PHAMALY presents “Man of La Mancha” July 23, 2009

PHAMALY presents
“Man of La Mancha”
Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s Don Quixote
Directed by Steve Wilson

DENVER – The Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League (PHAMALY) presents “Man of La Mancha” July 23 – August 16 in the Space Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. “Man of La Mancha” previews on July 23 and 24 and opens on Saturday, July 25. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. and Monday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m. through August 16.

This critically acclaimed American musical is inspired by Miguel de Cervantes's seventeenth century masterpiece Don Quixote. The play chronicles the misadventures of the mad Spaniard who imagines himself the knight Don Quixote on a quest to attain the unattainable. The theme celebrates the journey of our lives as enhanced by the passionate gift of imagination with memorable musical numbers including “The Impossible Dream” and “Dulcinea.”

Director Steve Wilson has cast Leonard E. Barrett Jr. in the roles of Cervantes/ Don Quixote and Regan Linton in the roles of Aldonza/ Dulcinea. PHAMALY welcomes Jeremy Palmer back in the fold as Sancho Panza. Palmer was last seen as Joseph in PHAMALY’s award-winning 2005 production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Joining him on stage for “Man of La Mancha” is wife Lyndsay, who was last seen in the January 09 production of “Steel Magnolias.” Daniel Traylor, last seen the 2007 production of “Urinetown” is back from college and cast in the roll of Anselmo. PHAMALY is also delighted to see the return of Tara Cowan (“The Wiz,” 2006) and Ray Angel and Chaz Jacobson (“Urinetown,” 2007) to the stage.

Rounding out the cast are many veterans and new actors to the PHAMALY stage including Mark Dissette (Innkeeper), Jenna Bainbridge (Antonia), Amber Marsh (Housekeeper of Quixote), Don Mauck (Padre), Jason Dorwart (Dr. Carrasco), Nick Ortiz Trammell (Barber/Juan), Stephen Hahn (Pedro), Kevin Pettit (Tenorio), Laurice Quinn (Paco), Alex Marin (Jose/ Guitar Player), Muleteers; Devin Vogal Woodall, Leslie Rusher, Samantha Barrasso and Kevin Ahl, Jodi Hogle Maria (Innkeepers Wife),Briana Berthiaume (Fermina /Serving Girl at Inn), Edward Blackshere (Duke) Lyndsay Palmer (Ensemble/ Lead Gypsy Dancer), Michael Danahey (Ensemble/ Captain and ensemble members Angie Aguilar, Donna Gunnison, Molly Nash and Esha Mehta, Genevieve Schlosser and Julius Gordon.

Tickets are $30 adult, $28 senior/student/military, $24 on Monday, August 3, $15 for the July 23 and 24 preview performances and can be purchased by calling Denver Center Ticketing at 303-893-4100; online at www.phamaly.org; at Tickets West outlets in all regional King Soopers stores; or at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. $22 tickets groups of ten or more call 303-931-7241.
Audio Described performances on Saturday, August 1 & Sunday, August 9; Signed performance on Sunday, August 9. PHAMALY’s annual gala, Circle of Stars: Reaching the Unreachable will be held on Thursday, July 30. Tickets for that performance only are $75 and include pre and post show receptions. For gala information call 303-575-0005.

Now celebrating its 20th season, PHAMALY is an award winning Colorado based Theatre Company comprised entirely of performers with a wide variety of physical challenges. PHAMALY’s core mission is to enable persons with disabilities to showcase their talents and abilities through live performance and to make the performing arts more accessible to everyone.

PHAMALY has gained national recognition and received numerous honors, including the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (1999), the El Pomar Foundation’s Award for Excellence in the Arts & Humanities (2007) and, most recently, three Denver Post 2008 Ovation Awards including Best Directors and Best Musical Number for its productions of “Side Show” and “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.” “Side Show” has recently been nominated for a 7 Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Awards. Winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on June 29.
The Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League (PHAMALY) - “Man of La Mancha” - The misadventures of the mad Spaniard who imagines himself the knight Don Quixote on a quest to attain the unattainable with memorable musical numbers including “The Impossible Dream” and “Dulcinea.”
July 25 – August 16 at the Space Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. and Monday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Circle of Stars: Reaching the Unreachable Fundraising Event & Performance - Thursday, July 30 (Tickets this show only $75)
Tickets are $30 adult, $28 senior/student/military, $24 on Monday, August 3, $15 for the July 23 and 24 preview performances and can be purchased by calling Denver Center Ticketing at 303-893-4100; online at www.phamaly.org

La Mancha is appropriate for mature pre-teens - younger children may not understand or appreciate the subject matter.

Photo Credit: Rendering and Prosthetics by Todd Debreceni

Leonard E. Barrett Jr. in the roles of Cervantes/ Don Quixote

Todd Debreceni has worked in film, television and theatre for over 30 years. Before starting his own small effects shop in Colorado, Todd did work for TBS, 20th Century-Fox Television, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Pictures and Walt Disney Television Animation. Todd is a past recipient of a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and a Denver Post Ovation Award for Special Accomplishment in Makeup Effects. Todd’s recently released book 'Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen' (Focal Press, 2008) is being hailed in the industry as the ‘Bible’ for special makeup effects artists. He has created a variety of makeups and effects for numerous films and stage productions including 'Ink,' 'Bat Boy,' 'The Enemy God,' 'Sleuth,' 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Steel Magnolias,' and conducts regular seminars, workshops and classes in special makeup effects for film, television and theatre.

Todd is the author of Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen: Making and Applying Prosthetics