Here's what my friend Marilyn Bruner did: she talked me into joining Curtain Call, an organization of wannabe actors who put on stage plays for the entertainment of their fellow residents. Some of these folks, like me, can't remember what they had for lunch so memorizing lines for a play is out of the question. Also, choreography for moving people in wheelchairs or walkers around on a stage is too scary to imagine. Obviously, modifications to traditional stagecraft is a must.
I'm glad I listened to Marilyn and joined her band of thespians, even though my original vision of doing the musical, Singing In the Rain with me in the Gene Kelly role didn't work out. I have been warmly welcomed to the cast. We do the theatrical productions by sitting in chairs in front of the audience and reading our lines from binders. Remember radio? I know, I know that sounds crazy to you but it works. I was in the audience for their last performance and the crowd loved it...foot stomping applause.
We're currently rehearsing a play that does a takeoff on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was written by Marilyn and who knew the girl could make dialog sing? It's years later after Prince Charming left Snow White at the altar and although she has put on a few pounds and some smile lines, she still owns those hug-me-now eyes. Oh, yes and that name change: Silver Gray. She now tends bar and owns the Last Chance Saloon in the small town time forgot: Arid, Arizona. It's all about the return of Prince Charming (who is not so charming) and those height challenged Hi Ho, Hi Hoers. Each actor is assigned a character and the practice begins. It is harder than you might think to get the different characters to say their lines so that it creates a seamless flow of dialog. Ever try herding cats?
It's a genuine fun exercise with lots of laughter intermingled with kindly commands from the director to pay attention to the cues. Cry your eyes out Broadway.
