Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: 'Alzheimers' the musical

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JoeMc
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Topic: 'Alzheimers' the musical
Posted: 4/09/10 at 12:29am

Here is a show that might suit us old farts especialy some of our dear old chooks & other seniors in theatre. Confused

Alzheimer's the musical - a night to remember!

Wink

Edited by JoeMc - 4/09/10 at 9:11pm

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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gelcat
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Posted: 4/09/10 at 10:52am

Very interesting! How much Aussie is in there that would have to be Americanized? What's the response been from Alzheimer groups and other 'aging' organizations?

www.actorsguildonline.org
Actors Guild of Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV

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edh915
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Posted: 4/09/10 at 1:39pm

This has got to be one of the most offensive titles for a show that I can remember ever coming across. Jokes about getting old, being senior citizens, etc., etc. are fine, funny, and always topical because all of us are getting older. And a show about coping with "old age" could be hilarious.

But there is absolutely nothing funny about Alzheimers!

It is a heart-rending, emotionally painful experience for anyone who has lived through the final days of a loved one in the throes of this terrible disease. If this show were playing anywhere near me I would picket, protest, and rally as much support as I could to shut that show down. I would then devote a great deal of time and energy to wiping that theatre group off the face of the earth.

What comes next? "Leukemia: The Musical"? "Cancer: The Musical"? or how about "Pedophelia: The Musical"?

And, no (before someone tries suggesting it), I will not "lighten up".
Alzheimers is not funny. End of sentence.

Edited by edh915 - 4/09/10 at 1:41pm

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JoeMc
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Posted: 4/09/10 at 9:10pm

I completely agree edh915 about the title!
But from all accounts it's just the opposite & gives the message of a celebration of getting old & actualy doing something about keeping the mind active, rather than just growing cobwebs.
I too have been through this dreaded disease with family, friends & even worked as an electrical contractor at a few Alziemers hospitals for a while which was one of the worst periods of my life.
I'm sure the ladies in this show would have loved the free publicity generated by a picket line or any protests , but as yet it has not happened & the blue rinse set seem to be cueing up to see it. Wink

As I live about 5000 km's away from there, I have not seen the show, but I think it would be a great production for any senior theatre group, if the rights ever became available.
I think it would be great if the Arts Council & the governments 'Be Active', 'Avago!' or 'Life be in it' promotions for seniors offered sponsorship for an australian tour of the show.
As for the aussie ocker content I would think there is quite a lot & why would it need to be yankified? We don't ockerise american or pohmy content in plays. In fact we don't even bother bunging on their accents. In most cases we just opt to use our normal every day one, rather than risk poor forms of mimicry Embarrassed

.

Edited by JoeMc - 9/25/10 at 1:45am

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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gelcat
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Posted: 4/14/10 at 4:54pm

Joe,

We all know that the Aussies are so much more civilized and superior to the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, I know that the 'iggerant' Yanks in my area (Sorry West Virginia, but it's true) wouldn't understand many usages of Aussie slang, unless there is a lot of context around each term that would explain it. I'm sure your government programs have completely different names from the American system, besides the wonderfully unique terminology and phrasing you use. I use perfectly understandable words like 'terminology' around here, and get weird looks.

Unfortunately, language that is obscure to the audience takes them out of the moment, and reviews after the show often contain the phrase "I wasn't sure what they were talking about, but I think I got it, maybe"

This is the reason that our Shakespeares don't sell well. If the story wasn't taught in high school, they can't follow the speech, and you hope they 'get it' through the acting. People are scared of it, and don't want to spend the money on something they might not understand.

www.actorsguildonline.org
Actors Guild of Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV

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JoeMc
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Posted: 4/14/10 at 9:10pm

G'donya Gelcat they are fairdinkum 'n ridgydidge comments, except for the superior bit as I'm not a dinkydi ocker & have not as yet gone thru the surgical operation of becoming one, I'm still regarded by friends as a 'Pohmy Bastard' [Stated with a Big%20smile

on thier dial of course] although I landed here on my own when I was 13 back in 1960. With a Geordie [Tyneside] twang then, but now I still don't speak 'strine' normally, only with a rather nuetral accent.
However I can see your piont of view about the punters not understanding the lingo, as there are not the opportunities of being exsposed to aussie film or TV content, as much as we are with US or Pohmy [English] media.
We have the same problems doing any of ol' bills shows as our High Schools bulk of students only go upto about 15 year olds, so from that piont of view they tend to be as thick as a brick about classic plays. But the odd few ameatres still atempt them, usualy with a plum in thier gobs & are regarded as toffee nosed academics - so the punters are very scarce.
If you click on the video on the orignal post site I'm sure this would answer any questions & I would think the author will allow it to be transformed into your local lingo. Wink

Speak Aussie English or "Strine"

Edited by JoeMc - 4/14/10 at 10:22pm

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Chook
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Joined: 9/24/10
Location: Australia
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Posted: 9/24/10 at 10:12pm

I have just been alerted to this site & would like to thank JoeMc for suggesting my show 'Alzheimer's the Musical - A night to Remember!'
In response to some of the posts expressing dismay at the title - I did run it past Glenn Rees the National Executive Director of Alzheimer's Australia, who was happy to support the show saying "People with dementia laugh at them selves a good deal and humour is an important part of dealing with dementia in every day life." We raised $2,000 for the organisation during our first season.
The show has won awards, been produced twice as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, twice as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival & has recently toured regional Victoria with great success. It will tour again next year & other seasons are also proposed. I have only ever had one negative email about the title, from someone who didn't see the production.
The show is about aging & I chose 'Alzheimer's the Musical' as a title because of the unexpected juxtaposition of the two ideas and as a way of putting one of our greatest fears of aging boldly up front. There is no 'put-down' or 'victim humour', the comedy is positive and belongs to the 'we're all in this together so let's have a good laugh' school of embracing the audience and taking them on a journey.
The new trailer is on vimeo http://vimeo.com/13732745
I would be happy to discuss the possibility of community theatre productions with any members.

www.prospectfilms.com
Melbourne Australia

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JoeMc
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Posted: 9/25/10 at 1:16am

Bewdy Maureen g'donya!

It's great to know that you are releasing it for comeatres, I have passed on your details to my old ameatre group at the Pheonix Theatre Hamilton Hill Cockburn WA [turn left at south Fremantle].

http://www.theatre.asn.au/company/phoenix_theatre

Hopefully there is a possibilty of including it as a season in 2011

Chookas Chook!

Edited by JoeMc - 9/25/10 at 1:43am

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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KEB54
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Posted: 9/25/10 at 9:41pm

Well, theatre is suppose to elicit an emotional response. I guess this title has done that.

KEB

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TonyDi
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Posted: 9/29/10 at 7:14am

Say what you will - but you know I don't usually hold back or pull punches - to the dismay of many - but I think to summarily reject a work such as this based solely upon it's title without ever having seen it or until Chook explained it, is most unfair and truthfully displays a judgemental attitude even before knowing what it's about. Could be THIS play or ANY play. This is the kind of censorship that runs rampant when people feel the need to have a cause to champion - before they even know how sweet and sensitive the subject matter may be dealt with.

Cheers to CHOOK for addressing in a humorous and caring fashion, a subject that is undoubtedly a touchy and devasting issue to those who have to go through it. I had family that suffered in this fashion and it's the saddest thing to happen right before your eyes that there is. While there are many diseases in this world that are robbing people of their lives everyday, to treat them with humor-with-sensitivity isn't a bad thing. I mean if you can't laugh then what's the point of living at all!!

Thanks for explaining it to us Chook. Sounds like a fun play - one that not only is supported by the entities who deal with it on your nation's level, down to the individual families who have endorsed it and shared in the caring way in which you handled it...from the accounts you note. They say "laughter is the best medicine". And I know from personal experience as well, that had it not been for laughter and some level of fun in the life of the family member who we had to share this time with, her life would have been less about quality. And it's quality over quantity that kept her going as long as she did. So thanks Chook for being astute enough to NOT be afraid to address a subject - this or ANY subject of this nature - that celebrates life rather than being so morose and mundane about it.

Cheers mate.

TonyDi

P.S.

And I WILL graciously apologize before I even post this if I offend anyone. Don't mean to. But my family lived it and FUN was part of keeping our Alzheimer's patient going as long as she did.

"Almost famous"

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Play Suggestions
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Play Suggestions

Author	Message
JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Topic: 'Alzheimers' the musical Posted: 4/09/10 at 12:29am
	Here is a show that might suit us old farts especialy some of our dear old chooks & other seniors in theatre. Alzheimer's the musical - a night to remember! Edited by JoeMc - 4/09/10 at 9:11pm
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}

	IP Logged

gelcat Celebrity Joined: 6/12/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 4/09/10 at 10:52am
	Very interesting! How much Aussie is in there that would have to be Americanized? What's the response been from Alzheimer groups and other 'aging' organizations?
	www.actorsguildonline.org Actors Guild of Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV
	IP Logged

edh915 Celebrity Joined: 11/19/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 325	Posted: 4/09/10 at 1:39pm
	This has got to be one of the most offensive titles for a show that I can remember ever coming across. Jokes about getting old, being senior citizens, etc., etc. are fine, funny, and always topical because all of us are getting older. And a show about coping with "old age" could be hilarious. But there is absolutely nothing funny about Alzheimers! It is a heart-rending, emotionally painful experience for anyone who has lived through the final days of a loved one in the throes of this terrible disease. If this show were playing anywhere near me I would picket, protest, and rally as much support as I could to shut that show down. I would then devote a great deal of time and energy to wiping that theatre group off the face of the earth. What comes next? "Leukemia: The Musical"? "Cancer: The Musical"? or how about "Pedophelia: The Musical"? And, no (before someone tries suggesting it), I will not "lighten up". Alzheimers is not funny. End of sentence. Edited by edh915 - 4/09/10 at 1:41pm
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 4/09/10 at 9:10pm
	I completely agree edh915 about the title! But from all accounts it's just the opposite & gives the message of a celebration of getting old & actualy doing something about keeping the mind active, rather than just growing cobwebs. I too have been through this dreaded disease with family, friends & even worked as an electrical contractor at a few Alziemers hospitals for a while which was one of the worst periods of my life. I'm sure the ladies in this show would have loved the free publicity generated by a picket line or any protests , but as yet it has not happened & the blue rinse set seem to be cueing up to see it. As I live about 5000 km's away from there, I have not seen the show, but I think it would be a great production for any senior theatre group, if the rights ever became available. I think it would be great if the Arts Council & the governments 'Be Active', 'Avago!' or 'Life be in it' promotions for seniors offered sponsorship for an australian tour of the show. As for the aussie ocker content I would think there is quite a lot & why would it need to be yankified? We don't ockerise american or pohmy content in plays. In fact we don't even bother bunging on their accents. In most cases we just opt to use our normal every day one, rather than risk poor forms of mimicry. Edited by JoeMc - 9/25/10 at 1:45am
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

gelcat Celebrity Joined: 6/12/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 4/14/10 at 4:54pm
	Joe, We all know that the Aussies are so much more civilized and superior to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, I know that the 'iggerant' Yanks in my area (Sorry West Virginia, but it's true) wouldn't understand many usages of Aussie slang, unless there is a lot of context around each term that would explain it. I'm sure your government programs have completely different names from the American system, besides the wonderfully unique terminology and phrasing you use. I use perfectly understandable words like 'terminology' around here, and get weird looks. Unfortunately, language that is obscure to the audience takes them out of the moment, and reviews after the show often contain the phrase "I wasn't sure what they were talking about, but I think I got it, maybe" This is the reason that our Shakespeares don't sell well. If the story wasn't taught in high school, they can't follow the speech, and you hope they 'get it' through the acting. People are scared of it, and don't want to spend the money on something they might not understand.
	www.actorsguildonline.org Actors Guild of Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 4/14/10 at 9:10pm
	G'donya Gelcat they are fairdinkum 'n ridgydidge comments, except for the superior bit as I'm not a dinkydi ocker & have not as yet gone thru the surgical operation of becoming one, I'm still regarded by friends as a 'Pohmy Bastard' [Stated with a on thier dial of course] although I landed here on my own when I was 13 back in 1960. With a Geordie [Tyneside] twang then, but now I still don't speak 'strine' normally, only with a rather nuetral accent. However I can see your piont of view about the punters not understanding the lingo, as there are not the opportunities of being exsposed to aussie film or TV content, as much as we are with US or Pohmy [English] media. We have the same problems doing any of ol' bills shows as our High Schools bulk of students only go upto about 15 year olds, so from that piont of view they tend to be as thick as a brick about classic plays. But the odd few ameatres still atempt them, usualy with a plum in thier gobs & are regarded as toffee nosed academics - so the punters are very scarce. If you click on the video on the orignal post site I'm sure this would answer any questions & I would think the author will allow it to be transformed into your local lingo. Speak Aussie English or "Strine" Edited by JoeMc - 4/14/10 at 10:22pm
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

Chook Walk-On Joined: 9/24/10 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 9/24/10 at 10:12pm
	I have just been alerted to this site & would like to thank JoeMc for suggesting my show 'Alzheimer's the Musical - A night to Remember!' In response to some of the posts expressing dismay at the title - I did run it past Glenn Rees the National Executive Director of Alzheimer's Australia, who was happy to support the show saying "People with dementia laugh at them selves a good deal and humour is an important part of dealing with dementia in every day life." We raised $2,000 for the organisation during our first season. The show has won awards, been produced twice as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, twice as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival & has recently toured regional Victoria with great success. It will tour again next year & other seasons are also proposed. I have only ever had one negative email about the title, from someone who didn't see the production. The show is about aging & I chose 'Alzheimer's the Musical' as a title because of the unexpected juxtaposition of the two ideas and as a way of putting one of our greatest fears of aging boldly up front. There is no 'put-down' or 'victim humour', the comedy is positive and belongs to the 'we're all in this together so let's have a good laugh' school of embracing the audience and taking them on a journey. The new trailer is on vimeo http://vimeo.com/13732745 I would be happy to discuss the possibility of community theatre productions with any members.
	www.prospectfilms.com Melbourne Australia
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 9/25/10 at 1:16am
	Bewdy Maureen g'donya! It's great to know that you are releasing it for comeatres, I have passed on your details to my old ameatre group at the Pheonix Theatre Hamilton Hill Cockburn WA [turn left at south Fremantle]. http://www.theatre.asn.au/company/phoenix_theatre Hopefully there is a possibilty of including it as a season in 2011 Chookas Chook! Edited by JoeMc - 9/25/10 at 1:43am
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 9/25/10 at 9:41pm
	Well, theatre is suppose to elicit an emotional response. I guess this title has done that.
	KEB
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TonyDi Celebrity Joined: 9/13/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 325	Posted: 9/29/10 at 7:14am
	Say what you will - but you know I don't usually hold back or pull punches - to the dismay of many - but I think to summarily reject a work such as this based solely upon it's title without ever having seen it or until Chook explained it, is most unfair and truthfully displays a judgemental attitude even before knowing what it's about. Could be THIS play or ANY play. This is the kind of censorship that runs rampant when people feel the need to have a cause to champion - before they even know how sweet and sensitive the subject matter may be dealt with. Cheers to CHOOK for addressing in a humorous and caring fashion, a subject that is undoubtedly a touchy and devasting issue to those who have to go through it. I had family that suffered in this fashion and it's the saddest thing to happen right before your eyes that there is. While there are many diseases in this world that are robbing people of their lives everyday, to treat them with humor-with-sensitivity isn't a bad thing. I mean if you can't laugh then what's the point of living at all!! Thanks for explaining it to us Chook. Sounds like a fun play - one that not only is supported by the entities who deal with it on your nation's level, down to the individual families who have endorsed it and shared in the caring way in which you handled it...from the accounts you note. They say "laughter is the best medicine". And I know from personal experience as well, that had it not been for laughter and some level of fun in the life of the family member who we had to share this time with, her life would have been less about quality. And it's quality over quantity that kept her going as long as she did. So thanks Chook for being astute enough to NOT be afraid to address a subject - this or ANY subject of this nature - that celebrates life rather than being so morose and mundane about it. Cheers mate. TonyDi P.S. And I WILL graciously apologize before I even post this if I offend anyone. Don't mean to. But my family lived it and FUN was part of keeping our Alzheimer's patient going as long as she did.
	"Almost famous"
	IP Logged

Topic: 'Alzheimers' the musical( Topic Closed)