From a puppet musical for grownups to a patriotic tribute concert, here are the can’t-miss May shows

By the Thirst Team

Here are some of the best events across Colorado for the next few weeks. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

This week, we are focusing on performing arts across Colorado. Here are our top picks in Colorado theater, dance and music. Let us know what you think, and tell us what we missed.

Theater

“A Fox on the Fairway” in Louisville May 1-16

Coal Creek Theater will stage “A Fox on the Fairway” by Ken Ludwig at Louisville Center for the Arts. The show is a tribute to the English farces of the 1930s and 1940s. “My goal is to give the audience a chance to escape and get lost in the fun,” said director Dan Schock.

“Somewhere” at the Denver Center May 1-31

A Puerto Rican family story by the Tony Award-winning writer of “The Inheritance” is playing all month at the Kilstrom Theatre in Denver. The show is set in 1959, when “West Side Story” is a Broadway smash, and the Candelarias hope the planned movie version can be their big break.

“Avenue Q” in Littleton May 8 to June 7

The Town Hall Arts Center is bringing back “Avenue Q,” which it describes as “a sort of R-rated Sesame Street for the stage.” And the show has a fun local connection. Robert Lopez co-wrote the music, lyrics, and book for “Avenue Q” before doing the same for “The Book of Mormon” with Coloradans Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

Music

39th Mahlerfest in Boulder May 13-17

Since 1988, a Boulder festival has celebrated the music and legacy of Gustav Mahler. This year’s theme is “Channeling Change into Creativity,” and the centerpiece is Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, written after Mahler reinvented himself several times. Works by Beethoven, Janáček, Elgar and even Pete Townshend also will be performed.

Pulse of America 250th birthday concert on May 17

The 14-piece Denver Brass ensemble presents its season finale, Pulse of America, at Bethany Lutheran Church. The show is timed around Memorial Day and America’s 250th anniversary, and it features Sketches of Courage, a symphonic poem created by Denver-based composer Sean Shaffer Hennessy.

Jazz series begins in Colorado Springs May 29

May brings the beginning of some summer concert series, including the free Jazz in the Garden series at the Grace & St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in downtown Colorado Springs. The family-friendly jazz shows start on May 29, and continue on alternating Fridays through August 21.

Dance

Wonderbound brings back “The Sandman” May 7-17

The Wonderbound dance company brings back its modern Western masterpiece “The Sandman.” Wonderbound artistic director Garrett Ammon choreographed the show. Clay Rose wrote the lyrics, and his band Gasoline Lollipops will accompany the show live.

Dance for Climate pop-up show May 8

From Movement to Movement is a free outdoor pop-up show at Boulder's Glen Huntington Bandshell. The show “celebrates the connection between artistic expression and climate action,” according to Dance for Climate, which will stage the show and discussion panel.

Boulder Ballet closes season May 15-17

The last show of the 2025-2026 Boulder Ballet season is a series of contemporary dance masterpieces by inventive choreographers Jorma Elo and Nicolo Fonte.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in the Get Out of Town column, we will add them to our events calendar.