Last week Jeremy and I had the opportunity to attend the opening of “This Is Modern Art” at the Denver Center For The Performing Arts for very colorful date night out in Denver.  “This Is Modern Art” by Kevin Coval and Idris Goodwin is now showing at the Denver Center For The Performing Arts.

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.

Friday night we took some time to just US and enjoyed a night out in Denver for dinner and a show.  Over the last few months we have really enjoyed taking date night to theater.  Before we had kids we often went to local theaters with friends but then once date nights became fewer and fewer we often used our date nights for time to go to shopping, do home remodeling or just to dinner.  Now that kids are older, we are finding that it is easier to escape to the theater and we are loving it!

The most recent show we were invited to was called “This Is Modern Art”.  We started our date night at The Limelight Supper Club and Lounge in the Denver Center for The Performing Arts campus.  We love The Limelight, it is super convenient and has delicious food.  I for one ADORE the Mac n’ Cheese!  YUM!!  The best!

When I first read about “This Is Modern Art” I was really excited to see how they brought the art of Graffiti to the stage.  I knew it would be a super personal and engaging performance because it was being held in the Jones Theatre at the DCPA.  I know I have said it before but Denver is filled with some amazing theaters, especially on the DCPA campus.  All sizes, shapes and designs but the Jones Theater might be my favorite one.  It is small but not too small so the stage can be intricate and amazing and there is literally no bad seat in the house!

About This Is Modern Art

Graffiti crews are willing to risk anything for their art. Called vandals, criminals, even creative terrorists, Chicago graffiti artists set out night after night to make their voices heard and alter the way people view the world. But when one crew finishes the biggest graffiti bomb of their careers, the consequences get serious and spark a public debate asking, where does art belong? This Is Modern Art gives a glimpse into the lives of anonymous graffiti artists and asks us to question the true purpose of art.

By Kevin Coval and Idris Goodwin
Directed by Idris Goodwin

Change Your Idea of ART at “This Is Modern Art”

So the question is, “What would you risk to share your art?”  Through out this play I felt for these artists.  They are seen as criminals and not artists because their canvas’ are not in a museum.  Over the last few years we have seen this art more and more in Denver.  The graffiti art is being showcased through out the city and the artists and city are partnering.  Sure, this is the easy way for the art to be done but the fact is, this is art and following the three graffiti artists through their struggle was really interesting.

Most of the time when you think of art you think of the art that is in the museum but “This Is Modern Art” challenges you to look outside of the museum and see the art and skill around you.  What I loved about this performance was that they took the time to educate the audience on the history of graffiti and also showed how these artists LOVE art.

Have you thought about the question I asked, something you love to do, your passion, would you risk jail time, fines, falling from a ladder just for your craft?  This play showed the passion that I can only assume most if not all Graffiti artists feel.  To be clear, we are not talking about gang tagging, this is the art that the graffiti artists want to share with their community.

When you arrive to the show, make sure you take time to enjoy the amazing graffiti art in the lobby and on the stage.  Look around you, so much detail is shown in the art on the backdrop, curtains and stage.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IS MODERN ART:

REMAINING SHOWTIMES:

Tuesday March 27 – 6:30pm
Wednesday March 28 – 6:30pm
Thursday March 29 – 6:30pm
Friday March 30 – 7:30pm
Saturday March 31 – 1:30pm and 7:30pm
Thursday April 5 – 6:30pm
Friday April 6 – 7:30pm
Saturday April 7 – 7:30pm
Sunday April 8 – 1:30pm
Thursday April 12 – 6:30pm
Friday April 13 – 7:30pm
Saturday April 14 – 7:30pm
Sunday April 15 – 1:30pm

Purchase Your Tickets Here. 

ABOUT DENVER CENTER FOR 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.

Stay Social with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts:

This was a great way to spend a date night at the theater and it really brought a lot of fun discussion to our drive home about art and how the life of a graffiti artist is tested every day they are practicing their craft.  We would recommend this show to anyone that enjoys learning about art.  This story was so well done on the stage as well.  Very well done!

Do you and your family enjoy going to the theater?  I would love to hear what the last performance you experienced.