Oldies But Goodies
Old cast + old crew + old play = new heights in community theatre
These
days, when you're over 50, you're often seen as deadwood. But Chanticleers Theatre's
production of Neil Simon's play Broadway Bound shows that sometimes older is better.
Thirteen
of the 16 members of the cast and crew are over 50. Most are 60-plus. Of course,
they have an edge in that Broadway Bound is a preeminent play. Time Magazine called
Broadway Bound "The best play of the 1980s." The New York Post called
it "The most successful nonmusical in Broadway history." But this over-the-hill
gang, who in today's tough job market is often viewed as needing to step aside
for the next generation, is proving that they're far from ready to go gentle into
the good night. Indeed, the first Saturday night, the cast got a standing ovation.
Marty Nemko, director of the play (and KGO and KALW show host)
said, "Because of ageism and the lousy job market I was able to recruit talent
that a few years ago I couldn't have dreamed of." And perhaps because, as
older people, they too rarely are summoned for an important project, they've devoted
remarkable energy to this production. For example, crew members have been seen
painting the set at two in the morning. Nemko says, "My actors refuse to
take breaks during rehearsal---they want to spend every minute making the play
better."
Broadway
Bound will be performed at Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. Castro Valley,
CA. It runs through Aug 15 Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 6 $18 regular,
$15 students/seniors 55+.
Information & tickets: www.chanticleers.org or 510-SEE-LIVE.
These
days, when you're over 50, you're often seen as deadwood. But Chanticleers Theatre's
production of Neil Simon's play Broadway Bound shows that sometimes older is better.
Thirteen
of the 16 members of the cast and crew are over 50. Most are 60-plus. Of course,
they have an edge in that Broadway Bound is a preeminent play. Time Magazine called
Broadway Bound "The best play of the 1980s." The New York Post called
it "The most successful nonmusical in Broadway history." But this over-the-hill
gang, who in today's tough job market is often viewed as needing to step aside
for the next generation, is proving that they're far from ready to go gentle into
the good night. Indeed, the first Saturday night, the cast got a standing ovation.
Broadway
Bound will be performed at Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. Castro Valley,
CA. It runs through Aug 15 Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 6 $18 regular,
$15 students/seniors 55+. 
