Making magic

For 25 years, an all-inclusive troupe of performers has played out its sense of community onstage

By Lisa Bornstein, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 3, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Steve Peterson © Special to the Rocky

The choir section includes Regan Linton, left, Jean Muse and Dustin Walters. More than 230 performers — including professionals, amateurs and some people with disabilities — will be involved in the annual variety show, directed by a man known only as KQ.

Magic Moments is a big deal. How big? Think 232 performers taking the stage to sing and dance 42 musical numbers in a show celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Directed by the man known only as KQ, who has led the show for the past 17 years, Magic Moments brings together professional performers, able-bodied amateurs and the mentally and physically disabled for a community extravaganza. The rule is: No one who auditions is turned away.

Four stalwarts told us what keeps them coming back.

Regan Linton

* Age: 26

* Years with Magic Moments: 3

* Occupation: Phamaly administrative director. Linton has used a wheelchair since a car accident at age 20.

* What she said: I'm a relative newbie. (Music director) Donna Debreceni originally told me about it. The first show I did was Cactus Flats, and Q wanted to tell the story of someone who had been through an accident, so he brought me in to help with the writing process.

I always marvel at ... these cute young teenagers who could be out doing whatever they want and here they are interacting with peers with severe disabilities. I think it's pretty common for people to feel afraid or uncertain, because they don't get that regular interaction.

It's educational for them and us. You're like, wow, I'm onstage with Traci Kern and Andrew Caldwell, who are playing big leads around town.

Dustin Walters

* Age: 22

* Years with Magic Moments: 11

* His T-shirt: It reads, "I'm probably not listening to you," and was worn to taunt KQ. Walters has a learning disability, a permanently clenched right hand and heart problems.

* What he said: My cousin was disabled like me. She heard about it and she came over and said, "There's a program and Dustin might like it." I love to sing. I was in choir when I went to Chatfield and I'm looking for a choir now.

They put a pacemaker into me last year. I went back to the hospital a couple weeks ago, they found a leak, and they found one valve was not closed all the way. I told my director I can't run because of my heart, and he said, "You're joking with me." And I said, "I'm not joking with you."

I lost my cousin a couple years ago, and she's the one who got me into Magic Moments. I'm learning about how I can get all my friends in the program.

Anita Boland

* Age: 43

* Years with Magic Moments: "At least 15"

* Occupation: Performer, director and choreographer

Boland is the head choreographer on the show, in addition to performing in it.

* What she said: I had just moved back from L.A. and I had a good friend who knew KQ. So I called him and I've been roped in ever since.

Being involved in the professional world is much different, so when I come to Magic Moments, there's a lot of love. Every time I say I'm not going to do it again, I get here and Dustin's flirting with me already.

It's humbling because, yeah, I'm a professional, but the attitude of these people. We have this guy, Gordon, he's so cool, he's completely wheelchair-bound. He's this incredible guy who communicates just by his smile.

Billy Baldwin

* Age: 44

* Years with Magic Moments: 8

* Occupation: Network administrator for the city of Denver. Baldwin worked as a professional opera singer before moving to Denver. He found Magic Moments through his wife, Dustin Walters' sister Tessa.

* What he said: I came to rehearsal a little bit leery of it. I've never really dealt with special-needs people ever. I was a little uncomfortable.

I'm the youngest of 10 children and I don't have any family in Colorado. They are my family.

Dustin, he's just got so much joy in his little body. We joke around like we're brothers.

I met her (Tessa) the first year and we came back the next year and that's when we started dating. I sang the song Anthem from the play Chess and Tessa tells everyone that's what made her fall in love with me. And I'm singing it again this year.

Everyone at our wedding was from Magic Moments. Regan was a bridesmaid and Dustin was a groomsman.

When you watch some of these people performing and you see the joy that they get out of it, it's inspiring.

Magic Moments: Stand By Me

* When and where: Opens Friday. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and March 16. Through March 16 at Littleton High School, 199 E. Littleton Blvd.

* Cost: $17.50 to $20

* Information: 303-607-7555

bornsteinl@RockyMountainNews. com or 303-954-5101

• March 19, 2008

  9:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ebarrette writes:

  Thank you so much for the wonderful article! Magic Moments is a truly remarkable group: the inspiration derived from interactions with the members, rehearsals, and performances cannot be described in words. It's an honor and a privilege to know everyone involved in the group: performers, volunteers, founders, supporters -- the list is endless. The world needs more Magic Moments!

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