Theatre 55 in the News
Theatre 55—Enriching the lives of elders as artists, audiences, and lifelong learners.
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A Chorus Line in the news…
Discover what Art Hounds and Channel 5 had to say about A Chorus Line‘s phenomenal performances.
KSTP, Twin Cities Live: Video – A Chorus Line by Theatre 55
MyVillager: Second shot at stardom: Theatre 55 triumphs in ‘A Chorus Line’
Catherine Brennan sings the part of a dancer who is talented and well trained but has never been in a show. “I remember when A Chorus Line was on Broadway,” said the Merriam Park resident. “At the time, I was an aspiring actor. In my 20s, I worked for a couple of years as a modern dancer. Then, I gave in to the realities of survival and pursued other work. Last year, after a 30-year hiatus from performing, I auditioned for Theatre 55’s production of Rent and was offered a role.
MyVillager
It was as if the lights went on in my brain. It was so joyous.
Minnesota Public Radio, Art Hounds: Listen or read now
I just really am encouraged and inspired by theater that shows none of us have an expiration date.
Katy Vernon, Singer-songwriter
A Chorus Line is all about putting yourself out there.
Rent in the news…
Star Tribune: Older actors give fresh, deeper meaning to ‘Rent’ in St. Paul production – One of the stars has been living with HIV since before the musical’s Broadway premiere.
MPR radio and article:
KSTP Twin Cities Live Rent: Watch the video
Jesus Christ Superstar in the news…
Rocky Horror Show in the news…
Photo by Ross Willits
Costume by Alicia Vegell
StarTribune, Jan. 27, 2022. “Older Adults Do The Time Warp”
“We need to give each other the space to be all facets of who we are,” said [Lori] Constable. “My role with my children is as their mother. In those contexts, that is what I’ll be and, hopefully in four months, as a grandmother. But when I’m not in those contexts, I’m the same brassy, in-your-face, 14-year-old student I was.”
That attitude toward aging is why Rainbow Health Minnesota partnered with Theatre 55 on “Rocky Horror.”
“To position it as something that connects to older adults is new and refreshing,” said Phil Duran, director of advocacy for the organization that offers health services for LGBT people. “We look forward to continuing to expand the conversation about what’s possible for older adults.”
Cherry & Spoon Review, Jan. 28, 2022
“The best things about getting older (I’m not yet 55, but I’m not that far away, either) are that you care less about what people think about you, you’re more confident in who you are, more comfortable in your skin, and you know how fast time goes by. All of that is evident in this production, where “doing the time warp” takes on a new meaning. These actors are being it, not dreaming it, at an age when society traditionally tells them it’s over. I actually enjoyed this show more than some of the more professional and polished productions of Rocky Horror that I’ve seen because it has it feels more true to the raw, grungy, gritty, authentically weird spirit of the original.” – Cherry and Spoon
MinnPost, Jan. 27, 2022. “Weekend Picks”
The Villager, Jan. 27, 2022. “Theatre 55 revisits The Rocky Horror Show of their youth”
“As mature performers we bring lots of stage and life experiences,” [Jeff] Goodson said. “While we may take more time to learn a particular song or scene, I think the energy and wisdom and talent developed over the years by everyone in our cast bring more depth and understanding to the production. That’s something I’ve seen our audiences connect with in a big way.”
Lori Constable, who plays Janet, the fiancée, said she has seen the film version so many times that she could probably sing every song from memory even before she auditioned. As a college sophomore, her impression was “how over the top the film was,” she said. “It combined campy fun with the crossing of boundaries and, of course, had great performances, costumes, staging and musicality.” – The Villager
Hair in the news…
The New York Times: Staging ‘Hair’ With Actors Who Are Losing Theirs
“We’re making a statement… We’re not willing to accept the status quo and the social constructs about aging. We’re not people to be put away or dismissed.” – Brenda Starr