A funny thing happened when comedian Nick Swardson melted down onstage at the Vilar Arts Center in Beaver Creek: Demand for his upcoming shows in Denver surged. So much so that, two days after the debacle, an additional show was added for his upcoming extended visit to Comedy Works, now running from March 7-10.

Swardson already had five sold-out shows scheduled Thursday through Saturday at Comedy Works South – and another on Sunday at Comedy Works downtown. Now there is an additional 9:15 p.m. show on the Sunday lineup.

Swardson, 47, best-known for playing Terry Bernadino in the Comedy Central TV series “Reno 911!” was removed from his own standup set 20 minutes after his March 3 show began with incoherent ramblings and profanity-laced exchanges with audience members. One video of the incident can be viewed here. (Note, explicit language.)

Later, Swardson posted to his X account: “Just casually woke up on TMZ. Travel tip: don’t drink and take edibles in high altitude. (expletive) brain diarrhea. I’ll make it up to you Beaver Creek!”

Themes of drug and alcohol use have been the mainstays of Swardson’s comedy for years. And he has a long history of performing in Colorado’s high altitudes. In fact, he performed at the Belly Up in Aspen just two nights after the Beaver Creek debacle.

Swardson was still a teenager when he got his big break at the 1997 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. He headlined an evening at Red Rocks in 2019. He’s regularly visited the Belly Up since 2013, and sold out a previous six-show run at Comedy Works in 2018.

That same year, Swardson spoke openly with the Aspen Times’ Andrew Travers about both his affection for Aspen and his difficulty mastering the art of performing – and drinking – at altitude.

“When we spoke, Swardson was getting vitamin B and C shots in anticipation of his tour to the high country,” Travers wrote in 2018. “He recalled a recent gig in Tahoe that wiped him out with altitude sickness. The frequently proffered advice to Aspen visitors to ‘just drink water’ to ward off the effects of altitude doesn’t fly with Swardson,” who reportedly told Travers: “How much water can you f-ing drink? … I mean, I can drink a bottle of water a day, but I can’t drink 20. That’s insanity.”

Previously, Swardson has claimed to have quit drinking. Sunday’s breakdown drew both understanding from those who understand that the sobriety journey can be a long one, and condemnation from Beaver Creek audiences who chastised him for wasting their time and money.

But clearly, many will be lining up to hear whatever he has to say about it all at Comedy Works.

Bossman of the ballet

When the Colorado Ballet revisits “Coppélia” for the first time in 16 years from March 8-17, Artistic Director Gil Boggs will be revisiting one of his all-time favorite shows – and roles.

Yes, the boss of the ballet will himself share the role of Dr. Coppélius, mysterious maker of a doll that comes to life in this romantic comedy based on the writings of the man who inspired the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” (German author E.T.A. Hoffmann).

Boggs does not perform often, but he has played the scheming Dr. Coppélius several times over his lifetime, including the last time Colorado Ballet presented “Coppélia” in 2008.

“I love this ballet, especially its comedy and lightheartedness,” Boggs said. “It’s a really fun ballet that anyone can understand and enjoy, whether it’s your first time attending or your hundredth.”

“Coppélia,” with classical choreography by Arthur Saint-Léon and the music of Léo Delibes performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, will have eight performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Because there are two casts, Boggs only will be appearing in the opening performance March 8, the March 10 matinee and on the evening of March 16. Info at coloradoballet.org.

Season for season announcements

If it’s March, it’s time for season announcements to come fast and furious, starting this week with the Denver Center’s new Broadway slate.

• The Colorado Symphony will begin its second century – and Peter Oundjian’s third season as principal conductor – highlighted by performances featuring legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, singer/songwriter LeAnn Rimes, and Broadway and film star Leslie Odom Jr.

Rimes performs alongside Resident Conductor Christopher Dragon Sept. 28 for an evening of hits including “How Do I Live,” “One Way Ticket” and “I Need You.” Odom, best known for his breakout role as Aaron Burr in the blockbuster musical “Hamilton,” returns to Denver on Dec. 7 to perform selections from his 2020 release “The Christmas Album” and others, with Dragon on the podium. Perlman joins Oundjian for a one-night-only event featuring Beethoven’s violin concerto on Jan. 18, 2025.

“For the last 100 years, the Colorado Symphony has been a beacon of inspiration, captivating audiences with the magic of live orchestral performances,” said Oundjian. “Today, we aim to push the boundaries of classical music and create experiences that resonate with both seasoned concertgoers and new audiences alike.”

This year’s lineup of film screenings accompanied by live scores will include “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “How to Train Your Dragon” and a symphonic tribute to comedy icon Mel Brooks.

For the full slate of offerings, go to coloradosymphony.org.

• Opera Colorado’s 2024-25 season will open with a laugh-out-loud comedy called “Donizetti’s Daughter of the Regiment,” followed by Puccini’s all-time favorite “La Bohème” and Verdi’s twisted tale of revenge “Il Trovatore.” Info at operacolorado.org …

• Curious Theatre Company’s 27th season of provocative plays will launch with the all-female political comedy “Potus, Or Behind Every Great Dumb*ss are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” by Selina Fillinger. “Downstate,” by Bruce Norris, is the story of a man who shows up at a group home to confront his recently freed childhood abuser. Dominique Morisseau’s “Confederates” explores institutional racism through the dual lenses of an enslaved rebel turned Union spy and a tenured professor in a modern-day private university. And “A Case for the Existence of God” by Samuel D. Hunter (“The Whale”) follows two single fathers and their connection over “a specific kind of sadness.” Dates were not announced. The news comes just a few days after Curious announced the launch of an emergency $250,000 giving campaign that Artistic Direct Jada Suzanne Dixon said “is critical to keeping our doors open.” More info at curioustheatre.org.

Briefly …

Sandy Duncan, America’s Perpetually Perky Sweetheart since her Tony Award-nominated run as Broadway’s “Peter Pan” in 1979, returns to Aspen from March 15-17 to star in the Nora Ephron play “Love, Loss and What I Wore” for Theatre Aspen in the Paepcke Auditorium. Her co-star is Tony Award nominee Andrea McArdle, aka America’s Perpetually Perky Sweetheart since originating the title role in Broadway’s “Annie” in 1977. Tickets are $75 at theatrespen.org …

The deadline is March 10 for actors to sign up for the Colorado Theatre Guild’s annual “unified auditions,” which is an opportunity for local thespians to be seen by producers from 22 Colorado theater companies spanning Denver to Pueblo to Creede all at once. The auditions take place April 21-22. One catch: Auditioners must sign up to be members of the CTG, which costs $50. More information at coloradotheatreguild.org …

Denver Film’s ninth annual Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival, which celebrates Asian and Asian American film, is coming up March 14-17. We now know in-person guests will include Ji-young Yoo, star of “Smoking Tiger,” who will be presented the inaugural Golden Dragon Award following a screening at 7 p.m. Friday, March 15, at the Sie Film Center. The award honors an artist who uplifts and celebrates the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander community. Director Shelly Yo will be on hand for a post-show Q&A. Also: Susan Apassingok, subject of the film “One with the Whale,” will speak after a 4:30 p.m. March 16 screening, also at the Sie.) Full festival passes are $65-$75 with individual screenings $12-$15 at denverfilm.org.