The Applewood Players theatrical group is back! Under the direction of Carol Azzarone, a seasoned theatrical producer and director, residents are in full rehearsal mode, preparing for their first performance in the Performing Arts Center on December 16.
Azzarone, nominated for a New York Strawberry Festival award, has a prestigious theatrical background in New York theatre and experience directing several senior community productions in Florida. Her high-energy direction and passion for the theater have inspired several Applewood residents to return to the stage–—and others to try their hand at acting for the very first time.
“We’re working with 12 residents who will perform one-act plays that address the hysterical and heartfelt aspects of being an older person today,” she explains. “I am deeply impressed by the quality of our performers, including the newcomers who are acting for the first time. It’s going to be an amazing show.”
Resident Jam Session instrumentalists, spearheaded by Charles Clark, will provide orchestral music for the production. Resident actor, musician and artist Helen Kho will host the performance as the MC.
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Azzarone said acting offers seniors several health benefits. “Acting allows people to step outside their own personas and transform into someone completely different,” she notes. While actors will have scripts with them during the performance, the repetition of memorizing lines and actions is good for the brain.” Most importantly, Azzarone says the social factor of rehearsing with the same group of people over time creates a new social network for older people.
Resident Gladys N is a newcomer to the stage. So far, she’s having a great time. “At Applewood, there is always something new to try that I would never do if I weren’t living here,” she notes. “I love to make people laugh and performing onstage is the perfect way to make many people smile. I’m having a ball.”
Retired corporate executive David Wolff has decades of experience speaking in front of people in a business atmosphere. Always intrigued by the performing arts, he started acting and writing scripts for community performances while living in a 55+ community. “My wife was a concert pianist and I was the narrator for some of her performances,” he recalls. “There’s nothing like being onstage and entertaining people. It’s thrilling for me.”
Azzarone confirmed the next Applewood Players performance will be held in the spring of 2023 and will be open to existing group members and new residents interested in acting and performing. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday afternoon and more frequently two weeks before performances.
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Create, build, grow and thrive at Applewood
Lifestyle at Applewood focuses on stress-free living, convenience, and enjoying everyday life. We offer an unrivaled variety of activities and events on our 40-acre private campus – such as acting in our Performing Arts Center, learning something new at our Applewood University seminars, watching a live Monmouth Symphony Orchestra rehearsal after dinner, or trying AquaFit classes in our heated indoor pool. We offer tours of our community by appointment to interested seniors and their families. Call (732) 303-7416 to receive more information or complete the Contact Us card.
