Photos by John Moore.

Since 1983, Magic Moments has produced a massive annual pop-music revue that integrates persons with physical and developmental disabilities with able-bodied actors both amateur and professional. Shows often feature close to 200 cast members of all ages.

The goal of the organization is to raise community awareness of the special gifts of persons with physical and developmental disabilities while providing the performers with an opportunity to give back to their community through theatrical performance.

On Friday, Magic Moments was one of three honorees at the 10th annual Circles of Change Awards luncheon hosted by Building Bridges at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

By celebrating others’ accomplishments each year, Building Bridges hopes to demonstrate that positive change by individuals can be expanded into much greater circles of change. The other honorees were Nichole Flores, n instructor of theology at St. Anselm College; and Harold Fields, a nationally renounced facilitator for creating dialogue centered on race in America.

Magic Moments recently presented its 32nd annual comedy and music revue, ghoulishly titled A Dark and Stormy Night. It was again directed by Ken Quintana, otherwise known as “K.Q.”

Magic Moments President Ted Kuenz accepted the Building Bridges Award and introduced a medley of songs from the most recent Magic Moments show. Performers included former University of Colorado football star Ed Reinhardt, who went into a coma for 62 days after getting hit in the head during a game his senior season; busy local actor and singer Keegan Flaugh (pictured, above and right), and a bevy of youngsters.

Flaugh is currently performing in Performance Now’s production of 42nd Street through April 26 at the Lakewood Cultural Center.

A Dark and Stormy Night was a comic tribute to our favorite pop-culture ghost stories. It included songs such as Let it Go and Hotel California, classics from The Doors, Elvis and Led Zeppelin, and current pop stars American Authors and Young Blood Hawke.

The costs of producing Magic Moments’ annual revue are covered by grants, corporate and patron sponsors, donations, ticket sales and program advertising. Over the years, Magic Moments has donated more than $200,000 back to companies that provide services to the disabled community.

Building Bridges’ mission is to equip young people with the communication and leadership skills necessary to address the root cause of hatred, discrimination and violent conflict. It creates safe spaces for young people to meet face-to-face with those they have been taught to fear.

Magic Moments President Ted Kuenz accepts the Circles of Change Award. Photo by John Moore.
 

Some of our previous coverage of Magic Moments coverage:

Ed Reinhardt: Never met a man I didn’t like
Photos: Backstage on opening night of Spirit & Soul
Magic Moments’ rotund roster includes big-name local actors
Video podcast: Magic Moments’ Death of a Star
Magic Moments pays actors in a different kind of currency
Wheelchair dancers ready for some rockin’ and rollin’

Magic Moments performs at the Circle of Change Awards. Photo by John Moore.