September 2021

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Bonnie's Column

In last month's newsletter I shared, "I didn't choose theatre, theatre chose me!" I was delighted that the column moved many of you to respond with stories about how theatre found you also. You spoke passionately about the ways it adds to your life, how creative challenges foster your imagination. You love being part of a theatre group because it brings comfort and companionship. And everyone gets high off of applause!

We heard from...

Bill Doody, playwright of the hilarious Lust 'n Digestion, who shared what he learned from a documentary on the life of the abstract artist, Willem de Kooning. De Kooning was preparing for his first gallery exhibition. He had struggled with one painting for many days and in the end, "just couldn't make it work." He decided to throw it out and reuse the frame. By accident, a gallery assistant took it to the show, where it sold. Years later, it was re-sold at auction for $8 million. Bill's lesson is that it's important to keep creating because doing something is better than doing nothing. And even your mistakes may turn out to be valuable!

Paula Nelson got the theatre bug when she was in kindergarten. A career and raising a family got in the way until at the age of 62, she moved across the country and began her second career as an actress. Her first acting paycheck was a thrill she could only imagine--a life-long dream come true! At age 80, she made it to the semi-finals for America’s Got Talent in Las Vegas as Granny G, a rapper for family values. Turning 90 next month, she's waiting for the phone to ring! She wrote, "I am an actor because I can not NOT be one." I know how she feels. She's preparing to teach Senior Theatre classes online and hopes to start a Senior Theatre company soon!

These are only two of the many stories I received. As Senior Theatre people, we are a unique breed, able to use our creativity to speak to audiences and move them. Again, we are reminded to use this moment to "Live the Life you Love!"

Yours in Theatre,

Bonnie L. Vorenberg
President, ArtAge Publications

Newly Released!

Some plays just jump off the page for us here at ArtAge. And this is one of them. We are so pleased to share this with you!

A Dog Barks by Dwight E. Watson

10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman

It seems like a regular day in the life of Ralph and Donna. She reads the paper, he fiddles with the TV remote. A dog barks. But it’s not just any day, and the dog is not the only one making noise. In this hilarious comedy, Ralph and Donna trade zingers over noise, city ordinances, and the dog. In the end though, it’s clear there’s more to their 40-year relationship than verbal jousting!

Our Plays are Being Performed!

Reunited was a huge hit in Minnesota. Photos courtesy of Dean Ramsay. 

• "Reunited was a ton of fun. Some even said that it was the best play that we ever put on," said Claire who portrayed Betty. "This was the first time using our livestream equipment and those who watched online truly enjoyed it!"
• Audiences are still chuckling after seeing Doctor, Doctor in Florida.
• Our Voices, Senior Selfies entertained audiences in Maryland.
• A performance of The Complaint Department got rave reviews in Florida.
• Bingo Ladies Gone Bad and Mona Lisa's Toe were both well received in North Carolina.
• Audiences in South Carolina loved Misconceptions!

Save $5 on Select E-scripts!

Now is the perfect time to start thinking about your holiday performances! We've chosen these fun Holiday Shows because they are all new to the collection. Sale ends September 22, 2021.

The Cat Lady Christmas
60 minute radio play comedy, 2 men, 3 women, 2 either
Cat-loving Corly promises her new beau, an allergist she met online, that she’s pet-free, but the opposite becomes hilariously true just as he’s about to cook her a Christmas Eve dinner.

Hoppy Holidays
13 minute Christmas comedy, 3 men, 3 women, one off-stage voice
A Christmas tradition gets interrupted by two unexpected guests.

Hanukkah Santa
10 minute comedy, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 either
Time to call the rabbi, this is a real emergency. After spending a frantic hour looking for his Santa suit, Sam went running out the door at 4 o’clock in the morning. It was bad enough when he wore it to a Purim party, but on Hanukkah?

A Santa-Mental Christmas
20 minute holiday comedy, 1 men, 2 women, 5 either
Bob Naquin's unique humor takes on the North Pole. Santa is grumpy! The modern workforce of elves and reindeer makes him wish for the good old days. Will he get with the times?

The Christmas Home Tour
15 minute comedy, 5 women
Before they even get to their first home, their cheerful driver transforms from merry to harried. Just when she’s about to toss in her Santa hat, the group decides it’s time to stage an intervention to improve her spirits.

Mr. Hartwell’s Christmas
35 minutes, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 either plus extras
A department store Santa decides to find his Christmas cheer in a bottle. Jobless, sitting in a seedy alley, he discovers a magic sack that really does deliver holiday magic. A feel good story that never grows old!

Perplexing Polar Problems
10 minute comedy, 3 men, 3 women, 2 either
Problems in Santa’s Polar Kingdom have everyone in a titter! A short, easy show that is a load of laughs. 

Hurry — the sale ends Septmber 22! 
 

Click here to see all of our other holiday plays!

Download our catalog:

The largest collection of plays, books, materials, and information for older performers.
 

Contact us at:

PO Box 19955, Portland OR 97280
503-246-3000 or 800-858-4998
bonniev@seniortheatre.com     www.seniortheatre.com

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