Primetime Players defy age; “Life Begins at Eighty”
Cameron Weaver photo
by Cameron Weaver
Carrboro Commons Editor
To anyone who thinks an increase in age correlates with a decrease in activity, think again. Senior citizens in this area are not only active but are thriving. Consider the Prime Time Players, a local theatre group that will perform two one-act plays at the new Robert and Pearl Seymour Center in Chapel Hill this weekend.
The Players, led by Bobbie Lubker, are just one example of the creative and productive seniors in the community. At a recent group meeting, the Players left no stone unturned in the detail-oriented plans for their upcoming shows. From props to refreshments to publicity, the group literally has its act together.
“Don’t get your knickers in a twist over what this contains! This is just a draft,” Lubker said to the group as she passed out copies of a program for the performances. The plays’ directors are Mary Ann Freedman and John Paul Middlesworth. The performances feature local actors Herb Posner, Harvey Sage, Sylvia Dante and John Best.
Lubker’s group will perform in a technique known as reader’s theatre. The plays apply the minimalist method, utilizing few staging and props that simply suggest the mood. The audience’s impression derives from the actors’ portrayals and from their own imaginations.
The Players will perform “Gin and Tonic,” a popular play by John Clifford, as well as “Life Begins at Eighty,” the work of local writer Charles M. Stern.
No stranger to an audience, Stern started out as an actor in New York City and had his own radio show in San Antonio, where he also had a newspaper column called “Focus on Living.”
“Theatre is in my blood. I love an audience,” Stern said.
“Life Begins at Eighty” is Stern’s first venture into playwriting. Fittingly, Stern is well into his eighties himself. “It’s important to say that I’ll be 88 in 2008,” he said. His play involves the story of two lifelong friends who eventually become widowers and find themselves in need of companionship.
Stern’s hobbies and level of activity could put many college students to shame. He has just finished writing a novel titled Determined Dora, inspired by his mother’s life. Now he’s at work on another book as well as a trilogy of plays. His work is inspired by his own life’s experiences.
“Playwriting from my perspective is a microcosm of life,” he said.
Stern is forthcoming and sprightly, quick to give advice or opinions on life today. He expresses skepticism about many relationships, saying that finding a mate is not so much about falling in love as it is about investigating someone else’s background. He jokes that no one should give wedding gifts until after the couple is married for at least five years.
“Love is when you’ve gone through crisis and chaos and all the things life involves, and you know you have that one person you can trust,” he said. Stern himself has his “one person” in his wife of 60 years, Mildred. “She’s a keeper,” he said.
Stern also expressed concern about young people who have been handed everything and have comfortable lives, yet are anxious to cut ties from their parents in a pretense of independence.
“They have an opportunity to learn from people who have already lived it,” he said.
Moreover, youth should not view older generations as hard to relate to simply because of the age difference.
“Love a senior. You may get there yourself,” he said.
Stern’s fruitful life is but one glowing example of the productive senior community. “Hobbies are the essence of longevity. Age is not an obstacle; it’s an asset,” he said.
The Prime Time Players will perform on Sat., Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. The performance is in the auditorium of the Seymour Center, located at 2551 Homestead Road. Admission is $5 at the door.
