My brief acting career began at age 70 with Prizery Summer Theater. I just adored the mostly small roles I had in six musicals and mixing in with serious acting students from out of town.
But by 78, I abruptly stopped. I couldn’t remember the lines anymore. The 20-something kids were coaching me. I couldn’t remember when to get on stage as the baker’s father in “Into the Woods.” The schedule was brutal. Two shows on Saturday? What?
Then, just three months ago, came a life-changing bombshell.
I found out about new one-hour versions of Broadway musicals tailored for performing old people. My friend Monica Walter told me that Musical Theatre International, which owns the rights to the shows, was providing abbreviated scripts, scores and recordings at a low price. Just like the kids’ musicals, “Frozen Jr.” and “Little Mermaid Jr.”
Wow. We could rehearse between afternoon naps! No late-night tech rehearsals.
Monica asked me to be music director. What? I have never done that before. (But I have accompanied numerous singers on the piano.) Sure, why not? If I’m terrible, I’ll just plead old age. My life’s work won’t be measured by this show.
We decided to see if the Clarksville Community Players would give us a date to put on “Guys and Dolls Senior” at the Clarksville Fine Arts Center. As we came to the group’s board meeting, we were advised that the calendar was full for the 2025-26 year.
As we walked in, Charlie Simmons, the long-time chair, said, “You look tired, Mike. Have a seat.”
“That’s what I want to talk about, Charlie,” I smiled.
After Monica described our plans, she said, “Now Mike will explain why he wants to do this sooner rather than later.”
I have never been very persuasive, I thought, but here goes:
“I’m not getting any younger. I am in perfect health, but I’m almost 84. Who knows how I will feel a year from now? I gave up theater five years ago. Now I can do it again!”
I could feel the mood of the room changing.
The board agreed to give us Saturday Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, for a 2 p.m. show. Perfect! Then we decided to add a second performance on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Then reality set in: We saw the abbreviated show performed flawlessly at the sold-out Raleigh Little Theatre in early October. How could we match them?
I told myself that the Raleigh-Durham metro area has 2.4 million people to draw on for a cast, volunteers and audience. We have about 60,000. So, our sights aren’t as high, but it will be a great challenge.
We are holding auditions for 20 actors in “Guys and Dolls Senior” at 2 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday Nov. 17 and 18 with possible callbacks on the 19th. All actors must be at least 55 years old. Rehearsals will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. starting Monday Dec. 1, with a week-long break for Christmas.
We need a volunteer crew as well as actors and singers. Come on! You can be young again! To schedule an audition or volunteer, go to https://clarksvilleplayers.org/auditions I can answer questions or you can message the director, Monica Walter at monica.walter58@yahoo.com
