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6 questions for PHAMALY actor Stephen Hahn

By Lisa Bornstein, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 9, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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PHAMALY’s production of <em>OneFlew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest</em> features, from left, Lucy Roucis, Sean McGee, Stephen Hahn and Alex Marin.

Photo by Michael Ensminger ©

PHAMALY’s production of OneFlew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest features, from left, Lucy Roucis, Sean McGee, Stephen Hahn and Alex Marin.

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It's been nearly 20 years since PHAMALY staged its first show - Stephen Hahn was there and has been there since. Now he joins the Physically Handicapped Actors & Musical Artists League as the rebellious McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Hahn, born with spina bifida, spoke recently with Rocky drama critic Lisa Bornstein about how he got there.

1 You're playing the legendary protagonist of Ken Kesey's 1962 counterculture novel, and here in your driveway is a 1961 VW truck painted in psychedelic colors like Kesey's bus Furthur. What's the story?

I had a couple artist buddies who owed me some cash and I went away on vacation and they ended up painting every square inch of it. When they remade The Shining, I got a two-second drive-through on that, made $200 for two days. When (concert promoter) Barry Fey retired, they put his head on my body (in the driver's seat) for the tickets. It was (the car I used daily) for probably 10 years. It still runs, but Volkswagens are a young man's game.

2 You got involved with PHAMALY when they were trying to drum up members and you worked at a halfway house for the mentally ill. What made you do it?

I was just the person who answered the phone. I thought, "This (organization) is probably gonna be one year and done." I told them I was working 80 hours a week and I didn't have time and I didn't want to do it.

3 So what made you do it and then stick around all these years?

I still do PHAMALY 90 percent for the disabilities advocacy. When people come to our shows, not only are they entertained, but they go away with a different perception of people with disabilities. It helps people to be more willing to include people with handicaps in society.

4 Any onstage mishaps?

My first big role, I played Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress, and he pretty much starts the show. He comes out and has this page of dialogue. I did it OK in rehearsal. The night when we did our final dress preview, (director) Steve Wilson said, "Why don't you give her a kiss before you go into your speech?"

I kissed Lady Larken and my lines, boom! I ended up standing out there for a minute. I gave her a peck on the cheek, I saw all these people and just freaked! Ever since then I've worked really hard to make sure I know my lines.

5 What makes Cuckoo's Nest a good fit for PHAMALY?

This show about the Chief becoming liberated is a metaphor. Back 50 years ago, there are people (in PHAMALY) who would have been institutionalized. We did our first show in the Boettcher School and it felt very much like an institution. There's this community that develops in these places. The people are kind of odd or whatever, but they come together as a family.

6 And what makes the play a good fit for you?

It's a perfect role for me because I've always had a big problem with authority. To be honest with you, I used to be the official cast malcontent.

bornsteinl@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5101

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

* When and where: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through Feb. 3, Aurora Fox, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.

* Cost: $24

* Information: 303-739-1970