From the Top

Five – six – seven – eight . . .

By Sara Bednark
The Portland Upside
May 2009

Northwest Theater Group rehearses for their upcoming production "Steppin' Out on Broadway" which premiers May 27th at the Alpenrose Dairy Opera House. (Photo by www.Rosboroughphotography.com)

If they could see me now,
That little gang of mine,
I’m eating fancy chow,
And drinking fancy wine.
—Dorothy Fields

Now comes the hard part. Hand your top hat to the right and grab the one from the left, then turn, kick, and place the hat on your head. All the while singing, smiling, and hopefully not dropping the hat, that slippery hat.

The Northwest Senior Theatre group is rehearsing for their spring show, Steppin’ Out on Broadway, and I feel slow and clumsy just watching. In preparation for each show, they rehearse two days a week, three hours a day for five months.

It’s a big commitment, especially when they could be spending more time with their families and relaxing into their retirement. So why would this group of 62- to 85-year-olds want to spend that much time putting on a show?

“It’s something to do” and “We’d be too sedentary if we didn’t” are just two of the many answers I receive when I ask the cast.

Some mention that memorizing the lyrics and choreography keeps their minds active. Others point out the importance of the community they have created. And still others talk about the volunteer aspect; Northwest Senior Theatre puts on five to six performances of each show for retirement homes throughout Portland.

Fred Bauner, though, touched on something much different. “We’re all hams anyway!” he says. “You know, it’s the appeal of the crowd, the applause.”

I’d like those stumble bums to see for a fact
The kind of top-drawer, first-rate chums I attract.

And attract they do.Northwest Senior Theatre has volunteer members from all over the Portland metro area, Vancouver, and as far away as Hubbard. Their twice-yearly auditions are advertised in The Oregonian’s Monday callboard and brings in people from all backgrounds: engineers, doctors, postal workers, teachers.

Sue Tenison, Northwest Senior Theatre’s choreographer, gives me the lowdown on qualifications. You must be able to sing and move at the same time and, of course, you must be 55 or older. But you don’t have to have prior theater experience, just a willingness to practice.

If they could see me now,
That little gang of mine,
I’m eating fancy chow,
And drinking fancy wine.

Northwest Senior Theatre is a non-profit organization that has been around since 1991, supported by donations and membership dues. The group puts on two galas a year for the general public, one in the spring and one during the winter holidays. Some of the performers have been in theater for most of their lives and are true professionals.

For Gerry Warner, Northwest Senior Theatre president, the theater had been only a dream. She describes it now as a second career.

“One I’ve always wanted and didn’t think I’d ever have,” she says. “It’s just amazing!”

And it really is! Audiences just don’t know what to expect, Sue proudly reports. “They think these little old people will come out [on stage] but, no, we have this big, huge production. We have scenery, costumes, an accompanist, a drummer, lighting, sound.” And many dedicated members who put it all together.

Looka where I am.
Tonight I landed, pow!
Right in a pot of jam.
What a set up! Holy cow!

Just before I leave, eight women emerge on stage and begin to tap, slide, turn, and sing to “The Lullaby of Broadway.” It certainly is a surprise! There’s something that happens when lights, sets, and costumes merge with long hours of practice. To an amateur like me, it looks like magic. The audience doesn’t expect the transformation that happens to their parents, grandparents, and friends, and neither did I. When the lights go down and the music starts to play, age becomes irrelevant. These men and women change from seniors to performers with the ability to bring back the razzle-dazzle of Broadway from the top of their hats to the tap of their shoes.

They’d never believe it,
If my friends could see me now!

Their friends can see them, and so can you. For a $5 donation per person, you can see two hours of Broadway numbers at the Alpenrose Dairy Opera House. Every day at 2 p.m. from May 27 through May 30, the curtain will rise for the Northwest Senior Theatre’s performance of Steppin’ Out on Broadway.
_____

To learn more about Northwest Senior Theatre visit their website at www.nwseniortheatre.org or call 503-251-4332. The opera house is located at 6149 SW Shattuck Road in Portland.

Sara Bednark has published two children’s books and believes that everyone has a story to tell.