Colorado Theatre Guild Unveils Nominees, Netflix Dives into Balloon Boy Incident

DENVER, Colorado – This week, the Colorado Theatre Guild revealed its annual Henry Award nominees, honoring the best in local theater. The guild also announced the introduction of new, more gender-inclusive categories for its awards, a significant change aimed at recognizing all performers fairly.

In a separate announcement, Netflix unveiled plans for a new season of the docuseries “Trainwreck,” which will feature an episode dedicated to the infamous 2009 “Balloon Boy” incident in Colorado. The episode is set to begin streaming on June 15, 2025, but specific details of what it will reveal remain under wraps.

Looking ahead, an orchestral show titled “Western Woman,” created by Neyla Pekarek, a former member of The Lumineers, will showcase the story of Rattlesnake Kate in Greeley. This immersive concert will transport the audience into the heart of the performance, with seating arranged around the orchestra, close to the conductor.

Pekarek shared her passion for Rattlesnake Kate, whose real name was Katherine McHale Slaughterback, and her remarkable life story. “It was the display of her infamous rattlesnake dress at the Greeley History Museum that captured my interest,” she said. “Learning about how she killed 140 rattlesnakes to protect her son was just one of the unbelievable aspects of her tale.”

The concert, which Pekarek has been developing for over five years, will include songs that tell both her heroic and vulnerable moments. “It feels like we are at a campfire, but in a classy way,” Pekarek said. “It’s a unique gathering that celebrates an important part of Colorado’s history.”

The event will take place at the Centennial Village Museum in Greeley on June 21, featuring demonstrations, costumed interpreters, and games before the concert kicks off at 10 a.m. Tickets are limited, bringing an added element of urgency to interested attendees.

The Henry Awards is Colorado’s premier theater awards ceremony, named after legendary theater producer Henry W. Haynes. This year, the event will take place on July 28 at the Lone Tree Arts Center, available to watch via livestream. The nominations reflect the hardworking efforts of over 57 Colorado theater companies, with DCPA Theatre Company leading the nominations and offering the most-nominated production with “Little Shop of Horrors.”

As the local arts scene evolves, both the theatrical and historical narratives reflect the vibrant culture in Colorado, celebrating both past and present achievements in storytelling.