From the Award-Winning Playwright of Detroit ’67

Faye, Dez, and Shanita are a make-shift family of auto workers who always look out for each other. When rumors fly about their factory’s closing, all three face tough decisions about the future, while their foreman, torn between his team and his career, has to decide where his loyalties lie. As the Great Recession hits Detroit, is it time for all of them to start looking out for themselves? With compassion and insight, acclaimed playwright Dominique Morisseau takes a timely, compelling look at blue-collar America.

Dates & Times

DateTimeAdditional Information
Sponsors

SEASON SPONSORS
Diana and Mike Kinsey
The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust

PLATINUM SHOW SPONSORS
Redline Contemporary Art Center
Elizabeth Steele

GOLD SHOW SPONSORS
Wiegand – Attorneys & Counselors, LLC and Robert Weigand II & Kimberly Raemdonck

SILVER SHOW SPONSORS
Abasi & Toni Baruti
Tara Cleare
Laura Cowperthwaite and LiveWork Denver
Eric Fonacier & Rebecca Holmes
Patricia Kingsbury Simpson
Yone & Frank Wells

Click here for the SKELETON CREW playbill

THE AUTO INDUSTRY IN THE GREAT RECESSION

“World’s Auto Makers Slammed by Financial Crisis in 2008”
This article provides insight into what caused the automotive crash that accompanied The Great Recession.

“Hazardous Conditions for the Auto Industry”
Focusing especially on the automotive industry in Detroit, this New York Times article delves into the effects felt by The Great Recession on automotive plants.

 

THE GREAT RECESSION’S DISPROPORTIONATE EFFECT
Read about how the strain caused by The Great Recession, as showcased in Skeleton Crew, was not equally distributed across America’s working class.

“The Recession’s Racial Slant”
Written for the Atlantic, this article provides evidence pointing to the recession’s effects being felt more by black families than white families.

“Poverty and the Great Recession”
This factsheet, produced by Stanford, lays down staggering statistics showing how much poverty has increased following the recession.

 

DETROIT AFTER THE RECESSION
As the city attempts to climb out of a devastating financial collapse, Detroit faces unique challenges around gentrification and legacy.

“The Two Detroits: A City Both Collapsing and Gentrifying at the Same Time”  
A Guardian article that showcases the huge issues facing Detroit as more and more people attempt to “save” it.

“Taking Back Detroit”
Written for National Geographic, this article focuses on young people who are building up Detroit to what it once was.

“Anticipating and Preparing for Gentrification”
A Forbes article that forecasts just how dangerous restoration projects can be for Detroit as it faces even more gentrification.

 

ABOUT THE PLAY AND PLAYWRIGHT
Dive into the mind of Dominique Morisseau and discover the complexity of “Skeleton Crew”.

“’Skeleton Crew’ – A Tale of Autoworkers in Hard-Hit Detroit”
This in-depth article in the New York Times gives the reader a clearer understanding of this complex show.

“After Factory Layoffs, The ‘Skeleton Crew’ is Left Behind” 
This NPR segment gives a brief overview of the show and what to expect when seeing it at the theatre.

“Interview with Dominique Morisseau”
A 2017 interview with the playwright (done by Curious’ own Katie Maltais) that offers light on her creative process.

 

 

 

What is the runtime of this show?
The show runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including a 10-minute intermission.

Is there an intermission?
There will be one 10-minute intermission.

Are there any advisories I should know about?

Curious offers an advisory about any stage effect of potential concern to patrons’ health. We typically 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 canceled 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: “Skeleton Crew” a loving requiem for the auto industry

    A native daughter of Detroit, Morriseau writes of the people and the place, their aspirations and their ailments with rooted understanding. Traces of resilience are hard-won. Whatever optimism rears its beautiful head feels both delicate and tempered. Morriseau makes her intimacy ours. Faye and Reggie, Dez and Shanita become our people — and we’re made better for it.

  • REVIEW: Telluride Inside

    Morrisseau leads with dignity—and she deals out the critical secrets that drive “Skeleton Crew” with judicious care. “Skeleton Crew,” is built and paced for the slow burn, not the cheap theatrical gimmick (though there are a few genuine jolts along the way).

  • REVIEW: Skeleton Crew Gears Up for a Powerful Production

    In the second act everything about this production clicks into place: acting, direction and script. All the seeds of ideas and emotion planted in the first act spring to life, and the result is electrifying.

  • REVIEW: Colorado Drama

    Director donni l. betts works magic with pitch perfect casting and primo performances. Gaffney, as the wizened union rep, Faye, is a wonder, brimming with empowerment, as if she owned the joint; and, arguably, she does in her own way, as we discover.

  • REVIEW: Skeleton Crew’ is strong show from Curious Theatre

    We’d recommend this strong production to our readers.