‘DISABLED JOY, FRONT AND CENTER’

BY TONI

Maggie Whittum thought she would never act again after a severe brain stem stroke at age 33. The life-changing medical event was brought on by a cavernous angioma, also known as an arteriovenous malformation, while pursuing her MFA in acting at the Shakespeare Theater Company and working as a freelance performer, director and producer.

“I dropped out of school. My whole life fell apart,” Whittum says. “I moved back to Colorado and really didn’t think I’d ever be on stage again. Honestly, I was quite afraid of [the idea] because of all the changes that had happened to me physically and psychologically.”

Her life was forever changed again when she met Regan Linton, the former artistic director of Phamaly Theatre Company, who extended an invitation for Whittum to join Denver’s disability-affirming troupe, which exclusively casts disabled actors.

“The thing that sets Phamaly apart from other companies is that there’s always a check-in at the beginning of the day, where people can be open about what they’re facing physically and mentally,” Whittum says. “We are all disabled people, so we can’t just show up to rehearsal and be on point 100% of the time and never have any problems.”

Five disabled students from the Boettcher School in Denver who were dissatisfied with the dearth of theatrical opportunities for people with disabilities founded the group originally styled as PHAMALy (Physically Handicapped Amateur Musical Actors League) in 1989. Mark Dissette, who has been with the group for 34 years since its first show, 1990’s Guy and Dolls, says the company has come a long way since.

“We’ve got a lot of new people coming in, and that’s exciting to me because a lot of us are aging out of the whole thing. And we need that to happen because Phamaly wasn’t here when we created it, and it needs to stay here,” Dissette says. “People with disabilities still do not get anywhere near the equal opportunity that an abled body performer gets, and this gives them a chance to perform on a professional stage … we create serious, thoughtful work that allows disabled people to work in a professional environment, and be seen as professionals.” ects — particularly those that historically have prevented actors with disabilities from performing them, like its upcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream — in a way that highlights the individuality of each actor.

“Because Shakespeare is considered the crème de la crème, it has been offlimits to the disabled community,” Rannan says. “Even though there were four productions of this play last year, I was comfortable doing this adaptation because ours will be nothing like theirs. Midsummer has always been Shakespeare’s most accessible work; it’s the play with no rules. It begins as a straightforward romance, but then Shakespeare adds magic. While staying true to the text, we are excited to put disabled joy front and center in this adaptation.”

Shaking Up Shakespeare

Although the organization’s name has been changed to Phamaly Theatre Company (PTC), its commitment to exclusively featuring actors with disabilities, including physical, cognitive, intellectual, and emotional, remains. Ben Rannan, the company’s current artistic director, has focused on producing proj-

As part of its 34th season and return to Denver Center, Phamaly’s first Shakespearean play, directed by University of Northern Colorado professor Shelly Gaza, stars a 17-person cast and tells the story of four young lovers who flee their controlling parents and seek refuge in a magical forest full of quarreling fairies.

“One of the most fun things about Shakespeare is that you can set it wherever you want, but I wanted to make sure we chose a setting that would further the company’s mission,” Gaza says. “We landed on this idea of the 1920s. Midsummer needs to be able to go from indoors to outdoors and have the formality of the court and then the magic of the woods. I had this image of these art deco and art nouveau period greenhouses, which are these beautiful, stately buildings that have wilderness just outside their windows.”

Additionally, the Flapper-era costume silhouette allowed for more flexibility than the typical Elizabethan era, which was essential because Gaza wanted the actors to be able to move around the stage without restriction. Phamaly encourages viewers to join the fun by donning their best 1920s attire.

“Prior to this, we had been rehearsing in a very large conference room, so stepping into the Kilstrom Theatre and seeing the lights, set and other technical elements is just extraordinary,” says Whittum, who plays both Titania, the fairy queen, and Hippolyta, the Amazon queen. “I know Shakespeare’s not everyone’s thing, but I love it and was studying his work in my graduate program. Having to drop out because of this illness was devastating for me, so to be in this big old Shakespeare production that’s a full-on thing at the Denver Center is just very meaningful to me and not something I thought I’d ever get to experience.”

ON STAGE: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Phamaly Theatre Company. Various times, Aug. 17-Sept. 2, Kilstrom Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 1101 13th St. $40

EVERY WEDNESDAY BOULDER BLUEGRASS JAM

SAT. 8/19 - 9:00PM

SQUEAKY FEET

SUN. 8/20 - 7:00PM

GARRETT LEBEAU, JAY STILES AKA CRYSTAL FINGER: SOUTH AUSTIN BLUES REVUE

MON. 8/21 - 6:30PM

OPEN MIC WITH STEVE KOPPE BLUES REVUE

THU. 8/24 - 7:00PM

CLAY ROSE SINGER SONGWRITER

FRI. 8/25 - 8:00PM

TERESA STORCH BAND WITH MACKENZIE RAE

SAT. 8/26 - 7:00PM

COLLAPSING STARTS AND DECHEN HAWK

TUE. 8/29 - 6:30PM

PAUL SODERMAN AND THE OGS WITH DFK AND THE LAB RATS

THU. 9/7 - 7:00PM

TROUBANDOURS WITH RAMAYA SOSKIN FEATURING BETH PRESTON & HUNTER STONE

SAT. 9/9 - 7:30PM

SETH GLIER

MON. 9/11 - 7:00PM

AMY LEVERE & WILL SEXTON

THU. 9/14 - 8:00PM

ANTONIO LOPEZ BAND & LAURIE DAMERON

SAT. 9/16 - 6:00PM

K9’S, COWBOYS & COCKTAILS FUNDRAISER

TUE. 9/19 - 6:30PM

MOJOMAMMA LIVE BROADCAST ON 88.5 KGNU

Purchase Tickets at RMPtix.com RootsMusicProject.org

4747 Pearl Suite V3A

THE BLIND CAFE: MUSIC IN THE DARK

6:30-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $85

Are you afraid of the dark? There’s nothing to fear during this pitch-black pop-up dinner featuring music by Rosh & The Blind Cafe Orchestra and the Richie Flores Project. Legally Blind Ambassadors will be on hand during this community event “held in 100% pure, certified organic darkness.”

BACK TO SCHOOL: A DRAG SHOW

7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St. $15

It’s back-to-school time in BoCo, so come get nerdy and dirty with the fiercest performers on the Front Range during this DV8 drag show. Students get a 20% discount at the event led by Chancellor Mo Whoremoans and Dean Ms. Phoria. 18

Music At Mcintosh Lake

7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, Flanders Park, 2115 North Shore Drive, Longmont. Free

Enjoy your lakeside views with a dash of culture? Head to Flanders Park at McIntosh Lake for an evening of classical music in Longmont. Spearheaded by local musicians Kellan Toohey and Brittany Bonner, this live-music series offers all the beauty and thrills of a night at the symphony without the dress code.

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Longmont Haunted History Tour

7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, Downtown Longmont, Main Street - 3rd to 6th Avenue. $30

Spooky season is around the corner, so get in the spirit with Kindred Spirit Society International during the Longmont Haunted History Tour. Explore the haunted history of this East County hub for “a chance to meet local legendary history makers — some gone but not forgotten; others forgotten, but maybe not gone.”

Writers Workshop

7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, Firehouse Art Center, 667 4th Ave., Longmont. Free

Looking for the right words? You’ll find them on the third Friday of each month during the ongoing Writers Workshop at Firehouse Art Center in Longmont. All experience levels are welcome during this free in-person event featuring readings, prompts, workshops and more. Masks encouraged.

19

Lafayette Peach Festival

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, Old Town Lafayette on Public Road. Free

Celebrate Colorado’s favorite fruit during the 24th Annual Lafayette Peach Festival. The juicy event kicks off bright and early on Saturday in Old Town, with food vendors, crafters, antique dealers — and more than 30,000 pounds of certified organic peaches from Palisade Organic Peach Ranch, Morton’s Orchard’s and Tate Orchards in the peach capital of Palisade.

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Chalk And Chug

6-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway. $35

Head to the Saloon Bar at Museum of Boulder for an art demo and hands-on fun with Bryce Widom and Victoria Guidi. No art skills are necessary for this creative workshop featuring craft libations and light refreshments, presented in conjunction with the ongoing exhibition Beer HERE!: Brewing the New West

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN RECORD SHOW

Sat.-Sun., Aug. 19-20, The Brighton, 3403 Brighton Blvd. Saturday: $12, Sunday: free

Calling all cratediggers! The Rocky Mountain Record Show is back and bigger than ever with an estimated 100,000+ vinyl LPs, posters and other music-related memorabilia. If that weren’t enough, the show will feature local DJs spinning vinyl, plus food trucks, a full bar and more.

22

ARTIST TALK: ASHTON LACY JONES

7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, R Gallery + Wine Bar 2027 Broadway, Boulder. Free

Get up close and personal with the artist behind the ongoing Waxed Poetic exhibition, running through Aug. 27 at R Gallery + Wine Bar, during this free artist talk in North Boulder. Ashton Lacy Jones will share insight into her process during this art-forward event complete with fine wine and craft beer.

19

Transperfect Victory Lap 5k

9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, Boulder Reservoir, 5565 51st St. $35

Whether your running style skews casual or competitive, sign up to get moving for a good cause during this year’s Victory Lap 5K. In addition to benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the $35 entry fee includes race registration and a T-shirt, plus two free beers and a breakfast burrito during the afterparty at Beyond the Mountain Brewing Company.

22

Smarty Party Trivia

7:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, Avanti Food & Beverage, 1401 Pearl St., Boulder. Free

Assemble your brainiest crew and flex your esoteric knowledge in the lounge at Avanti on Pearl Street for Smarty Party Trivia with host Greg Studley. This free event will include “some fantastic prizes, some mediocre prizes and some prizes that don’t feel like prizes at all.”

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Tuesday Community Bike Ride

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, Sanitas Brewing Co. 3550 Frontier Ave., Unit A, Boulder. Free

Life is better on two wheels, so gather your best bike buddies and head to Sanitas Brewing Co. in Boulder for a weeknight ride. Participation is free during this weekly community event, featuring a BOGO round at the brewery after the ride.