Theatre Aspen Named Aspen Chamber Resort Association's Non-Profit of the Year

The Aspen Chamber Resort Association awarded Theatre Aspen a Business of the Year Award at today's 2013 Wintersköl Luncheon awards ceremony. The honor recognizes a non-profit organization that has developed a close partnership with the Roaring Fork Valley community as a means to achieve its mission. There are over six hundred non-profits in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Receiving the award for the theatre, which this year also celebrates its 30th Anniversary Season, were outgoing board Presidents Melanie Sturm and Katherine Sand. Also attending were incoming board President Lisa Baker and Managing Director Emily Zeck.

Artistic Director Paige Price said, "This honor is especially meaningful to us, not only because we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary this year, but also because we were recognized for working with the community to accomplish our mission. I was sad to miss the ceremony, but so thrilled that we're starting our year on this high note!"

Tonight, Theatre Aspen School opens the Teen Conservatory production of The Drowsy Chaperone at the Aspen District Theatre. The show will run through this Sunday only. (Tickets are available at the Wheeler Box office at 970.920.5770 or at aspenshowtix.com).

The new Hurst Theatre is the setting for the 30th Anniversary season, which opens with the Tony Award-winning epic musical LES MISERABLES on June 25th. The summer also includes You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, based on the beloved comic strip "Peanuts," by Charles M. Schulz (July 10th - Aug 17th) and the one man comedy Fully Committed (July 5th - Aug 15th).

LES MISERABLES will be directed by another award winner, Mark Martino, who won the Carbonell Award in Florida, for directing and choreographing Crazy For You. Martino is a TA favorite for his productions of Little Shop of Horrors, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and last year's Avenue Q.

Multiple Emmy-Award winner Jay Sandrich will direct Fully Committed, by Becky Mode. The comedy is a one-man tour-de-force whirlwind, where one virtuosic actor portrays 40 characters. You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown is the third show for the season, to be directed by Artistic Director Paige Price, with choreography handled by Broadway veteran JoAnn M. Hunter.

Theatre Aspen was awarded the "Outstanding Regional Theatre" Henry Award in Denver in 2009 and Alison Luff won a Best Supporting Actress Denver Post Ovation Award for her work as Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Recent Ovation nominees included Joan Hess, Beth Malone, Aaron Rhyne, Julia Foran and Sandy Duncan.

For further information contact Theatre Aspen at 970-925-9313 x200 or www.theatreaspen.org.

Photo: Brands & Kribbs Architectural Photography

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