============================================= *** R O C K Y M O U N T A I N H I G H *** ============================================= The John Denver Internet Fan Club Monthly Newsletter April 2002 Editor: Emily M. Parris ============================================= http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@sky.net ============================================= Table of Contents April 2002 * Issue #96 * * * John Denver Events..............................2 Reviews of ALMOST HEAVEN: "Musical About John Denver Strikes Heavenly Chord" - Rocky Mountain News................3 9News.com Review of "Almost Heaven"...........4 "ALMOST HEAVEN is Sweetness and Might" by John Moore * Denver Post 4/1/02..........4 Lucy Fritz....................................6 Rocky Mountain News - Play Time Section.......7 John Denver Inducted into the Colorado Performing Arts Hall of Fame..................8 JD Notes/Want Ads/For Sale......................8 * * * Rocky Mountain High's JOHN DENVER TRIVIA CHALLENGE The Rocky Mountain High John Denver Internet Fan Club now has online a John Denver Trivia Game for you to play. It has 20 multiple choice questions about John and will be updated frequently to update your knowledge of John and his career. See how much you know! Check it out at... http://pub.alxnet.com/quiz?id=2060741 * * * ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= March 21-April 27, 2002 * Denver, CO * World Premiere of a new musical by Peter Glazer "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver" / A Denver Center World Premiere / Stage Theatre / http://www.dcpa.org April 1, 2002 * Denver, CO - John Denver to be inducted into the CO Performing Arts Hall of Fame / Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom at Denver Performing Arts Center April 5-7, 2002 * Sedona, AZ * Journey to Center, Turning conflict into powerful relationships; presented by Thomas Crum. First Light Huger Foundation (602) 728-0710 firstlight@qwest.net April 13, 2002 * Arvada, CO / Pomona High School / John Adams benefit concert for the Front Range Center for Assault Prevention-Child Assault Prevention Project / Tickets $20 303-266-9019 / (303) 673-9558 http://www.geocities.com/childassaultprevention April 16, 2002 * Pete Huttlinger will appear on ESPN2's "Fly Fishing America" 11:00 est / Rebroadcasts on April 17 at 11:30am est and April 20 at 10:00am est More information at http://www.petehuttlinger.com April 20, 2000 * 11:00-3:00 4th Annual Earth Day Celebration / Ram's Head Tavern / Annapolis, MD / www.ramsheadtavern.com Mack Bailey, Chris Westfall, Side by Side and Rachel Bissex $30 includes buffet lunch and donation to Kids F.A.C.E. Check to: Ann Schnitz c/o P.O. Box 483 / Lionville, PA 19353 April 20, 2002 - Ontario, California / Bethel Congregational Church / 536 N. Euclid Avenue 8:00pm * John Denver Tribute Concert featuring Jim Curry and Friends $12 or $15 at the door 909-987-5701 A benefit for the Claremont Spring Folk Festival April 20, 2002 - Scottsdale, AZ / 4th Annual "What One Man Can Do" Music Festival celebrating Earth Day 12:30-3:30pm Scottsdale Civic Center Library Auditorium. Free / Info: (480) 600-8924 / Cindi April 21, 2002 / VH1 - "Warning: Parental Advisory" - 1985 censorship hearings that John attended. April 27, 2002 - Austin, TX - Dedication of the John Denver Nature Exhibit and Memorial 2:00pm Austin Nature Center Also: A tribute concert celebrating John Denver's music, themed "Life Is So Good" 6:00pm Acoustic Cafe / John Adams and Donna Lipman perform $10/person http://www.john-denver.org/austin/ May 3-5, 2002 John Denver Spring Retreat - Lebanon, PA at Camp Gretna Glen. JD Fellowship and inspiration. $50 due by April 1, 2002. Pat Liddic May 4, 2002 * Burlington, VT Green Up Day 9:00am / Annual cleanup of Englesby Ravine all the way to Lake Champlain. Info: nelsmith@together.net May 24-26, 2002 - Snowmass, CO / Windstar Volunteer Work Weekend / Registration forms are on the "Windstar Global Family" page at the website - http://www.wstar.org June 28 & 29, 2002 "A Tribute to John Denver: The Man and His Music, 2002, Hibernia County Park - 4 miles North of Coatesville, PA / Info: Judith http://www.judithgabriel.com / Tickets: Friday #18, Saturday $37, $45 for a 2-day ticket / $80 VIP ticket Under 12 free, over 65 free with ID / JD Tribute Concert Donation, P.O. Box 13363, Reading, PA 19612 July 20-21, 2002 - Third Annual Country Roads Folk Festival, Almost Heaven Farm, West Virginia with a special tribute to John Denver http://www.mofolk.com October 5th & 6th, 2002 - 4th Annual John Denver Celebration / Salida, Colorado http://www.johndenverlegacy.com Christine Smith 1-719-942-9620 October 12, 2002 - Aspen, CO - Auction/concert/lunch at the Mt. Chalet 11am-3pm Mack Bailey, Chris Westfall, Mark Cormican, Frank DeLaMarre & Twirp Anderson. $20.00 per person. Info: Mary October 12-13, 2002 - Pacific Grove, CA / Fifth Annual John Denver Memorial Beach Cleanup and Tribute Weekend. Candlelight vigils on the beach both evenings 5:00pm Info <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> "Musical About John Denver Strikes Heavenly Chord - Almost" by Lisa Bornstein / 3-30-02 Rocky Mountain News Things bode well for "Almost Heaven" from the first notes sung. If you didn't know these were chart-topping hits, you'd get that psyched feeling from encountering a new piece of musical theater. That feeling lasts through much of "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver", a new musical with old songs that sound new, thanks to Jeff Waxman's gorgeous arrangements at Denver Center Theatre Company. Rather than dressing up Denver's songs in Broadway garb, Waxman applies entirely appropriate interpretations, layering bluegrass, country and even a touch of gospel. Waxman and writer-director Peter Glazer previously worked together on Woody Guthrie's "American Song." On Almost Heaven, they trace Denver's life and music through a sextet of singers. The direction, both musical and theatrical, is superb; the script is not. There's an inept melange of dramatic techniques linking the songs, from having cast members speak Denver's words to having them interview one another playing him, to reading letters from fans. It's frequently stilted, as when poor Lisa Asher is stuck with the line, "What happened then?" There have been better transitions. But each time a new song begins, the clunkiness is forgotten. David Ranson sounds surprisingly like Denver, with a clarion, unadorned voice. Emily Bauer's sweet, girlish voice contrasts with her physical energy, particularly on a rousing "Take Me Home, Country Roads." Scruffy-looking Sean Jenness has a textured, nearly bluegrass voice that gives "Rhymes and Reasons" and "Rocky Mountain High" new shadings. The entire cast is accompanied by a marvelous seven-man band. Somehow Tony Meola's sound design makes every measure sound acoustic. The presence of fiddle, mandolin and bass - much of it played by Colorado musicians - makes "Thank God, I'm A Country Boy" a song Waylon Jennings could have supported (and no, that's not blasphemy). Throughout the evening, projections designed by John Boesche play across a widescreen. Some, like shots of Woodstock or multicultural urchins, are painfully cliched. But the final footage, of Denver strumming by a campfire the year before he died, is deeply resonant and affectionate. It reminds that laugh all you will, the man wrote some very pretty music. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver 9news.com "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver" made its world premiere last week at the Denver Performing Arts Center Stage Theatre. It is an original musical featuring new arrangements and a multi-media presentation showcasing Denver's classic songs. With sparkling new arrangements of his best-known ballads - and some surprising discoveries - a 14-member ensemble explores the work of this internationally acclaimed songwriter. John Denver spoke to millions around the world with such songs as "Country Roads", "Sunshine On My Shoulders," and "Rocky Mountain High." It will bring you back home again and send you out singing. Stage Theatre DCPA (303) 893-4100, 800/641-1222 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "'Almost Heaven' Is Sweetness and Might Narration out of place in musical by John Moore Denver Post 4/1/2002 For anyone who has lost a loved one, five years might as well be five hours ago. Thursday night didn't feel like the opening of a joyous musical celebrating the life of John Denver five years after he died in a plane crash. It felt like the hootenanny that might have taken place back at the house a few hours after the graveside service. You probably know the feeling. It's late in the day and the tears have dried but lurk just under the surface. An air of reverence still hangs thick, though a small part of you just wants to bust out in a raucous celebration. That's what the world premiere of "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver" felt like at the Stage Theatre: Denver's pleasant, foot-stomping music set against a funereal backdrop that keeps things from ever reaching that one moment of pure, spontaneous bliss Denver would have so appreciated. "Almost Heaven" is not so much a stage musical as an elegant musical eulogy to a good man who moved millions with his songwriting and humanitarian efforts. While others sang about how bad the world was, Denver sang about how great it felt to be alive. But for all those closest to Denver whether by blood, bond or fantasy, his death clearly still feels like five hours ago. I imagine Denver would have gently prodded everyone Thursday to lighten up a bit. I have it on good authority that life ain't nothing but a funny, funny riddle. C'mon. Have some fun. Not that the evening is devoid of fun, at least when the music plays. The triumph of "Almost Heaven" is Jeff Waxman's gorgeous arrangement of songs that made eagles soar and horses run. Denver's songs are beautifully reinvented, blended and harmonized. It is surprising how effectively they transition to the context of musical theater. Its weakness is the book by director Peter Glazer. The songs are unnecessarily framed by cast members acting as rotating narrators, spouting already-familiar facts from Denver's life in a stale, documentary tone that drains energy between songs. They read fan letters that are at once poignant and a little creepy. The women ask pedantic questions of the men, who take turns answering as Denver. "The war was changing everything," one says. "Was it ever!" another adds. "So what happened next?" asks a third. It feels like the kids from "Godspell" asking Jesus a parable's meaning. When a woman asks "Denver" a question, he responds: "I think the answer is in my music." Yes! That's the best argument why "Almost Heaven" should be a dialogue-free, musical revue. It should be all about the music. The casually dressed cast of six capable singers makes no attempt to mimic Denver vocally. But they're likable and kind of nerdy in a way Denver and his fans might recognize in themselves. The first thing you notice are those treacly smiles. They never go away. Never. Not even when they are singing. "Those smiles must be wiped clean," the bugger on your left shoulder tells you. "Oh, go easy on them," entreats the angel on your right. But if you're not careful, by night's end, one of those sugary smiles might find its way to your own face. The songs are performed on a concert-style set by James Dardenne. Three screens show photos and videos that give context to each song. Denver's own nature photographs are projected onto the stage floor. The songs sound familiar, but fresh, especially when sung by the three women. Emily Bauer's "Annie's Song", Lisa Asher's "Sunshine On My Shoulders" and Allison Briner's "Poems, Prayers and Promises" bring a new, feminine clarity to songs of already uncommon humanity. When the three combine for "Wild Montana Skies," it is spine-tingling. "Leaving On A Jet Plane," Denver's hit for Peter, Paul and Mary, opens with the Changal Kreviazuk video from "Armageddon." Some of the best numbers are the lesser-known gems. David Ranson's "For You" is an aching solo ballad. Surprisingly, the arrangement that works least is an up-tempo, softly electric "Rocky Mountain High," which here sounds a bit like a jingle. The best numbers are those that build into choral juggernauts. The audience is used to hearing Denver's distinctive solo voice, but the first act builds to a stunning crescendo with all six singing "Eagles and Horses," and the second act with "Yellowstone", an unfinished song Denver was working on at the time of his death. We see Denver's face throughout, but we don't hear his voice until late in the second act <"Songs of">. The finale, "Yellowsone", begins with a rare 1996 home video of Denver sitting by a mountain riverside during a camping trip. He starts the song but stops abruptly, looks to the camera and says, "Can't wait to hear where it ends up." When the cast takes over for him, the power is unexpected and unmistakable. It helps that the singers are backed by an incredible seven-piece hoot-band playing everything from piano to stand-up bass to violin to mandolin. The ultimate barometer of any play is its effect upon the masses, and they loved it. The entire run is sold out. Even though Denver's songs were geographically predisposed to the West, "Almost Heaven" might also find adoring audiences elsewhere because of the universality of the message. Cynics will laugh, if they even dare show up, but mockery comes more naturally to us than kindness. Denver's life is evidence that it takes more courage to stand up with your naked soul open to the possibility of goodness. That's part of his legacy. Take that, bugger on the left. ___________________________________________________________ "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver Written and directed by: Peter Glazer Presented by; Denver Center Theater Company Stage Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis Streets / Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes Set list, Act 1: 'All of My Memories,' 'For Bobbie,' 'Rhymes and Reasons,' 'Draft Dodger Rag,' 'I Wish I Could Have Been There,' 'Take Me Home, Country Roads,' 'I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado,' 'Rocky Mountain High,' 'Matthew/Let Us Begin,' 'Eagles and Horses' Set List, Act 2: 'Thank God I'm A Country Boy' medley: 'Annie's Song/Goodbye Again/How Can I Leave You Again/Back Home Again,' 'Leavin' On A Jet Plane,' 'For You,' 'Looking For Space,' 'Sunshine On My Shoulders,' 'Wild Montana Skies,' 'Songs of,' 'Poems, Prayers & Promises,' 'Yellowstone' Tickets: $28-$42 303-893-4100 http://www.denvercenter.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Review of "Almost Heaven" by Lucy Fritz I went to see this musical play this past Saturday, and although I had reservations about it, I walked out feeling very good and naturally with tears rolling down my face. The performers were wonderful and gave John's songs a different life. Their renditions were very powerful and sincere. The 7-piece band played so wonderfully. I almost thought for a moment that John was going to come out and start playing. I would definitely recommend to everyone to try and catch this musical performance. The more that people see it, the more they will realize what he was trying to tell us in his songs, in his words. That it's great to be alive, love is wonderful, and that there is goodness in this world. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rocky Mountain News - Play Time Section 4/2/02 John Denver always will be associated with the Rocky Mountains and the city from which he took his name. So it's fitting that "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver," which will tour the country in the coming year, will open in previews at the Denver Center Theatre Company on Thursday and run through April 27. Harold Thau, the producer of the show in association with the DCTC, was Denver's business manager. His new book "Bronx to Broadway" looks into the personal relationship he had with Denver, who died in Oct. 1997 when the experimental plane he was piloting crashed. "I was certainly his partner and confidant," Thau said from his Aspen residence recently. "I always had it in mind for John to do a Broadway show about his music. It would have been different if he'd been in it himself, but it just never came to be. And I'm not sure he wanted to spend eight months in New York!" Thau has produced theatre in New York and London and represented dozens of entertainers, but Denver was his most well-known and successful client. "If I just wanted to do a show with John Denver music, I could get four great singers and do a review. But "Almost Heaven" is a marriage of music and theater - there's a story to it. And it's not just biographical. We talk about what was happening in the world at the time a song was popular. There's a whole new audience out there, people who know who John is but aren't really familiar with his music." <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> JOHN DENVER INDUCTED INTO THE COLORADO PERFORMING ARTS HALL OF FAME / Denver Post / 4/2/02 Late John Denver accepted his induction into the Colorado Performing Arts Hall of Fame on Monday night as an important step toward preserving the legacy of his music and humanitarian efforts. "I hope this will allow future generations to get a chance to know my brother's music because I think he said some really good things," said Ron Deutschendorf of San Diego. Deutschendorf accepted the award with Denver's mother, Erma Deutschendorf of Aurora, and daughter, Anna Kate. Also in attendance was his son, Zachary and first wife, Annie Denver, of Aspen. The ceremony took place in front of a packed house of 475 people in the Donald R. Seawell ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, including Mayor Wellington Webb and his wife, Wilma. The banquet and induction ceremony followed a performance of the musical "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver." "It was all good," said a tearful Erma Deutschendorf. "It was emotional for me seeing John's face up there and hearing him sing, but everyone did a beautiful job." Denver was the sole member of the second Performing Arts Hall of Fame class. The inaugural class was made up of Helen Bonfils, Mary Chase, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Glenn Miller, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontainne. "I know John Denver will feel perfectly at home in this pantheon of stars," DCPA chairman Donald Seawell said. Annie Denver said John Denver would have been happy that people took the time to create the musical and humbled to be this year's sole inductee. "But I think it's fitting, because I don't think anyone associates Colorado without thinking of John Denver," she said. John Denver's second wife, Cassandra, and their daughter, Jesse Bell, did not arrive in time for the ceremony because of travel difficulties from Australia. ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= The "Harbor Lights Concert" CD will be released on April 23rd. It was recorded live at John's concert at the Harbor Lights Pavilion in Boston, MA on September 9, 1995. It is a double cd and includes the songs "El Paso" and "Get Your Tongue Out of My Mouth". - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sue I had just come home from attending the play ALMOST HEAVEN, a wonderful play in every respect. Paul Glazer does not disappoint. The staging and the actors as well as the band were superb. The arrangement of John's music was interesting and novel. At one point I think the 6 singers were blending 6 different songs of John's in perfect harmony. The backdrop was film scenery and pictures of John around the world and if this play is not a success then nothing is. The theater was sold out. When I got home I turned on the TV because I watch "Judging Amy" and there they were, the two judges, in bed singing "Annie's Song" to each other - badly - Thus ended my JD day. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver: The Complete Lyrics by Cherry Lane Music (Editor) Publication date: March 2002 Paperback http://www.cherrylane.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth now has an email newsletter available. Volume one, Issue one begins in April 2002 http://www.johndenverpeacecloth.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Susan The news just keeps getting better. I received an email from Jake Shand, creative director of BMG Aristra, the company that compiled the New Zealand JD Collection cd. He advised that the disc has gone GOLD in New Zealand this week, and is heading to Platinum Gold!!! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Pat F. I was reading "Country Weekly" dated March 19, 2002 and was excited to see John's face smiling at me from the center page no less!! The article is titled "How the Stars Stack Up" and they have a chart of the top 20 Country Music all time best sellers. John is #7, tied with Reba McEntire who they placed ahead of him even though they have the same amount of sales. I guess girls are always first. I'm happy anytime I can see his face and see that his memory is alive and well! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you'd like to Trade John Denver items you can sign up for the JDtrading mailinglist. Just write to: JDtrading-subscribe@onelist.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Barb I was watching the 2002 World Junior Figure Skating Championships (from Hamar, Norway) on Lifetime Friday morning (3/29) and Yukari Nakano from Japan did her short program to the music of "Perhaps Love." She ended up with the silver medal overall in the competition. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sandy Clark "It's About Time" has a new url: http://home.attbi.com/~tybrenn/iat/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Spring 2002 issue of the Aspen Magazine has an article on Hal Thau and John Denver. The article is called "Country Boy, City Boy" and has 5 color photos. The issue is $4.95 plus s/h Staff@aspenmagazine.com (970) 920-4040 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - North Carolina John Denver Weekend Just had to let everybody know what a great time we had this weekend. Patti made a great pot of chili. Then we played our guitars out on the deck over looking Lake Lure. Afterwards, we watched the movie "The Leftovers" I had never seen it before - what a great JD movie! We stayed up 'til around 2 am watching a few other JD shows ... a concert in Amsterdam and one in London. We also watched an episode of The Muppets with John as their guest. If you didn't make it, make plans to come the next time. Lake Lure is a beautiful place... Laura - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= Gwen O'Donnell I am still interested in trading for John Denver videos that I don't already have. If interested, please email me for my extensive list. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jason Porter Thanks to all the JD fans who traveled far and wide to attend Phil Christie's concert last Saturday. It was a great success. A review and audio clips are at: http://www.cdbaby.com/philchristie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nick B. at has a list of JD items for sale that you can request. He is willing to trade. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tom Many years ago I remember going into a poster shop and seeing a poster of JD on stage with a full orchestra behind him and a slide show in the background above them all. Would really like a copy if anyone has an extra. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sheila Ridout For sale - JD items, many rare, selling them for whatever they are worth to you. Please get in touch for list: Ms. Sheila Ridout / 2, Cherwell House / Penfold Street / London NW8 8PT (020) 7723-2857 All money from sales goes to a new unit for babies with meningitis. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Aspen 2002 Events Schedule http://www.john-denver.org/events/aspen2002 "It's About Time" http://home.attbi.com/~tybrenn/iat/ John Denver Tribute - Frank West http://space.tin.it/musica/numinerv John Denver's testimony on Sept 19, 1985 http://uweb.superlink.net/~jdandrea/shrg99-529/ p64.html#jdtestimony John's Induction into the CO Performing Arts Hall of Fame http://www.9news.com/entertainment/default.asp JD Chronology - Rocky Mtn News http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/music/ article/0,1299,DRMN_54_1038332,88.html Almost Heaven Review - Rocky Mountain News http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/on_stage/ article/0,1299,DRMN_53_1064316,00.html Life and Times of a Country Boy - RM News http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/on_stage/ article/0,1299,DRMN_53_1038443,00.html "Almost Heaven" story - Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/ Stories/0,1002,415%257E495520,00.html Article from Cassandra Delaney's website: http://www.cassandramusic.com/cassiearticle.html ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org April 2002 * Issue #96 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************