On A Roll

When self-pity is easier than humor, laughter is suddenly invested with a courageous strength of character. That’s what makes VOX PHAMALIA: Tales From the Crips such an extraordinary event. Written by eight physically disabled writers, Tales takes an honest and darkly funny look at what it’s like living with a disability. “I think there’s never been anything like it done before,” says director Edith Weiss. “It’s a combination of song parodies, scenes and monologues. It’s all originally written. It’s not for kids, because it’s rather dark humor.”

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More About

• Edith Weiss
• Helen Keller
• Jerry Lewis
• Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Crips Street Gang

More irreverent skits include PHAMALY Jeopardy with categories like tasteless jokes about Helen Keller, incontinence supplies and the game “Cripple or a Road Cone,” wherein contestants guess which choice a clue describes. You’ll also hear a parody of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs, including a satire of Jerry Lewis and his telethon. “Some of it is just a really honest look at living with disabilities — like getting up a wet ramp when the wheelchair starts to slide,” says Weiss. “The most surprising thing is their sense of humor about these situations.”

Tales opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Pluss Theatre in the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 South Dahlia Street; it runs again tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. Admission is a suggested $10 donation. For more information, call 303-575-0005 or go to www.phamaly.org.
Sat., Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m., 2008