Phamaly Presents: Theatre As Sanctuary

ONSTAGE SHOW

Sanctuary (noun): a place of refuge or safety. 

Thirty-two years ago, a group of five disabled artists came together to found Phamaly because they were looking for an artistic space to call home. Since then, Phamaly’s stage has become a sanctuary for countless numbers of disabled artists in search of a place to call their own.

This past year, our community has been held hostage by the unknown: What does the future hold? What does our new normal look like? Does “normal” even exist anymore? What we have discovered is that the stage, while sometimes imperfect, has the unique ability to provide a sanctuary to those in search of a home. 

Phamaly’s Fall production series, Theatre as Sanctuary, will feature three staged readings that examine and interrogate the idea of sanctuary – what turns a space into a sanctuary and whose rules dictate the sacredness of that refuge. Each staged reading will take place at a different sanctuary, both traditional and nontraditional, within the Denver community and looks to engage a different population who calls that place home. 

*CONTENT WARNINGS for My Name is Asher Lev*

This play features intimate discussion of religious doctrine, both Jewish and Catholic.
This play features discussion of the atrocities of the holocaust. 
This play features discussion of various anti-Semitic acts. 

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The Christians by Lucas Hnath 

The Antonia Brico Stage at Central Presbyterian Church – October 29 and 30

When a beloved spiritual leader, Pastor Paul, preaches a controversial sermon, he is shocked to find the lengths his congregation will go to in order to hold onto their beliefs and traditions. 

And In this Corner…Cassius Clay by Idris Goodwin

Phamaly Theatre Company Offices  – November 12 and 13

Young Cassius Clay, the boy who will grow up to lead a social revolution as Mohamed Ali, is living in the Jim Crow era. As he navigates the cruel realities of his time, Cassius finds a home in the squared circle that will change the trajectory of American History.

My Name is Asher Lev by Aaron Posner, adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok

Temple Emmanuel – November 20 and 21

Asher, a Hasidic Jew, has been blessed with a unique artistic ability that shocks his family. As his religious and artistic worlds begin to collide, Asher must decide where his loyalties lie and if it is possible to belong to two communities that seem to have nothing in common.

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Production Team

THE CHRISTIANS
Director: Monique Holt
Stage Manager: Kelley Russell

And In This Corner…Cassius Clay
Director: donnie l. betts
Stage Manager: Teresa Gould

My Name is…ASHER LEV
Director: Ben Raanan
Stage Manager: Veronica Legler

Cast

THE CHRISTIANS
Paul: Trenton Schindelle
Jay: Mark Dissette
Elizabeth: Alexandra Easton
Jenny: Chelsea Lee 
Joshua: Andrew Morrill

And In This Corner…Cassius Clay

Cassius: Lance Pate
Eddie: Tremaine Butler
Joe Martin: Toby Yount
Cash: Don Randle
Odessa: Laurice Quinn
Rudy & Others: Jayvon Rollerson
Ringside Announcer & Others: Madison Stout
Sugar Ray Leonard & Others: Andre Jackson
Zbigniew Pietrzyskowski & Others:  Andrew Small

My Name is…ASHER LEV

Asher: Keenan Gluck
Riv: Sheila Traister
Lev: Kevin Pettit