PHAMALY presents “The Elephant Man” January 12, 2012

The Physically Handicapped Actors & Musical Artists League

The Elephant Man

Written by Bernard Pomerance

Directed by Steve Wilson and Bryce Alexander

Exploitation vs. Charity. Science vs. Religion.

Denver, CO - "The Elephant Man" chronicles the true story of John Merrick, treated as a fairground freak because of his hideously deformed body. Abandoned and helpless, Merrick is discovered by a young doctor who provides him with a home in a London hospital. While no longer a victim of beatings and abuse, he becomes an object of curiosity to exploit among the upper class.

PHAMALY (The Physically Handicapped Actors & Musical Artists League) presents “The Elephant Man”January 12 – February 4, 2012 at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora. Previews are Thursday, January 12 & Friday January 13 @ 7:30 p.m.; opening Saturday, January 14 and runs Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:30 p.m., Sundays @ 2 p.m., and Monday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. Audio Description & Sign Interpretation, Sun. Jan 22 @ 2 p.m. with a post show talk back. Encore performances will be held at the Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 26 at 2 p.m.. Go to www.phamaly.org for additional details.

**Please Note: Elephant Man contains brief, partial nudity.

PHAMALY Artistic Director Steve Wilson tells us, "The Elephant Man represents a singular opportunity for PHAMALY. It is a Pulitzer Prize winning play whose central theme connects completely to the core mission of our company – disability awareness. We take the responsibility of presenting this play very seriously and are delighted with its many challenges and opportunities. The play is beautifully constructed with great economy of writing - touching on broad, deep issues in a short expanse of time. These themes are timeless as they come with lessons for everyone about the importance of acceptance and the great power of the human experience. We believe the themes of the play resonate even more fully when realized by a cast made up of actors with disabilities themselves."

The cast includes Daniel Traylor (John Merrick), Mark Dissette (Frederick Treves), Edward Blackshere (Ross), Jason Dorwart (Carr Gomm), Lucy Roucis (Mrs. Kendal), Don Mauck (Bishop Wow), and rounded out by ensemble members Brian Bernard, Briana Berthiaume, Rennie Hart, Jaime Lewis, Sean McGee, Jocelyn Roy and Erik Vickers.

Tickets for the Aurora Fox performances on sale now, are $29 adult, $26 seniors, students & military, $21 groups of 10 or more; $15 all seats preview Jan 12 & 13 and on Monday, Jan. 23. Box Office 303-739-1970 or online at www.phamaly.org.

Now entering its 23nd season, PHAMALY is an award winning Colorado based Theatre Company comprised entirely of performers with a wide variety of physical challenges. PHAMALY’s mission is to provide professional theatre opportunities and artistic development for performers with disabilities, and to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the performing arts community.

PHAMALY presents “The Elephant Man” - The story of John Merrick, sideshow freak and upper class curiosity, who became known as The Elephant Man. Previews Thur. Jan. 12 & Fri. Jan. 13; Opening Jan. 14 – Feb. 4, 2012 - Fri./Sat. @ 7:30 p.m.; Sun. @ 2 p.m. Industry Night: Mon., Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Audio description & Sign Interpretation, Sun. Jan 22 @ 2 p.m. Pre-show Sensory Tour Sunday January 22 @ 11a.m. with a Post-show Talk back. Tickets $26 - $29 * Groups of 10 or more $21 - $15 all seats preview Jan 12 & 13 and Mon. Jan 23. Box Office 303-739-1970 online at www.phamaly.org and click on “The Elephant Man” the ticket icon. Presented by PHAMALY at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80040. Encore performances will be held at the Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 26 at 2 p.m.. Go to www.phamaly.org for additional details.

**Note: Contains brief, partial nudity.

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