P.E.I. theatre company for seniors celebrates 10 years

The province's Young At Heart theatre company is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year with performances that are taking it from some of the Island's best stages, to makeshift ones in spots most actors never go.

That's because it's the only musical theatre company for seniors east of Ontario, and many of its performances happen in long-term care and retirement facilities.

"Young At Heart has a mandate to actually bring professional, original Canadian musicals to senior citizens where they live," explained Laura K. Bird, the artistic producer. "We want to bring the shows to those who can't actually get out to our shows."

The troupe has just started a new production of The Big Red Radio Show, which features You Are My Sunshine, Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag, even the theme from Don Messer's Jubilee.

It's all the big radio hits; just the ones from seven and eight decades ago, rather than todays.

"With The Big Red Radio Show, if you grew up on the Island, it's CFCY, Loman McAuley, it's the Don Messers, it's all of that kind of music that was playing on the radio when the seniors were young," said Bird.

The show is about an hour long, with a fully professional company. 

Written by Hank Stinson and Wade Lynch, the musical looks at the four-decade career of popular CFCY Radio personality Loman McAulay, also known as "The Friendly Voice of the Maritimes."

It also features Betty Large, "The Story Book Lady," radio host J.P. Gaudet, Gene MacLellan, and Anne Murray.

Wednesday's show was for the senior's group at the Christian Reform Church in Charlottetown.

"I think it will be, hopefully, nice music a bit here and there, olden times maybe," said audience member Gerta Klein before the performance started.

"I've known Loman McAuley, all those people, J.P. Gaudet, for years. I'm really looking forward to it," said Anna Mol. "They're my time."

Big Red revival

In honour of the tenth anniversary, this is a revival of The Big Red Radio Show, which first opened six years ago, and became one of the company's most popular productions.

It still works its magic on the audience and the cast.

"It was pretty amazing when I was singing You Are My Sunshine," said performer Jessica Gallant. "Everyone started singing along with it, I got a little bit choked up because it's really reminiscent for them, and I think it brings back a lot of memories for people, so that was pretty special."

Young At Heart is also a not-for-profit, charitable organization, so the cast and crew never lose sight of their main objective.

"A lot of people don't get to leave the home, so it is important for us to go in and entertain them, and bring a little life in there," said Gallant. "They get to have fun too, so it's fun for us to go in and share that experience with them."

The company puts on shows all over the Island, in seniors' homes, manors and community centres, anywhere with a senior's group.

"When we bring the show in, it's accessible even for those with cognitive disabilities, through the music, through memories," said Bird.

Young At Heart hopes to do 40 performances this season, more than its ever tried before.

It will also have several public shows, including one at The Guild on Thursday March 31, which will also be a fundraiser for the company.

The Big Red Radio Show runs until May 1.