Dates & Times

The Cake: Playbill

Click here to download a digital copy of Curious’ playbill!

ABOUT THE PLAY AND PLAYWRIGHT
Learn about the play, the playwright, and what makes “The Cake” so important to today. 

Bakers Who Won’t Make Gay Wedding Cakes May Have Feelings Too
An interview from NewNowNext with playwright Bekah Brunstetter that delves in to why this play is important for both sides, as well as a look into her internal struggle of writing this play as a cishet person.

Video on why Bekah Brunstetter wrote this play
A brief interview clip with Bekah Brunstetter that features her discussion on why she chose to tackle a play that attempts to de-villainize conservative viewpoints.

The Cake – A Well-Executed, Tasty, Bittersweet Baked Food for Savoring Thought
This Broadway World review examines the original run of the play and presents this play as a vehicle for exploring an issue that isn’t so black-and-white as it may seem.

POLARIZATION & TRIBALISM IN TODAY’S AMERICA
Our nation is more divided than ever, according to many national surveys. This play explores the perceived and real divide between urban liberals and rural conservatives in a human way.

Rural and Urban Americans, Equally Convinced the Rest of the Country Dislikes Them
This New York Times piece explores a recent Pew Research Center survey as well as changing voter registrations.

How Identity, Not Issues, Explains the Partisan Divide
This fascinating article explores how partisanship is increasingly divisive: “U.S. liberals and conservatives not only disagree on policy issues: they are also increasingly unwilling to live near each other, be friends, or get married to members of the other group.”

Donald Trump won 76% of counties w/ a Cracker Barrel & 22% of counties w/ a Whole Foods — a 54% gap. In ’92, gap b/t same counties was 19%.
Tweet from noted electoral college researcher Dave Wasserman, U.S. House editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report & FiveThirtyEight and NBCNews contributor.

The Wilderness: Chapter 6 – The Big We
Podcast from Crooked Media on how and if Democratic Party can build a multiracial coalition that adds up to an electoral majority, exploring geographic and ideological differences.

THE SUPREME COURT CASE
Background on the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission legal case.

Masterpiece Cakeshop FAQ
Created by ACLU, this fact sheet gives a brief overview of the most recent ruling and looks to the future of laws that prevent discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

Court Rules Narrowly for Baker in Same-Sex Wedding Cake Case
This opinion article discusses the reasoning and politics surrounding the Supreme Court ruling in June 2018.

Masterpiece Cakeshop V. Colorado Civil Rights Commission
ACLU provides an overview of the case and provides legal documents and other resources on what one needs to know about the case.

SCOTUSbrief Cartoon Recap of the Case
This animated video walks you through the history of the case.

Same-Sex Couple Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling
CNN interviews the couple on their thoughts shortly after the most recent ruling in June 2018.

SCOTUS Same-Sex Wedding Cake Decision: How Both Sides Say They Got Here Today
ABCNews video that interviews both sides of the case and provides insight on their individual views. 

GET INVOLVED – DENVER RESOURCES
Denver resources that are centered around social justice, especially for LGBTQ+ people.

ACLU – Colorado
This organization works diligently to provide civil rights for all people and were heavily involved in Charlie and Dave’s case.

One Colorado
Leading advocacy organization for Colorado’s LGBTQ+ people and their families.

The Center
Wonderful resources and support for the LGBTQ+ community in Denver.

HRC
The Human Rights Campaign fights for LGBTQ+ rights on various platforms.

Colorado LGBT Bar Association
Voluntary professional association that provides LGBTQ+ presence to Colorado’s legal community.

Denver Public Library Recommends:

Read

Cake by Maira Kalman. Author Maira Kalman, illustrator of The Elements of Style among others,  takes on the foodie memoir by charmingly documenting the cakes that have meant the most to her in her life. From the “elegant” lemon pound cake with lemon glaze to simple and heartwarming gingerbread cake let Kalman and baker Barbara Scott-Goodman teach you how to cake.

Watch

Great British Baking Show. Seasons 1-5 We owe many thanks to The Great British Bake Off, which has finally given us a friendly reality TV competition and is also responsible for a home baking revival keeping us all in sweets and savories. If you fancy yourself a baker, this TV series will inspire you to see what new tricks you can get up to. And for the rest of us, there is always the eating, because we’re all winners when someone is baking showstoppers for the fun of it, whether it be cakes, biscuits, or puddings!

Listen

Then comes marriage: United States v. Windsor and the defeat of DOMA by Roberta Kaplan and Lisa Dickey. Edie and Thea lived a rich life full of love for forty beautiful years. Unfortunately, when Thea died, the United States failed to recognise their wedding vows, costing Edie hundreds of thousands of dollars in estate taxes. Written by the lawyer who represented Edie in an unprecedented Supreme Court case, this compelling eAudiobook is as much about the decision that resulted in marriage equality for a nation as it is about acceptance, love, and overcoming discrimination.

Download

Gluten-Free Living magazine from RBDigital. Like Della, do you think that gluten-free cakes taste like “the back of my mouth after I have a good cry?” If so, expand your taste buds to the possibility of yummy gluten-free recipes, found in Gluten-Free Living magazine available to download from RBDigital with your library card! All types of recipes are included but if your sweet tooth has control of your brain, check the May/June 2018 issue for a strawberry shortcake that’s to drool for.

What is the runtime of this show?
The runtime is 1 hour and 40 minutes. There will be no intermission.

Is there an intermission?
No intermission for this show.

Are there any advisories I should know about?
There are no stage effects of potential concern for The Cake.

Curious offers an advisory about any stage effect of potential concern to patrons’ health. We don’t offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any concerns about content or language, please contact the box office.

Can I bring my kids?
We require that audience members find alternative activities for children under 6 years of age. In addition, our material may not be appropriate for young people under 14 years of age. We will gladly discuss subject matter with parents or guardians before the performance in order to make an informed decision for you and your child. Before purchasing tickets, please email or call our Box Office at 303.623.0524.

Where can I park?
Curious is pleased to offer various options for complimentary parking on performance days: the Denver Community Credit Union parking lot directly across the street; the lot directly adjacent to our theatre; on-street parking along Acoma. Please make sure to pick up a parking permit from our Box Office if you wish to park in either lot. Note that these lots are only available for the two hours before a performance and one hour following; Curious does not own either lot and the owners will tow vehicles left past midnight.

Is Curious wheelchair accessible?
Yes. However, due to the age of our building (1890s!), there are a few quirks to our accessibility. When buying tickets, know that Rows F & G are fully wheelchair accessible and all seats are removable. All seats on the orchestra level of the theatre are accessible to those with mobility concerns, however, the other rows of the orchestra do involve a small step up and the seats are fixed. The balcony of Curious is only accessible by stairs. Know that the bar for Curious is located in the balcony; however, Curious staff are eager to assist you by serving you from your seat should you have mobility concerns that prevent you from stairs.

The front entry of Curious is stairs-only, so those with mobility concerns or in a wheelchair may enter the building through the double red doors on the south side of the building (where you will also find accessible parking spaces) beginning 30 minutes before the show. Please let the ushers or staff know that you have arrived so we may greet you if we miss you slipping in.

May I eat/drink in the theatre?
You bet! Our bar is on the balcony level and carries wine, beer, and bourbon in addition to treats, chips, coffee, water, and soft drinks. All are permitted in your seats, although we ask that you unwrap any candy before the show begins.

Where do I pick up my tickets?
If you have selected Will Call for your tickets, they will be available at the Box Office one hour prior to the show. If you selected Print-at-Home, simply print out the PDF that was emailed to you or show that attachment on your phone to the ushers when you arrive, no need to see the box office.

Can I change my tickets to another performance?
Usually, yes. If you know your dates have changed, do contact us as soon as possible to ensure comparable seats are available for your new date. Sometimes our shows do sell out and occasionally an entire run will sell out. So it is always best to call early with a change.

What if I arrive late?
Patrons who arrive late will be seated at the discretion of the House Manager, and may not be seated in their assigned seats until intermission. In the event that a performance runs without an intermission, latecomers will be seated in a location that will not disrupt the performers or other audience members. We reserve the right to deny admission to latecomers when a performance has been running for 15 minutes or more.

Will the show go on in a snowstorm?
Curious will make every possible attempt to continue with a scheduled performance in inclement weather. However, in the VERY RARE case that local authorities deem it unsafe, we will alert all patrons of the cancelled performance and reschedule you following our return to normal operations. Should you feel personally unsafe driving in weather, you are encouraged to call the box office to move to a later performance if one is available.

Is it cold/hot in the theatre?
While we make every attempt to ensure our patrons and performers are comfortable in our space, Curious is in a church built in the 1890s; we have no A/C or central air (although we do have two swamp coolers and radiant heat). Temperature control can be a challenge in the extreme cold or extreme heat of Colorado. We encourage you to wear light layers to ensure your comfort.

Do you offer group discounts?
Yes! Call the box office to get a quote for the performance you would like to attend. Discounts vary by performance. As a general rule, bigger discounts are given for Thursday evening performances early in the run of a show.

How can I become a volunteer?
Call or email the box office for information on joining our volunteer corps.

Can I get the program ahead of time?
Yes. About one week before the show opens, you can find our full program in the Go Deeper section.

In Media

• Review: The Cake Serves a Sweet Slice of Life...With the Bitter Taste of Prejudice

  by Juliet Wittman

  When she’s approached by the daughter of a dear friend and asked to bake a wedding cake, confectioner Della is delighted. Her friend died some five years earlier, she loves this girl, Jen — whom she knew as Jenny — and the two haven’t seen each other for some time. But then Della learns that Jen’s intended is a woman, Macy, and her delight freezes into panic. Deeply religious, she simply cannot grant Jen’s request.

• Theater Review: The Cake

  by Beki Pineda

  A production that is especially meaningful to Denver audiences, this script offers a variation on the Masterpiece Bakery case involving a local baker’s refusal to bake the wedding cake for a same sex couple. This real life scenario has been acted out all over the country as same sex couples try to procure services for their ceremonies. This wedding drama is moved to a small North Carolina town and involves a female couple as opposed to a male duo from Denver.

• The Cake

  by Bob Bows

  Director Chip Walton keeps the pace brisk, and while the script pushes the boundaries of a one-act, at 107 minutes, we agree that uninterrupted momentum is important here. Excellent craft work from the company's design team.

• Opening the Curtain on the Fall 2018 Theater Season

  by Juliet Wittman

  Curious artistic director Chip Walton has been focusing on politically relevant scripts for years, the theater always mounts strong productions, the cast is excellent, and I’m anxious to see this crucial human-rights issue explored and humanized.

• The Play 'The Cake' At Curious Theatre Puts Real-Life Headlines On The Stage

  by Stephanie Wolf

  A new play opening this week at Curious Theatre Company takes cues from the Masterpiece Cakeshop case and other controversial clashes between business owners and LGBTQ customers.

• ‘The Cake’ At a Time When They Just Won’t Let Them Eat Cake

  by John Moore

  Denver’s Curious Theatre Company opens its 2018-19 season on Saturday with a timely new play called The Cake, which was inspired by the Colorado-based Masterpiece Cakeshop case that recently went before the Supreme Court.

• The Curious Theater Company’s The Cake Fosters Conversation in a Sweet Way

  by Meghan McCloskey Boydston

  Talking about controversial issues doesn’t seem so hard when it’s paired with comedy and confection. That’s why The Cake, a play featured at Denver’s Curious Theater Company, is good for both the mind and the stomach.

• Tall Tales: "The Cake" At Denver's Curious Theatre Company, A Review

  by Mark Stevens

  At The Curious Theatre Company, as directed by Chip Walton, “The Cake” is a many-layered story that concerns itself primarily with the delicate and changing relationship between cake shop owner Della and her late friend’s daughter, Jen. Della knew Jen as “Jenny” before she moved to New York. Now, Jen is back in North Carolina now, with dreams of a “fairy tale” wedding to her partner, Macy.