2016 Catalog - Senior Theatre

Transcription

ArtAge
SENIOR THEATRE
RESOURCE CENTER
ArtAge helps older adults fulfill their theatrical dreams
2016-2017
CATALOG
SUPERIOR
SERVICE
NEW
PLAYS
NEW
AUTHORS
ArtAge
SENIOR THEATRE
RESOURCE CENTER
Welcome to the Senior Theatre Resource Center, where
you’ll find the best and newest plays, books, and materials
for older actors. Now in our 19th year, the Senior Theatre
Resource Center supplies information to thousands of
worldwide customers who rely on our fun, yet challenging
resources, delivered with prompt personalized service.
There’s something for everyone—from amateurs to skilled
professionals in shows that feature up-to-date characters in current situations
living the lives of modern seniors.
You’ll notice that we now charge for performance cast copies. The new pricing
balances our need to keep up with rising costs while still delivering wonderful
value for your money. .
We feel so privileged. Our unique position, as the central information source
for Senior Theatre, means that the field has one location for all of their needs.
Your support means that we can continue to help older performers fulfill their
theatrical dreams!
Bonnie L. Vorenberg
Founder/President
More information about
the books and plays plus FreeView
script excerpts are online at
We have several ways to
help you connect to the
Senior Theatre movement:
• Our website at www.seniortheatre.com
is filled with news, trends, and events.
You’ll also find expanded play descriptions,
photos, and more details about our books,
plays, and materials. Ordering online is
easy with safe, convenient e-commerce.
• Our e-newsletter, “Senior Theatre Online,”
is packed with timely information and
updates. See past issues and sign up at
www.seniortheatre.com.
That’s not all we do. We also can
help you:
• Sign up for membership in the Senior
Theatre Research Center
• Market your work
• Cast films & commercials
• Provide speakers for your event
• With any of your Senior Theatre concerns
2
www.seniortheatre.com
Play Collections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Plays in a Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Plays less than 10 Minutes. . . . 10
10 Minute Plays. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
10–20 Minute Plays. . . . . . . . . 16
20–40 Minute Plays. . . . . . . . . 19
Longer Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Radio Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Readers Theatre Karaoke®. . . .26
Audience Participation
Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Holiday Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Musicals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Plays to Educate . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Improvisation &
Creative Drama. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
How to. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Monologues. . . . . . . . back cover
What you need to know:
• Buying a script does not give you permission to
perform it, unless it’s a non-royalty piece. Our
reasonably priced royalties are due when you
perform for any audience, paying or non-paying.
You may be liable for penalty of over $300. Rates
are online. Use the Performance Checklist on
page 39 as your guide.
• Plays are copyright protected and can’t be
copied. Performance cast copies are required for
each actor, director, stage manager, lighting and
sound crew leader.
• You can’t edit scripts without permission. If you
need to adjust the show to meet community
sensibilities for language use, sexuality, or gender,
contact us.
• Plays can’t be filmed, videotaped, or recorded in
any format without permission.
• When you perform music in a show, you must
get permission to use it. Contact us for help.
Handy Price Chart
Prices are indicated on many products in this
catalog. If no price is listed, please refer to this chart.
Of course, contact us with your questions.
You can
select
Price
More information
FreeView
Free
At www.seniortheatre.
com you will find a short
cutting of the plays and
the Table of Contents
from books.
Perusal
E-script $15
Hard copy $20
Read the entire script;
print it out. Can’t be
used for rehearsal or
performance. Free
shipping.
Performance
Cast e-copies
$5 per actor
for short
shows up to
30 minutes
$7.50 per actor
for shows
30+ minutes
You must pay for a script
for each actor, director,
stage manager, lighting
and sound crew leader.
Printable. Available in
large print. Free shipping.
Performance
Hard Cast
Copies
Contact us or
check website
for rates
You must pay for a script
for each actor, director,
stage manager, lighting
and sound crew leader.
Comes in black & white
on 3-hole punch paper.
Shipping fees apply.
Musicals
$5 perusal
Take 1 month to read
and share with your
company.
PLAY COLLECTIONS
ArtAge
The Age On Stage®
Series
Age on Stage®: Comedies for
Readers Theatre, Volume 1
VOLUME I
Age on
Stage
®
By Drena Heizer
Ten 10-minute comedies
BEST From chuckles to
SELLER! guffaws, this is a laugh
fest all the way. Sparked with funny
characters and humorous situations,
lively dialogue, sudden surprises,
and just the right touch of charming
goofiness, these plays are great fun
for audiences and performers alike.
This collection is an invitation to
laughter! $24.95
Comedies
For
Readers
Theatre
Drena Heizer
Large Print
Age on
Stage
Age on
Stage:
®
on Stage:
Table of Contents
10
Minute
lays
Terri Ryburn
Table of Contents
The Age on Stage® series is a huge hit
with shows all over the US and around the world.
Take a look and you’ll see why they are so popular!
volume II
Age on
Stage
®
Age on Stage®:
Comedies for Readers
Theatre, Volume 2
By Drena Heizer
Ten 10-minute comedies
BEST Here it is—Book
SELLER! Two from the
Comedies
author of the #1 best-selling
For
Readers
Age on Stage®: Comedies for
Theatre
Readers Theatre, Volume 1.
Open to any page and you
will find quirky characters in
Large Print
humorous situations. That’s
why these short comedies are so much fun for both actors
and audiences. Includes the popular The Holiday Letter.
Drena Heizer
Age on Stage®:
Ten Minute Plays
By Terri Ryburn
BEST This collection of six
SELLER! 10–15 minute plays is
an affectionate and frequently funny
look at every day relationships with
10 Minute
family, friends, and strangers.
Plays
It includes:
10
• Ten Years Younger: You’ll never walk
Minute
by a makeup counter in the mall
again without thinking of these two
Plays
characters.
Terri Ryburn
• Cross Words: When a couple has
lived together for a long time, they
know all the buttons to push!
• Let’s Go to the Movies: Can’t
remember that lost fact? Try some
of Helen’s and Joyce’s ideas!
• The Edge of Forever: Relationships
are always a tug of war and it
doesn’t stop after you’ve been
married a few decades!
• Th
ey Also Serve: Even if you weren’t on active duty during
wartime, you were affected. A story of love lost and found.
•H
igh Heels: This is a play for girlfriends! When the agenda is
shopping and cheesecake, girlfriends are great at any age. $16.95
Terri Ryburn
1
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We’ve all had annoying
restaurant experiences but
I loved Volume I so much
none quite like the one Marge that I just had to try
has in Lunch With Eddie.
Volume II. These plays are
TV judges are lampooned
even better. This lady can
in the ludicrous Courtroom
really write! Her shows are
easy for my actors and I’m
Capers. An amateur theatre
always relaxed because
group stumbles through a
mystery play, airline passengers I know the audience will
experience a strangely unusual love them too.
~ Jenny S., Activity Director
journey, and a department
store Santa Claus gets an
unwelcome surprise. Enjoy these funny adventures and
many others in this intriguing collection! $24.95
4Read detailed descriptions about the plays online at www.seniortheatre.com.
ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center 800.858.4998 3
PLAY COLLECTIONS
Seniors Acting Up
Actin
plays
new one act
Humorous
older adults
and skits for
Ted. W.
Fuller
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An Anthology • Edited by Bonnie L. Vorenberg
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Return Engagement Plays for
Seniors, Volume II
By Jules Abrams
Jules returns with another collection of
ten short, upbeat plays for readers theatre.
Volume I has been so popular that we’re
sure your actors and audiences will love
these also. $23.95
Large Print
Readers Theatre Anthology
By Melvin R. White
Melvin R. White, a nationally recognized
authority, brings you 28 stories from the
pens of classical and contemporary writers,
journalists, and playwrights, formatted for
Readers Theatre performance. Includes The
Taming of the Shrew, The Tell-Tale Heart, The
Wind in the Willows, Where Have All the
Flowers Gone?, and much more! $19.95
Plays for Readers Theatre
By Albert & Bertha Johnson
So many Senior Theatre directors
recommended this book that we knew
you’d want it in the collection. It includes
Macbeth, Tartuffe, Hedda Gabler, The
Cherry Orchard, Importance of Being Ernest,
and Lysistrata. One director told us, “it’s
an excellent collection of plays specifically
adapted for readers theatre. They vary in length and our
audiences love them.” $11.25
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www.seniortheatre.com ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center
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EDITOR
Return Engagement Plays for
Seniors, Volume I
By Jules Abrams
This popular anthology includes ten short
upbeat plays for readers theatre. All have
been successfully produced at senior
residences, senior centers, and drama
clubs. It features dynamic senior characters
in relevant plots sure to interest many
older performers. Easy to use. $23.95
Up
S
Seniorg
Play collections work well because they bring
several scripts together, all under one cover.
They’re cost effective, useful, and a must have
on your bookshelf for that un-anticipated
emergency. Take a look at the new collections
we’ve created.
Edited by Ted Fuller
BEST Includes ten amusing one act plays,
SELLER! six skits, and additional information
such as how to cope with stage fright. Plots
range from the bittersweet final chapter of a
caring waitress’ life to the zany carryings-on of a
mountain clan obviously affected by excessive
inbreeding! Most of the playwrights and characters
are seniors. All are funny. $24.95
New Plays for Mature Actors
Edited by Bonnie L. Vorenberg
This prized collection features
See updated
10 plays and sketches selected
“The Day They
from 300 in two nationwide
Kidnapped
searches. Their plots and
Blanche,”
characters present modern,
on page 20
positive images with primarily
female roles. Can be used for readers theatre or
staged for any audience. $24.95
“Useful and entertaining…”
~Booklist, American Library Association.
Summer Dreams/Winter Wishes
Edited by Ann McDonough and Douglas Hill
You’ll want to perform every single play in this
book! All ten scripts feature older characters who
are dynamic and romantic! Compiled by the folks
at UNLV, the collection includes monologues, tenminute scripts, and one act plays. You’ll find 130
pages of stimulating theatre that’s sure to please
your audiences. $18.95
Short Stuff:
Ten to Twenty Minute Plays for Mature Actors
By Ann McDonough
These short plays are popular in class, in
performance, or as readers theatre and can be
performed for many different kinds of audiences.
A delightful collection of comedies and dramas
filled with roles that today’s older performers and
audiences enjoy. $19.95
Women Are Funny
By May Kramer
This collection features monologues, skits,
one-act plays for auditions, women’s clubs,
community theatre, and solo performance. It
has 14 scripts, mainly for women. They are easy
to do, with very clear characters, and all of them
are funny. They are a hit every time they are
performed. Includes the popular play, How to
Marry the Minister (see page 21). $17.50
PLAY COLLECTIONS
lays
Short P
zen
by the Do
n
A collectio
by
NEW!
Short Plays by the Dozen: A Collection by Arthur Keyser
By Arthur Keyser
ser
Arthur Key
$24.95, single e-scripts $15 each
Buy the book
of all of his shows
or get them
individually!
FEATURED
PLAYWRIGHT
Arthur Keyser
You’re going to enjoy these twelve fun-filled, and often poignant, plays.
In ten to fifteen minutes, they will touch your funny bone and warm your
heart as they delight your actors and capture your audiences. Useful for
classroom work or staged as readers theatre or full performances, these
shows will be the ones you’ll return to again and again.
Beginning a new career in playwriting after turning 80 doesn’t compute, but Arthur defies
the odds. His plays are funny, optimistic, and a joy to watch.
~Howard Millman, former Producing Artistic Director, Asolo Theatre, Sarasota, Florida.
NEW!
The Wisdom of Ganesha
12 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women
A wealthy widow seeks solace in a Hindu
temple, only to discover her guru’s goal is
far from guiding her spirit. Sarah Greenglass
visits every year, but now there’s a surprise
in store.
Grown-Up Games
10 minute comedy
2 men
Anthony and Charles wait on a bench in
the passenger area of a train station. We
think they’re taking the next train but…
Lovely play!
NEW!
School for Wives
10 minute comedy
1 man walk-on, 5 women
When three women who divorced the
same man meet to compare horror
stories, an unexpected guest renders them
speechless.
NEW!
NEW!
It’s Not About Pot Roast
10 minute comedy
2 women
Norma lives next door to her closest
friend, Molly, who she has known since
high school. In this heartwarming, easy
to perform comedy, the women resolve
problems and keep both worlds intact.
So nice!
New Car Shopping
20 minute comedy
2 women or 2 men
Honey meets with Cardelia, who offers
cars that come in colors like ‘Jealousy’
and ‘Eyeliner Mauve,’ a tire warranty
only good for 635 miles, and a car with
a one-cylinder engine. It gets even more
ridiculous!
(available as a women’s or men’s version)
The Visitor
10 minute comedy
2 men, 2 women
Harry Goldstein, seriously ill, has only two
things in mind, to rewrite his will and
continue his bad habit. In this comedy,
Harry changes his opinions about family,
prejudice, and life. A sweet, touching play.
NEW!
Blind Date
10 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women
Jen, an attractive woman, is at an upscale
restaurant ready to meet her online date
in person. When Gus arrives, it looks like
a great match! Short, funny show with a
surprise ending.
Starting Over
15 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women
When Solly and May meet in an urban park,
it’s a time for secrets, conversation that
connects, and the basis for a bright new
future. Theirs is a story about connections!
The Prize
10 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women
Roger, a retirement community’s new
resident, is stunned to learn he will be the
latest award in an astonishing lottery.
High School Reunion
10 minute comedy
3 men
A 101 year-old high school graduate
faithfully attends his annual high school
reunion even though he’s the only one
who showes up. He carries on the tradition,
conducts a meeting, and sings the school
song. Now, a surprise guest, insists on
joining the party. The standoff transforms
into a feel-good moment for the characters
and for the audience. Best Play in the
prestigious Odyssey Ten-Minute Play Festival
in Sarasota, Florida.
Tech Support
15 minute comedy
2 women or 2 men or 2 either
Call tech support to get help with your
new computer and printer? Somewhere in
Calcutta, India, tech support is anything but
helpful. Hilarious!
Mothers’ Day
10 minute comedy
5 women
Molly Sullivan, 72 years old
Very
Popular! is once again waiting for her
daughter, Jane to visit. It’s always
a struggle to get her to show up. So Molly
and her compatriots concoct a madcap
scheme. Feisty characters!
ROYALTY-FREE COLLECTIONS
Skits for
Seniors
Get all three
for only $40!
Skits for Seniors:
Reminiscing Plays
By Jean Vetter
1–7 actors
Give everyone in your group
a moment in the spotlight!
This volume has short, lighthearted plays that require no
BEST
SELLER! props or costumes. Large-print, with
alternating bold for ease of reading. Contains
14 witty skits with dialogue that will evoke
memories of the past like wash day, World War
II letters, fire flies, Elvis, favorite foods, and more!
$13.95
Seniors Still Acting Up: Short
Comedies
SEnIORS
S T I L Lg Up
ACTIn
IES
MED
SHORT CO
By the Young at Heartland Playwrights
4–6 minute comedies, mainly women roles
These short comedies are all easy to stage
as readings or memorized shows. This fun
and useful collection contains comedies
of various lengths, from monologues to
4–6 minute plays. You’ll love them!
Promises, sales clerks, emergencies,
antiques, fire, lunch, gadgets, storms,
and pink are just a few of the themes
in these 16 lively comedies. Written
and performed by a group of older
playwrights, these short plays and
monologues have been staged as readings
or memorized shows with great success. It’s a useful collection, one you’ll want
on your library shelf. If you need something special, you’ll find it here. See list of
shows online. $24.95, single e-scripts $15 each
BY
The Yo
ung
at Hear
tland
Playwr
ig hts
Skits for Seniors:
Humorous Plays
By Jean Vetter
Contains 20 short plays,
each with 1–4 characters.
Requires no props or
costumes and is written in
BEST large print. Includes a spoof of
SELLER!
Dragnet, a cowboy adventure, a
zany game show, a visit to an unhelpful doctor,
and more. Easy to perform, they are lots of fun!
Excellent for retirement communities’ activity
programs. Includes the very popular short sketch,
Oh Doctor! $14.95
5
Buy both Holiday and
Humorous for $29.95
6
Skits for Seniors:
Holiday Plays
By Jean Vetter
Contains 34 skits for
27 different special days and
seasons throughout the year.
Written in large print, great
for holiday celebrations of any
kind. Excellent addition to activity programs.
Very popular collection! $17.95
6
Readers Theatre: Legendary Ladies
and Their Gents
By Marilyn Warsofsky | Five 12–15 minute
plays
Casts from few to 12, both men and women
For ten years Marilyn has toured these shows
throughout her community. The actors and
the audiences love her combination of rich
history with solid theatre. Includes:
Readers Theatre:
Legendary
Ladies
and their gents
By Marilyn Warsofsky
Molly Brown She Was Unsinkable. Full of
spirit, this is Molly Brown’s tale of rags to
riches and courage when the Titanic sinks.
Amelia Earhart and the Powder Puff Derby.
Here Amelia Earhart and 19 female aviators compete in the harrowing All
Women’s Transcontinental Air Race in 1929.
Annie Oakley: A Wild West Legend. Annie Oakley comes alive as the most
exciting sharpshooter in her tour with Buffalo Bill’s Wild Wild West Show.
The Harvey Girls: They Tamed the West. In the Old West when your train
stopped at the depot, you ate in Fred Harvey’s restaurants, known for good
food, friendly service, and the famous Harvey Girls.
Pauline Cushman: The Union Spy. This true, but little-known story, is the tale of
a brave woman who helped the Union Army win the Civil War.!
ROYALTY-FREE COLLECTIONS
Carol Burnett Show Sketches: The Old Folks
By Carol Burnett
2 characters: 1 man, 1 woman in 8 sketches
BEST Here are the original sketches just
SELLER!
like you saw them on the revered
CBS Carol Burnett Show. We compiled the “Old
Folks” sketches into one collection. They’re the
same scripts that Carol and her crew used. Now
you can stage them and get the same great
laughs! Use to produce your own comedy show,
feature in a variety show or radio play, or pull
out the sketches to practice comedy techniques
in your drama class. Each is 3–5 minutes long.
Comes with eight cast copies. $27.95
Funny Stuff
10 Skits
by Olga
• Large Print
• Easy to Perform
• Great for reading or performance
By Olga Sanderson
• Lot of fun!
Funny Stuff: 10 Skits by Olga
By Olga Sanderson
Here are 10 of Olga’s 10 minute skits.
Funny, quick, and easy. You’ll enjoy:
The Wrong Captive: Have sisters Dora and
Delia finally caught a garden pest…or a
neighbor’s beloved pet?
Those Dog Gone Wrinkles: Elsie tests her
revolutionary wrinkle cream on dogs at a
blue ribbon dog show.
Substitute Sitters: Have Aunts Delia and
Deborah abandoned their babysitting
charge to two strange men?
Prejudice Meets Its Waterloo: Adolph
Schlepenheimer is mortified to discover
his ‘new fangled’ doctor.
A Laugh and a Half
By Lynne Martin Erickson
Have fun with these 45 short skits in large-print, all
designed to prompt memories, discussion, and fun.
They are short, humorous and perfect for those
who really will do almost anything for a laugh! You’ll
find production notes for the scenery, props, and
presentation techniques. Easy-to-use in a three-ring
binder.
HARD COPY $29.95 E-SCRIPT $19.95
Strange UFO: Sam Pott’s pants on the
flagpole, flapping in the breeze, stuns the
Law Firm. So funny.
Mother is Losing It: When Mrs. Brown
misplaces something important, her
whole family goes into action!
Skunked by a Dog: Ann and Mary hear
about their mother’s wedding, and create
a crazy plan that just might work!
Singing Drips: Confusion breaks out when
Mary’s voice teacher and the plumber
show up at the house, at the same time!
The Bug Hunters: The crafty sisters are
suspicious of the Inspectors from the State
Board of Health, and they were right!
Close Call: Charlie and Clem like their
two widow neighbors, but how can they
propose to them?
New Humorous Skit Collections
National
Mature Media
Awards™
Winner
By Robert O. Redd | 3–9 minutes long
2–6 characters
You’ll find a lot to like in Bob Redd’s many short, easy scripts. They are favorites
because the characters are clear, there’s plenty of action, and they are fun!
The plays have been successfully produced in retirement communities, senior
centers, and wherever seniors gather.
Go to the website to see the Table of Contents for each volume, then add
several to your library for when you need something special.
$24.95 each
PLAYS IN A SERIES
Enjoy the flexibility of presenting these shows
individually, or together! Follow the antics of some
of your favorite Senior Theatre characters as they
journey through these short, easy comedies.
A Scene from
“Senior Mom
ents.”
NEW!
Old Folks Rock:
A Celebration of Vitality
By Allan Bates
Thief!
42 minute comedy
2 men, 2 women
Roberta, Henry, and
Theresa are gentle older
folk—and, in their gently
eccentric way, are quite
able to handle a robber’s
middle-of-the-night intrusion into their home. He’s
a college student who’s so worried about his tuition
and housing debts that he can’t pull off the crime. The
three old folks befuddle, and eventually welcome, the
desperate student. Exhausted, he accepts their invitation
as we all learn a lesson about what makes a family.
Favorite Cousins
20 minute comedy
2 men, 2 women
Two old ‘cousins,’ Carolyn and John, who haven’t seen
each other in years, run off together on a cruise, much
to the chagrin of their protective middle-aged children.
Why should age stifle adventure?
Opus 88: Themes, Variations or Shuffleboard
Anyone?
20 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman, 1 either
Through steps—“variations”—an old woman and an old
man in a rehab center move from playful antagonism to
a warm relationship that finally includes the audience,
the other rehabbers, in a game of makeshift shuffleboard
with chocolates and crutches. A touching, funny piece
about love and connection.
For prices, see page 2
8
“Senior Moments” was in the Region 7 finals of the American
Association of Community Theater competition
in Fort Collins, Colorado. The play was given a special award
for Playwriting, and the lead actor won the
Best Actor award for the entire festival!
Senior Moments
5 funny, touching short plays
By Donald Fried | 9–14 minute comedies; Total 75 minutes
1 man, 1 woman to 5 men, 5 women
BEST Senior Moments is made up of five short plays which
SELLER! can be presented singly or in groups. The play is
extremely portable, requiring only one small table and
A hit
every time four chairs.
it’s been
staged!
In the 13 months after its premier, Senior Moments was
performed 22 times to rave reviews at six venues in the
U.S. and Canada—at theaters, retirement homes, and
senior centers. It includes:
• The Code. Two seniors, Rose and Charlie, meet at a café on a blind
date set up over the Internet. 13 minutes.
• The Gamblers. Colonel William and Mother Angie have a chance
encounter at a casino. Colonel William is forced to change the habits
of a lifetime. 14 minutes.
• First Love. Rose and Oscar, both in their 80’s, meet to renew their
interrupted romance. 14 minutes.
• On the RAC(K). The members of the Resident’s Advisory
Committee have huge troubles trying to accomplish anything at all.
13 minutes.
• Growing—Old. The sequel to The Code, Rose and Charlie meet
again. Charlie is once more on the prowl for older women, but Rose
has had an “unexpected dose of reality.” 9 minutes.
Senior Moments won first prize at the Front Range Playwrights
Showcase and third place at the Colorado Community Theatre
Coalition Festival in the Best Production category.
$24.95 hard copy, $20 e-script
PLAYS IN A SERIES
The Pie Ladies
Roger Bargainnier
By Sherry Piros | 25 minute comedy
6 women, 3 either
The Pie Ladies pick up their rolling pins to make dozens of pies for the church
supper. But as they busily bake pies, they decide to create their own country!
Unfortunately this happens in front of the pastor, a potential choir director, and a
newspaper reporter. It’s treason, isn’t it? And who’ll make the pies? The Pie Ladies
is a hit! Each time audiences chuckle, laugh, and ask for more.
HIT!
Chatterton Country Club
By Annette Tringham | Three 15 minute comedies;
Total 45 minutes
2 men, 7 women
Chatterton Country Club, a 55+ retirement
community, is the setting for these comedies.
The intertwining stories explore the crazy cast of
characters and themes that make senior communal
living so…“Entertaining!”
The plays can be performed individually or
together. If performed together, they should be
done sequentially. Easy, simple staging.
• It’s Your Move—Bob and Joe, friends and nextdoor neighbors for 23 years, share more than a
game of checkers. It’s all guy talk until Bob reveals a
secret about Joe’s wife.
• With Friends Like You—At their weekly “Stretchercize” class, Margaret and Arlene show us what
happens when adults
Annette Tringham
gossip in a close-knit
nailed the over 55
community.
humor we all love
•If You Can’t Beat
to discuss.
‘Em—Kicked out of her
~Audrey Nathan,
book club, Judy Crayton
Sun Lakes Life newspaper
decides to form her own
group called Civilian Rules Administration Police
(C.R.A.P.) because she is tired of people who get
away with breaking the association covenants. She
invites three of her misfit neighbors to join in an
anonymous letter writing campaign to bust the
villains. Their boozy potluck luncheon is filled with
twists, turns, and revelations, ultimately changing
the course of their mission.
Chatterton Country Club has received both
audience and critical acclaim. It’s a sure-fire hit
for you!
$24.95 hard copy, $20 e-script
The Pie Ladies Make Bail
By Sherry Piros | 35 minute comedy
1 man, 9 women
The Pie Ladies have landed in jail
because they didn’t take kindly to their
neighbors trying to take down the flag
of their new country. They are bailed
out but now they owe a lot of money.
Their good intentions don’t save
them from a disastrous turn of events.
Lots of action, practical jokes, and
misunderstandings keep audiences on
their toes, laughing all the way!
The Pie Ladies in Deep Water
By Sherry Piros | 30–40 minute comedy
2 men, 8 women
The Pie Ladies are headed for a
dream vacation cruise, thanks to
their cookbook sales but there are
the usual outlandish glitches—too
few guestrooms, reactions to nausea
patches, pirates, and natives! With this
group of zany women the adventures
are always fun, the characters are always
charming, and the audiences are always
richly entertained!
Romance Senior Style:
The Singles Cruise
By Sherry Churchill | 30 minute comedy
1 man, 4 women, 1 either
Three women meet on deck during
a singles cruise. All goes well until an
eligible male appears and
then the claws come out.
Add a few martinis into
the mix and the ladies
wind up in a scuffle that
results in one almost going
overboard! Audiences
will laugh at the comedic
characters and at the surprise outcome
that bonds the women.
Romance Senior Style:
Boys Will Be Boys
By Sherry Churchill
33–40 minute comedy
3 men, 2 women
Take a Seniors Singles Cruise with us
to learn if nice guys really
do finish first, or if the ‘bad
boy’ wins the girl. Do we
ever really change or are
we still high school kids in
older bodies? Joe, the cad,
bets Bob, the nice guy, that
he can get an attractive lady
into his cabin in ten minutes. Who
wins? A hilarious look at senior style
romance.
See The Purse and The Wish on page 10.
PLAYS LESS THAN 10 MINUTES
“Noah’s Ark” is an 8-minute wonder!
Drama Duets:
Two Mark Twain Classics
These short plays are great in performance and in class.
They are useful, fun, and easy to pair with other shows.
Try them!
NEW!
The Purse
By Sherry Churchill | 8 minute comedy
4 women
When your purse becomes your husband’s carryall,
you finally revolt. The only solution is to give up the
purse and find another conveyance…unfortunately,
it’s not fool proof, especially when you have to pay
for lunch. Maybe just a small purse is a good idea
afterall. This is a fun and easy script that you’ll love!
NEW!
The Wish
By Sherry Churchill
8 minute comedy
A longtime married couple’s
stereotypical bad habits and
their inability to understand
how the other one thinks becomes a hilarious situation. A wish to
understand is expressed, and Somebody Upstairs is listening. He
grants the wish. But be careful what you wish for...
NEW!
Our Voices: Senior Selfies
By Catherine Frid
Scenes for 1–9 actors, predominantly women
1–15 minute vignettes
Created through a unique collaboration
between a professional playwright and
a group of seniors, this collection of
scenes is based on true stories from the
lives of seniors today. Our Voices: Senior
Selfies celebrates seniors’ empowerment
through vignettes that are hilarious,
insightful, and poignant. The 19 scenes
include “Smart Alec Car Sales,” a mock
TV game show “So You Think You Can Help,” the “Best Adult Child”
competition with audience voting by ballot, “Quickie,” a (non)
conversation about sex, and an original rollicking finale song.
By Nona and Cal Claus
40 minutes/ 8 minutes
1 man, 1 woman
Now adapted for Readers Theatre,
Diaries of Adam and Eve and Noah’s
Ark, brings Mark Twain’s loved words
to today’s actors. Twain’s keen wit and
an updated twist make these duets
very popular everywhere they are performed. Visit the website
to read a FreeView. You’ll want to bring Mark Twain to your
audiences. They will love it!
See “Noah”, page 22.
Choosing the Menu
By Bruce Boeck | 5 minute comedy
2 women, I either
As we grow older, our diets change. What we used to eat and
still want to eat is on the ‘no no’ list. When we are at home
it’s easy, but eating out, well, there’s the challenge. Too much
of this, too little of that…Suddenly we become nutritional
experts. Humor emerges in this very funny story of two
women—choosing the menu.
It’s Time for Bingo
By E. Scott Icenhower
8 minute comedy
2 women
Rose and Lucille always go to
bingo together, but this time it’s
Bingo or beer?
different. Suddenly Rose prefers
Why not both?
to drink beer and watch hunting
and fishing shows on TV. Lucille
tries her normal tricks, and finally discovers Rose’s new passion.
Funny, funny show with twists, mix-ups, love, and dentures!
The DMV or What’s Your Sign?
2 women
Things at the DMV, Department of Motor
Been to the
Vehicles, aren’t always easy. The life of an
DMV? You’ll examiner can be difficult! The test answers
relate!
can try the patience of anyone. In this short
comedy, we go behind the scenes to hear a
woman’s hilarious responses during this one-of-a kind exam.
Surefire entertainment for anyone who’s ever stepped foot in
a DMV!
The scenes can be presented as a two-act show or as stand-alone
vignettes using simple staging with chairs, two small tables, and a
lectern. The show works well in script-in-hand or readers theatre
formats. E-Script $15.00, Hard Copy $20.00
10 www.seniortheatre.com ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center
For more short plays,
see “Seniors Still Acting Up”, page 6.
PLAYS LESS THAN 10 MINUTES
The Appraisal
By Fred Sahner | 8 minute comedy
2 men, 2 women or 4 women
The popular TV program, Antique Side Show,
By the author
has rolled into town and excitement is in the
of The License
air. Hopes, dreams and wacky fantasies have
and A Moving
replaced common sense. The show’s appraiser,
Experience on
accompanied by her giant ego, passes judgment
page 14.
on a strange assortment of items. Will there be
raves and the promise of great wealth? Funny, quick, easy comedy!
Lust ‘n Digestion
By William J. Doody | 7 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman, a brief appearance by a waiter
An older gentleman is going to dinner and excitedly telling his best
friend on the phone about his “blind date.” As he opens the door,
tucking an Alka-Seltzer packet into his wallet, his date only sees
the last corner of the blue foil packet. She assumes it is a condom.
Sheepish about his indigestion, he simply pockets his wallet and
smiles, “Just in case.” Their misunderstanding comically sustains itself
to the end of their date in this “romantic comedy of manners.”
The Further Adventures of
Super Hero and Doris Drive
By Eddie Ed O’Brien | 7 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Everyone gets older, even the one
everybody has depended upon for years
to save them! Yes, “Super Hero” is aging,
but he can always depend upon his loyal
mate, “Doris Drive,” to see him through his
problems and get him up and “flying” right!
She’s upset because he’s not picking up after himself or taking out
the trash. He’s got other things on his mind. How they resolve their
problems is revealed in a manner that will amuse and delight. Simple
staging, easy to produce.
It’s Hell Gettin’ Old
By Harry Stutt | 7–8 minute comedy
3 men
Three old codgers sit in the park and soak up the sun
An
while they reminiscence about the past and their
audience
youth. Hilarious sketch! It’s very popular in variety
favorite!
shows.
Looking for more Readers Theatre?
Great news! Almost EVERY play in the catalog
can be staged using Readers Theatre.
FEATURED
PLAYWRIGHT
Dory Kaiser
No Frills Airline
By Dory Kaiser | 5 minute skit
1 man, 5 women
BEST Flying isn’t what it used to be. Take it from
SELLER! these passengers, their flight attendants, and
captain. What a flight! Dory Kaiser is back with another
one of her short and easy skits that are so very popular.
Add four chairs and get ready for the laughs to take off!
Now Hear This
By Dory Kaiser | 5 minute comedy
2 men, 3 women, 1 either
BEST This is a fast-paced comedy in which six
SELLER! characters on a cruise ship continuously
misinterpret passed messages, similar to the old
telephone game. There’s a ship captain, a brash, aggressive
cigar-smoking Senator who always gets his way, a
cowering senator’s aide, an attractive lady, and two
waitresses. Each hears something differently and passes it
on. The results are disastrous as they become increasingly
involved in the exchange of messages filled with mistaken
information. The play always gets lots of laughs.
“Now Hear This” is funny, funny, funny. We loved every
minute of it.”
~Audience Member
Joggin’ Along
By Dory Kaiser | 10 minute comedy
2 women
BEST Joggin’ Along is a series of five comedy
SELLER! sketches involving two single, older women.
Dressed in exercise gear, they jog to center
Also
stage, where they stop long enough to
Available in
talk about what’s going on in their lives.
Spanish &
Nothing is sacred as they discuss exercise,
French!
weight problems, boyfriends, other women,
and much more. These often outlandish skits produce
enthusiastic and prolonged laughter from audiences, and
have an upbeat message that seniors can relate to and
enjoy. In fact, audiences often applaud as soon as they see
the joggers enter.
SEE OUR OTHER PLAYS
AVAILABLE IN
SPANISH AND FRENCH
Gin & Tonic, page 13.
All I Want is the Recipe, page 15.
10 MINUTE PLAYS
NEW!
Now, even more 10-minute plays to choose from!
These short shows are easy and fun to perform.
Use individually or combine with several on a theme.
NEW! Angel in Disguise…or how to get your husband
to wear a costume!
By Georgia Tuxbury | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
What is a woman to do if she can’t get her husband to dress
up like an angel for a costume party? The answer will have the
audience laughing hilariously throughout this play!
NEW!
Signals
By Marv Siegel | 10 minute comedy
2 men, 2 women
When an online encounter leads to a blind date, two widows plot
an escape strategy. Just in case. Only to have romance turn the
tables on them.
NEW!
Standing Tall
1 man, 1 woman
Seeking to spark their love life, a married couple try Viagra. With
startling results.
See Jack Benny’s Not 39 Anymore, page 23.
NEW!
The Great GG Gang
By Linda L. Rand | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
This is a short comedic tale of two older desperate people—one
desperate to subsidize her Social Security in a very creative way;
the other desperate to get companionship. In this sweet story,
Sue puts into place her History Channel-inspired solution to solve
her financial struggles while Hal is willing to try anything to not
be alone. They discover that it’s never too late to spark a romance
even though it might be a little illegal.
See Benny and Pearl, page 16.
NEW!
A Late Snow
By Susan M. Steadman | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
It’s another sunny day for Ron, a retired Bostonian living in Florida,
until he finds his wife, Phyllis, wearing a parka and ski pants. She
claims to see falling snow blanketing their patio while he talks up
their sunny Florida lifestyle. Still she longs for children building a
snowman. Only mugs of hot chocolate with seven marshmallows
resolve the issue.
Blinking Lights in the Middle of the Night
By John Weagly | 10 minute comedy
We’ve read a lot of short plays, but this one always came back to
us. We think you’ll love it. In this fun, otherworldly comedy, Sally
and Carl receive a late-night visit from an alien tourist making a pit
stop while traveling among the stars. But should this extra-special
visitor be trespassing on Sally and Carl’s lawn?
NEW!
The Complaint Department
By Larry Ferguson |10 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women or 3 either
When a man returns to the department store upset about
the rectal thermometer he bought on Black Friday, confusion
abounds! The customer service representative helps other
customers who overhear and mis-hear, all making everything
more confusing and more funny as it progresses. This is
hilarious stuff!
Maisie and Grover Go to
the Theatre
By Tony Vellela
10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Maisie and Grover have
come to the theatre using
anniversary-present tickets
from their children. She loves the idea; he hates it. As the colorful
couple enters from the rear of the theatre, they bicker and jostle.
This quick, easy show is such fun!
Little Bundles of Joy
By David Wiener | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Two newborns are in the hospital struggling to
Very
make sense out of their amazing new situation.
Popular!
They find it almost impossible to believe that
they’re stuck in such fragile bodies and thrown into the bizarre
experience called life. But joyfully, the very first thing they learn
is how to make a good friend. You can almost see the seniors in
costume as babies. How funny! It’s a hit.
Everybody is Sexy for Somebody
By Frank Canino | 10 minute comedy
2 men, 2 women
Two senior couples are looking for fun in all the wrong places.The
wives decide to start a new career as telephone sex kittens while
the husbands pursue a new hobby. But their plans intersect in an
unforeseen meeting. Quick, funny, easy show!
10 MINUTE PLAYS
NEW!
Crazy for Love
FEATURED
PLAYWRIGHT
Linda LaRocque
By Linda LaRocque | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Head-over-heels, second-time-around couple, Barry and Sylvia,
decide to take a romantic road trip, they quickly discover all
sorts of things about one another! Treat your actors and your
audience to this hilarious favorite.
NEW!
Out of Here
2 men, 2 women
Senior daters, Ed and Jackie, meet but they don’t say what
they’re really feeling. That’s left to Real Ed and Real Jackie who
jump in to straighten things out. Zany and hilarious confusion,
rich characters, and an actor’s delight.
NEW!
Dream Camper
3 women
We all have dreams but when Rose and Dottie are accidentally
made aware of theirs by crusty Wilma at the KOA campground,
life becomes better for everyone. Funny, charming and thought
provoking.
NEW!
Girlfriends
2 men, 1 woman
When lifelong friends, Trish and Nancy, find themselves deep
in conversation at the train station, Trish is quick to show that
true girlfriends last only until the next man comes along…that is
unless he has a wife. Fun female roles.
Witch One
2 women
Life is always about the unintended consequences, even if you
are a witch! When an unsuspecting bride makes a rude remark
about Trudy’s hat, the spell is cast. Now the wedding dress is
ruined, the fire department is on the scene, and the witches
scramble to keep their identities hidden.
On Purpose
3 either
The old concession stand on the beach is going to be torn
down. So the longtime proprietor gathers with a seagull friend
to say goodbye. It’s a story about the need to have purpose in
your life, no matter what your age.
The Fairy Ring
By Linda LaRocque | 10 minute fantasy
3 either
Deep in the forest an old leaf encourages a caterpillar go on the
next adventure. But the caterpillar is afraid and won’t leave the
fairy ring until he’s nudged out of his comfort zone. A whimsical
show, fun, and touching.
Gin and Tonic
By John Clifford | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
This laugh-out-loud comedy offers a fresh look at
Also
Available in the problems of senior dating. Olive is having a
Spanish & bad day when she is interrupted by Stanley, a brash
fellow who seems to have mistaken her office for
French!
the nearby Senior Dating Service. The verbal duel
becomes increasingly hilarious.
The Wild Sister
3 women
Kate and Joanie arrive at their sister Marilyn’s house
Great in
after her husband’s betrayal and abandonment.
Competitions! They are not prepared to find that Marilyn is
coping just fine on her own. This funny and
touching play explores how sibling rivalries can last far into
adulthood.
Coconut Crème Pie
1 man, 1 woman
John Clifford is one of our most popular playwrights.
Very
Popular! Here’s another easy, delightful script for his many
fans. As the play opens, the main character, ‘him,’ is
at his first day of work delivering pies for his ungrateful son-inlaw’s business. Everything goes wrong. He has the wrong address,
he drops the pie, and tries to clean up the mess with a sock. But
as a result, he finds a sympathetic woman who understands him.
Humorous characters, another winner!
Crossing the Bridge
By Carl Williams | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Two seniors, a construction company owner and a long-time
actress, go on a first date. Though they initially think they have
nothing in common, there’s a lot that bonds them. Warm,
touching comedy. Winner in the Texas Nonprofit Theatres TenMinute Play Contest.
Ex Marks the Spot
By Pamela J. Steadman | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
This beach comedy takes us past coincidence to romance. Phil is
in his beach chair trying to read in peace, but Elizabeth won’t let
him. After a battle over the chair, Phil and Elizabeth become better
acquainted in a very strange fashion!
Blame it on the Bossa Nova
By Shirley King | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 4 women
Everyone meets in the apartment complex’s laundry room. That’s
where we learn about elephants, the Bossa Nova, Armageddon,
grandchildren, and of course laundry. This short show has plenty
of colorful characters and a lot of charm!
10 MINUTE PLAYS
Clyde, Is That You?
By Jerry Bailey | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 3 women
Clyde is a hard-core womanizer and three-time loser
Very
Popular! in the marital sweepstakes. Still on the prowl, he
journeys to Las Vegas for some R&R and, perhaps, a
new conquest. He is delighted to discover that the Red Hatters are
holding their annual convention in the hotel where he’s staying
and the pickings look prime. What Clyde doesn’t know is that all
of his three ex-wives are in town for the convention. None of them
know or have even heard of each other, just one of several details
that Clyde neglected to mention. This unexpected “family reunion”
is a lot of laughs.
A Moving Experience
2 men, 1 woman
Today is moving day and Eddie is ready to help his mom move to
the Purple Sage Retirement Village. But Mom has other plans. She’s
moving all right, but you’ll never guess where! This is a story about
relationships, characters, and doing what you want to do.
The License
2 men, 2 women or 1 man, 3 women
An engaged couple’s trip to the County office to get a marriage
license sounds easy enough. Not with this County Clerk! She has
her own way of handling wedding plans, with fishing licenses and
bargains galore! As the loving couple sits stunned, the County
Clerk bombards them with highly unusual questions. Instead of a
mad rush for the door, they start to wonder if they are compatible.
A fast, funny show that is a lot of fun!
Lost and Found
By Susan K. Callahan | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Fred and Jeanne get ready for an evening
with friends and have lost their keys once
again. You’d think they’d be used to the
situation, they misplace everything. This light-hearted, one-act
play will make audiences laugh and share knowing looks as they
watch, but will they guess the surprise ending?
Special Screening Today
By Marcia Savin | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 4 women, 2 either, plus extras
There’s a reason social customs exist—they keep things orderly.
What happens to people when someone cuts in line? All
decorum goes out the window and savages raise their ugly
heads. That’s what’s in store for Janice and her friends as “cutters”
threaten to ruin a great night at the movies. This short show with
plenty of characters is full of action!
Can I Put You on Hold?
It seems like everybody is calling Agnes at
Great
play with strong the same time—a friend, neighbor, sister, and
characters and a repairman. She has only one choice—put
people on hold! The show is lively, fresh, and can
a fun story!
be used with beginning to advanced actors.
How Could You?
The “I” Word
By Elaine Kendall | 10-15 minute comedy
It’s lunchtime and four old friends are reacquainting
after several years, only to discover there’s a geographic
divide between them. It doesn’t take long for everyone
to realize that Alan’s extreme traveling has taken him
off the edge! The lunchtime conversation couldn’t be
more hilarious. You’re going to really like this show!
Something Wonderful
“How Could You?” lds
ect
Dir ed by Burt Reyno te
at the Burt Reynolds Institu
By Leah Halper | 10 minute comedy
1 men, 1 woman
Dale has been cooking and stressing for two days to produce
a fabulous dinner in hopes of luring Silvia, a new flame. But
when she arrives carrying a prepared meal, problems arise. Can
this relationship work? It all hinges on the authenticity of Dale’s
marinara. Pair with The Secret to Making the Perfect Lasagna, p. 21.
Forget Me Not
By Bara Swain | 10 minute comedy
2 women
On her 35th wedding anniversary, Rhoda
bursts into the salon of her best friend and
stylist, Muriel. Rhoda is distraught, Muriel
comforts as only a longtime confidante
can. Who’s cheating on whom? This robust
comedy has strong characters, great dialogue,
and a surprise ending that explores friendship
and betrayal.
See The Hotel Lobbyist, page 17.
By Laura Pfizenmayer | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women
Edearl is a good husband but sometimes his wife,
Fun
Merle, could just wring his neck. Can love triumph
comedy!
over a broken toilet flapper, a lost cell phone, and
a bloody nose? A pleasure to perform, this play won the Down
Home Play Festival in Rock Hill, SC and was performed as part of
the 9 X 9 series at Theatre Charlotte in Charlotte, SC. It was voted
“Audience Favorite.”
10 MINUTE PLAYS
Everything Blows Away
SHORT MURDER MYSTERIES
By Kelly DuMar | 10 minutes
1 man, 1 woman
A woman rakes photographs into a pile
like leaves blown from trees after a storm.
A man seeks forgiveness for a betrayal that
has ravaged their relationship. As she rakes,
he examines the photographs prompting
memories and images from the past, real
or imagined. The poetic exchange tests the
bonds of love. This is a lovely, well written show, and a joy to
perform.
NEW!
Sgt. Levy’s Lonely Hearts Club
By Jordan R. Young | 10 minute wordless play with music
1 man, 1 woman
Phyllis Greenberg and Charlie Levy are seniors who live in
neighboring apartments. Every night Greenberg dances to the
Victrola alone in her apartment while Levy reads the newspaper
in his. But tonight is different. As she does a snappy dance, he
hums along and taps to the beat. The sounds of Glenn Miller
prompts Levy to his feet as both dance in their own living spaces.
But when he hears Fred Astaire singing “Cheek to Cheek,” Levy
waltzes to a closet, retrieves an old army uniform, and knocks at
Greenberg’s door, where he mimes, “May I have this dance?” After
a few tentative steps he is whirling her around the floor and before
long the couple is dancing cheek to cheek. Sweet show that your
audiences will love!
“My husband Al and I performed Sgt. Levy’s Lonely Hearts Club
at a variety show twelve years ago when we moved into a senior
community. People still stop us all the time on the street to tell us
how much they enjoyed it, and ask if we’re going to do it again.”
~Joanne Underwood, Mission Viejo, Calif.
Gametes, Unite!
By Leah Halper | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
A sub-optimal contemporary
Egg cell is disappointed by her
long-awaited encounter with a
battered, schmaltzy Sperm cell. As
if appearances weren’t bad enough,
Egg doesn’t like Sperm’s attitude.
Her sharp questions about his
bio-viability threaten not only his self-esteem but his whole timesensitive life. The future of human reproduction seems doomed
altogether until they realize that he’s it.
Pair Gametes, Unite! with Little Bundles of Joy, page 12,
for a funny duet.
Head First or Feet First?
By Douglas Campbell | 10 minute mystery comedy
1 man, 3 Women, 1 Either
Did Malachi Throckmorton accidentally fall from the balcony
of The Copa Coconut Hotel or did he commit suicide?
Could someone have pushed him? It seems that almost
all of the senior residents at the hotel hated Malachi. The
famous detective, Greta Firefly, arrives to investigate. This zany
1940s style mystery-farce is sure to keep audiences laughing
hysterically!
NEW!
Who Shot Fred?
By Douglas Campbell
10 minute mystery comedy
1 man, 3 women, 1 dead male body
Who could have shot Fred at the Moon Over Poughkeepsie
Hotel? Was it his gun savvy wife, Miriam? Or did his penniless
sister, Millie, murder him? What about Fred’s best friend,
Baxter? Didn’t he threaten to kill him? Or was it the wellrespected detective, Amanda Nutmeg? Why did she suddenly
appear after the shot was fired? This hilarious 1940s style of
whodunit takes place in a residential hotel catering to seniors.
The non-stop dialog is sure to keep audiences guessing!
All I Want Is the Recipe
By Georgia Tuxbury | 10 minute comedy
2 women
In this humorous phone conversation, the
Also
caller only wants to find out how to make a
available in
casserole. Instead she finds herself embroiled in
Spanish and
a conversation that takes off in all directions…
French!
everywhere, except in the direction of the recipe!
This delightful comedy is simple to produce, with a format that
allows you to hide scripts, if necessary. The play is easy, light, fun
and sure to be a hit with your audiences!
SEE OUR OTHER PLAYS AVAILABLE
IN SPANISH AND FRENCH
Joggin’ Along, page 11 and Gin & Tonic, page 13.
10–20 MINUTE PLAYS
NEW!
By Jack Dyville | 15 minute farce
2 men, 2 women or 14 actors
Take a hilarious romp through a fictional,
run-down fleabag hotel recently marked
for destruction, with colorful inhabitants
from various backgrounds. The everyday
goings-on in the hotel lobby bring intrigue,
mix-ups, and an appearance by Santa
Claus! In this fast-paced farce four actors
perform all 14 roles with simple and quick costume and/or
accessories changes. They even have the opportunity to pull many
accents out of their bag of theatrical tricks. Such fun!
NEW!
Benny and Pearl Loving in a Goldfish Bowl
By Linda L. Rand | 18 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
A short, tender romantic comedy that asks. “Can two fish bring
old childhood friends together?” Well, if the fish can’t, Benny’s
mother sure knows how. This love story is about the need to
hope, no matter how many false starts you have in life. It’s never
too late for the real thing because with timing and persistence,
true love can be just a blink or a fishbowl away.
See The Great GG Gang, page 12.
NEW!
Lunch Ladies at L’Ambrosia Luncheria
By Pamela Loyd | 15 minute comedy
8 women
Mirabelle and Bernice, two very proper ladies, order lunch at an
expensive restaurant, only to discover that the restaurant has a
“No credit cards—Cash only” policy. What follows are scandalous
lies, dishonorable accusations, shouted denials, someone getting
thrown out, and (shudder!) making a scene. After losing all
pretense of ladylike behavior, they find a solution that leaves the
audience laughing.
NEW!
FEATURED
PLAYWRIGHT
Bob Naquin
In One Door! Out the Other!
NEW!
The Speeding Ticket
By Bob Naquin | 15 minute comedy
1 man, 2 either
We break into a cold sweat when
we see the blue flashing lights of a
law enforcement officer in our rear
view mirror. But not Starlight Moon.
She may be old, but she knows how
to talk her way out of a speeding
ticket. She may have to tell a view
untruths along the way, but they are all good for a laugh or two
as she works the arresting officer into a frenzy, and then reverts
back to the sweet old lady she really is. Or is she?
NEW!
Silent Movie
3 men, 3 women
Everyone has had a seating issue
at the movies. Watch as these
characters work out their issues
without saying a word. Since there
are no lines to remember, this is a fun script for actors and
actresses to broaden their acting emotions. This is a useful
training vehicle for actors of any skill level. It will soon become
one of your group’s favorites.
Doctor, Doctor
2 Men, 4 Women, and 1 Male voice
If you thought looming cuts to Medicare were
A
scary, wait until you see the inner workings
Huge Hit!
of Dr. Fatpacker’s medical office. Dr. Fatpacker
dispenses medicine to one zany patient after
the other while his under-paid receptionist, Jenny Flecks, gives
her own medical opinion to anyone who might want to listen.
The ongoing matter of her impending raise has to eventually
be referred to a higher authority.
Doughnut Hole
Also by Bob Naquin:
• Dead Cat: The Play, page 19.
• The Perils of Carmen Geditt, page 24.
• Get Your Flu Shot, page 32.
By Donna Hoke | 11 minute comedy
3 women
In a dog-eat-doughnut world, the last peanut
log can make for life-changing decisions. This
fun active show has been a huge hit at the
Good Works Theatre Festival, Greenbrier
Valley Theatre Festival, Knox Theatre
Collective, and Summer Shortcuts IV.
Doughnut Hole was the most talked about play in the festival!!
I loved it so much we ended the show with it every night!!
~Helen Young, Artistic Director, Urban Stories Theatre
FREE SHIPPING
ON E-SCRIPTS AND E-DOCUMENTS!
Mimi and Me
By Kitty Dubin | 15 minutes
2 women: Mimi (age 90) &
Tindy (age 20)
We read a lot of plays that are easy to forget, but this one is a show
that stays with you! It’s the story of a young volunteer who tries
to cheer up an outspoken older woman. What begins as a test of
wills, ends up as a loving relationship between the two of them.
The show was performed in the national tour of “Six Women at
Sixty.”
“Mimi and Me celebrates! It’s clever, filled with mystery, revelation,
and a surprise ending.”
~The Miami Herald
A Profusion of Roses
By Marcus Steinour | 10–15 minute mystery
2 women
A seriously wonderful play! With two strong women’s roles
this show introduces you to a mother, daughter, and an absent
“sister” in a twisty, mysterious relationship. Directors, actors, and
audiences love this play and we know you will also.
Home Shopping Hijinks
By Kim Kelly | 15 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women
Aunt Boo needs help with housework so she succumbs to a
telemarketer’s charm and orders a robot. Instead of a mechanical
one, Aunt Boo gets a handsome hunk dressed in aluminum foil,
who tries to take over the household! A funny, funny role for a
man, and a hoot for the women too!
Louie and Louise
By Bob Rinfret | 15 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women
Louie and Louise have been married for years, sometimes with
difficulty. But now, Louise is convinced that Louie has gone over
the edge. He spends his days ‘looking’ for something but won’t tell
her what he seeks. When he finally finds the object, both his wife
and the audience are surprised. A fast moving show with a strong
ending!
The Stick-Up
2 men, 1 woman
Shirley is the cashier at a local convenience store.
Very
She’s seen everything, but never expected Charlie,
Popular!
her retired friend and regular customer, to try to
rob the store. It doesn’t take long for Shirley to help Charlie realize
he’s on a bad career path. It’s a rich comedy with heart.
See Noah, page 22, and Old Hams, page 25.
Navy Bean Soup
By Wes Wetzel | 15 minute
comedy
1 man, 1 woman, 1 offstage voice
In this hilarious
Very
comedy, inspired
Popular!
by a PBS show,
we watch the broadcast of the
sophisticated Madame DuJour
Men’s Gourmet Cooking Show. The
program is seriously sidetracked
when she inadvertently gets
Cooky Boatwright, a sloppy and
overweight retired Navy cook,
as her guest chef. There are many belly laughs when the audience
learns what’s cooking in the Navy Bean Soup!
Hi Tech
By Wes Wetzel | 17 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman, or 7 either
A comedy about modem life and the frustrations
Very
associated with it. A man trying to get his
Popular!
television to work calls Tomorrow’s Electronics and
receives the usual, but unusual, telephone merrygo-round from the female operator. The man is on one side of
the stage in an overstuffed chair. The telephone operator is on the
other side with a table and rolling chair. She changes props and
costumes for each voice, making a hilarious scurry between phone
calling and frantically changes clothes, with wigs and clothes flying
in all directions. Also works well with seven actors. Great fun!
The Hotel Lobbyist
By Bara Swain | 12 minute comedy
2 women
How far will feisty senior, Goldalee Schneider, go to make her
daughter listen to her? In this comedy, our protagonist resorts to
a sit-in strike at the Holiday Inn! Winner of many awards including
the prestigious International CityWrights Short Playwriting
Festival, Miami, Florida!
See How Could You?, page 14.
Making a Move
By Carl Williams | 20 minute comedy
1 man, 2 women
Whenever a husband and wife are at different places
Award
in their life, conflict arises. That’s what happens when
winner!
Vera and Harvey need to decide how and where to
spend their retirement. Vera conspires, cajoles, and even flirts with
a neighbor to get Harvey out of the chair, away from the television
and from his favorite brand of potato chips. A fun, strong comedy!
See Crossing the Bridge, page 13.
MEN’S CLUB
The Men’s Club
Plays just for men!
Billy Buck & Jo-Jo
By Frank Canino | 10 minute comedy
2 men
What happens when you try to kill yourself and wind up killing
a friend with you? What happens when you’re sick and tired
of being around that person? What happens when you have
nowhere to be except with that person? Ladies and Gentlemen,
we present Billy Buck and Jo-Jo, two rodeo performers who wake
up only to discover that they are dead…and still together.
The Hollow
By Roy Proctor | 40 minute letter play
2 men
Lloyd Harris and Clay Everhart were best buddies growing up
across a hollow from each other in a North Carolina mill town
after World War II. Then in the 10th grade their lives were
altered forever. Lloyd stayed home and prospered. Clay moved
to Hollywood. When they meet at their 55th high school class
reunion, they wonder if the boyhood ties that bound them
are stronger than the forces that pulled them apart. Lloyd and
Clay’s story, laced with humor, unfolds in 18 letters the two men
exchange over four months. This hit show from the Senior Theatre
Festival has everything!
Bert, One Year Later
By George Freek | 20 minute comedy
2 men
“Cantankerous, caring, funny…”—that’s how readers describe the
relationship between Max and Leonard, a retired real estate agent
and retired teacher, who meet over a game of checkers to discuss,
grouse, and enjoy life. When it comes to meaty older men’s roles
in short plays, there are few that are as deep and charming as
these two well drawn, complete characters in a well written play
with plenty of life.
Bob Goodfellow
The Gold Standard
By Dave Carley | 10 minutes
1 man
Bert, in his 70’s and recently widowed,
encounters a teenager outside his
condo. The interaction convinces Bert
that life, even without his wife, is worth
the pain. A great monologue, well
written with a strong character who
learns to live again. Very nice!
SEE ALSO:
• High School Reunion, page 5
• Grown-up Games, page 5
• New Car Shopping, page 5
• It’s Your Move in “Chatterton Country Club”, page 9
• Romance, Senior Style, page 9
• It’s Hell Gettin’ Old, page 11
• Lifeguard on Duty, page 19
• The Exam, page 32
NEW!
Dead Cat: The Play
4 women, 2 either, if you have them
Maggie knows that Chloe is an insufferable cat lover but she
doesn’t ask for the trouble they get into when a Santa hat gets in
the way. There’s lunch, a dastardly thief, and situations that seem
to get out of hand, no matter what the ladies do. In the end, the
thief gets her due, the cat lover is satisfied, and everyone is left in
stitches at the surprise ending. Our customers love Bob Naquin’s
sense of humor!
Dear Cat Lovers: Relax, no cats are injured in the production of this
play or you can substitute another kind of animal, if you wish.
See more plays by Bob Naquin on page 16.
DNN—Definitely NOT
the News
NEW!
By Bob Wilkins | 25 minute comedy
9 actors playing 26 characters
Here in the newsroom of DNN are
the stories, features, and commercials
of the evening newscast. Though
contemporary in nature, the characters
are ones you’ll recognize. It’s simply fun. Don’t expect a lot of
in depth coverage or serious social commentary because this is
Definitely NOT the News!
See At the Border, page 22.
DNN
NEWS
NEW!
NEW!
Let’s Party
By Susan Jarrett | 20 minute comedy
3 men, 3 women
Sam is planning an un-surprise birthday party for his wife, Valerie.
But when he is talking on the phone with brother Jim, Valerie
eavesdrops and overhears a few tantalizing words like “bud” and
“pot” and “weed.” She can hardly believe her ears! She runs next
door to tell her friend Doreen about the upcoming celebrations.
What exactly is Sam cooking up? And what is Jim’s contribution to
this whacky event? When the big day arrives, the two women get
a big surprise, not exactly what they expected.
The Robbin’ Hoods
By Michael Licwinko | 35 minute comedy
1 man, 6 women
Like many seniors, Al and Mabel Hood planned well for their
retirement. Then Gus, Al’s sister…also known as El Diablo…made a
bad investment that wiped out their savings. Broke and desperate,
what else could they do but rob the rich?
NEW!
These plays are short enough to be easy, and long enough
to sink your teeth into! They’re great for touring to
performances. Our customers love these fun, short plays.
Lifeguard on Duty
By George Sauer | 25–30 minute comedy
2 either
Two old friends, have come out of retirement to become
lifeguards at their local beach. They soon wonder if they are up
to the task and more importantly if they can get along on their
confined space.
This deceptively light comedy reveals significant insights into living
longer...a fresh and delightful spin on the “buddy” genre.
~Beverly Creasey, Boston Arts Review
…this is rich material for older actors. It was my pleasure to share
the playwright’s unique take on life lessons in this charming comedy.
~Paul Eisemen, NYC actor and director who played ‘Paul.’
NEW!
The Naked Man on the Couch
By Richard Davis, Jr. | 20 minute comedy
1 man, 3 women
Suppose for a moment that you’re an older lady, a widow, living
with two friends in similar circumstances. Now suppose that you
wake up on the morning of a long-planned trip to Las Vegas to
a mysterious naked man (though he’s under covers) sleeping on
your living room sofa. This is precisely what happens to Harriet,
Sophie, and Mildred followed by the police, a dead cat, and Elvis
Presley. No nudity, just laughs!
NEW!
Misconceptions
By Dick Meredith | 35 minute comedy
2 men, 5 women plus extras if available
Life at Willow Creek Retirement Center has never been the same
since the rumor mill concocted the story about June’s pregnancy.
The place has been all a-buzz! The story gets more outlandish as
the overheard conversations are skewed from fact to fiction. It’s
love, marriage, babies, adoption and…well, where will the story
ever end? Eventually, the rumor is cleared up and the wedding
celebration begins!
NEW!
A Brief History of Mah Jongg
By Faye Sholiton
40 minute comedy
5–6 women
Twenty-two years after the sudden break-up of their beloved weekly
Mah Jongg game, three feisty women return to the kitchen table
where it all began. Now missing one player and one important tile,
they discover what the Monday gatherings meant in their lives.
A Brief History of Mah Jongg is an award-winning comedy about the
power of women’s friendships.
The play is funny, touching, and a great piece for older actresses.
~Audience Participant, D.P.
This play had such depth, insight, and meaning for so many people.
The audience reacted with a strong connection to the beautifully
developed characters and to the lovely story. What a magnificent
success!
Named Audience Favorite at the InkFest Festival in L.A.
Winner of the Chameleon Theatre Circle contest in
Minnesota.
Performed to rave reviews in Cleveland, Philadelphia,
Minnesota, and L.A.
~Audience Participant, E.R
At Half Time
By Art Shulman | 20 minutes; very popular comedy
1 man, 5 women,
The team in the
Over 60 Women’s
Park Basketball
league has had a
terrible first half.
They’re losing to
Little Sisters of
Mercy, a silent
order of nuns
who play in long
skirts. It’s half
R
time and the
E
N
N
WI
y
la
P
t
c
Coach is beside
A
e
On
himself because his team of slow moving,
Contest at
BC
slow reacting ladies is losing 59–6. His efforts
Canada’s
Senior
to motivate his team don’t seem to work.
Games!
Then he thinks of a way to neutralize the
BEST competition. This fast moving play has plenty of
SELLER! action from the well drawn characters. Lots of
standing ovations!
Bagels
By Art Shulman
20 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Bagels is a romantic comedy
featuring seniors Jake and Rachel,
who meet through an Internet
dating site. But the computer seems
to have made a mistake. Or did it?
Under a Magical Moon
By Patrick Gaffney | 20–25 minute romance
1 man, 1 woman; can be staged with 3 men, 3 women
Since Ancient Times, the magic of the night sky
A
has held sway over love and lovers. Whether in
Huge Hit!
Verona, Italy between the young Romeo and Juliet
or in Muncie, Indiana between the...not so young...
Gavin and Kathleen. In three short scenes over a minimalist set
of a backyard table and chairs in the height of midsummer, we
visit the past and present of two old friends who have not seen
each other for 30 years...who just may have some sort of future
together. A charming play, winner of five national awards. Works
well as Readers Theatre.
The Day They Kidnapped Blanche: The Revival
By Ann Barham Pugh and Katy Dacus | 30 minute comedy
After a recent professional production, this classic
Very
Senior Theatre play has been updated. Blanche, an
Popular! energetic and youngish seventy year-old retired teacher,
is having a blast starring in a community theatre
comedy. Both she and Mel, her protective pal, and the theatre
director are unaware of a stalker attending every performance.
He is, in fact Devon, an FBI Agent, who recruits her to tackle an
offstage role. Blanche goes undercover. How can she and her
buddies, without weapons, try to outsmart a tough criminal and
her money-hungry but dim-witted assistant? Longer version in
New Plays for Mature Actors on page 4.
See Old Folks Rock: A Celebration of Vitality, page 8,
and Doctor, Doctor, page 16.
How to Marry the Minister
By May Kramer | 20 minute comedy
4 women
Included in the Women are Funny book on page 4, this short play
shows the many ways these women connive to get the minister to
marry them. It’s easy, fun, and can be pulled off with a minimum
of rehearsal.
How to Marry the Rabbi
By Barbara Trainin Blank | 20 minute comedy
1 man, 4 women
When the rabbi’s wife unexpectedly walks out on him, three
determined women in his congregation vie to win the rabbi’s
heart—and a marriage proposal—the old-fashioned way: through
his stomach. They shower him with trumped-up religious
questions, meal invitations, and all kinds of food. What they don’t
bargain for is that the woman who ultimately wins the rabbi’s
affection is someone who hasn’t tried any tactics at all. The play’s
universal appeal has made this comedy a hit at community
centers, retirement communities, and everywhere it’s been
performed.
Bowling with Dixie
By Ann Barham Pugh | 20 minute comedy
4 women
Four middle-aged women, former high school classmates, are
avid bowling enthusiasts who meet in a vacant store to plan
converting it into a bowling alley. To have their ‘Queenpin Alley’
they must outsmart a cagey county Sheriff who wants the store
for a men-only pool hall. During the ladies’ meeting, Sandy
triggers their action plan. You’ll love the surprise ending! Written
by prize-winning playwright, Ann Barham Pugh, who knows how
to use simple staging and strong characters to make fun theatre.
Check out Pugh’s other plays, The Day They Kidnapped Blanche,The
Christmas Coffee and Volunteering has its Moments.
Volunteering Has its Moments
By Ann Barham Pugh | 20 minute comedy
5 women or 4 women and 1 man
The play is set on the “Opal” show, a
A special
play for volunteer nationally televised tribute to volunteers
moderated by the popular TV personality.
recognition!
Her guests are stellar volunteers who
present funny and quirky adventures, “moments,” that have been
submitted to the TV show. The well defined characters clash
during the production but in the end, are brought together by the
warm spirit of volunteerism. The show can be easily performed as
readers theatre or staged as a fully mounted production. The fast
paced comedy is a fitting tribute to volunteers.
Cougar on the Green
By James Keller | 20 minute comedy
2 women
Mrs. O’Neill tries to get the senior rate at the golf club only to
be rebuffed by the icy, all-business Miss Mulligan. It seems that
Mrs. O’Neill is definitely losing the battle until she discovers that
Miss Mulligan may be another kind of player!
The Secret to Making the Perfect Lasagna
by Alex Broun | 20 minute comedy
1 man, 8 women
When Max meets Wendy in the frozen food
Very
Popular! aisle of his local supermarket, he decides to start
dating again. But if he is to win her heart, she
decrees, “You must be able to make the perfect lasagna.”
Lasagna! Max doesn’t even
know how to spell lasagna!
Never fear—he turns to
the women in his family for
help. The result is a comedy
filled with love and lots of
lasagna.
Pair this with
Something Wonderful,
page 14.
Matzo Balls
By Jordan R. Young | 20 minute comedy
1 man, 4 women
The matzo balls have gone missing from Sunny Acres
Very
Popular! Retirement Home and Holmes and Watson are on
the case—Shirley Holmes and Dottie Watson, that
is! Lainie Moskowitz, the cook, is the prime suspect, but insists
she knows nothing.
Inspector Lestrade,
a policewoman who
doesn’t know matzo balls
from mozzarella, catches
the culprit, Reverend
Moriarty, an Irish
clergyman who confesses
he borrowed them for
the church lawn bowling
tournament! A perfect
blend of suspense and
comedy in this radio
“Matzo Balls” is hilarious
broadcast style show!
as a rad
readers theatre, or memoriz io play,
ed!
Love and Other Investments
By John Hayes | 25 minute comedy
2 men, 2 women
Wry-witted, with rapid fire screwball comedy dialogue, Love and
Other Investments centers on Agnes as she tries to finish her taxes.
Her meddlesome neighbor, demanding mother, and ex-husband all
interfere with a peaceful night to remind Agnes that there’s more to
life than investments and paperwork.
The Committee
By Charles Alverson | 20 minute comedy
3 men, 4 women
When Keith enters Sunset Villas Retirement
A
Community, he has yet another hurdle to clear. He
Huge Hit!
finds himself facing a self-appointed Committee of
four who have some pertinent—and impertinent—questions for
him. One by one, The Committee quizzes Keith, at the same time
damning Oscar, a former resident, with not-so-faint criticism. To
everyone’s surprise, Oscar rises from the audience and vigorously
defends himself, proving to everyone what we all have come to
know about The Committee. The show is funny, easy to stage, and
moves quickly.
Stanley’s Choice
By Millie Ackley | 30 minute comedy
2 men, 3 women
Sally’s birthday is a month away. Her husband Stanley has planned a
surprise birthday trip that includes an annual vacation they always
take with their very conservative, best friends, Peter and Penelope
Page. Sally learns by accident that they are going to Plain & Simple,
a special colony where she and her husband were members fifteen
years ago! It’s a trip—the audience will anticipate the ending, but
the actors will surprise them. A funny, well written show that flows
well and…there’s no nudity!
Grand Moves
By Wes Wetzel | 40 minute comedy
2 men, 6 women
Our realtor heroine, who is hosting an open house, is visited by a
succession of zany house hunters. First is a group of three women
who while they are “just looking,” we learn far too much about
them! The next prospective customers are an Eskimo from the far
north, Cash-Only Katie, and finally, the Walters. You won’t believe
their surprise! Simple staging, the show was a hit everywhere it’s
been staged.
Murder at the Movies
By Wes Wetzel | 40 minute murder mystery spoof
6 men, 5 women
This comedic farce stars Charlie Chin the Three, grandson of
Grand Master of Criminal Deduction Charlie Chin the One. It
takes place in front of a live audience in a motion picture studio in
Hollywood where an actor is stabbed by a real knife instead of a
stage knife. Charlie’s misadventures are hilarious as he tries to find
the villain. This is slapstick fun from the beginning where we hear
Chopsticks played on a child’s player piano to the final curtain!
We brought the house
down with “At the
Border.” It’s an ageless,
timeless piece with
plenty of actors and
yet was easy to stage.
Thanks for ArtAge, it is
a wonderful resource
for Senior Theatre.
Bitsy and Her Friends
By Ludmilla Bollow | 30 minute comedy
6 women
Bitsy and her friends recycle trash for their ‘art faire’ to be held in
the Wyndham Mansion Gardens only to meet opposition from
the neighbors. The offbeat characters thwart their detractors with
a surprise ending. Semi-finalist Winner in the Eileen Heckart Drama
for Seniors Competition.
~Diane Cyr
At the Border
2 women
Life becomes challenging, comic, and life changing for Lydia, a
widow, when she rents a room to Connie, a divorced free spirit.
Lydia’s quiet evenings with a book and wine get unhinged with
Connie’s sprawl, spontaneity, and frank wit. They learn to laugh and
connect. Great characters, quick script, easy costuming and staging.
By Bob Wilkins | 35 minute comedy
The Pettiburg Town Hall spans the Canadian-US border and has
two mayors in an ongoing feud. Things get worse with the news
of pending changes to the border crossing’s administration. The
US mayor sees this as an opportunity to assure his re-election; the
Canadian mayor is sure that his American counterpart is plotting
to take full control of the crossing. The situation is intensified by
a meddling janitor, a persistent reporter, and a couple of over-thehill hippies. International relations are rarely this hilarious.
Made for Each Other
See Bob Wilkins’ new play DNN—Definitely NOT the News, page 19.
Sunny Room in Charming House
By Simmie Levine | 30 minute comedy
1 man, 3 women, 2 either
Pauline Stewart, an 80-year-old retired dentist lives alone but
to insure Pauline’s safety, her daughter and son-in-law hire
companions for her. She fires every one of them! That is, until Annie
Simms appears on the scene. Together the dynamic duo engages in
a variety of escapades as they build a fun, trusting friendship.
Noah
3 men, 1 woman, 2 either
Laugh along as Noah builds his gigantic boat in the middle of
the wilderness as his wife and neighbors complain bitterly. It only
gets worse when a bureaucratic building inspector threatens to
derail the entire project. It’s a laugh-filled show that will entertain,
enlighten, and give a new slant to one of the world’s oldest stories!
See also: Diaries of Adam and Eve in Drama Duets on page 10.
LONGER PLAYS
NEW!
Casserole Casanova
By Herb McCollom | 50–60 minute farce
2 men, 5 women
Roger, recently widowed, is visited by five women friends bearing
gifts of food. Fred, Roger’s friend and neighbor, believes they are all
hot for Roger. While there is competition among the women, it is
only on their cooking skills, but Fred convinces Roger otherwise
with hilarious result.
Still Life With Nudes
By George Johnson | 50 minute one act or 105 minute full-length
comedy
3 men, 4 women
A group of high-spirited seniors, the Ancient
Acorns, stage a sit-in at a gallery that just happens
A Hit!
to be a former water treatment plant. The reason?
Their leader, Betty Dilliwick’s
enormous paintings of her
This play is a winning
combination of engaging
friends have been rejected.
characters, smart dialogue, witty The Acorns confront the
interaction, very solid dramatic
management. A fracas erupts.
structure and, most importantly, A multi-media, interactive
a lot of heart!
installation is born, and pleases
~Colleen Murphy
almost everyone except prim
and proper Acorn President
Helen Archer. She has taken the moral high road from the
beginning and winds up taking a splash in the Fountain of Youth,
a former cistern.
Winner of the National Playwriting Competition, Winner of
the Gladys Cameron Watt Award in the 67th Canadian One
Act Playwriting Competition, finalist in the McLaren Memorial
Comedy Play Writing Competition… and there’s no nudity, just
great theatre! HARD COPY $24.95 1 ACT E-SCRIPT $15.00
FULL-LENGTH E-SCRIPT
$20.00
What is an E-SCRIPT?
E-SCRIPTS are plays which are sent electronically as a
PDF. They are either downloadable or emailed to you
promptly. Call us if it’s a rush order. Free shipping on
e-scripts and e-documents!
Longer plays with their well-developed characters for
older actors are always a hit! These solid shows make
a full production of entertainment for audiences and
a fun challenge for actors. For longer plays, also look
at our ‘Plays in a Series’ section on page 8.
”
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The Bae On-Stage wball
and tkhe for A Screedy
Ma ew Com
N
NEW!
Uff Da!
By Jack Dyville | 60 minute farce
2 men, 8 women, plus extras if available
What happens when five yellow-school busses filled with
Red Hat Ladies from the South Central Evangelical Lutheran
Ladies Conference of Western North Dakota trek across the
Rough-Rider state to see Marie Osmond in The Sound of
Music but instead find the theatre marquee ablaze with an
adult show entitled, Bedroom Bedlam? No Marie? No Sound
of Music? Uff da, these Golden Girls are Not Happy Campers!
NEW!
Jack Benny’s Not 39 Any More
Norman Bender insists he, like Jack Benny, is as young as he
feels. Suffering from retirement remorse, he hatches business
schemes to fill idle hours. Edna, his loving if bewildered
spouse, is happier socializing. To her delight, a new neighbor,
widow Rosemary DiCarlo, has a son who may be a match
for the Bender’s daughter. When Rosemary visits the first
time, it seems both Benders have found a friend and ally.
Until Rosemary recognizes Norman and reminds him of their
youthful, romantic past. Feeling threatened, Edna launches
a campaign to keep their offspring apart, hoping it will also
keep Norman and Rosemary apart but in the end, there are
surprises for everyone.
LONGER PLAYS
Does This Show Make My Butt Look Fat?
By Joni Hilton | 1 hour comedy
1–6 women, or up to any number of women
This show is as funny as its
title! In a flexible format that
accommodates any
Popular! number of women,
the characters take
you on a comic romp through
the trials and tribulations of
womanhood including weight,
dieting, and looking good. The
show is full of character, charm,
and humor. You can even create
sweet concoctions on stage with
audience members. Best of all,
the show celebrates women’s
self-acceptance and a reminder
of the things that really matter.
A Few Good Years
By Penny Petersen | 95 minute romantic comedy
4 men, 4 women, 4–6 non-speaking gender flexible roles
A Few Good Years is a romantic comedy in
the style of The Fantasticks. Two middleaged daughters fix up their reluctant,
widowed parents. To give Libbi and Larry
happiness, the daughters make a terrible
mess of everything. A fake robbery, an
actress in a clown suit, a guy’s night out
bowling, and a fantasy nightmare add to
the hilarity. Mimes, who represent ‘Fate,’
Also available
intervene to clear the confusion. The play
as a musical!
combines charm and wit with a warm
See page 30
understanding of human nature. Best of all,
love triumphs in the end. A hit every time it’s been staged! Simple
scenic needs.
Under a Full Moon in November
By Paul Pastore | 80 minute comedy
6 men, 8 women
A pair of one night stands during the Northeast Blackout of 1965
come back to haunt two couples when they become neighbors
44 years later.
While the flames of love-at-first-sight blaze within
“...a very
Selena and Jason, embers of a-long-ago-love begin to
clever and
fast-moving glow again between Kiki and Tom, and Rita and Mike.
Each thinks they know the other, but none can put
comedy!”
their finger on it. It isn’t until later that night when
Charlie Miller, Barbara’s live-in boyfriend, suggests the most unlikely
of scenarios. What a show!
Shenanigans at the Blue Pelican Inn
By Kathleen Crandall | 75 minute comedy
3 men, 5 women
Sophie and George, the owners of a small inn along the coast,
know that almost anything can happen at the Blue Pelican Inn.
They have developed a lot of patience and mechanical skills to
deal with this quirky cast of lodgers. They include a family that
causes headaches all the time, a matchmaker, single schoolteacher,
a nerd, a set of older honeymooners, and a couple of snobs. After
getting a big dose of southern hospitality everyone heads for
home with a change of attitude and a pink flamingo for their front
lawn. Audiences love their stay at the Blue Pelican Inn!
Reunion at Mt. Sanguine: Class of 1950 —
Go Warriors!
By Doug Stewart | 90 minute comedy
4 men, 6 women
3RD PLACE
This is a warm and humorous
Oklahoma
script of a 50th high school
Community
Theatre
reunion. The colorful group
Association
returns to a small Midwestern
New Play
Contest
farm town along with their pasts
and their futures. The play comes
in large print. It makes for quite an evening!
The Perils of Carmen Geditt
By Bob Naquin | 50 minute melodrama
2 men, 6–8 woman, 1 either
Sit down and enjoy a melodrama with modern twists. Of course
there are the standard characters of heroine and hero against
the evil villain. But there’s more, as the heroine gets herself into
one predicament after another to satisfy her
quest for plastic surgery. Predictably her house is
repossessed and she’s tied to the railroad tracks,
but as always, good triumphs over
evil in a surprise ending. Fun show,
great characters, and of course a lot
of hisses and boos! Go to the website,
read the FreeView to get the real
flavor of this wacky show.
Make Mine Metamucil
By Dave Silverbrand | 90 minute comedy
Audiences love this show! Gladys dreams
“A great
of being a celebrity in Hollywood and on
ensemble play
with many comic Broadway. To fulfill her fantasy, she writes a
play and enters it in a contest that turns out
moments!”
to be a scam. This play captures the heart with
~Eureka Times
laughter, sentiment, and intrigue to make a
Standard.
great theatre experience. It’s been called, “A
great ensemble play with many comic moments” by the Eureka
Times Standard. The play is a hit every time it is performed!
LONGER PLAYS & RADIO PLAYS
By Robert Rinfret | 2 hour comedy
4 men, 6 women plus extras
BEST The Ophelia L. Davis Home for Actors, Musicians and Singers is a 1920’s manor in 21st
SELLER! century Burbank California. Its residents, who have called it home for over 40 years, all
worked in film, radio, or TV. They include two sisters, a leading man who could never remember his
lines, a man of 999 faces, and a mystic who hasn’t had a correct vision in years!
Their friend and former owner of the home, Ophelia Davis, died leaving the older performers in a
terrible predicament. The taxes are due and if they can’t be raised, the son of Ophelia’s attorney, Ben,
will sell the house so he can make millions when the land is used for a shopping mall.
At wit’s end, the performers turn to Ophelia’s Granddaughter and a nephew for help. Using all their
acting skills, some clever disguises, and a missing lottery ticket, they manage to turn a garage sale
SEE ALSO:
into a hilarious showdown. The strong characters and plot makes this show memorable for both Senior Moments, page 8.
actors and audiences!
Plays in a Series, pages 8 & 9.
Photo courtesy of Spotlight Still Got it Players
Old Hams
Audience Participation Plays, page 27.
“It is such a pleasure to have an unique theatre experience with humor and fun that beckons
back to the days of radio, the audience filling in the spaces with their imaginations.”
RADIO PLAYS
~Wynne Weiss, Vista California Public Library
NEW!
The Midnight Rider
By Susanne Tenpenny
35 minute comedy
8 men, 8 women, or 8 either
The Midnight
Rider is headed
your way. Quick!
CHRISTMAS THEME Turn on the ‘radio’
to experience
this delightful Christmas Eve comedy. Performing before live radio
audiences, performers carry listeners across the starry skies with the
jolly ole’ man in the red suit. But this year, tradition is swept aside,
when the Midnight Rider adopts a new team of transportation,
encounters unique celebrities, and plunges down unpredictable
chimneys. This compelling radio play can also include traditional
Christmas carols.
The Last Day at W.O.R.K.
By Brandon Daughtry Slocum
and JP Schuffman
40 minute comedy radio play
Gender flexible roles for 12–16 actors
BEST A radio station in a small
SELLER! southern town, W.O.R.K., is
signing off the air after 50 years. The station
owners, a couple in their 70’s, have invited
back their old favorite acts for one last
nostalgic show. Actors can read their lines, no
memorization needed. Performed at many
Senior Theatres to rave reviews. Easy to insert
additional acts. This is comedy at its best!
See Matzo Balls, page 21 and
Mr E.’s Radio Spritz Show, page 27.
The Quibbles Radio Shows
By Karen Riehl | 10 five minute sketches
Casts from 4 to 40
The Quibbles is a
collection of comedy
sketches, reminiscent
of radio shows of the
‘40s and ‘50s, featuring a
delightfully quarrelsome
couple, Carol and
Quentin Quibble, in
the hilarious skirmishes
of everyday life. Carol is a well-meaning helpmate, eager to
improve herself and her husband. Quentin is mostly interested
in golf. Their next door neighbor, Madge, is the town busybody.
Sketches from The Quibbles Radio Shows are easy to perform
with well-drawn characters. Use one or all in fully mounted
plays or variety shows. Such fun!
Tina Latigo Rides to the Rescue
By Sherry Piros | 40–45 minute comedy
1 man, 12 women, 3 either, many parts doubled
Tune into this old-fashioned radio play! The Old West comes
to life as Tina Latigo and her French sidekick, Lisette, work to
bring justice to women everywhere. However, the sound effects
man hasn’t shown up for the play, so the audience has to fill in.
Meanwhile, the mortgage is due on the Edward sisters’ ranch
but the miserly banker won’t budge. And the final straw—a
treasured music box is missing so Tina Latigo jumps into action.
This show is fun, easy, and is a sure hit!
Each comes with the script,
music and sound effects on
a DVD. Just insert the disc in
a standard DVD player and
you’re ready to perform.
eat
s Th re Kar
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de
®
ke
ao
Re
a
READERS THEATRE KARAOKE®
Readers
Theatre Like
You’ve Never
Seen...
Or HEARD...
It Before!
Love Conquers the Wild West
Introducing Readers Theatre Karaoke®
Readers Theatre Has Just Taken A Giant Step Forward!
Imagine Readers Theatre performed in a dimly lit room
with just the right background music creating a mood
for the story. Imagine having sound effects like thunder
or pounding hooves to bring realism to the reading.
Imagine turning your Readers Theatre performance into
mesmerizing “Theatre of the Mind” like those magic old
time dramas back in the Golden Age of Radio.
That’s Exactly What Readers Theatre Karaoke® does...
And It’s All On A DVD. Your Readers Theatre Karaoke®
DVD has the stage, orchestra, and all the sound effects
to make your Readers Theatre performance something
really special.
Here’s How It Works
The text of the script appears on a TV screen so
your actors can watch the screen and read along.
Background music and sound effects are on the disc
and timed to the script so they come in right on cue
as the actors deliver their lines. The result is a total
theatrical experience.
No Special Equipment Required
Readers Theatre Karaoke® uses a standard home DVD
player and TV. Just insert the disc and “Raise The
Curtain!” DVD’s also include a script to print out and
use for rehearsals or in performance.
“Readers Theatre Karaoke” added a whole new dimension
to our Senior Theatre program. The seniors loved seeing
their lines on the screen and they picked up the format
really quickly. The sound effects made the show extra fun!
I love “Readers Theatre Karaoke!”
— Shelley Barley, Life Enrichment Director
No Karaoke
equipment
required!
By Jim Gustafson | 15 minute melodrama
3 men, 6 women, double casting possible
The melodrama is set in the 1870’s when Daisy Fontaine, a young
and beautiful New York socialite is engaged to marry the man of
her dreams. However, as the
wedding approaches she gets
news that her brother, an
early settler in the Wild West,
has lost his wife to the fever.
Faced with his raising three
small children alone, Daisy
leaves New York, her wealth,
and the man she loves to help
the family. As the years go by
Seniors as Stars celebrate their
Daisy
never loves again and
performance of “Love Conquers
settles
in to the hard life of a
the Wild West”
frontier woman. Eventually an
unusual turn of events reunites Daisy with the man she left behind
and proves that true love can tame the Wild West. Features the
normal good guys and bad guys that make melodrama fun! $24.95
Roxie McCoy...Private Eye
By Jim Gustafson | 15 minute mystery comedy
4 men, 9–12 women, double casting possible
Roxie McCoy is a hit in ArtAge’s Readers
Theatre Karaoke®. Roxie is a street-smart,
no-nonsense private eye. In this comic
sketch, Roxie comes to the aid of an
English Baroness with a secret. When
a sleazy con artist threatens to expose
her highness, she calls on Roxie to save
the day. With some unexpected twists
and a few surprise revelations, Roxie
turns the tables on the blackmailer.
Once the dust settles, the Baroness’
reputation remains intact and the
weasel winds up behind bars. Features several
fun commercials to accommodate additional actors, if needed.
The Roxie MeCoy...Private Eye Readers Theatre Karaoke® DVD has
the script, background music, and sound effects built in, cued, and
ready to perform. $24.95
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION PLAYS
Get the audience involved with the action.
These tested winners have all been hits!
The audience
Mr. E’s Radio Spiritz Show
You’re the Jury: The Case of the Steele Deal
By Steve and Susan Shear | 60 minute courtroom drama
3 men, 5 women, 14 gender flexible roles, easily double cast
This exciting courtroom drama is based on identical twins, Clara
and Sally Steele who were addicted to playing the
Popular!
lottery. Though they always shared their winnings, the
relationship soured and now that Clara is dead, the families are
left to fight it out. The audience gets to decide who is the rightful
owner of $3,000,000. It’s a fast-paced play that keeps everyone
guessing!
You’re The Jury: Max Cooper
By Steve and Susan Shear | 75 minute courtroom drama
3 men, 2 women, 13 gender flexible roles, easily double cast
Peter Lambert moved into a tranquil community and soon began
terrorizing the neighbors including Max, an upstanding member
of the town. One fateful night, their fued escalates.
Rage, revenge, and humor rule in this exciting courtroom drama.
The audience, as the Jury, delivers the verdict in any of three
different endings. Unique, interactive, and engaging. This a
suspenseful, fun, theatrical event!
Gen. Bingo: A Comedy about Life,
Patriotism, Bingo and a Chance to win
a Frozen Turkey
By Jonathan M. Zaley & Mary A. Zaley
90 plus minute comedy
1 man, 2 women, plus audience participants
A comedy about life, patriotism, bingo...and
a chance to win a frozen turkey. Set in the
local VFW hall for Wednesday Night Bingo,
audience members are made to feel like one of the regulars out to
win some extra money or the grand prize...a frozen turkey! They’ll
laugh and sing and play some wild and wacky audience games. It
has great comic bits and can be used for a fantastic patriotic show.
More Audience Participation plays are online.
By Jonathan M. Zaley
75 plus minute comedy
11 roles plus 3 commercial announcers
This old-fashioned radio murder mystery
suspense comedy is a real cliffhanger! The
station manager of WMOO radio assigns the sound effects to the
live radio audience and chaos ensues. It is one hilarious laugh fest
as the audience tries to keep up with their sound effects duties.
Fantastically funny, mysterious, and just plain fun
When Irish Cows Are Smiling:
The Hilarious MOO-morial Tribute
to O’Leary’s Cow
By Jonathan M. Zaley | 80 plus minute comedy
2 men, 1 woman, plus audience participants
With all of its wit, charm and laughter, this is a
knee-slapping performance. Set in March 1872,
five months since the Great Chicago Fire, this
MOO-morial service, held at the Diggum, Deepe & Dye Funeral
Parlour, pays tribute to Mrs. O’Leary’s cow, the infamous firebug.
The Glass Slipper Still Fits:
A Senior Cinderella Story
By Natalina DePhillips | 70 plus minute comedy
1 man, 4 women, plus audience participants
This wonderful story is sure to tug at every
audience member’s heart-strings. A widow lives
in the attic of her own house but finds that her
later years are more fulfilling and exciting than
she could have ever expected. This story will fill your audiences
with laughter, adventure, love, and...a happy ending!
See Opus 88, page 8, Tina Latigo Rides to the Rescue, page 25, and
Scrooge With a Twist, page 28.
SO MANY PLAYS
WE CAN’T FIT THEM ALL HERE!
Looking for even more plays?
You’ll be amazed at the choices online!
Scan this QR code or go to
our home page and click
“Web Specials.”
HOLIDAY PLAYS
Scrooge with a Twist
Some of these plays are short,
some are longer, all have the
spirit of the holidays for you
and your audience’s pleasure!
NEW!
Merry Humbug
Pamela Loyd | 9 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Herbert decided there was no point in
celebrating Christmas this year since the
kids and grandkids couldn’t make it home
for the holiday. But while Herbert became
a Mr. Humbug and cancelled Christmas,
his wife Louise finds an unexpected way to
create some Christmas magic for just the
two of them. A sweet and warm-hearted
Christmas play.
“Frank’s 75th Christmas” premiered to a
standing-room only crowd...and those Swann
sisters are the funniest thing I have seen in a
long time.”
~Bettie Wilkie, Executive Director,
The John. T. O’Connor Senior Center
Frank’s 75th
Christmas
By Brandon
Daughtry Slocum
20 minute comedy
Gender-flexible cast
of 11 seniors
BEST Your audience will laugh
SELLER! their way through this play
about a man who gets a special visit
on Christmas Eve that changes his bad
attitude and his listless life. Simple staging,
modern costuming, and easy-to-follow
stage directions make this a low-cost and
stress-free production for your holiday
celebration.
We performed “Frank’s 75th Christmas”
eleven times and I can tell you, this show is a
WINNER!”
~Marjorie Black
We have many
more Holiday plays.
Visit www.seniortheatre.com
for a complete list.
See also:
In One Door Out the Other, page 16.
The Midnight Rider, page 25.
By Martha McMillen
40 minute musical plus carols
1 man, 6 women,
12 either in flexible
size cast
A delightful retelling
of the beloved
Christmas story! The
funny, unexpected
turns in the story
make it fresh and
entertaining. The
play revolves around
an actor who auditions to play the part of
a really “bad guy.” He finds out that he isn’t
that type at all and though the narrator
prods him to be “bad,” it’s just not possible.
What makes this show unique is that it
is performed in readers theatre style with
some audience participation.
Merry Christmas Caper
By D.K. Oklahoma | 60 minute comedy
4 men, 5 women
Someone has broken into the senior
center and stolen all the food for the
holiday, including 23 canned hams. Two
homeless runaways are hiding in the
Center’s attic and the Sewing Circle ladies
are drawn into a potentially dangerous
plan to shelter them. Can they do all this
and still finish their teddy bear project on
time? What if the Center’s nasty director
discovers the fugitives? They come
together to make the holiday season good
for everyone. It’s a perfect holiday show!
Mrs. Claus
1 woman
It’s Christmas time and Santa is delivering
toys in his sleigh, bringing good cheer to all.
But what about the wife he leaves behind,
the hardworking woman who supports
him? Who cleans up after those reindeer,
anyway? Who keeps those elves in line?
In this hilarious monologue, Mabel Claus
describes the trials and tribulations of being
married to the world’s most famous man
for 541 years. Mrs. Claus is the ‘real’ story
behind Santa, and a true Christmas gem!
The Christmas Police
By Laura Pfizenmayer | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Bring out your tacky Christmas ornaments
and don your worst holiday sweaters…
then watch out for the Christmas Police!
Officer Jack Frost is on the job protecting
the neighborhood from gross violations of
good taste and Maude Klawes is a repeat
offender. Will Frost be able to pry her
precious Christmas cow and her headless
Santa out of her arthritic hands?
Mrs. Claus Gets Menopause
By Daniel Guyton | 10 minute comedy
1 man, 1 woman
Chaos erupts at the North Pole on the
night before Christmas! As Santa gets ready
for the busiest night of the year, Mrs. Claus
lays a doozy on him. She is going through
menopause and isn’t very happy about
it. Furthermore, she’s heard some terrible
rumors about him and one of his elves.
Now Santa has to remind her of what
Christmas is all about—before it all gets out
of hand!
Dance of the Sugar Plump Fairies
By Ludmilla Bollow | 15 minute comedy
1 man’s voice, 2 women
Two cleaning women arrive on stage to tidy
up after a Nutcracker performance and end
up discovering a vision of their future. Their
mops and brooms transform, a spotlight
shines, and they celebrate with singing,
dancing, and castoff costumes. This is a fun,
upbeat show and a perfect way to create
holiday magic!
The Christmas Coffee
By Ann Pugh | 20 minute comedy
3 women, 1 special walk-on
The social committee
Customer
of a senior center
Favorite!
prepares for their annual
Christmas Coffee. As
bossy chairwoman Ruby fusses, Sandra,
an easily intimidated worker and Lucy,
a fashionable snob, hastily prepare for
a special performance by a madrigal
choir. To everyone’s surprise, a hip-hop
rapper appears onstage, secretly hired by
a vindictive employee. A light, lively, fun
holiday script that’s easy to produce.
MUSICALS
NEW!
Back in the Dreamtime
Script, Lyrics and Music by Marty Durlin
Vocal Harmonies by Pam Petersen
1 hour, 40 minute musical comedy
2-acts, piano score has soprano, alto, tenor, bass harmonies
4 men, 7 women
Travel back to a 47th high
school reunion in a small
town and let the three
cheerleaders, who act as
a chorus, guide you and
their classmates through
the sometimes melancholy,
sometimes joyous
gathering. You’ll find the
usual old friends who reminisce, brag a bit, flirt, agree on the state
of the world (We’re Screwed), and long for the old days (Back in the
Dreamtime). When one of the hipper classmates slips everyone
a marijuana brownie, the party intensifies with declarations of
love (You Could Be My Last Chance to Have a Broken Heart) and
admissions of regret (All the Ways We Fail). From doo-wop to
country, hip hop to anthem, with more music than dialogue, this
musical will charm, cheer, and entice your heart.
NEW!
Musicals bring out a wide variety of skills from
talented older performers. They can be done as
script-in-hand and as readers theatre performances.
Some choral groups have teamed with
drama groups to create the productions.
Be creative and try a musical!
Wrinkles
By Greg Evans | 90 minute musical, 14 songs
4 men, 4 women
The creator of
the hit comic
strip, Luann,
brings you a fresh
new musical
about the joys
and challenges
of aging. One
surprise-filled,
extraordinary
day is filled with humor and heartwarming moments as friends
do their life: doctor visits, bingo, and a lively romantic dance. It
all leads to an unexpected twist which reminds us to appreciate
every moment—and to wear wrinkles with pride!
A hit at the Welk Resorts Theatre in San Diego, audience members
raved about “the humor, catchy tunes, and uplifting message!”
Easy to produce, with a simple set, it works well as readers theatre,
script-in-hand, or fully-staged.
Get a perusal of any musical for only $5.
Take one month to read and share with
your company. Then get ready to perform!
NEW!
The Sunset Gang
Book and lyrics by Warren Adler
Music by L. Russell Brown
2 act musical | 6 women, 7 men
From Warren Adler, the author of the infamous and iconic The
War of the Roses, comes The Sunset Gang, a musical that follows
the unforgettable residents of the Sunset Village retirement
community. Love and lust blossom, bloom, and flourish! These
characters are alive and kicking in a way that transcends the
merely physical, shedding light on the powerfully unique
perspectives that youth, on its own, simply cannot afford. The
Sunset Gang is comprised of tales told in spry and invigorating
detail—it is, at its heart, a celebration of life!
From its debut, The Sunset Gang has resonated loud and clear.
Three of the collection’s stories: Yiddish, The Detective, and The
Home were adopted into PBS’s hit TV series American Playhouse.
They met with critical acclaim, garnering Doris Roberts an Emmy
nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or
a Special. The Off-Broadway musical of The Sunset Gang featured
music scored by L. Russell Brown, composer of Jersey Boys’ “C’mon
Marianne,” and “Tie a Yellow Ribbon to the Old Oak Tree.”
“A bittersweet musical about aging and desire…a deep examination
of love and loyalty among people over 60.” ~The New York Times
MUSICALS
“The musical was an absolute delight. It was charming, witty, and
captured so many senior moments, all to great tunes. What a
wonderful night of theatre!”
A Bag Full of Miracles
~ Chuck Miller, Sun Lakes AZ
Stories, lyrics, and music by Tom Northam
Musical arrangement by Ron Pronk
Flexible size cast | Full-length musical
A Few Good Years
production kit
By Penny Petersen
95 minute romantic comedy
4 men, 4 women, 4-6 non-speaking
gender flexible roles
This musical is a delight. The 12
original songs are uncomplicated
melodies reflecting the feelings of older people. You’ll find soulful
tunes, charming waltzes, and hysterical comedic romps. You’ll
especially enjoy She Makes Me Feel So Young, I Never Thought
I’d Feel This Way Again, and Is It All Right with You? Listen to the
music, read the script, and you’ll discover that this is the perfect
show for both your cast and your audience!
You are going to love this classic Senior Theatre musical
comedy. Maggie Hill meets Lady Anne Windesmeer, a
recent widow who has been swindled out of most of
BEST her funds by an unscrupulous lawyer. They convert Lady
SELLER! Anne’s home into a bed and breakfast, which brings
them hilarity, intrigue, romance, warmth, and a twisting
chain of events that will shake up your audience in more ways than
one. They’re also sure to leave the theatre humming the memorable
songs woven throughout.
Comes in a “Production-in-a-Packet,” so it’s easy to produce a
full-length musical at a fraction of the usual cost. Also available with
traditional royalties.
Also available as a non-musical play, see page 24.
This River Is Gold
Script, Music and Lyrics by Alvin H. Reiss
90 minute musical comedy
5 men, 4 women, 1 either, plus chorus
When residents of the Twin Hills Retirement
Community think that gold has been
discovered on their property, all hell breaks
out. The conflict divides those who live on
the North Hill from those who live on the
South Hill. Though greed and power threaten
their peaceful lifestyle, the seniors’ spirit and love of life rises
above the conflict. This rambunctious musical takes you through
the adventure using fourteen songs…some are romantic and
wistful, others are humorous and boisterous.
“This musical was just perfect for us, with great roles, toe tapping
tunes, and a gutsy spirit.”
~Mary Sawyer
One More Tomorrow
By Jay Kerr | 80 minutes
3 men, 5 women
A group embarks on an all-inclusive
adventure upon the venerable ‘Miss
Mossy,’ a century-old Mississippi riverboat. Along the way, ‘The
Miss Mossy’ works her magic, reminding us how life can lead
to unexpected, exciting new possibilities, glorious redemptions
and, ultimately, one more tomorrow. With seasoned characters,
touching lyrics, and beautiful harmonies, One More Tomorrow
floats toward an exciting new beginning for everyone—including
the ‘Miss Mossy!’
“A Bag Full of Miracles is
witty and filled with great
roles for older actors. Many
of the performers said that
this was the best character
they had ever played!”
~Lisa Manos, Director
THE KIT INCLUDES
National
Mature Media
Awards™
Winner
• Fully orchestrated recordings of all songs,
segues, and underscore music on CD’s
• Reproducible script
• Sound effects
• Set design
• Marketing & promotional materials
• And much more!
Produced throughout
the U.S. and Canada to full
houses, standing ovations,
and production companies
that made money every time
it’s been staged!
What is an E-SCRIPT?
E-SCRIPTS are plays which are sent electronically as a
PDF. They are either downloadable or emailed to you
promptly. Call us if it’s a rush order. Free shipping on
e-scripts and e-documents!
It’s a beginning, not an end…a very upbeat, positive look at maturity.
~Spotlight Newspapers, Capital Region, Albany NY
MUSICALS
FILM
There are people, regardless of their station in life,
who can somehow find love, happiness,
and peace of mind. There is… Sometimes a Rainbow.
Sometimes A Rainbow
Story, Lyrics, and Music by Tom Northam
Music Arranged and Orchestrated by Dick Wooley
90 minute musical comedy including intermissions
10 to whoever wants to be in the show!
A musical comedy centering on the life of Cordy Shelburne, an
elderly widow, who discovers the meaning of life and the joys
of living while surviving on the streets of Washington, DC. By
applying the wise and sage advice of a bag lady named Duchess,
she enriches her own life and that of others who she meets along
the way.
“I will never look at homeless people the same way again.
The story has great impact!”
SS Shipenshore
By Marian Ellis & John
Gutberlet | 75 minute
variety show/musical
9 men, 15 women in
cast from 25 to 40
Variety show lovers:
Here’s what you’ve
been asking for!
This show is a structure for your variety show. Complete with
outrageous characters and a lively plot, all you need to do is add
your favorite tunes. In no time at all, your variety show is written!
Set on a cruise, the SS Shippenshore and its passengers experience
romances, a jewelry theft, pirates, dancing girls, and comedians
as they travel to Havana. The result is a variety show filled with
music, dance, and a strong story. Just what one needs!
…a fun theatrical revue that is perfect for senior actors and
entertaining for audiences of all ages!
Get a perusal of any musical for only $5.
Take one month to read and share with
your company. Then get ready to perform!
NEW!
Still Dreaming
Stretching physical, emotional and mental limits, a group of
older Broadway actors, musicians, and dancers bravely dive into a
production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and find that nothing
is what it seems to be. These former Broadway stars, who live at
the Lillian Booth Actors Home near New York City, embark on a
journey through the magical play.
Filmmakers, Hank Rogerson and Jilann Spitzmiller, take actors
and directors through the pain and exhilaration of re-immersion
in their life’s work amidst the problems of advanced years. The
performance and the play are vital reminders why it’s important to
continue dreaming, no matter the circumstance.
A Gem! Unforgettable!
~San Jose Mercury News
Intriguing…Evocative!
~Variety
Touching, funny, thoughtprovoking
~northjersery.com
Remarkable, beautiful & truthful!
~June Squibb
Educational License for Non-Profit Organization or Business
Screening Kit and Educational Non-Profit/Business License
allows you to legally screen the film to an in-house group at an
organization or business. $149
Educational License for School Use
Screening Kit and Educational License allows you to legally
screen the film at your school in the classroom. $295
Licenses include:
• DVD with full director’s cut •D
iscussion Guide about the benefits of the Arts and Aging
• S enior Theatre at a Glance by Bonnie L. Vorenberg, President of
ArtAge Senior Theater Resource Center
Discounts are available for multiple copies and kits.
USE THEATRE TO EDUCATE
IMPROVISATION & CREATIVE DRAMA
NEW!
Theatre Games and Improvs for Older Actors
By Rick Kerby
Some Senior Theatres use plays to educate their
audiences about issues on topics like falls,
nutrition, death and dying, dementia, etc.
These Edu-dramas spark questions. Host an expert to
follow with answers. Funders love these shows!
NEW! Get Your Flu Shot!
1 man, 1 woman
When it’s time to convince people to get a flu shot, sometimes
entertainment can carry the most convincing message. Health
departments, aging organizations, and others have used this play
extensively with great success!
We loved rehearsing the show and the audiences really enjoyed it also.
What a lot of fun!
~Alberta Home Health Department
The Exam
By Dave Carley | 10 minute monologue
1 man
At his wife’s behest, Ralph will be going to his doctor for a prostate
checkup, but the digital aspect of the exam has given him sleepless
nights. Ralph hopes to joke his way through his fears. A touchy, yet
important subject, in a humorous play.
Silence
By Brandon Daughtry Slocum | 20 minute comedy
2 women
Recently widowed Jennie is taken under the wing of her eccentric
and opinionated neighbor, Bettie, a veteran widow who explains
the maze of learning to live without your spouse. Filled with sound
advice about what to do and what not to do, this play combines
humor and insight to make a solid performance.
ElderSpeak
By Jeanette Mathewes Stevens | 20–25 minute comedy
3 men, 7 women
The lead character, after experiencing age discrimination in her work
place and seeing how her mother is affected by ‘ElderSpeak’ at the
health care facility, comes up with a plan. With the help of her Mom
and other residents of Shadyview Meadows, they create a hilarious
change of attitude for staff members.
Use this book to explore improvisation,
one of the most popular forms of theatre.
There’s no memorization, only the
creativity that comes from spur-of-themoment thinking. Designed specifically
for older actors, this collection’s flexible
format helps instructors expand
participants’ skills and creativity. The
Rick Kerby
exercises are successful with novice to
professional actors, in performance or
just for fun. In only a short time, this book will look torn and
tattered as you use it again and again! $29.95
Theatre Games
and Improvs
for Older Adults
The Improv Game
By Bonnie L. Vorenberg
This game has been so
popular in classes and
workshops that we now
offer it to you. It makes
improvisation quick, easy, and fun. The deck
of sixty plus who, what, when, where, and why
cards provide jumping off points to stimulate
BEST creativity, imagination, and spontaneity. There are
SELLER! unlimited combinations for hours of enjoyment in
drama class, at parties, or wherever you want to have some fun!
Successful with people of all ages and abilities. $15.00
Emotion Cards
A great way to spark creativity in
storytelling, writing, and improvisation!
Use this 80-card set to help actors
portray different feelings and
emotions. The set features males and
females from a variety of backgrounds
portraying many emotions. Others show people in realistic
emotion-provoking situations and activities. The cards also
have scenarios, questions, and improv starters. A valuable tool!
$34.99
Improv Starters
By Dorey Schmidt | 15–20 minute comedy
4 women, 1 offstage man’s voice
Sylvia Allen struggles with the predicament of, “When should I stop
driving?” Her well-ordered life turns upside down when she has a
small fender-bender and suddenly wonders whether she should give
up the keys. Will Sylvia lose the keys to her kingdom?
Liven up your improvisations with these
Improv Starters. The deck of 35 expression
cards, 8½ X 11” on bright cover stock, can
be used as starters for storytelling, in drama
Improv
Starters class to work on vocal expression, or as a way
to stimulate improvisation. The flash card
deck will become a treasured tool, especially
when you run low on ideas! $15.00
See Mimi and Me and The Hotel Lobbyist, page 17,
Bert, One Year Later, page 18, and Made for Each Other, page 22.
See Sgt. Levy’s Lonely Hearts Club, page 15, Silent Movie, page 16,
and Drama Activities with Older Adults, page 34.
Keys to Her Kingdom
A Treasured Teaching
Tool for Drama
Class, Storytelling,
Improvisation…
whenever your
imagination runs low!
HOW TO
Senior Theatre Connections:
The First Directory of Senior
Theatre Performing Groups,
Professionals, and Resources
National
Mature Media
Awards™
Winner
A top seller! The winner of a National
Mature Media Award for Excellence in Educational
Materials for Older Adults, this comprehensive
and well illustrated source book brings all aspects
of Senior Theatre together in one volume. A must-have! $19.95
Learn from the experts! Whether you are
a beginner or seasoned professional, these
books will help you improve your skills.
Seasoned Theatre: A Guide to Creating
and Maintaining a Senior Theatre
By Martha Haarbauer
After many years of work with senior actors,
Haarbauer has written a road map for how to
establish and maintain a Senior Theatre. Discover
information on how to organize, recruit, and
direct older actors, choose appropriate materials,
make technical decisions, locate a space, attract
audiences, generate funds, and more. $14.95
Enriching an Older Person’s Life through Senior Theatre Bonnie L. Vorenberg
Book Title Author Enriching an Older Person’s Life
Through Senior Theatre
A basic handbook and practical guide to creating
a Senior Theatre program. Using a step-bystep approach, the book teaches you how to
create a program, select materials, and present
performances. Includes helpful hints and a
valuable appendix to make your efforts successful.
Writing Plays for Senior Theatre
Playwrights discover that Senior Theatre is a unique art form
with special requirements. You can do more than set a play in
a retirement community! Use this TipSheet to learn how to
craft dialogue, build characters, and develop plots in scripts
that are challenging yet fun for seasoned performers. This
is an essential tool for playwrights creating works for this
burgeoning form of the performing arts.
E-DOCUMENT
$15.00
$18.95
Enrichi
How to Start
a Senior Theatre
All in One Package,
Including Support!
Getting Started in
Senior Theatre Package
This package has the basics to help you start a
successful Senior Theatre program. It features the
books, TipSheets, and materials that will help you
find success. In addition, you get 3 hours of phone
consultation with Bonnie L. Vorenberg, ArtAge
President with 30+ years of experience in the
field. She’ll help you leap over your Senior Theatre
concerns.
SPECIAL VALUE • SAVE OVER $100! • $235
ng an O
lder Per
throug
son’s L
h Seni
ife or The
at
re Bo nnie
L. V
orenbe
Book T
itle rg
Author
T
IP
SHEET
CONTAINS:
• Senior Theatre Connections
• Seasoned Theatre
• Drama Activities with Older Adults
• Enriching an Older Person’s Life Through Senior Theatre
• Directing Older Actors
• TipSheet: How to Start a Senior Theatre
• TipSheet: How to Name a Senior Theatre
• TipSheet: Senior Theatre Course Outline
• 3 hours of consulting regularly priced at $50 per hour.
Must be used in one year.
HOW TO
Bibliography for Senior Theatre
As Senior Theatre expands, the number of sources for information
grows quickly. Use this complete listing to find the books,
dissertations, magazine, journal, and newspaper articles in the
field. You will be amazed at the many resources available to help
you find success in Senior Theatre. This bibliography will help you
save time when searching for information in Senior Theatre, arts,
aging, gerontology, and related areas. It’s indispensable!
E-DOCUMENT
$15.00
New Trends in Senior Theatre
As Senior Theatre grows, new programs give it vitality while
on-going companies demonstrate the strength of the many
different kinds of theatre that are successful with older adults.
Understand the breadth and depth of the field and discover
what’s in it for you. The TipSheet includes the latest research
along with statistics, fundable ideas, and facts that give you an
up-to-date snapshot of Senior Theatre. E-DOCUMENT $10.00
Great for Classes
Directing Older Actors
Explore the joy of Readers Theatre, one of the
most popular performance styles in Senior
Theatre. The format is flexible, creative, and
doesn’t require actors to memorize. Discover
how to choose a script, develop vocal
techniques, and adapt techniques for class or
performance. Filled with practical advice, use
this TipSheet as your guide to a fun and fulfilling
Readers Theatre program.
E-DOCUMENT
Roger Bargainnier
Senior Readers Theatre Made Easy
$15.00
Directing older actors can be an
extremely rewarding experience,
BEST especially if you learn some basic
SELLER! techniques and adaptations. Using
the Directing Survey and the author’s
experience as a guide, this TipSheet
covers tips and tricks to help you be more
successful. It includes organization, staging,
memorization, choosing scripts, casting,
and more. It will help you leap over the
barriers so your directing experience is
exhilarating!
E-DOCUMENT $15.00
Introduction to Readers Theatre
Course Plan for Senior Theatre Classes
If you teach Senior Theatre in the community or
guide college students studying Senior Theatre,
this TipSheet is for you. Part One is for classes
for older performers in adult education, lifelong
learning, senior center, retirement living, learningin-retirement, or related settings. Part Two is a
sample syllabus to be used for teaching Senior
Theatre in a college or university. Part Three is a
6-week plan for sessions in retirement housing.
Learn how to take actors from simple theatrical
skills to performing on stage. The course outlines
have guided so many Senior Theatre directors!
E-DOCUMENT
$15.00
“Very helpful! It taught me how to teach the class,
and saved me a lot of time and effort.”
~Alicia Penn
SEE ALSO T
he Improv Game, Emotion
Cards, and Improv Starters,
all on page 32.
By Gerald Lee Ratliff
This basic guide makes Readers Theatre
come alive! Learn how to produce Readers
Theatre in class or on stage by easily
adapting poetry, stories, and plays with
simple theatrical staging. $19.95
Drama Activities with Older Adults:
A Handbook for Leaders
By Anne H. Thurman & Carol Ann Piggins
Drama comes alive with
Our
this practical handbook.
favorite
Directing creative drama,
“How to”
improvisation, and basic
Book
acting becomes easy
with step-by-step instructions. Includes
50 activities to stimulate senses, awaken
imagination, encourage interaction, and
improve verbal communication. Great for
use in the classroom or for actor training.
A wonderful tool for directors. $48.95
HOW TO
How to Start a Senior Theatre
When you begin a Senior Theatre, you might feel
like you’re out on a limb, working to create a magical
company with no road map. Don’t fret. Use this stepby-step TipSheet to help you get started. It includes
ideas about how to find a sponsor, how to locate a
director and how to select the form of Senior Theatre
that fits your mission. Feel secure with advice on how
start a company and have fun! E-DOCUMENT $10.00
How to Name a Senior Theatre
Acting in Television Commercials
By Buddy Powell
Across the country, seniors and baby boomer performers are discovering that
local advertising companies are looking for bright, charming, and friendly
actors to appear in TV, radio, and print media promotions. Learn the skills
necessary to add this fun (& profitable!) venture to your resume.
E-DOCUMENT $10.00
Creativity Matters:
The Arts and Aging Toolkit
E-DOCUMENT $10.00
By Johanna Misey Boyer
Success assured for every arts and aging project
you create! From the leaders in the arts and
aging movement, this book provides detailed
information, examples, and suggestions about
how to create an arts and aging program. It covers
everything: how the arts benefit older adults,
the arts and aging services, program design and
implementation, evaluation, public awareness, and
more. With an appendix rich with resources, you’ll
have plenty of advice and examples to enhance your own successful arts and
aging program. $19.95
Generating Community:
Intergenerational
Partnerships through the
Expressive Arts
By Susan Golden with Susan Perlstein
Transform recollections into visual art in a step-by-step program that excites
and inspires!
$10.00 each
Makeup for Older Actors—
Defining Your Character
By Patti Schulte
This TipSheet shows Senior Theatre
performers how to use makeup to
bring their characters to life! Learn new
techniques, products, and tools for a
flawless application. Discover how to
adapt your makeup to accommodate
older skin, wrinkles, balding heads, and
other ‘joys’ of aging! You’ll discover
how makeup, if applied well, can give your acting a
whole new sense of strength and clarity. It makes a
huge difference! E-DOCUMENT $10.00
Attracting Baby Boomers to Your Theatre
By Susan Perlstein and Jeff Bliss
Kids and seniors use storytelling to
create plays from memories using a
rich and powerful process.
Legacy Works: Transforming
Memory into Visual Art
The name you choose for your Senior Theatre
company is very important. It shows what kind of work
you do and can tie you to a sponsor or a geographic
region. Whatever you choose, make it YOU! The
TipSheet was developed from an analysis of the 800+
companies in the ArtAge Publications database, the
largest in the field. Use this TipSheet to explore the
many names being used for Senior Theatres. Then
evaluate which ones work for you. Read about overused names, favorites, and advice about how the name
you choose can affect your future.
Learn how to attract baby boomers to your theatre.
Give them a voice on your stage and you will be richly
rewarded. The new generation of older performers is
a unique breed. Plan your program right and some
of the 77 million Baby Boomers will become active
participants in your company. Meet their needs,
discover directing and programming hints. Start
planning for Senior Theatre success!
E-DOCUMENT $10.00
HOW TO
FUNDING
All around the country, Senior Theatre grant writers are
hearing “Yes!” Use these up-to-the-minute resources
for the best information to guide your fundraising efforts
and to help land winning proposals.
Contact us at 800.858.4998 if you need additional help.
How to Write Successful
Fundraising Letters
2nd Edition
Our
favorite fund
raising book
By Mal Warwick
Transform your grant writing by
learning how to make your letters
more successful. Warwick’s stepby-step model, with an extensive
collection of sample letters, style
tips, useful hints, and real world
examples, has helped thousands
of fundraisers win grants. $36.95
Fundraising for Senior
Theatre
Make Money Producing Weekday
Luncheon Theatre
By Jonathan M. Zaley
This easy-to-read manual guides you through
every step of establishing your own weekday
luncheon theatre business. Learn about sites,
food, shows, and pricing. Rely on Jon Zaley’s
20+ years of experience to help you:
• Find your audience, markets, and
promotion
• Make reservations and ticket systems easy
• How to keep ‘em coming back for more!
Use the audience participation shows on
page 27 for Weekday Luncheon Theatre.
$49.95
Use this guide to help you write
high quality grants. Learn how
to validate your project with
statistics that prove the value
of arts and aging, an analysis
of the field of Senior Theatre,
benefits of participation, and more. Learn how to put
a ‘face’ on your proposal. Also includes how to do
other fundraising appeals plus pages of resources—
online, books, directories, writing guides, and more.
Indispensable!
E-DOCUMENT
$15.00
Don’t Just Applaud—
Send Money!
The Most Successful Strategies for
Funding and Marketing the Arts
By Alvin H. Reiss
Noted arts management
consultant, Alvin H. Reiss,
brings his best 100 money
raising ideas into a book that’s
sure to inspire. His marketing
and fund raising challenges,
plans, and results combine
humor with examples of flyers, brochures, posters,
and letters. Learn how to use creativity, persistence,
and resourcefulness to make your program more
financially stable and successful. $15.95
CREATE THEATRE FROM MEMORIES
NEW!
Our Voices: Senior Selfies
By Catherine Frid
Scenes for 1–9 actors, predominantly women
1–15 minute vignettes
Created through a unique
collaboration between a professional
playwright and a group of seniors,
this collection of scenes is based on
true stories from the lives of seniors
today. Our Voices: Senior Selfies
celebrates seniors’ empowerment
through vignettes that are hilarious,
insightful, and poignant. The 19
scenes include “Smart Alec Car Sales,” a mock TV game show “So
You Think You Can Help,” the “Best Adult Child” competition with
audience voting by ballot, “Quickie,” a (non) conversation about
sex, and an original rollicking finale song.
The life story adventures that older adults carry with them
make excellent theatre! Use these materials to help you
transform their stories into dramatic pieces.
This very popular format is successful with both beginning
to advanced performers—and audiences love it!
Age on Stage:
Lifewriting Your Monologue
The scenes can be presented as a two-act show or as stand-alone
vignettes using simple staging with chairs, two small tables, and a
lectern. The show works well as script-in-hand or readers theatre.
E-Script $15.00, Hard Copy $20.00
Scripting Our Lives: Oral History
Theatre
A customer
favorite
A collection of practical methods
and script shell foundations
By Mark Steven Jensen and Ann McDonough
Create an oral history theatre revue! This
groundbreaking work provides a wonderful
range of basic script outlines or ‘shells’ for
you and your group to insert personal stories, creative works, and
reminiscences. With themes like “Dancing Through Life,” “High
School Daze,” and “Military Memories,” you will be both inspired
and delighted. Create wonderful theatre based on memories!
A Stage for Memory: A Guide
to the Living History Theatre Program
of Elders Share the Arts
By Renya T. H. Larson
Share your life stories on the stage! This
practical guide combines reminiscence
and theatre to help you start and sustain
a Living History Theatre program. Learn
from this step-by-step guide and create
powerful, fun performances. $15.00
$24.95
This excellent book helped me find the dialogue and narrative in
the participants’ memories. It made my Life Story class into a great
experience!
Telling the Stories of Life Through
Guided Autobiography Groups
~ Wrenn Goodrum
By James E. Birren and Kathryn N. Cochran
A great guide for creating theatre based
on life stories. Learn from expert, James
Birren, who has conducted autobiography
groups for 25 years. Helps you organize,
record, and share life experiences through
a proven and effective technique. Perfect
for developing scripts from life stories.
Reminiscence Theatre:
Making Theatre from Memories
By Pam Schweitzer
Written by a renowned leader in theatre
created from oral history, this book is a
comprehensive guide to the nature, practice,
and therapeutic effects of theatre created
from memories. Drawing on examples from
a range of real-life case studies, it provides
practical advice on how to draw out oral
histories, create a script, and develop the material into a dramatic
production. Excellent, thorough book! $36.95
By Joy Reilly
Learn how to transform your life
experience into theatre. Joy Reilly takes
you through the writing process as you
create monologues that reflect your own
story. Use her company, Howling at the
Moon, as your model. Their monologues,
from funny to deeply personal, will
inspire you. They can be used in class or
in readings. The second part includes
38 monologues ready to be performed…
making a show that’s easy to put
together, with strong impact. $19.95
A customer
favorite
$20.95
For more plays based on memories, see “A Laugh and a Half” on page 7
and “Skits for Seniors: Reminiscing Plays” on page 6.
ARTS EXPLORATION
Less active adults respond well to music, movement, and drama.
Use these materials to help you stimulate and inspire creativity.
NEW!
“I highly recommend this book! Its
wealth of topics are so very useful.”
By Kareen King
If you want to stimulate older persons’ minds and
imaginations, this gem of a book is for you. Let the
easy-to-use thematic lesson plans help you create
sessions that are filled with creativity, exploration, and
fun. The 28 Experiences combine music, theatre, poetry,
storytelling, and reminiscence that fosters curiosity and
builds connections. $29.95
~Gloria Hoffner, Author of Science for Seniors
Engage! 28 Creative Enrichment
Experiences for Older Adults
“LOVE IT! LOVE IT! We enjoy all of
the Experiences and I really like how
easily they can be adapted.”
~Cathy Maddex, Activity Director
“You save me months of planning
and lots of guilt!”
~Cathleen Weber, MSW, LCSW, Founder & Director of
Better Day Club, an Adult Day Program
“Kareen King knows how to connect with older
“The Experiences help older adults
adults. Her Experiences help bring out the
to lose their inhibitions and become
creativity in everyone…they really work!”
totally engaged. I LOVE the themes
~Sally Bailey, Kansas State University, Director of Graduate Studies
in Theatre
and the clear and easy-to-follow
directions that guide me through the
“Each Experience creates great learning…
sessions!
It’s refreshing!”
~Caitlin Cairns, Activity Director
~Kathleen Dremel, Activity Director
These
four ideas
work well
together!
NEW!
Connecting Through Music
with People with Dementia:
A Guide for Caregivers
By Robin Rio
This user-friendly book demonstrates how to
use simple music and movements to engage
people with dementia, promoting relaxation and
enjoyment. Take the author’s practical advice,
add a love of music and you’ll be able to develop a program that
prompts more communication for meaningful interactions. The
practical advice and list of useful songs will help you stimulate and
entertain less active adults. $22.95
NEW!
122 Best Loved Songs
for Older Singers
Edited by Bonnie L. Vorenberg
These 122 tunes are the most memorable,
fun and easy songs used in classes at
senior centers, retirement housing, and
other sites. They are favorites that many
older adults will easily recall. Use the
Large Print
large print lyrics in sing-alongs, in creative
engagement, or in any music and drama program. Tried and
true successful pieces! $14.99
Creative Engagement: Using Music, Movement and
Drama with Less Active Adults
Use music, movement, and drama in a mixture to promote
communication and broaden expression. Use this TipSheet to
learn how to move smoothly between the art forms, how to
lead the program, and use props and other tools to stimulate
older adults. Add the joy of the arts and you’ll have a fun,
creative program that they’ll ask for time and time again!
E-DOCUMENT
38 www.seniortheatre.com | ArtAge Senior Theatre Resource Center
$10.00
“I haven’t had such excellent service in I don’t know when!” Carla S., Activities Coordinator
| CUSTOMER SERVICE
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ArtAge helps older adults fulfill their theatrical dreams — 800.858.4998
MONOLOGUES
Sara Plays Her Game
Monologues can be used in class or in performance.
As a training tool, they build acting skills.
In performance, they fill that unique spot in your show
or give roles to more actors. They are a real treat!
NEW!
One on One: The Best Monologues for Mature Actors
Edited by Stephen Fife
Explore some of the most complex and interesting
characters in dramatic literature like Big Daddy in
Tennessee Williams’s Cat on a Hot Tim Roof, Halie
in Sam Shepard’s Buried Child, and George and
Martha in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia
Woolf? Includes monologues from the classics
plus ones from American playwrights. Useful for
auditions, in class, or performance, this collection
of 81 monologues from ancient Greek to modern times, gives older
performers a wealth of material. $19.99
Describing Life: Monologs for Women
By Frank Canino | 10 minutes
1 woman
Welcome to Madame Sara Joel’s French class.
An international
Sara teaches you correct pronunciation but
award winning
also relates stories from her childhood in
monologue.
Paris during the WWII. She had a flirtatious
mother, a jealous father, and then there were the Nazis. How did
they survive? By learning to play a very special game—a game that
saved her life. After that, how difficult can French vowels be?
E-SCRIPT $5.00
Housecleaning
By Arthur Strimling
1 woman
This delightful, comedic monologue is a hit
Great
wherever it’s performed! Follow the frustrated
monologue!
homemaker, Ida, as she swears off housework
for more enlightening tasks. It’s short, easy to perform, and a real
audience-pleaser! E-SCRIPT $5.00
The Oldest Living Graduation Speaker
By Sandra Fenichel Asher | 4 minute comedy
1 woman
High School seniors have invited Sarah to speak at their graduation.
She presents a wise and witty speech, filled with stories of two
neighbors who see life quite differently. Such a lovely piece!
By Jolene Goldenthal
In the 50 monologues actors tell tales, confide
secrets, and share laughter. The pieces can be used
for audition, for performance, or in class. Several are E-SCRIPT $5.00
award-winners. $14.99
I’m Stayin’ Alive
A Grand Entrance
By Ann McDonough & Kent R. Brown
You’ll enjoy the 100 comic and serious roles in
this anthology of monologues, duet and trio
scenes. It includes tips on how to interpret scenes
and monologues, discover motivation, portray
characters, and more. $18.95
New Monologues for Mature Actors
Edited by Ann McDonough
These comic and serious monologues have
characters who are a fresh reflection on mature
adults. It’s a convenient source book for auditions
or acting classes. $19.95
By Sandra Weintraub | 7 minute comedy
1 woman—can also be played by 1 man
An older woman’s life is so boring that she discovers the pleasures
of surfing the web, especially spam. Now she looks forward to
adventure and excitement, all courtesy of spam. E-SCRIPT $5.00
Coming of Age
By Nikki Harmon | 7 minute comedy
1 woman, 1 voice over
After 51 years of marriage, Edna took a vacation all by herself—to
Indonesia, no less! Back now, sitting on her luggage, and swamped
in layers of batik, the question is, does she really want to go home?
E-SCRIPT $5.00
SEE ALSO Bert, One Year Later, page 18.
Mrs. Claus, page 28.
The Exam, page 32.

2016 Catalog - Senior Theatre

Transcription

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