by Mark Smiley | Apr 4, 2022 | Valley Gadfly
Jared Grant in Tootsie Photo Credit: Teg Folks
Reinvents 40 year Old Movie with Fresh Perspective and Laugh Out Loud Moments
By Mark Smiley
Tootsie opened on March 29 2022 at the Buell Theater with laugh out loud funny moments and a modern twist on a classic Hollywood movie. Robert Horn’s book in particular tries to bring the film’s dated gender politics into the 21st century without necessarily rewriting the original film’s plot wholesale. Julie Nichols’s character was more confident than she was in the 1982 movie, Michael Dorsey’s character did not hit on every woman in sight, and say goodbye to gay panic. The musical is a fresh take on classic movie.
Tootsie is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Robert Horn. The musical is based on the 1982 American comedy film of the same name written by Larry Gelbart, Barry Levinson (uncredited), Elaine May (uncredited) and Murray Schisgal from the story by Gelbart and Don McGuire. The musical made its world premiere try-out at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago in September 2018. Like the film, the musical tells the story of a talented but volatile actor, Michael Dorsey, whose reputation for being difficult forces him to adopt a new identity as a woman in order to land a job. The original movie revolved around a daytime soap opera, while the show involves a Broadway musical. His one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime – as the star of a new Broadway musical.
TOOTSIE features an original score by 2018 Tony Award-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and the book by Robert Horn (13; Dame Edna, Back with a Vengeance). The comedy in this musical flows smoothly
and the secret is more than the book; it’s the songs. Mr. Yazbek is one of the few composer-lyricists working today who can set jokes to music and make them pay.
The company is led by Drew Becker as Michael Dorsey, Ashley Alexandra as Julie Nichols, Tony Payton Reilly as Sandy Lester, Lukas James Miller as Max Van Horn, Jared David Michael Grant as Jeff Slater, Kathy Halenda as Rita Marshall, Steve Brustien as Stan Fields, and Adam Du Plessis as Ron Carlisle. The cast competently trekked through the musical numbers and kept the audience engaged. Jared David Michael Grant who played Dorsey’s roommate, Jeff Slater, has been with the production since September 2021. His training as a musical theater major in Chicago and his work on the Showtime series, The Chi, prepared him for this show stopping role. His acting, one liners, and facial expressions made an otherwise enjoyable show, a hit.
Tootsie runs through April 10 2022 at the Buell Theater. For tickets, visit www.dcpa.org.
by Regan Bervar | Mar 18, 2022 | General Featured
“Progressives want livable, walkable cities, but by allowing the continued operation of open-air drug scenes, they are making cities unlivable and unwalkable, as well as inhumane.”
by Luke Schmaltz
In his recently published 350+ page opus, author Michael Shellenberger tackles the daunting task of unwrapping a multi-layered crisis which has reached a critical state in California’s City by the Bay.
For those who may be unaware, San Francisco, CA, is a city in the grips of a social, political, and humanitarian nightmare. Decriminalization of illicit drugs and mass adoption of progressive “harm reduction” policies have backfired, plunging the city into an epidemic of addiction. One resident, business owner Adam Mesnick, is quoted as saying, “What’s happening is not even liberal. It’s not realistic. It’s fantasy land. This is a severe drug addiction crisis that needs greater intervention or everyone’s just going to die from fentanyl.”
San Franshitsco
Shellenberger describes how homelessness and rampant drug abuse are coupled with a statewide housing market that is grotesquely lopsided. This is apparent by the skyrocketing rental rates and property values which are pricing out many average citizens — even those with full-time jobs. The result is a populace with a large percentage of “unhoused” aka “homeless” people. In 2019, over 30,000 incidents of public defecation were reported in San Francisco, while California as a whole was found to account for 51% of all unhoused people in the entire United States.
Harm Induction
Shellenberger exposes “harm reduction” sites and so-called “Safe Sleeping Spaces” as the open-air drug scenes that they are. “Harm reduction” is a term used for government-approved areas which supply everything (equipment-wise) an addict needs in order to successfully inject narcotics such as methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. NGO (non-governmental organization) workers provide addicts with tourniquets, cooking kits, syringes, and needles in an effort to somehow “reduce harm.” Shellenberger calls the practice what it truly is — “harm induction.” These NGOs are key drivers of the homeless epidemic, disguising a sadistic policy of aiding addiction behind the auspices of altruism.
Housing First
Shellenberger shines a harsh light on “housing first” which is the battle cry of many homeless advocates. This line of thinking advocates the reduction of access to overnight shelters and instead, insists on housing for addicts and mentally ill people without requiring sobriety, medication, and treatment. Shellenberger presents evidence that this policy does not effectively address the core issues which cause homelessness. To the contrary, by taking treatment for mental illness and drug addiction out of the equation — the issue spins further out of control.
A Huge Industry
Shellenberger goes to superhuman lengths to uncover, document, support, and reinforce the fact that homelessness and open-air drug scenes across the state are worsening in spite of the fact that taxpayer-funded spending on the issues is at an all-time high. The Homeless Industrial Complex, as absurd as it may sound, is very real and very much as counterintuitive and dysfunctional as the title suggests. While hundreds of millions of taxpayer funds are siphoned into this system, half of the money goes to staff salaries. It does not take a genius to realize that if they fix the problem, the cash cow is essentially taken from the milking parlor and put out to pasture.
A Legislative Nightmare
San Fransicko also presents a smorgasbord of political abominations which are adding fuel to the fire. Specifically, the decriminalization of the possession and use of illegal drugs is making it easier than ever for dealers to blatantly serve their market without fear of penalties. Meanwhile, deliberate reduction of the severity of crimes such as shoplifting, burglary, trespassing, and grand larceny has created a black-market industry which favors criminal behavior which is used to support addiction.
Crazy Town
Shellenberger further demonstrates how an unaddressed mental health epidemic is not only a miscarriage of the civil duties of elected government officials, but their pawning it off onto NGOs is downright irresponsible. The simple fact of the matter is that allowing those with untreated mental illness to openly and freely obtain and inject themselves with methamphetamines, fentanyl, and heroin is in no way a solution to a very serious problem.
A Viable Solution
Shellenberger goes on to suggest a comprehensive treatment solution for the mental health crisis via a plausible institution he dubs “Cal-Psych” which would “efficiently and humanely treat the seriously mentally ill and addicts, while providing housing to the homeless on a contingency-based system. Cal-Psych’s CEO would be best-in-class and report directly to the governor. It is only in this way that the voters could hold the governor accountable for the crises on the streets.”
Whether Shellenberger will be taken up on his offer to provide a plausible solution is anyone’s guess. Regardless, if homelessness, open-air drug scenes, rising crime, and increasing danger in your city concerns you, San Fransicko is required reading.
Image by article author
Michael Shellenberger exposes the flaws of a system gripped by addiction, psychosis and inhumane conditions.
by Regan Bervar | Mar 18, 2022 | Main Articles
“Well, if there ain’t gonna be any rules, let’s get the fight started.”
by Luke Schmaltz
Terry Hildebrandt, PhD, is at war. The Denver district where he lives — the Golden Triangle — is anything but a gilded community of urban bliss. On any given day, he encounters the detritus of illegal campers which can include feces, trash, burned up tents, used needles, and more. At all hours of the day and night, Hildebrandt contends with fighting between encampment tenants, incessant screaming, blocked sidewalks, theft of businesses and residences, sexual abuse, and physical altercations which threaten his safety, that of his neighbors, and just about anyone else who enters the area.
Two Steps Back
The alley behind Hildebrandt’s office has been dubbed “Heroin Alley.”
The latest installment of feckless legislation poised to exacerbate spiraling crime was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis in early July 2021, and enacted on March 1, 2022. For Terry Hildebrandt, the most concerning features of Senate Bill 271, the Misdemeanor Reform Bill, “is that the law now allows certain felons to possess guns, making it harder for police to remove guns off the streets, due to a change to Colorado Revised Statutes Section 346: 18-12-108 regarding possession of weapons by previous offenders,” he explains.
“Previously, all convicted felons were prohibited to buy or possess firearms. Now, many felons will be allowed to possess firearms, unless they were convicted of Victims’ Rights Act offenses, such as murder, child abuse, and sex assault. For example, this means all previous offenders convicted of felonies that were related to drugs, burglary, arson, and many other reasons will now be allowed to possess guns. Both 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner and Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen have publicly expressed serious concerns about SB21-271 and the likely impact it will have on crime rates in Colorado due to more felons being allowed to possess guns.”
The New Skid Row
Meanwhile, Hildebrandt is fighting for the sanctity of the downtown Denver community at large and for the dignity of those who choose to call the Golden Triangle home. Defelonization of the possession of illegal drugs and use of illicit substances, along with the neutralized authority of a Denver Police Department, has turned his district into an urban hellhole. “During the summer of 2021,” he begins, “I had to call 911 to report a man passed out in the alley right by 10th Ave, laying in the way of traffic on the hot concrete. The man could have been run over by a car since that is a busy alley. The Fire Department arrived quickly to check on him. It was around 95 [degrees] that day, so heat stroke was a real possibility,” he says.
Hildebrandt continues, “In 2021, we had a lot of heroin and meth open use in the alley right outside my home and business, which I renamed to Heroin Alley. I have dozens of photos of addicts with heroin needles in their arms and toes and smoking meth and fentanyl. We regularly found used needles all over in the Golden Triangle neighborhood. I was calling 911 up to five times a day to report open drug use and other health crises in my neighborhood. In 2021, I joined forces with a nonpartisan, diverse group of like-minded people, to cofound the nonprofit, Citizens for a Safe and Clean Denver,” he explains.
Complicated Circumstances
Hildebrandt is quick to point out he is not simply condemning the dangerous conditions in his community. He is instead, pointing to contributing factors, such as how many of his property-owning peers choose to simply look the other way rather than insist upon the city doing better. The current policy is for authorities to offer treatment services and shelter to the unhoused living in tents (which is almost universally declined) rather than insist on it — especially for people suffering from addiction and/or severe mental illness. “I see no excuse left to ever tolerate allowing anyone to rot on the street in an illegal tent to overdose and freeze to death,” he says. “How is there any dignity for the unsheltered in allowing dangerous, illegal enc
The Golden Triangle district in downtown Denver is dangerous to all residents, housed and unhoused.
ampments to remain?”
“The sad part is that Denver can find shelter for everyone on the street,” Hildebrandt says. “Skye Stuart (Legislative Director & Sr. Advisor for Policy & Legislation, Mayor’s Office) at Public Hearing: CB 21-0592, said, ‘I do want to be clear that we do have hundreds of beds available every night. If every person off the street wanted to come in, would we need to do some things — like open some rec centers — absolutely, but we do have some flexibility in our system that will accommodate for that.’”
Passing The Buck
Meanwhile, people who are arrested for offenses such as drug dealing, burglary, trespassing, automobile theft, sexual assault, harassment, and other crimes are being inexplicably released by the courts on PR (personal recognizance) bonds in a matter of just a few hours after being detained. Hildebrandt has voiced his concerns to top officials, stating, “We met with District Attorney Beth McCann, and she blamed the judges for releasing accused criminals on PR bonds. McCann took no responsibility for the dramatic increase in accused dangerous criminals being released on PR bonds while awaiting trial, saying that the judges set bail — not the DA,” he says.
Hildebrandt continues, “McCann also told us that she has no data readily available to us to understand which judges are to blame for this mess. I am deeply frustrated and disappointed in the lack of accountability in the judiciary. The public has no easy way to hold judges accountable for releasing dangerous, violent criminals, and drug dealers to re-offend. Tony Kovaleski at Denver7 reported that data from open records laws from the courts show 1,298 arrests for felony drug offenses. The data also show that 69% of all accused individuals arrested for those drug offenses were granted PR bonds and show that 45% of individuals arrested for felony drug offenses and granted a PR bond failed to appear for at least one court hearing,” he explains.
To say these circumstances are discouraging to law enforcement officials with “boots on the ground” would be an understatement. “I have personally witnessed the negative impact on the
Dr. Terry Hildebrandt, PhD. lives and works in the Golden Triangle district which has become an urban hellhole.
morale of our police force when accused, violent criminals and drug dealers are released after the police risked their lives to arrest dangerous criminals,” Hildebrandt says. “I have also seen the frustration and fear of victims, who are subject to the same perpetrators over and over when these criminals are back in the community where they can re-offend.”
A Glimmer Of Hope
Despite the host of setbacks in his front yard, Terry Hildebrandt is focused on solutions. He is quick to point out that legislation which is counteractive to SB 21-271 has been introduced. “HB 22-1257 just passed the house,” he says. “It will help fix some of the issues if it passes in the Senate. [It] would add certain felony offenses, such as criminal extortion, enticement of a child, unlawful termination of pregnancy, and arson, back onto the ‘possession of a weapon by a previous offender’ (POWPO) list. However, it does not fix the issue of felons with drug convictions being allowed to possess guns,” he explains.
Extreme Measures
Some citizens are fed up, mistrustful of the legal system, and doubtful that law enforcement will come to their aid should they be accosted, assaulted, attacked, robbed, or worse. What then, you might ask, can you do to bolster your personal safety?
There are numerous Denver enterprises in the business of teaching people to protect themselves from violent criminals. This is not a new idea, rather, it has been a celebrated aspect of daily life in the Mountain West region since before the Mile High City was founded back in 1876. For a fair price, any able-bodied adult or minor with parental consent can learn to safely and proficiently operate, carry (18+ only), and maintain a firearm intended for self-protection. Places such as Lipstick Tactical (emphasizing women’s safety), BluCore Shooting Center, and Final Protective Line Academy are centers of education, awareness, and training for law-abiding citizens concerned with their personal safety. These and other similar enterprises are ideal places for garnering the proper training, knowledge, and testing required for obtaining a conceal and carry license.
If firearms are not your cup of tea but personal safety is, Denver offers a wealth of destinations for self-defense training in hand-to-hand combat styles such as Krav Maga, Jiu-Jitsu, Kung Fu, and many, many more. Folks too busy to take on a new discipline are wise, at the very least, to invest in practical means of deterring assailants such as pepper spray, bear spray, mace, or some similar, user-friendly device. If the government will not exact punishment against those who aim to harm law-abiding citizens — then the populace at large must assume sole responsibility for their own wellbeing. As for those who choose to harm themselves on the taxpayers’ dime — that mess, for now, is still your problem.
by Mark Smiley | Mar 18, 2022 | Main Articles
Easter Won’t Fall Until Day After Full Moon On April 17
by Glen Richardson
Easter Sunday is uncommonly late this year, falling on April 17 for the first time in 62 years. The holiday will keep us waiting in 2022, but not because of disruptive supply chains, instead blame the moon.
Christian tradition sets the holiday on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox, the start of
April’s Full Moon: The first full moon of spring is Saturday, April 16. Known as the Paschal full moon, it is pushing Easter to the 17th for the first time in 62 years.
spring. This year, the first full moon of spring — the Paschal full moon, Christians call it — comes on Saturday, April 16, pushing Easter and Valley Sunrise Services to the 17th.
Just after the March 20 vernal equinox occurs, spring shifts into overdrive as flashy, flamboyant, and fe minine fashion flares into an Easter parade of runway shows. Floaty floral outfits and pretty dresses from quality labels that ooze romantic style, parade on the catwalk of Denver’s Ephemera Fashion West Runway Show at ReelWorks March 27, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. That’s followed by seven nights of Denver Fashion Week with 250 models, April 3-10. Forbes Magazine has proclaimed the Valley’s annual spring showcase, “One of the fastest growing American fashion platforms.”
Spring Fashion Parade
LoDo-based fashion designer Brooks Luby whose outfits are on parade in this year’s Ephemera show, tells the Chronicle, “Soft, free flowing garments in neutral and bright colors are in this year.” Making women feel special for spring and summer since 1974 — the designer-couturier with a studio at 1616 14th St. — Luby adds, “Natural fabrics that are easy to wear and breathe in the heat of summer make women feel confident while being comfortable and stylish.” Information: 303-573-3801.
Then April kicks off Denver Fashion Week with a series of runway shows bringing together designers, models, stylists, and show-goers. Unique to Denver and the Cherry Creek Valley, this year’s events are at the Forney Museum of Transportation on Brighton Blvd. and Void Studios on S. Bannock St. Produced by 303 Magazine — a Denver online lifestyle daily — the event opens by bringing back its kids’ fashion show on April 3 from 3-6 p.m. at Void
Easter Beauty: This linen sheath dress by LoDo-based fashion designer Brooks Luby is perfect for Easter. It is seasonless, has pockets, and can go day to date night.
Studios. Introducing the fashion world to kids ages 8-13, the event will showcase some of the Valley’s top kids’ boutiques.
Designs featured on the following days during the week-long fashion event include Streetwear, Wardrobe, Local Couture, National-International, and Sustainable. The week concludes by showing lifestyle clothing lines from outlets at Castle Rock April 10, 4-8 p.m. Two days later on April 12, the Spring Brass Ring Luncheon-Fashion Show is at the Hilton City Center beginning at 10 a.m. The Children’s Diabetes Foundation fundraising event features LA-based designer Lourdes Chavez who worked for famous fashion house Travilla before launching her own line in 2000. Information: 303-863-1200.
Easter Shopping
Cherry Creek North is known for its fashion boutiques and Adornments at 2826 E. 3rd Ave. is recognized for its unique and artistic fashions. Ladies credit longtime staffer and now owner Consuelo Diaz-Nasios as having a discerning eye for fashionable and flattering cloth
Shopping Season: Cherry Creek boutique Adornments on E. 3rd Ave. is known for its unique and artistic fashions. Spring womenswear by Igor Dobranic — designer behind the IGOR fashion brand — is among spring selections on display, at right.
es. Information: 303-321-7992.
Offering a distinctive assortment of top women’s designer and contemporary collections from all over the world, MAX Clothing at 250 Columbine is considered one of the district’s style leaders. Information: 303-321-4949.
One of the Valley’s most iconic men’s and women’s specialty stores is Lawrence Covell established in 1967. Located at 225 Steele St., many fashion brands make their Colorado and, in some cases, national debut here. Whether you’re looking for preppy, eclectic, Bohemian, sexy, conservative, classic, or hipster they offer something special and different. Information: 303-320-1023.
Red Rock’s 75th Easter
Following a virtual service last year, the 75th Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rocks Amphitheatre — the most renowned sunrise service in the nation — will rise again as an in-person gathering on April 17. Gates open for the non-denominational service at 4:30 a.m., music begins an hour later, followed by worship service at 6 a.m.
Rockin’ Red Rocks Easter: Following a virtual service last year, the 75th Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rocks Amphitheatre will rise again as an in-person gathering on April 17. Gates open at 4:30 a.m., worship service begins at 6 a.m.
As the sun begins to rise above the naturally occurring geological phenomenon — this year at 6:19 a.m. — a capacity crowd is expected. The Colorado Council of Churches will again produce magnificent music and a stunning sermon that changes the jaw-dropping sunrise into a performance not to be missed.
The Rev. Dr. John Yu, lead pastor of Aurora’s True Light Community Church, will deliver this year’s gospel message in the dramatic setting. He is the 2022 president of the Pastors’ Assn. of Korean
Churches in Denver and serves on the National Caucus of Korean Presbyterian Churches. Information: 303-825-4910.
The Valley’s other major Sunrise Service is the Western States Easter Observance at the Denver Scottish Rite Masonic Consistory, 1370 Grant St., 6-9 a.m. Seating 500, the Consistory is a unique worship experience. Moreover, attendees can enjoy a hot breakfast in the Consistory’s dining room following the worship service. Information: 303-861-4261.
Scrambling For Eggs
Glendale Sport Center’s Easter Egg-stravaganza is at Infinity Park’s turf field April 9, 10 a.m. Bring your camera and Easter Basket for the free event that has three prize eggs with special surprises. Event features three age groups — ages 0-3, ages 4-6, and 7-13, all startin
Catwalk Glam: Flashy, flamboyant and feminine fashion flares into an Easter parade of runway shows this month. Photo is from Glam Night during a prior Denver Fashion Week. The seven nights of glamour with 250 models is April 3-10.
g at the same time. Information: 303-639-4711.
Stapleton’s annual Egg Scramble is April 9 at Runway 35, 10-11:30 a.m. Children ages 0-5 start at 10:05 a.m. with one parent allowed per child. The next wave is at 10:20 a.m. for ages 6 and older (parents not allowed). Event has an Easter bunny, food trucks, a magician, a balloon artist, and a face painter.
Cook Park Recreation Center hosts a Bunny Eggstravaganza on April 16 at the park on Cherry Creek S. Dr. from 10:20-10:50 a.m. Take pictures, play games, and go on an Easter egg hunt. Information: 720-865-3400.
