By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
For three days, from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, the top floor of the Chicago Cultural Center was transformed into an audition setting for one of the city's most unique theatrical events. All who auditioned were required to be at least 60 years old and required to live within the city limits.
More than 80 singers, musicians, dancers, actors, comics and even a puppeteer auditioned to be a part of the second annual Serendipity: Celebrating Chicago Seniors on Stage, a city-sponsored variety show that will take place at the Chicago Theatre. An opening night benefit performance will take place on May 25 and matinee performances will occur on May 26 and May 27.
Serendipity is being sponsored by Mayor Richard M. Daley and the City of Chicago's Department on Aging as well as the Senior Lifestyle Corporation, a Chicago-based company that manages senior housing communities throughout the country.
The opening night gala will benefit Meals on Wheels and Gallery 37. Proceeds will also endow scholarships at the Chicago Academy of the Arts in memory of the late newspaper columnist Irv Kupcinet and his wife, Essie.
While some who auditioned have had careers as professional performers, many who tried out in front of the panel of judges were actually taking their first shot at "the big time."
The director of the show, Estelle Spector, who is a professor at Columbia College and head of the college's Musical Theater Program, says she was impressed by those who turned out to audition.
"I have done a lot of shows in my lifetime and it was just the best three days of auditions that I have ever experienced!" said Spector. "It was the spirit of the performers that impressed me the most. One of the performers, a woman who had only begun tap-dancing at 79, really impressed us! Another woman first started to perform in public only since she has lived at her retirement home!"
Joining Spector on the judges' panel was Second City's producer emeritus Joyce Sloane, who says she also was impressed by the impressive turnout of talent.
"The quality of the people we auditioned was uplifting and a pure and exhilarating experience," said Sloane.
The performers who auditioned included gospel singers, classically-trained pianists and violinists, a belly-dancer, tap dancers, step dancers, opera singers, folk singers and guitarists, as well as a senior rapper!
One of the most moving auditions was by a trio of classical musicians, all immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Led by pianist Aaron Levitt, one of last year's performers, the trio performed a piece dedicated to "The Dream of America." Opera singer Polina Gonskaya sang about the dream of reaching America. For the performers, which also included violinist Liya Ticima, it was a dream that had become a reality.
The original concept of a Chicago senior citizen variety show was developed by the chief executive officer of the Senior Lifestyle Corporation, Bill Kaplan. On a trip to Palm Springs, CA, in 2003, Kaplan and his wife, Carol, attended a "senior follies" theatrical performance. They decided Chicago should also have a variety show which showcased senior talent and received the support of Mayor Daley and the City's Department of Aging. |
