PHAMALY presents "Side Show" June 7, 2008

PHAMALY presents
“Side Show”
Based on the true story of Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton
Book & Lyrics by Bill Russell
Music by Henry Krieger
Directed by Steve Wilson
Musical Direction by Scott Lubinski
Choreography by
Debbie Stark & Cindy Bray
DENVER, CO – The Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League (PHAMALY) presents the Tony Award-winner “Side Show” previewing June 5 & 6, opening on Saturday, June 7 and running through June 29 in the Space Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
Based on the true story of Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton who became stars during the Depression, “Side Show” is a moving portrait of two women joined at the hip whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love. Told almost entirely in song, the show follows their progression from England to America, around the vaudeville circuit and to Hollywood on the eve of their appearance in the 1932 movie Freaks.
Performances of “Side Show” run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. An additional performance will be held on Monday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday, June 15 performance will be audio-described for low-vision and blind patrons and sign language interpreted for deaf audience members. The Sunday, June 29 show will also be audio-described. There will be talk-backs with the cast following the performances June 12, 13, 14, 20 and 27.
June 15 and 29 will also offer a behind-the-scenes sensory tour for physically challenged audiences at the Denver Performing Arts Complex (tour embarks from the Bonfils Theatre lobby at 10:45 a.m.). Lunch follows the tour and may be purchased for an additional $5.00. Tickets for this special sensory tour and lunch must be purchased with tickets for “Side Show” by calling 303-778-7724.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling Denver Center Ticketing at 303-893-4100; online at www.phamaly.org; 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. Groups purchasing ten or more tickets receive a discount and should call 303-778-7724. Students, seniors and PHAMALY members can purchase tickets for just $28 through the box office. To become a member of PHAMALY, call 303-575-0005 or go online to www.phamaly.org.
Not recommended for children under the age of 6.
Director Steve Wilson stated, “There is perhaps no other theatrical work better suited to the unique strengths of PHAMALy than “Side Show.” This gripping musical explores the timeless themes of acceptance, diversity and the commonalities and complexities of the universal desire for connection. Set in the 1920s and 30s and based on the true story of world famous conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, the story focuses on their rise from the obscurity of the Side Show to the height of vaudeville celebrity. There is love and loss and prejudice and fame- all expressed through a magnificent score of unforgettable music. This production will strive to deliver an authentic version of the American Side Show- mesmerizing, haunting, engaging. We believe that this message, delivered by these actors, will change the way you think about your own glorious, but ever fragile, human experience.”
Cast: Angie Aguilar (Lizard Lady), Jenna Bainbridge (Daisy Hilton), Leonard E. Barrett, Jr. (Jake), Samantha Barrasso (Harem Girl), Briana Berthiaume (Roustabout), Edward Blackshere (General Tom Thumb), Michael Danahey (Strong Man), Mark W. Dissette (Buddy Foster), Jason Dorwart (Reptile Man), Don Gabenski (Roustabout), Donna Gunnison (Lavinia Thumb), Stephen Hahn (The Boss 2), Mimi Holmes (Cannibal Queen), Regan Linton (Violet Hilton), Matt MacCarthy (Geek), Alex Marin (Roustabout), Amber Marsh (Snake Lady), Don Mauck (The Boss 1), Sean McGee (Tall Man), Julie Melton (Roustabout), Molly Nash (Little Thumb), Kevin Pettit (Sheik), Lucy Roucis (Dolly Dimples), Kathleen Traylor (Fortune Teller), Nick Ortiz Trammell (Terry Connor), Gregg Vigil (Fakir), Katrina Weber (Harem Girl), Teri Westerman (Roustabout), Troy Willis (Roustabout), Linda Wirth (Bearded Lady), David Wright (Roustabout/Browning).
“Side Show” debuted on Broadway on October 16, 1997 and ran for 91 performances at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Despite critical acclaim, the show closed on January 4, 1998. It was later nominated for four Tony Awards in 1998: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Musical Score and Best Actress in a Musical (Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner). Although “Side Show” won none of these awards, it was the first and only time that two actresses were co-nominated for Best Actress in a Musical as a team.
PHAMALY’s mission is to enable people with disabilities to showcase their talents and abilities through live productions and to make the performing arts more accessible to everyone. Each actor is physically or developmentally disabled, some are blind, others hearing-impaired and several are in wheelchairs. Their disabilities include Spinal Cord Injury, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and others.
In its 19-year existence, PHAMALY has gained national recognition and received numerous honors including the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. Most recently the company received the prestigious El Pomar Foundation Aware for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities. In 2006 the company was honored with two Denver Post Ovation Awards and received National recognition with a profile of “The Wiz” on PBS’s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. The company’s inspirational 2005 production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was named Best Musical of 2005 by The Denver Post; one of the top ten productions of 2005 by the Rocky Mountain News and Best Overall Production of 2005 by the Daily Camera. See a video at
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For media requests, please contact Gloria Shanstrom at 303-778-7724 or Shanstrom@comcast.net
PHAMALY’s production of “Side Show” is proudly supported by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, Disaboom, El Pomar Foundation, Barnhart Communications, Melvin & Elaine Wolff Foundation, Colorado Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Wells Fargo and the Rocky Mountain News.

Official Website: http://www.phamaly.org