PARKER: Weil, 107, to get Curious vetting

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Jack A. Weil, left, and Chip Walton, above.

Don't expect to see a 107-year-old actor portraying Rockmount Ranch Wear founder Jack A. Weil in this year's Denver Stories, the third annual fundraiser for Curious Theatre Co.

Curious honcho Chip Walton is pretty sure an actor that age doesn't exist.

Instead, Walton will likely cast a middle-aged actor and let him tell snippets in the long life of America's oldest CEO.

"The challenge with him will be how to tell 107 years of his story in 10 to 15 minutes," Walton said about this year's collection of vignettes that will include life stories of former City Council President Elbra Wedgeworth, Denver Art Museum CEO Lewis Sharp and Cuba Cuba restaurant owner Kristy Socarras Bigelow.

For two years, Denver Stories has celebrated the lives of local characters who have helped shape our city. Bigelow, a first- generation Cuban-American, was chosen because she's not only a Curious supporter, but the play needs to include a restaurateur willing to cater the preshow party.

Wedgeworth was tapped for the play because of her pivotal part in the upcoming Democratic National Convention and her efforts to land the convention here.

"Elbra was a no-brainer," Walton said. "She's been such a big part of Denver politics for so long."

Walton said Sharp's story will give a nod to the man who oversaw the addition of the Hamilton Building to the Denver Art Museum. "The story of the Hamilton wing has been at the forefront of our community for the past couple of years," Walton said.

Tickets start at $100 per person; VIP box seats are $2,500. More info: curioustheatre.org or the box office, 303-623-0524.

CHRISTOU CLUB: Denver nightclub king Regas Christou knows when a club concept needs to change it up. That's why he's turning the 2-year-old The Shelter, 1037 Broadway, into Bar Standard, a speak-easy- themed club that opens in a remodeled space at 9 p.m. March 28.

"The inspiration behind the new club look is art deco," said Veronica Smith, Christou's spokeswoman. The building, where Bronco Darrent Williams was last seen before he was killed in a drive-by shooting early New Year's Day 2007, will still house Milk nightclub downstairs.

Bar Standard, a 21-and-older speak-easy, will include a Juice Joint happy-hour lounge starting April 2. The new club will feature house DJs as well as national acts on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. More info: coclubs.com.

LAUGH TRACKS: Stand-up comedian Carlos Mencia, star of Comedy Central's Mind of Mencia, brings his act to Red Rocks Amphitheatre beginning at 7:30 p.m. July 26. Tix on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at ticketmaster.com or 303-830-TIXS.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman at Paul Garcia's salon talking to someone in Hawaii: "I don't need any macadamia nuts. I may as well tape them to my butt."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMoun tainNews.com.