Four funny old fogies: Tin Building Theater presents their 2022 hilarious spring performance “Four Old Broads” from Leslie Kimball
CLIFTON – Between endless medications, oxygen tanks, incontinence, heart burn, hearing aids, pacemakers, thick glasses, dentures, CRS – Can’t Remember $#+ – sagging body parts, orthopedic shoes, and a whole series of walking aids and wheelchairs, makes getting old pretty depressing.
But with their spring show “Four Old Broads,” the Tin Building Theater at the Bosque Arts Center in Clifton took a look on the comedic side of it all, if only because laughter keeps us young. And the audiences on the sold out opening night Saturday and the Sunday matinee, lapped it up, and laughed, and laughed, and laughed.
At Sunday’s matinee more than 75 percent of the audience was women of a certain age making it mainly old broads – said with the utmost respect – watching old broads. And during the curtain call, they gave the actors lotsa, lotsa love for their excellent, entertaining performances.
“I’ve always been interested in the process of choosing a play for production,” Director Don Boysen said. “Some approach it in a logical, almost scientific fashion. Others go at it from an emotional angle. I’ve tried both, but for this show, it was definitely emotional; I mean with a title like ‘Four Old Broads,’ who could say no?! We’ve had a lot of fun directing this show. The characters are believable and unique, made even more fun through the actors’ interpretation of who they should be.
In his welcome, he went on to say “it’s funny, it’s current. You’re going to leave here smiling.”
In the Magnolia Place Assisted Living facility, four ladies past their prime have their own special way of coping with life’s slowing pace filled with boring bingo, books, crochet and macramé.
Totally over-the-top in all ways, retired burlesque queen Beatrice Shelton – played by Connie Terry – is focused on satisfying her need for a vacation with her best friend Eaddy Mae – played by JoAnn Grelle. Instead of enjoying life a little, Southern Baptist Eaddy Mae tries to solve her friend’s loose life style and foul language by praying to God for lenience. Unkempt, totally frumpy, ready for a make-over Maude Jenkins – played by Lorana Rush – escapes from reality with her obsession of watching soap operas and endlessly planning and re-planning her funeral.
Newest resident, and tied to an oxygen tank Imogene Fletcher – played by Belinda Prince – embarks on a romance with “single and ready to mingle” Elvis impersonator Sam Smith – played by Richard Haas. The couple takes flirtation to a whole new sleazy level.
Vile and noxious head nurse Pat Jones’ – played by Debbie Rollins – only motivation is to make the residents’ and other staffs’ lives miserable. For example, she refuses to remember residents’ names or of dedicated nurse Ruby Sue – played by Maddie Karickhoff – and keeps coming up with inane rules, like demanding to dispense medications herself.
The fact that Imogene’s her mental health is deteriorating significantly since her arrival to the facility brings them all together to solve the mystery of her strange medications and the increased amount of drooling and catatonic patients in the facility’s “dark side” or the “All Timers” ward.
Recurring references like “Charles Manson-like serial killer drug addict,” “I don’t mean to get into your personal business,” “It’s like Charlie’s Angels and I’m Farrah,” the references to sagging body parts, and a devout Christian reverting to swear words out of frustration, adds to the drollery and schtick of the play.
In an absurd mix of geriatric drugs, love and rock and roll, the play brings together the seniors on the go with a snow bird beauty pageant, a fossil love story, silver-haired crime solving sleuths, undercover agents together with FBI agents culminating in a Comedy Capers capture of the criminal.
And after all the hilarity and craziness, the four old broads realize that the crutches they have been leaning on, all fall away thanks to the excitement in their lives and the friends they experienced the adventure with; an adventure that ends with a true Love Boat ending on the Sassy Seniors Cruise.
There are still tickets available for the two remaining "Four Old Broads" shows on May 27 and the dinner theatre May 28. Please call the Bosque Arts Center at 254-675-3724 or by going online to visit the Bosque Arts Center website.
Please be advised that due to some adult language and racy jokes, that the show is rated PG-13.
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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