Month: October 2021

October Oddities | LC Staff Picks

It’s spooky season! Get hyped for Halloween with these hair-raising hits.

Read below to find out why our staff chose these songs then check out our Spotify playlist to listen on repeat.

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“This is Halloween” by Danny Elfman [from Tim Burton’s – The Nightmare Before Christmas]

“Though this comes from a Disney movie, I just feel like it so eloquently captures the essence of Halloween and this spooky time of year. From fang-toothed vampires to bloodthirsty clowns, this titular song from the Halloween classic really brings out the shock and fun that is anything Tim Burton. All hail the Pumpkin King, Sally, and of course ghost-dog Zero!” —Eddie

“Spooky” by Dusty Springfield

“My favorite song at the moment is ‘Spooky’ by Dusty Springfield. It’s jazzy and fun, and I’ll definitely be playing it at my Halloween-themed wedding next year!” —Rachael

“Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo

“It was the first song that came to mind! ” —Deedee

“Monster Mash” by Bobby (Boris) Pickett

“This song instantly transports me back to the awesome Halloween parties the family of my childhood best friend would throw every year—complete with apple bobbing, a fortune teller, jello brains and so much more.” —Taylor

“Frankenstein” by The Edgar Winter Group

“This monstrous song could serve as the backdrop for the Swiss doctor’s lab as he throws switches, turns dials, and commands life back into the creature.” —Ben

“Pet Sematary” by Ramones

“I would love to tell you some deep-cut trivia about Stephen King or the Ramones, but the truth is I have a twelve-hour Halloween Playlist and when I randomized it this was the first song that came up. The next classic cuts were DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s ‘Nightmare on My Street’, The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies’ ‘Dr. Bones’, and Van Halen’s ‘Runnin’ With the Devil’.  You can listen to the whole thing here.“—Jack

“Spooky, Scary Skeletons” (Dma Illan Trap Remix)

“Since coming of age, Halloween has evolved for me. Don’t get me wrong, I still love going Trick or Treating with my little cousins or friends’ siblings, but now I live for the costume parties: everyone dressing up, dancing, playing games, and having a good time. This remix of a classic is the perfect song to get down to in your spookiest attire.” —Todd

“Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon

“One of my go-to Halloween songs.” —Deedee

“Run Boy Run” by Woodkid

“It’s always captured those spooky vibes for me and showcased hope on the horizon no matter how desperate the odds are!” —DJ

“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder

“The reason I like it is because my grandmother was extremely superstitious. She would not directly hand you salt. You had to put it down on the table first. She passed this on to my mother and every once in a while we still try to hand her the salt shaker. If you drop any, then immediately you have to throw it over your shoulder. Strange I know.” —Liz

“Skeleton Sam” by LVCRAFT

“I really enjoy this song because of its fun, upbeat tempo! It reminds me of a song that would play at a Halloween party! I enjoy most of LVCRAFTs music because it’s all pretty Halloween based and really puts me in the spooky spirit!” —Tessa

“Egg Man” by The Beastie Boys

“Although this song isn’t spooky, it is an egg-cellent pick for a Halloween playlist! Pure ridiculousness about ‘throwing the yolk,’ the Beastie Boys shell out another song that is guaranteed to crack you up. So watch out, ‘Come Halloween, you know I come strapped / I throw it at a sucker…’k-pap.'” —Victoria

“I Put a Spell On You” from Hocus Pocus

“Hocus Pocus is one of my all-time favorite spooky season movies. It’s iconic, just like this song.” —Taylor

“Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler

“I just recently heard that it was intended to be a vampire love song (read more about that here). Also, I have loved this song since its release!” —Deedee

“Come Little Children” performed by Erutan

“A very good spooky vibe.” —DJ

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Cause for Claws

Celebrate the return of the smash-hit musical CATS with your donation of much-needed items for our feline friends. Benefiting Animal Friends Alliance, The Lincoln Center’s Cause for Claws supply drive will take place Oct. 16–Nov. 13, in conjunction with the Broadway national tour of CATS, playing The Lincoln Center Nov. 11–13. This claw-some musical tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball.

For many years during the giving season, The Lincoln Center has been holding annual donation drives to benefit local charities. “The Lincoln Center is a gathering place for the community,” says Jack Rogers, The Lincoln Center Director “and nothing connects us more as a community than pitching in to help ease a shared community burden.” According to Rogers, picking an organization to partner with this year was easy. “Here we are, about to celebrate the return of CATS, one of the most beloved musicals of all time, so partnering with a beloved organization that’s dedicated to the care and well-being of cats in our community just made sense.”

Animal Friends Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive companion animal resources, services and education to the community to prevent pet homelessness and promote the human-animal bond. Animal Friends Alliance’s services include a limited-admission, adoption-guarantee shelter for cats and dogs, subsidized sterilization and vaccination clinic and kibble pantry for pet guardians in need. Since its founding in 2006, Animal Friends Alliance has found homes for more than 33,000 cats and dogs and the clinic has performed over 77,000 spay/neuter surgeries. More information can be found at SavingAnimalsToday.org.

“We hope audiences and theatre-lovers will enjoy the fantastic CATS on stage and feel inspired to help real-life cats in need,” says Animal Friends Alliance Executive Director, Sarah Swanty. “Thank you to The Lincoln Center for including Animal Friends Alliance and using this performance to support animals and people in our community.”

Donations by all community members are welcome and tickets to performances are not required for drop off. Items requested for the Cause for Claws supply drive are cat litter (clumping or non-clumping), canned cat/kitten food, dry cat/kitten food, liquid dish soap, hand soap, paper towels, bleach, HE laundry detergent pods (no liquid detergent), plastic zip ties and trash bags (drawstring 13 & 33-gallon sizes).

Anyone wishing to donate items during the Cause for Claws supply drive can drop them off at The Lincoln Center, located at 417 W. Magnolia Street in Fort Collins during Lincoln Center Business Hours which vary but include Tues-Sat, noon-6 p.m. and one hour prior to or during performances.

Magical, Fantastical Jellicle CATS

Jellicle cats come one, come all…Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball!

If you hear the words “Jellicle cat” and are thinking to yourself, “What on Earth is that?” Then you’ve come to the right place, you curious cat! We at The Lincoln Center know a thing or two about how Cats, the smash musical sensation, came to be.

Our story begins in the 1930s when famed poet T.S. Eliot first penned poems to his godchildren about the secret lives of Jellicle cats. In the poem “The Song of the Jellicles,” Jellicle cats are described as commonly nocturnal black and white, scruffy cats that like to gather at an event called the “Jellicle Ball”. Later collected into Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, these poems would become a favorite of the future Broadway musical legend Andrew Lloyd Weber.

While making a name for himself with musical smash hits like Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, Lloyd Weber kept the book of feline poems close to heart because he knew that there was something magical about those silly verses that centered around disappearing kitties and pirate prowlers. Then, Lloyd Weber began writing songs using the poems and lyrics as an exercise.

Over the decades since Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats was published, many have asked for the rights, not the least of which was Disney. Unimpressed with their concept, T.S. Eliot would refuse and that paved the path for a very different cat-themed movie we know today as The Aristocats.

When Lloyd Weber asked T.S. Eliot’s widow, Valerie, for the rights, she responded “You realize, don’t you, that Tom turned down Disney?” To Eliot, the cats in his poems were street cats; not the loveable, cuddly creations that Disney would ultimately make them. Lloyd Weber told Valerie that his vision was less Disney, and a little more like the modern-dancing, Lycra-bodysuit-wearing aesthetic of Sarah Brightman & Hot Gossip’s “I Lost My Heart to Starship Trooper.” She felt that her late husband would have loved that and granted the rights.

Even with that win, Cats was not a done deal. Funding was short, and Lloyd Weber had to take a second mortgage out on this house to complete his passion project. Everything was stacked against Cats hitting the stage, from financial pressures to rewrites of song lyrics just before opening night. Even harder, there was no plot connecting the poems.

It was hard for people to believe in a musical that functioned more as a dance review than a story. It didn’t even have a power ballad, a prerequisite for any hit on Broadway.

These two problems would be solved by an unpublished poem called “Grizabella the Glamour Cat.” Centering around a cat so grizzled she surprises people that she’s still alive, the poem was deemed too sad for children and not included in the original collection. However, in her character, Lloyd Weber saw a much-needed cathartic release for the show.

Thus, the plot was introduced: The Jellicle Cats gather for a Jellicle Ball, where they all vie to be the next cat sent to the Heaviside Layer. The ostracized Grizabella would ultimately be the one chosen after she belts out the now-classic song “Memories.”

Largely, the plot is a framework for the cats to show off their skills and talents, whether it’s Mr. Mistoffelees’ predilection for magic, the willful Rum Tum Tugger’s deliberate contrariness, or Jennyanydots masterful control of the mice and cockroaches. What results is a delightfully playful show filled with the highest level of dance and vocal skill ever performed.

The show’s longevity both on London’s West End where it ran for over 21 years and on Broadway with an 18-year run is a testament to its power to mesmerize audiences. Come experience the magical and fantastical Jellicle Ball and meet all the diverse personalities and individual talents of the Jellicle cats yourself November 11-13 at The Lincoln Center. Seats from $20 at LCtix.com.

 

Cue the Lights for a Comedy Kick-Off

It’s been over a year and a half since The Lincoln Center has been able to present a full season of shows. Now, as The LC readies to kick off the 2021–22 season on October 16 with The Daily Show Writers Comedy Tour, the anticipation of having the halls abuzz again with uproarious laughter is almost unbearable. And that excitement definitely isn’t one-sided. 

“Audiences are looking forward to going out more than ever,” says Kat Radley, one of four featured comedians set to take the stage. “I think people are just excited to be out in the world again, especially being in a place where they can laugh and be encouraged to laugh.”

Joined by fellow The Daily Show writers and stand-up comedians Joe Opio, Randall Otis and Matt Koff, The Daily Show Writers Comedy Tour delivers a diversity of talent and comedic viewpoints.

“We come from really different perspectives and backgrounds,” says Radley, “so our jokes all tend to be really different. We do talk about our life experiences and we craft our jokes based on our view of the world. I think audiences really appreciate that because they get to see four really different and distinct comics in one show.”

“I think that’s something pretty unique about the tour, especially when you hear our more personal jokes that we don’t get an opportunity to tell on The Daily Show.”

And what of Radley’s sense of humor? She describes it as a little edgy, but also kind of welcoming. “I hope I can make audiences feel comfortable while I’m on stage.” 

Whether making fun of their own failed dating lives, living life as cat owners, or poking fun at current politics, these Emmy-nominated writers promise to deliver the same laughs that have made The Daily Show the longest-running program in Comedy Central history. 

One might wonder, with the cancellation of performances all over the world and the absence of audiences from late-night shows, what toll the pandemic has taken on comedy. Unsurprisingly, things have changed. At The Daily Show, the jokes are presented at a much “faster pace” to repurpose the time typically anticipated for live-audience laughter.

“I feel like we’re still experiencing what comedy is becoming and what it will become,” says Radley. “I think the pandemic has given comics and audiences alike more appreciation for comedy because we went a while without it. I think we realize how important comedy is for our health and happiness.”

Don’t miss the chance to see four brilliant comedians at The Daily Show Writers Comedy Tour on October 16 as The Lincoln Center kicks off its first show of the new season. Tickets are on sale now with seats starting at $15 at LCtix.com.

This show may contain mature content and/or language. 

Safely Coming Together Again

As we prepare to begin a new season of performances at The Lincoln Center, we want to assure you that your health and safety are important to us. We realize that it has been well over a year and a half since some of our loyal patrons have been members of a physical audience. Although many of you have expressed unbridled excitement to get back into the theater, we know preparing to step back into our venue may come along with some trepidation. We’re here to set your minds at ease.

As a City of Fort Collins facility, The Lincoln Center works closely with federal, state and local public health officials to monitor community health impacts related to COVID-19. Following current guidelines, no requirements exist for event entry or attendance to The LC LIVE series or other City presented events. However, face coverings or masks are strongly encouraged in The Lincoln Center regardless of vaccination status. It’s also good to note that The Lincoln Center is not currently open to the public and entry into the venue is limited to those attending a ticketed or scheduled event.

We feel it is also important that we mention that many performances and events that take place at The Lincoln Center are presented by private producers and organizations. At their own discretion, these event organizers may stipulate requirements for entry such as masks, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of negative COVID-19 testing. Performances with these specific types of requirements for entry will be clearly stated on the show’s event page on the LCtix website.

Beyond entry, we have spent the last year and a half making sure that The Lincoln Center is the safest gathering space in the region, and we want you to feel good about attending events here. Let us assure you that The Lincoln Center meets all current public health orders and guidelines and we’ve been busy implementing some new policies and technologies for your safety as well. Here are just a few of the things we are doing to keep you and our community safe as we welcome you back.

A Breath of Fresh Air – We have increased the frequency of our air exchange; currently, our HVAC system exchanges inside air with fresh outside air every 10 minutes.

Keeping it Clean – With the help of electrostatic sprayers, the latest in cleaning technology­, a deep cleaning of all venue surfaces and spaces takes place daily. In high-traffic areas, restrooms, and other significant touchpoints, sanitization takes place more frequently.

Clean Hands, Safe Hands – Touchless hand sanitizer stations have been positioned at all entrances/exits and high-traffic areas throughout our venue for patrons to use.

Scan and Go – To maintain a limited-touch environment and to minimize close contact with others, The Lincoln Center has implemented the use of brand new, touchless ticket scanners. Now you can just scan your mobile, print-at-home, or hard tickets and enter the theater without directly approaching an usher.

Get with the Program – Our performance programs have gone digital. Easily access your program from your mobile device to minimize person-to-person contact while giving you the ability to peruse show and theatre information in an easy-to-navigate format.

Get out of Line – To prevent long lines and limit person-to-person contact, we encourage limiting in-person Box Office interactions whenever possible by purchasing tickets online at LCtix.com and by selecting mobile or print-at-home ticket delivery as opposed to Will Call pick up.

This list highlights just some of the things we are doing to keep you and our community safe. You can find even more information on our website at LCtix.com/health-and-safety. Here too, you can find the most up-to-date information and because things can change rapidly, it’s a great resource to visit just prior to your scheduled performance.

To say that we are excited to be safely coming together again would be a huge understatement. We’re practically bursting with anticipation at the thought of having the venue bustling and buzzing again with patrons as excited to get back into the theater as we are. Now cue the lights! It’s curtains up!