Silver Players strike comedy gold

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."

For Cleland, the executive director of the Stage Left Center for the Arts which calls the theater (converted from a historic church) 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.

"When it comes to the senior group, there are just not a lot of roles out there other than 'Driving Miss Daisy.' It's a great role but you can only do it so many times," Cleland said. "So I basically took the 'if-you-build-it-they-will come" approach. And they did. Seventeen very talented people responded. Some are well-seasoned who have been in or around community theater all their life and a few are newcomers who haven't been on stage before. For me, it's just been a really amazing process, watching it all come together."

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.

"I wanted to keep the skits short. There aren't 40-pages of dialogue to memorize. I read a lot of jokes and incorporated those jokes into funny skits. I did take a few Broadway standards and gave them a twist," Cleland said. "And other people added things. Robin Tener reinvented '16 going on 17' from the Sound of Music into a '60 going on 70' parody. It truly was a creative collaboration."

The interest wasn't limited to just the cast. Both shows sold out online. Cleland made room by moving the Silver Pit Band out of the pit and adding more seats. Limited tickets remain but will be sold on a first come-first served basis. Doors open on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. The Silver Players take the stage at 7 p.m. Sunday's doors open at 1:15 p.m. with showtime set for 2 p.m. Cleland said they will try to "plunk people down anywhere we can," but encouraged those wanting to see the show to come early.

"Never in my life did I expect this kind of response. We wanted to put on a show that was fun and full of joy, but I wasn't sure that there would be an audience and whether we could get anybody else besides our grandchildren to see the show," Cleland said. "But the reception has been nothing short of incredible. Now, we are planning on doing it again next season."

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.

"It would be wonderful to bring it to people who can't get out to the playhouse and to places that could appreciate the joy and fun and relate," Cleland said. "Obviously, that would take commitment and rely on the leadership in this group. But I think that's something wonderful that could be possible down the road. I believe it's something we can do."

Cleland also thinks the Silver Players make for comedy gold if not something magical. There's something to be said for experience. Even those performers who will make their theatrical debut this weekend have a certain wit that only comes with white hair, a moxy that is only fostered by decades and comedic timing that is only practiced to perfection from a lifetime of learning to laugh at yourself.

"The people playing these characters are characters themselves, off stage and in their lives," Cleland said. "It really is a talented group. The oldest is 83 and I think the youngest is 57. It has been amazing seeing this program being built and what everybody brings to the table."

Equally amazing is seeing the theater finally take centerstage.

"It's really exciting to see our playhouse finally getting some recognition. This theater truly is a gem in the community, but it's been a struggle. I've had people in the community say 'There is a playhouse in Lisbon? What? Where?," Cleland said. "But more and more people are realizing that we are here, right in Lisbon, right in the county seat. And they're coming out to see their neighbors, their children and now their grandparents onstage. We want everyone to come out and join in the fun."

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.