Since 1960, Iron Springs Chateau’s seasons of cartoonishly chaotic, musical comedy shows have caught local attention and kept Coloradans sufficiently melodramatic.
The historic venue offers opportunities to catch dinner and one of five interactive melodramas, which cycle throughout the year.
Sharing the shows
Lori and Dolores Adams-Miller, the owners of Iron Springs Chateau, shared that every year’s lineup features a late June-October show, “Rocky Horror Picture Show Live!” in October, a Christmas melodrama, a Valentine’s Day murder mystery and an April or May-August show.
Lori Adams-Miller, who handles direction and production, shared that every show but “Rocky Horror Picture Show Live!” is “good for ages 2-102.”
Iron Springs Chateau is in the final days of their June-October show, titled “Crazy Daze at the Cabaret” or “That’s in My Wheelhouse.”
Lori Adams-Miller explained that the show includes a United States 250th/Colorado 150th anniversary olio to close out each night with variety-style contributions.
“We’ve got a lot of fun numbers and a tribute to the armed forces that closes the show. It’s a very nice olio. I love it,” Lori Adams-Miller said.
This show will run through Oct. 3, and tickets are still available for purchase on Iron Springs’ website.
A year-round cycle of dinner theater shows would be incomplete without a three-course meal. Dolores Adams-Miller, who focuses on front- and back-of-house, said that each meal is made fresh and paired with cocktail service.
The meal includes a garden salad, a choice of slow-roasted beef pot roast or herb-roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, rice pilaf, dinner rolls, green beans and fruit cobbler.
Vegetarian options are available, and those looking to request one can do so when making a reservation.
Dolores Adams-Miller added that the theater also offers bar service and concessions during shows.
Looking ahead: “Rocky Horror Picture Show Live!”
This marks the 13th year of “Rocky Horror Picture Show Live!” performances at Iron Springs Chateau, and every year, all six nights sell out by October.
This year is no exception; as of Sept. 12, all six shows are completely sold out.
These are shadow cast performances, during which performers act out a movie’s scenes while they are playing on screen behind them.
Hunter Greeno, who will play Dr. Frank-N-Furter in this year’s shows, said that aligning with the scenes is one of the most challenging parts of being in a shadow cast. He highlighted a seconds-long, quick-change post-dinner scene as being especially tricky.
“We’re trying to kind of mimic exactly what’s going on onscreen and keep that timing,” he said.
Greeno finds playing this nuanced character daring, especially with the passing of Tim Curry, the character’s originator.
He hopes to honor Curry with his upcoming performances and looks forward to experiencing the fun energy this year’s audiences will bring.
As in past years, one of Lori Adams-Miller’s missions is to keep the show fresh with an upgrade, which could look like anything from a new saxophone prop to an elevator made of baby gates.
The ultimate goal for all their shows is to create a fun, immersive production.
Tickets for these shadow cast shows go on sale every year at the start of September. Both owners emphasized that this event is most suitable for people aged 17 and older, as the movie and accompanying risqué Virgin Games feature mature themes.
Iron’s Encore
Iron Springs Chateau is always seeking new local actors and encourages anyone interested in joining them to email auditions@ironspringschateau.com.
Lori Adams-Miller said they add prospective auditioners who reach out to an email list, where they can receive more information on upcoming opportunities.
Those interested can find more information on Iron Springs Chateau by visiting their website. They also post select updates on Facebook and Instagram.
Cover photo provided by Iron Springs Chateau
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