BETC announces 18th season with Steve Earle's musical, an Emily Dickinson-inspired play, a Pulitzer finalist and more

Jul. 14—Boulder's award-winning theater company, Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado (BETC), has officially announced its 18th season, promising an exciting lineup of plays, comedy shows, musical events and a family-friendly Saturday series.

Originally founded in 2006 by wife-and-husband duo Rebecca Remaly and Stephen Weitz, BETC was recently handed over to new management under new Producing Artistic Director Jessica Robblee and new Managing Director Mark Ragan.

This new change ushers in a dynamic new era for the theater group, which will celebrate the 2023-2024 season showcasing two New York Times' Critic's Choice plays, a twice Tony Award-nominated comedy, a festive holiday show and a Pulitzer finalist.

The season kicks off on Oct. 26 with the production of "Coal Country" at the Dairy Arts Center. This play tells the riveting stories of survivors of a West Virginia mine explosion interwoven with the music of critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Steve Earle. Written by Erik Jensen, Jessica Blank and Steve Earle, "Coal Country" will close on Nov. 19.

"The Belle of Amherst," the next play in BETC's arsenal, runs from Nov. 22-26 and explores the life and work of late poet Emily Dickinson. Written by William Luce, this reprise of the Henry Award-nominated production runs for five nights at the Dairy.

From Dec. 7-31, BETC will stage, "Holly, Alaska!" written by Matt Zambrano, at the Dairy Center. This hilarious holiday story follows a town's efforts to save the annual holiday pageant.

Lastly, "What The Constitution Means to Me," by Heidi Schreck, will run at the Dairy Arts Center from May 3-19, 2024, with additional shows in Denver from Jan. 26-Feb. 11, 2024. This "endearingly funny and deeply affecting" Pulitzer finalist, also named as a New York Times' Critic's Choice in Comedy, breathes new life into the American Constitution.

Alongside the world and regional premieres, BETC will also host Café Au Play, a series of new play readings, accompanied by coffee dates, led by veteran actor Heather Beasley.

BETC will also be expanding to Denver, with performances at The Savoy Denver, including the family-friendly improv series "MAD LIBrarians" and an adult improv series "The King Penny Golden Radio Hour" that conjures up Golden Era radio-style vintage vibes.

Season subscriptions for BETC's mainstage shows are now available for purchase, visit betc.org for more details.