Disclosure: Denver Center for the Performing Arts provided us with media tickets in exchange for our honest review, no other compensation has been provided. All opinions are my own.
This time of the year is busy, every day there is something on our calendar but even through out all of those plans it is still so important to take time to go on a date. We are incredibly lucky to live in Colorado. There is so much to do in our state and especially in Denver.
A few days ago Jeremy and I had the honor of attending one of our favorite shows, The Santaland Diaries, at the Jones Theater at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Have you heard of the Santaland Diaries? AH! So fun! We decided to make a night of it and really enjoy our kid free night on the town at the theater.
About Denver Center For The Performing Arts:
There are eight theatres within the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Each has a unique personality to match the diverse plays, musicals and shows that happen inside. Explore our stages and find your seat — before the lights go down. They are best known for the touring Broadway shows and Tony-winning theatre. The whole complex is simply amazing, theater and art surrounds you.
The complex has ample parking and some great options for making your trip to the theater perfect. There are restaurants, bars, and coffee cafes in walking distance. We opted for the Limelight Supper Club for dinner before our show.
About Limelight Supper Club and Lounge:
This chic, modern venue, centrally-located within the Denver Center for Performing Arts, is a popular gathering place for theater attendees and downtown diners alike. Serving dinner on performance days, as well as brunch prior to weekend matinées, it is perhaps most popular for a quick intermission cocktail. Guests are even allowed to carry a glass of wine back to the lobby of their theatres!
As you can see, the food is simply amazing. Now, one tip. If you are a Mac & Cheese lover like me you must ask for the delicious Mac & Cheese – four cheese béchamel. To die for!! It is not on the dinner menu but you can ask for it, enjoy this dish with chicken or shrimp. Perfect comfort food for a cold evening date.
Learn more about Limelight Supper Club and Lounge and make your reservation here.
Ticket Price: Starting at $25. Prices vary by date and availability.
Age Recommendation: 16+. Recommended for mature audiences due to language and subject matter.
Advisory: For mature audiences due to language and subject matter. Strobe lighting effects are used approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes into the show.
Once we were finished with our meal we took a walk through the complex to our theater. The complex is decorated so nicely for the holidays. It really adds to the experience. It was so fun to see everyone dressed in their holiday dresses going to all of the great shows at the DCPA.
The Story of The Santaland Diaries:
Looking for a little more snark in your stocking? Crumpet the Elf returns for more hilarious hijinks in this acclaimed one-man show based on stories by David Sedaris. Crumpet’s twisted tales from his stint in Macy’s SantaLand are the cure for the common Christmas show. Release your holiday stress, get all of those obnoxious carols out of your head and check out even more late night options this year.
David Sedaris first read his essay on NPR in 1992 and when it was so well received the essay grew into more “shows”. This incredible one man show has you laughing the entire time. Mostly because it is all TRUTH.
The setting at The Jones theater at the DCPA is perfect for this type of show. The actor gets the crowd involved….a few lucky people are singled out too! ha! Thankfully….I was not one of them. When you first walk into the theater you are offered a elfin training name – Jeremy and I were named “Earmuffs and Gingersnap” for the evening. Kind of a fun little addition to our date night. It is fun stepping outside of the normal date nights and enjoy something so creative and silly.
Our experience was perfect. My cheeks hurt after the show from laughing and smiling the whole time. The whole theater gets into this show, creative holiday beverages are available at the bar, the lobby is decorated like Santaland, the ushers are acting as elves, the bathrooms are hysterical (seriously) and the overhead music has you thinking back to your childhood.
General Information:
Run Time: 90 minutes with no intermission; Bar opens 45 minutes before showtime and closes 5 minutes before the performance begins. (BRING CASH)
Ticket Price: Starting at $25. Prices vary by date and availability.
Age Recommendation: 16+. Recommended for mature audiences due to language and subject matter.
Advisory: For mature audiences due to language and subject matter. Strobe lighting effects are used approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes into the show.
There is plenty of time to get in on this show before the end of its running this season. Some of these times are pretty full but keep in mind that the Jones Theater literally has NO bad seat in the theater. It is small and intimate so even with a full crowd you will be in the perfect seats.
The Santaland Diaries remaining shows:
Saturday December 9 – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Sunday December 10 – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Tuesday December 12 – 7:00pm
Wednesday December 13 – 7:00pm
Thursday December 14 – 7:00pm
Friday December 15 – 7:00pm & 10:00pm
Saturday December 16 – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Sunday December 17 – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Tuesday December 19 – 7:00pm
Wednesday December 20- 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Thursday December 21 – 7:00pm
Friday December 22 – 7:00pm & 10:00pm
Saturday December 23 – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Sunday December 24 – 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Buy Tickets here.
So, are you ready to enjoy a silly play all about the world of Santaland? Add this to your holiday traditions. You deserve to escape from the hustle and bustle and laugh out loud!
Stay Social with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts:
What is your favorite holiday themed show to see at the theater?
What a fun night out! I love David Sedaris, so I'm sure I'd love this show!
I have not heard of the Santa Land Diaries. I haven't been to a live show in a long time. It sounds like you guys had a fun date night.
I haven’t heard of this, but I’d love to go! We love to go to plays and other shows to get in the Christmas spirit.
I have not heard of that! Looks like a fun date night and that's something we try and do often. Will have to tell my friends in your area…
That looks like such a fun and festive date night! I think it would be awesome to live in Colorado during the holiday season. I was born there, but we left when I was just a month old. Santaland Diaries looks like a fun show!
That looked like a wonderful meal! Nothing beats an experience like this once in a while. I would love to visit this place sometime!
Sounds like a really fun holiday date night. We love going to holiday shows and really getting into the Christmas spirit. It's nice to know there's a nice family show for people to enjoy in Denver.
What fun idea for a date night, especially with its holiday theme. Most of the time these types of events are geared toward kids, so it's so neat that they have something that adults can enjoy on their own. Love it!