to confuse us.  Remember Y.M.C.A. ... just thinking about it makes me tired. This is the first show I've sang a duet with Sue Christensen. We sang a country western - "Could I Have This Dance".  We got lots of compliments on our blend and sound. Sue says she has never had so many compliments in the 20+ years she has been in the Chorale.  I'm Glad!   I'm Sorry we have no Pictures.  Not sure why?  We'll find some!
Click on Small Pic to see Slideshow

The New Chords
Date, Location and some Commentary from my Perspective!

image6_s.jpg (5809 bytes) The New Chords Gigs - Around Denver (luncheons, parties, senior centers, etc)
I've also been a member of "The New Chords" since the Fall of 2002.   This 20 person vocal group loves to sing and perform for a variety of audiences.   Since we do not produce regularly scheduled "Shows" like those above, it's a bit harder to develop anything specific for a slide show. I'm proud to sing with this group because of the great sound it produces.  Great singers and a good, dedicated director.  We have fun, and try to take that to our audiences!  We don't take many pictures for some reason, but this show group is great to be with.
 

More to Come!