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A look at how we approach theatre criticism at OnStage Colorado, plus the week's Top 10 Colorado Headliners and a conversation with the Denver Theatre Ensemble.

In this episode of the OnStage Colorado Podcast, hosts Alex Miller and Toni Tresca turn the critical lens on themselves, digging into the craft — and the controversy — of writing honest theatre reviews. As Toni's criticism has grown sharper over five years of covering Colorado's stages, so has the response: from grateful notes to hurt feelings aired on social media. What does it mean to be kind and honest at the same time? And where is the line between candor and cruelty?

Toni also catches up on a busy stretch of shows: Steven Dietz's intricate Fiction at Three Leeches in Lakewood, the bracingly timely Just Like Us at Su Teatro, a strong but imperfect A Chorus Line at the Lakewood Cultural Center, and the world premiere of Nina Alice Miller's lyrical Daughtering from Dirty Fish Theatre at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder.

Later, Alex sits down with Rhianna DeVries and Tess Neel, the artistic director and producing director of Denver Theatre Ensemble — a young, DU-rooted company now in its third season and gearing up for an all-world-premieres lineup that includes a collaboration with Picnic Theatre Company in Steamboat Springs.

IN THIS EPISODE:
- Recent show catchup: Fiction, Just Like Us, A Chorus Line, Daughtering
- News: Arvada Center 2025-26 season announcement
- News: Yates Theatre in Denver's Berkeley neighborhood moves closer to reopening as a 300-seat indie cinema
- News: Can anyone make a living in theatre? A viral Facebook post sparks 115 comments
- Main topic: Theatre criticism — honesty, kindness, community theatre and editorial integrity
- Interview: Rhianna DeVries and Tess Neel, Denver Theatre Ensemble
- Top 10 Colorado Headliners

TOP 10 COLORADO HEADLINERS:
- Phantom of the Opera — Denver Center Buell Theatre, March 18-April 5
- Goodnight Moon — Parker Arts (stage production + Fiber Tale exhibit), through March 29
- Pen Pals — Theatre Aspen, March 20-21 only
- Little Women — Phamaly Theatre Company, Parsons Theatre, Northglenn, March 19-April 4
- The Cottage — OpenStage Theatre, Fort Collins, March 21-April 18
- Cheap Thrills — Telluride Theatre, Sheridan Opera House, March 20-21
- Proof — Magic Circle Players, Montrose, through March 28
- Bonnie & Clyde — Bright Heart Stages, The People's Building, Aurora, March 20-29
- Women's Theatre Festival — Millibo Art Theatre, Colorado Springs, through March 22
- Red Willow — Control Group Productions, South Platte Park, Littleton, March 20-April 4