This fall, The Garlands Play Readers, a troupe of ten-plus thespians, all of whom are over the age of 75 and live at the Barrington retirement community, delighted packed audiences at two performances of their original variety show, “Laugh and Sing.”
Filled with songs made famous by the likes of Doris Day, Bing Crosby, and Patsy Cline, plus musical theater highlights and iconic Tonight Show and Carol Burnett Show sketches, the cast added their own memorable twist as they performed for neighbors, friends, and families in The Garlands Center for the Performing Arts.
“Over the last fifteen years, we’ve really come to understand what works best for our troupe and what our audiences like,” says Director and Garlands Lifestyle Coordinator, Nate Szkil, who notes that their recent repertoire has grown beyond actual readings of plays to include more song, dance, and even lip-syncing.
While a well-received performance is always the pinnacle, cast members agree that the collaborative process—from choosing the theme, to selecting the various acts, to, in some cases, even writing the script, much of which is done by the Garlands actors themselves—is almost as fun!
This fall’s show, which was a year and a half in the making due to COVID-related delays, coalesced under the prerequisites of “laughter and singing.” With these loose guidelines, Garlands thespians reminisced, took to YouTube and collaborated with one another to plan a variety show that kept two sold-out audiences of neighbors, friends and family in stitches.
“We each bring our own ideas, and they just kinda fall into place,” says Cathy Nardo, who along with Judy Thierer and a cameo appearance by stoic-businessman-turn-house-husband played by John Seaman, reprised Judy Garland and Peggy Lee’s “I Like Men,” much to the audience’s delight.
This fall’s show, which was a year and a half in the making due to COVID-related delays, coalesced under the prerequisites of “laughter and singing.” With these loose guidelines, Garlands thespians reminisced, took to YouTube and collaborated with one another to plan a variety show that kept two sold-out audiences of neighbors, friends and family in stitches.
Cast member Karen Stathakis looked no further than her desk drawer where she saved Maxine clippings from newspaper funnies page. Stathakis, who is known at The Garlands for her outgoing and pleasant personality, offered her take on the famed crabby cartoon lady’s sometimes raunchy and always cynical perspective about the perils aging. For example, on her waning romantic life, Maxine reports, “The last guy who kept me up all night was MR. COFFEE.”The schtick provided continuity throughout the program and uproarious laughs between sets.
Classic television sketches and favorite songs from decades past inspired other acts including “Mama’s Rap,” a ten-minute rap originated by Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett complete with hip hop choreography and laments about ageism as reprised by Garlands Play Readers members Judy Thierer and Marilyn Helberg. Ending the number with an on-stage costume change from bathrobes and shower caps to sequin party dresses, the duo convincingly told the audience that, with age, “The truth is, mama is better than mama has ever been!”
Song, dance, and catchy lyrics aside, it’s not all about bright lights and twenty minutes of fame. Szkil says that Garlands actors gain “brain elasticity” by thinking on their feet and coordinating movement, acting, and speaking all while having fun, being social, engaging, and building confidence.
“I’ve never done anything like this in my life,” says cast member Willa Larwin, who reports she is “giving it my all.” She recalls that “at first I was scared to death, but I think that, at my age (which is upwards of 85), I’m learning to have a lot more nerve.” She adds that the work helps “keep her on her toes,” and that she has met a lot of good friends on stage. “Being in the group has taught me that I do matter.”
Castmate Nardo adds, “We’re not as agile as we use to be, but we make up for it with enthusiasm and humor!”
The cast’s humor, not to mention gratitude for the good news that curtains and stage lights around the country are able to come back up after over a year of closures, showed in their final number from the famed musical Chicago. The cast offered a tommy gun-style salute using helium-filled vaccine syringe props—take that COVID!
