Diamond Circle Melodrama

Durango's Best Live Entertainment
Touted by Time Magazine in their review as
"One of the Top Three Melodramas in the United State". The
Diamond Circle Melodrama provides fun for the whole family.
Our melodrama season runs all summer and performances often sell
out. Two helpful hints: make reservations early and,
since we've extended the season to include September, there are
more shows than ever to catch. Call the ticket office for
more details, but don't miss the melodrama!
The historic Strater Hotel, the Diamond Circle
Theatre and the melodrama all combine for a truly memorable
experience. In today's world of electronic reproductions
this is real entertainment. Red velvet curtains, checkered
tablecloths, brass chandeliers and authentic Victorian costumes
create an atmosphere that is truly unique, and a memory you'll
treasure for years to come.
What is a melodrama?
Melodramas dominated the American
theatre from 1860 to 1910, and many a frontier town like
Durango had a stage where the miners and dance hall gals
came to hoot and holler. Here at the Strater Hotel, the
Diamond Circle's original brand of authentic melodrama has
been thrilling audiences each season since 1962. Everyone
joins in the fun by cheering the hero, booing the villain,
and laughing with the comics.
Up tempo dialogue and precisely
choreographed stage movements combine to keep the action
fast and the pace peppy while original piano music draws
the audience into each scene. Every night the melodrama is
followed by a rollicking vaudeville revue featuring
singing, dancing and slapstick comedy. Two melodrama
productions are presented each season and performances
alternate nightly, so you can come back again and again.
Piano, Popcorn & Sing-along
Before the melodrama and during intermission the
bar in the theatre is open for beverages and popcorn, a special
treat when they are served to you by the actresses and actors from
the show. Meanwhile, the honky- tonk piano player will have you
laughing and singing along to a variety of tunes and novelty
songs. Kids love it!