NOW PLAYING: PHAMALY presents LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - thru 8/5

PHAMALY (The Physically Handicapped Actors & Musical Artists League’s) presents LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman; Music by Alan Menken) playing at the Denver Peforming Arts Complex now through August 5th. Seymour Krelborn is an orphan living in skid row. Audrey is pretty with a fashion sense that leans towards the tacky. They are co-workers at Mushnik's Skid Row Florists, a run-down flower shop owned and operated by the cranky Mr. Mushnik. Seymour has obtained a mysterious plant, and because he is secretly in love with Audrey, names the plant Audrey II in her honor. Soon "Audrey II" grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is one of the great gems of the American Theatre. Hilarious lyrics, outlandish situations, amazing music and a colossal puppet combine with some hidden pathos to make a truly exceptional theatrical experience." says Director StEve Wilson. "PHAMALY will create a Skid Row populated with an array of shapes and sizes that will season this classic show with our own sense of depth and style – though never skimping on the dark fun."  

Director StEve Wilson has cast Daniel Traylor in the role of Seymor, Kathi Wood in the role of Audrey and Mark Dissette as Mushnik. Veteran company member Don Mauck is the voice of Audrey II with Jeremy Palmer cast in the role of Orin Scrivello the evil dentist.  Wilson has three girl groups in this production; Ronnette's - Amber Marsh, Lyndsay Palmer and Lisa Young; Chiffon's - Laurice Quinn, Linda Wirth and Shannon Wilson and Crystal's - Briana Berthiaume, Twanna LaTrice Hill and Kathleen Traylor Rounding out the ensemble is Jason Dorwart, Ashley Kelashin, Jaime Lewis, Molly Nash, Kevin Petit and Trenton Schindele. With Musical Direction by Donna Debreceni and Choreography by Debbie Stark.

One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a household name, thanks to a highly successful film version and a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who redefined the animated musical film with Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin.

Tickets are now on sale for the Physically Handicapped Actors & Musical Artists League’s (PHAMALY) production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Previews are July 13, with the opening at the Space Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex July 14 through August 5, 2012. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:00 p.m., Sundays and 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 30 (Industry Night). Tickets can be purchased by calling Denver Center Ticketing at 303-893-4100; online at www.phamaly.org; or at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. 

An Audio Described and ASL Signed performance is scheduled for Sunday, July 22 at 2:00 p.m. PHAMALY will offer a backstage sensory tour at 11:00a.m. The sensory tour brings individuals on stage for a tactile experience, touching elements of the set, costumes, and prop pieces. The tour is free but advance reservations are required by calling the PHAMALY office at 303-575-0005.

Now in 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 is the proud recipient of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce 2011 Small Nonprofit Business of the Year.

PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Ensminger