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Denver's Greatest Tradition: The Annual 12th Night 

Woodstock Revisited: The Age of Precarious

Join us at the University Club for the oldest tradition in Denver - the 12th Night Show!  Each year since 1897 we have put together a one-of-a-kind musical satirical review to spoof the latest in national, local and political topics. We make serious subjects FUNNY!

This year we will roast the Rockies, socialism, Elon Musk, Mountain Lions, Traffic, Air Travel and much much more!  

In our Age of Precarious, sometimes we all need a night to relax and share a laugh.

Each show includes a fabulous dinner from our renowned Chef, wine on each table and of course our bar is equipped to make most any cocktail your heart desires.  Don't miss this year's 1960's themed drinks - you can't go wrong with any of them - including the mocktails!

So, join us and Let Mirth Be Unrefined! 

For tickets, please call the Front Desk at 303-861-4267 

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EVENT DATES AND TICKETS: 

OPENING WEEKEND

Friday, January 16, 2026 – OPENING NIGHT 6:00pm // $135

Saturday, January 17, 2026 – 12th NIGHT 5:30pm // $110 ea. for Members + 1 Guest // $135 for Additional Guests (This show features an additional After Show Supper, included in the price).

REHASH WEEKEND

Friday, January 23, 2026 – REHASH I 6:00pm // $135

Saturday, January 24, 2026 – REHASH II 5:30pm // $135

Don't miss your opportunity to enjoy a Denver tradition in our beautiful, historic Clubhouse on Sherman Street!
 

Ready to purchase your tickets? 

Call the front desk at 303.861.4267


The History of 12th Night

Twelfth Night is undoubtedly the University Club's best-known and most prized tradition. The Twelfth Night shows are a spoof of local, national and international personalities and happenings of the previous year. Each annual show is written and presented by the Club's members in early January- no person or event is immune from the good spirited lampooning!

The Club's Twelfth Night origins date back to when we settled into our newly built clubhouse on Sherman Street. With the opening slated for January 1, 1896, some members believed that the Club should not open with "old" booze, and set to finishing off the supply that had been brought from the old Club on New Year's Eve. What real success they had in that endeavor is unknown, but a simple story-telling contest emerged during that effort. So the members planned another for the following year.

Around the Wassail Bowl in 1897, roughly twelve nights after Christmas, Twelfth Night began to evolve. The celebration harkened back to midwinter celebrations and even took on characteristics of certain medieval English festivals.

Nowadays, Twelfth Night kicks off in late October or early November when the King or Queen (the new Club President, elected right after the Annual Meeting), appoints the chairman of the show, known as The Fool.

To assist The Fool, a retreat is held in early December for those who write songs or dialogue, or otherwise help with the production of the show. At the retreat, food and drink stimulate the flow of creative juices. The King or Queen is also invited to attend, whether or not he or she has ever demonstrated any creative talent, whatsoever.

Rehearsals begin in January and are held for approximately two weeks in the College Room. All Club Members are invited to participate in the production; New Members are especially encouraged to join the fray. The rehearsals themselves are great, light-hearted fun and often feature boisterous chorus renditions of "Down on the Farm," honoring the Fool, the King/Queen, the Music Director, the Assistant Fool and other worthy contributors to the shows success.

Twelfth Night 

Twelfth Night itself is a black tie affair, held on a Saturday evening. For the cast and past presidents of the Club, the evening starts with the President's Cocktail Party. With greetings of "Happy Twelfth Night," the rest of the assembled membership gathers for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the upstairs bar and reading room.

Following a sumptuous dinner in the conversion of the College Room from a banquet hall to a theater, a raucous Twelfth Night parade begins. The oldest living Fool in attendance leads the parade, followed by a live band. The chefs and waiters carry litters of food (including a roasting suckling pig) and all the other delicacies to be served at the midnight supper. Then come U Club's past presidents in their regal robes, the King or Queen, the Fool and finally, the costume members of the cast. 

When order has been restored and the members are seated, the Twelfth Night show begins with the Fool, bedecked in a jester's colorful costume, stepping through the closed curtain, looking up from the stage to the balcony, proclaiming: "M'Lord, again, the players are assembled!" Thus begins the snappy King-Fool dialogue, which always concludes with the royal commandment: "Let mirth be unrefined!" The curtain then parts, as the cast belts out the opening chorus. 

A remarkable performance follows that which can only be experienced.