The ensemble cast of “Senior Moments” perform “Greased Lightning” during Thursday’s dress rehearsal. The Stage Left Silver Players (ages 55 and up) are bringing their energy, humor, and life experience to the stage on Saturday and Sunday at the Trinity Playhouse located at 234 E. Lincoln Way in Lisbon. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)
LISBON — You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but that doesn’t mean old dogs don’t have a few tricks left up their sleeves. Those tricks — including a pretty convincing Tom Jones impression — will be showcased Saturday and Sunday at the Trinity Playhouse when the Silver Players take the stage.
“Senior Moments,” a play written and directed by Kandace Cleland, will take the audience on a ride of short comedy skits and musical numbers that poke fun at aging while proving “over-the-hill” is not synonymous with “out to pasture.”
Creating a Play for Older Performers
For Cleland, the executive director of the Stage Left Center for the Arts, which calls the theater home, “Senior Moments” was quite literally years in the making. In her 32nd season at the playhouse, Cleland found herself in an age group where starring roles are scarce. Instead of looking for material for performers 55 and older, Cleland took matters into her own hands and wrote it.
A Journey of Collaboration and Creativity
Cleland had been kicking around the idea for a play centered around older performers for a while. Eventually, she sat down and hammered it out. The play is a series of short sketches and music best described as “golden oldies” — the soundtracks of sock hops, soulful seventies and everything in between. “Senior Moments” is a methodical mashup of jokes, a bit of slapstick, and fittingly new takes on old numbers.
Expanding the Reach of the Show
There are also plans to take the show on the road. Cleland envisions a shortened traveling version of “Senior Moments.” The format of the play is perfect for a reboot. Sketches could be plucked out and performed at senior centers and retirement communities.
Recognition and Community Engagement
Equally amazing is seeing the theater finally take centerstage.
The Silver Players are Cleland, Tener, Ron Altomare, Mary Ann Bacon, Jo Barto, Bob Borst, Kristi Braham, Mark Frost, Kari Lankford, Christine Lydic, Gloria Mathews, Stephen May, Mike Moss, Ruth Newman, Lynne Peterson, and Chuck Simon. The production staff consists of Cleland (artistic director), Jodine Pilmer (musical director), Tessa Young (stage manager), Lydon Freeman (assistant stage manager), Grace Beil (lightning design), Steve May (prop master), and Aaron and Nathan Fenstermaker (light ops). The Silver Pit Band members are Pilmer (keyboards) and Stephen Ley (drums). Scott Weinart — along with Cleland — is responsible for programs and promotions, Leslie Ward is the box office manager, and Will Flannigan is the webmaster. Young and Freeman also have small roles in the production.
To learn more about the Stage Left Community Arts Center or the Trinity Playhouse, visit stageleftplayers.org.
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