Much of the local performing arts community takes a collective breath around the holidays, which means they tend to come back each January like a synchronized Arctic blast of drama. And one look at the upcoming calendar makes one thing perfectly plain: They are coming back leaner – yet still loaded for (dramatic) bear.

We are looking at a stacked deck of powerful shows performed by ensembles of just three or fewer. Live theater companies have been largely scaling way back in the ongoing collective struggle to recover from the COVID shutdown. Diminished revenue means diminished production resources, which means inevitably smaller shows.

And while that certainly means fewer overall performing opportunities for local actors, it also means the cream will rise to the top. We are in for a host of star-studded and star-centered stage performances. Whether you know the names or not, take my word for it, the following list of 12 recommended January openings is dotted with some of the very best actors Colorado has to offer.

Here is just a representative look at your many January theatergoing opportunities, listed by opening date: 

OpenStage’s ‘Sweat’

For the people of poverty-stricken Reading, Pa., work is much more than a paycheck – it’s the fabric that has held the town together for generations. But as layoffs and a cheaper workforce threaten the viability of the local union, those threads are beginning to fray. This celebrated play paints a moving portrait of a working-class America in rapid decline. “I very much wanted the play to be a conversation starter,” said playwright Lynn Nottage. “I feel my role as an artist isn’t to come up with solutions but to ask the right questions at the right moment.” Directed by recently named Denver Gazette 2023 Theatre Person of the Year Kenny Moten. Jan. 13-Feb. 10 at the Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins. 970-221-6730 or openstage.com.

Vintage’s ‘Fun Home’

“Fun Home” was never supposed to make it to Broadway, much less to the Vintage Theatre in Aurora. The first major musical with a lesbian protagonist couldn’t possibly win the Tony Award. There was no chance a touring production could ever succeed traveling the conservative American heartland. And small theaters across America would surely never have the courage to stage the story themselves. And yet … all of those things have happened. Vintage becomes just the latest Colorado company to stage this deeply affecting musical based on Alison Bechdel’s cult-classic graphic novel. “Fun Home” moves between past and present, reliving Bechdel’s childhood at her family’s funeral home (hence the “Fun” in the title), her growing understanding of her own sexuality, while at the same time trying to piece together the puzzle of her enigmatic father. It is a disarmingly honest musical about seeing your parents for the first time through grown-up eyes. Directed by Emma Maxfield and starring Maya Ferrario. Jan. 12-Feb. 18 in Vintage’s studio theater (capacity just 60). 1468 Dayton St. 303-856-7830 or vintagetheatre.org.

Curious Theatre’s’ ‘Truth Be Told’

William Cameron’s world-premiere play follows the dialogue between a grieving mother trying to convince a skeptical true-crime journalist that her son has been framed for a crime. This is the story of how we all manipulate the truth to serve our own ends. And when it comes to truth vs. family – family always wins. Directed by Christy Montour-Larson and starring the estimable Jada Suzanne Dixon and Karen Slack. Jan. 13-Feb. 10 at 1080 Acoma St. 303-623-0524 or curioustheatre.org.

Miners Alley Playhouse’s ‘Misery’

Many companies have staged William Goldman’s adaptation of Stephen King’s classic thriller about the novelist who is trapped, tortured and loved on by his No. 1 wackadoodle fan. The additional appeal here is the astonishing cast that director Warren Sherrill has gathered for this production: Emma Messenger and Torsten Hillhouse in the lead roles, with poor Mark Collins as the … well, if you know, you know. Jan. 19-Feb. 11 at 1100 Miners Alley. 303-935-3044 or minersalley.com. 

Veritas Productions’ ‘School of Rock’

Nancy Begley is not starting small. She’s launching Denver’s newest theater company with this massive stage adaptation of the Jack Black film about a wannabe rock star who poses as a substitute teacher and turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding rock band. The high-octane musical includes all the original songs from the movie, along with 14 new tunes from Andrew Lloyd Webber. Jan. 19-Feb. 10 at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker. parkerarts.org

Town Hall Arts Center’s ‘Urinetown’

Sometimes (metaphorical) politics and musical showtunes actually mix perfectly. This fantastically clever satirical musical manages to lambast capitalism, environmental collapse and star-crossed love – all with a delicious smile. It’s set in a crumbling urban metropolis where a 20-year drought has caused a catastrophic water shortage that’s led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. Of course, a hero will rise. A revolution will be sparked. And an essential love story will unfold. But will any of it be enough to topple the corrupt powers-that-be? Will the people ever again pee for free? Directed by Robert Michael Sanders and featuring Jake Bell, Anne Terze-Schwarz, Jim Hitzke, Damon Guerrasio and Mark Shonsey. Jan. 26-Feb. 25 at 2450 Main St., Littleton. 303-794-2787 or  townhallartscenter.org. 

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company’s ‘What the Constitution Means to Me’

It was the most produced professional play in the country last year, and now we get a chance to see what all the buzz is about. Playwright Heidi Schreck put herself through college by giving speeches about the U.S. Constitution when she was 15. In her Pulitzer-nominated stage memoir, she resurrects that teenage version of herself to trace the Constitution’s impact on women’s bodies spanning four generations of her real family. “I’m thankful to all the theaters around the country, big and small, that are bringing this very personal story to life,” Schreck said. Here, it is directed by the Denver Center’s Allison Watrous and stars Jessica Robblee, Rodney Lizcano and Mariam Faal. Jan. 27-Feb. 11 at The Savoy Denver, 2700 Arapahoe St. betc.org. (And if you can’t make it to the Denver run, BETC is also bringing it to Boulder’s Dairy Arts Center from May 3-19.)

Two Cent Lion’s ‘Clink, Clink’

Two 7-year-old girls travel through time from the 1994 era of pizza rolls, Nickelodeon cartoons and Ace of Base while navigating three decades of societal changes and the blurred line between love and friendship. This coming-of-age story is co-written by recent University of Denver grads Kevin Douglas and Izzy Chern. Jan. 27-Feb. 11 at The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave. in Aurora. eventcreate.com

DCPA Theatre Company’s ‘Cebollas’

Lots of reasons to recommend this world-premiere comedy about three Latinas (and a dead body) making an unexpected road trip from Albuquerque to Denver: 1. How many plays literally play out along the I-25 corridor? 2. This fully staged production is the end result of the Denver Center’s new-play development process that started two years ago with modest readings at its annual Colorado New Play Summit. 3. How often do we see Latino families bicker, laugh and sing like any other family on a major American stage? 4. This play brings home Chatfield High School graduate Jamie Ann Romero fresh off her Broadway debut in “The Cottage” and last seen here in the national touring production of “The Play That Goes Wrong.” Jan. 26-March 10 at the Singleton Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex. 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org

The Catamounts’ ‘FEED: Dry’

Love the company. Not so much its titles. But here’s what you need to know: The ’Cats promote and pair the work of local playwrights with the work of local culinary artists through an ongoing series of live experiences they call “Feed.” This one features two short commissioned plays written by Colorado scribes Chelsea Frye and Ellen K. Graham for an audience that is also being treated to a four-course, sit-down meal accented by live music from chanteuse Nika Garcia singing in three languages. The ensemble consists of Maggie Tisdale, Jason Maxwell and Simone St. John. It’s fun. It’s fancy. And it’s $90. (And there are only 32 plates at the table, so to speak). Jan. 27-Feb. 10 at the Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. thedairy.org 

Springs Ensemble Theatre’s ‘Annapurna’

OK, so this one doesn’t open until February – but Feb. 1 is close enough for me. This was my absolute favorite production of 2014 when it was staged in Boulder. It’s a romp in the sandbox for two outstanding actors. And SET has two expert sandcastle builders in newly minted True West Award winner Steve Emily and Julie Sweum. Sharr White’s exquisite, humane character study, set 225 miles southwest of Denver in Paonia (but staged here in Colorado Springs!) opens with a damaged woman showing up at the door of her ex-husband’s squalid Colorado mountain motorhome, suitcases in hand. And it’s soon evident the bruises on the woman’s arms aren’t the only contusions lingering just under the surface. This unlikely reunion serves as a final reckoning for this couple that neither saw coming. Feb. 1-18 at the Fifty-Niner, 2409 W. Colorado Ave. in Colorado Springs. springsensembletheatre.org

Aurora Fox’s ‘Art’

As long as we are cheating: The Aurora Fox is making its return to full theatrical productions after a lengthy 2023 interlude with one of the most-often produced plays of the past 30 years. Yasmina Reza’s story is about three friends who test the limits of their friendship when one buys a seemingly blank white painting with a hefty price tag. And it won the 1998 Tony Award for best play. This production marks the official start of a new creative era at the Fox under artistic leader Rich Cowden. But most impressive is its director (Kate Gleason) and her off-the charts cast of Gareth Saxe (Scar in Broadway’s “The Lion King,” and yet one of the most human and natural of actors), Andrew Uhlenhopp and Matthew Schneck. The cheating part: It does not open till Feb. 3 (and runs through the 24th) at 9600 E. Colfax Ave. aurorafoxartscenter.org

Bonus: Local Theatre Company is reprising an award-winning one-actor play called “Acts of Faith” that made its U.S. premiere last year at the Aurora Fox. It still stars Colorado Theatre Guild President Betty Hart and is still directed by Pesha Rudnick. But the location is now Boulder’s Dairy Arts Center. When a young Zambian woman named Faith is mistaken for a prophet, she begins to use her “gift” to right wrongs and punish the wicked. By David Yee. Feb. 1-18 at 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, thedairy.org.

Now, take your pick and go see a play!