“I Miss My MTV” Gives New Meaning to #ThrowbackThursday

There was a time when MTV was all about music. Instead of shows like Catfish and Teen Mom, people tuned in to watch the latest music videos from their favorite musicians, or to hear said musicians talk about their latest album or tour.

If you read that and thought, “Those were the days,” then I Miss My MTV is for you. From the creative minds behind Boulder-based theater company Band of Toughs, the 90-minute production is a high-energy blend of music, dance, theater, and video projection, all centered around what director Colleen Mylott calls “the golden era of MTV” (approximately 1980 to 1993). Mylott describes the evening as a “live music video journey” that hops between genres and takes the audience from a live sequel of A-ha’s iconic “Take On Me” video to an obligatory breakup track set to a “Weird Al” Yankovic song. “It’s a feel-good show,” Mylott says. “It’s a way to come together and celebrate this era that had a little more communal pop culture experience to it.”

This is actually the second iteration of the production, which premiered at the 2014 Boulder International Fringe Festival to rave reviews and sold-out audiences. The Denver remount includes new material and is a collaboration with Denver Arts & Venues and the Denver Theatre District as part of the groups’ efforts to engage with local artists and diversify the offerings and audiences at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

Plan to arrive early. A live band will be setting the ’80s vibe when the doors open 30 minutes before showtime—same time as the bar gets going.

Details: Catch I Miss My MTV at the Studio Loft at Ellie Caulkins Opera House on January 29, January 31, and February 5 at 8 p.m., and February 6 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $22