Magic Moments - This Just In March 12, 2009

Magic Moments presents

This Just In

Directed by KQ

Musical Director, Donna Debreceni

(Denver) – Magic Moments Inc. celebrates its 26th season with one weekend of shows in March, as this nonprofit theatre production group promotes the abilities of all performers, especially those with physical or developmental disabilities.

Magic Moments offers five performances for the 26th production entitled “This Just In.” Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., March 12 - 15. Tickets are $20 Adult at $17.50 Kids\Students\Seniors (55+) and available by calling 303-607-7555 or online at www.magicmomentsinc.org.


Under the musical direction of Donna Debreceni the cast of two hundred fifty sings over 30 current and classic hits such as Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, Don’t Be Cruel, Thriller, Walking On Sunshine, It’s Raining Men and movie theme classics such as Ghostbusters and I Like To Move It Move It from the movie Madagascar. Of these two hundred fifty cast members seventy-three of them are between the ages of 5 -12 years old. Another Magic Moments record!

Founded in 1983 as a talent show that gave people with physical or developmental disabilities the opportunity to perform on stage, Magic Moments established itself as a production company that pairs professionals with amateurs, the able-bodied with the less able-bodied, the young and the old, to create an original theatrical performance with high production values that audiences will enjoy and cast members will be proud to participate in. No one is turned away. Anyone can participate. All are welcome.

“It’s not unheard of to start in the chorus and end up with a featured role. That’s the way it works! A “magic moment” can happen at any time!” said KQ, who has directed Magic Moments’ productions for 18 or its 26 years.

The inclusive nature of Magic Moments serves not only the disabled theatre community, but has become, in many ways, the first Denver theatre experience for many actors trying to make their way in Denver theatre. Actors like Elizabeth Welch (Taffetas, Garner Galleria, Beauty and the Beast, CDP) who is now with the National Tour of “Phantom of the Opera,” Tim Welch (Kiss Me Kate, Annie, Town Hall), Drew Frady (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Arvada Center), Suzanne Nepi (Lend Me a Tenor, Everything … Kindergarten, Aurora Fox), Andrew Caldwell (Nunsense A-men and Joseph, Town Hall, Urinetown, Phamaly), Traci Kern (Kiss Me Kate, Joseph Town Hall), and Jenny Hecht (Assassins, Next Stage) auditioned for Magic Moments, contributed significantly to the production and moved on to other Denver venues, taking with them fond memories of their experience. And many return.

Choreographers like Anita Boland (Arvada Center, Town Hall Arts, Aurora Fox), Nick Sugar (Theatre on Broadway, Town Hall Arts) and Debbie Stark (PHAMALY, Theatre on Broadway), have created original choreography for Magic Moments productions, enhancing the movement talent of those in wheelchairs or actors who are visually impaired.

A few Colorado actors who got their start in a Magic Moments production have moved on to Broadway and Off-Broadway: Mara Davi (A Chorus Line, Broadway, The Drowsy Chaperone, Broadway); Matt Schneider (White Christmas, Boston); and Paul Wyatt (Sessions, Playwrights Horizons, Austentatious, New York Musical Theatre Festival). They cite an experience that gave them a solid performing foundation while learning to embrace all levels of talent, from the very old to the very young, the multitalented to the singer in the back row of the chorus.

Magic Moments Inc is a non-profit organization, established in 1983 to produce an annual musical and theatrical production. Each production integrates persons with physical and developmental disabilities into the total performing cast of amateurs and professionals. The goals of the organization are to raise community awareness of the special gifts of persons with physical and developmental disabilities, and provide our diverse range of cast members an opportunity to give back to their own community through theatrical performance.
Magic Moments 26th Production “This Just In”
A musical extravaganza integrating over 200 disabled and able-bodied cast members of all abilities, ages and experience performing together.

Littleton High School, 199 East Littleton Blvd., Littleton. Thur\Fri\Sat March 12, 13 & 14 at 7:30 p.m. Sat, March 14 & Sun, March 15 at 2 p.m. Adults $20 - Kids\Students\Seniors (55+) $17.50 - For tickets call 303-607-7555 or at www.magicmomentsinc.org


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Providing persons with physical and developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in and gain exposure to the arts, thus fostering self esteem while assisting in the support of programs that serve these individuals.