Seniors are laughing out loud and the public is invited to join in the guffaws.
The drama group at the Elder Citizens' Recreation Association (ECRA) is a busy collection of people. They produce murder mystery dinners, musical concerts, plays and variety shows. The latter is the latest effort. For three nights the cast and crew will bring laughter to the 10th Avenue facility in an all-comedy smorgasbord of fun.
"It's a collection of skits and songs," said Carol Stewart, one of the many ECRA volunteers who get involved in the drama group. "You'll see a game show - Do You Know Your Spouse? - and you'll get some music from our band the Country Cuzzins. We have some baton twirling, some jokes, it's just a lot of laughs."
They are calling the event Laugh Out Loud, coordinated by Marlene Wenschlag. There are about a dozen in the cast, and with all the costumes and wigs it's impossible to know how many characters will make an appearance.
"We've been working on this for a couple of months," said Stewart. "We met once a week in September and twice a week in October. We took it up a level when we got to put our costumes on. You always feel more into it when you get to wear them for the first time."
The drama shows are typically a popular seller among the seniors who use the ECRA facilities, and their families and friends. Laugh Out Loud is the first event to be held with newly expanded kitchen facilities, so it is a time to celebrate even more then usual.
"Fun. If you need a key word, that's it: fun," said Stewart. "We over-act, tell groaner jokes, sing funny songs, we're just enthusiastic seniors. It is unbelievable to see people around this place, whenever you come in, staying busy in their advanced years, still getting in their and having fun, being out in the community, being active."
Laugh Out Loud brings in all ages for a rollercoaster of live theatre enjoyment on Nov. 3 (7 p.m.), Nov. 4 (2 p.m.) and Nov. 5 (2 p.m.) at the ECRA building at 1692 10th Ave. Tickets are $10 adult and $5 for children 12 and younger.
