Finding A Stage For The Fountain Of Youth

The Senior Theater Acting Repertory (STAR) was scheduled to begin its class at 10:30 a.m. in the Queens Village Public Library, but members ambled in a few minutes later as if time held no sway over them. With most of the participants approaching their 80sanyone older probably couldnt remember their linesdeadlines and appointments were a young mans concern.
"Is Muriel coming on Friday?" someone taking attendance asked.
"Lets hope so," another answered.
"Is Herb coming in next week?"
"No, he fractured his hip."
One member sat knitting. Another dozed off. Someone complained that she couldnt hear the names being read because people in the back were talking. Hearing aides are a common fashion accessory among the group, so nobody heard her.
Such is the initial 15 minutes of rehearsal time for the members of STAR a free-standing, member supported group of young-at-heart seniors who rehearse six hours a week and perform scenes from Neil Simon and other well known playwrights at least 20 times a year.
Its also the place where people who have grandchildren and who drive a little slow on the expressway get to act like children again. The ripened seniors in the program have stumbled upon something resembling the fountain of youth in, of all places, a basement in the Queens Village Library.
"No matter how you feel, when you walk up on stage, you feel young and energetic again," said Murray "Mischa" Glanz, 87, of Laurelton. "Its like therapy. When youre up there you forget all of your problems. Its a cleansing. When you walk off the stage you feel better. Audiences do that to you, especially when you do stand up comedy. You work directly with the audience."
Mr. Glanz, an immigrant from Russia who moved to the states in 1921, ran a luncheonette business called "Murray States Sandwich Shop" on 46th Street, in Manhattan. His store was two doors down from the Loews State Theatre where Milton Berle and Henny Youngman would perform and then hang out in his sandwich shop when they were done. "All my life Ive been involved in some kind of theatre," he said. "I always liked it as a kid."
The repertory group performs at hospitals, nursing homes, "Ys," senior centers, churches and temples. According to Ronnie Around, 78, whos been involved with STAR for 16 years, the troupe is booked solid through June. Kathy Rutkowski, director of geriatric services for Elmhurst Hospital describes the ensembles appeal as somewhere between watching your favorite grandparent perform and listening to an experienced elder give advice. She frequently uses them to entertain her patients. "Theyve reached a certain point in their lives where they can discuss issues that younger people arent ready to discuss," she said. "People listen to them and give them standing ovations when theyve finished. The years seem to melt away when theyre up there on stage."
Jerry Garfinkel of Bayside, 84, a performer with STAR, defines the allure of performing on stage as an opportunity to be someone else. "When youre acting, youre another person," he said. "You think of the person youre portraying and your appearances change. That climb out of yourself makes it real. I wouldnt give this up for the world."
Star, which originated out of the Bellerose branch of the Queens Borough Public Library, has been awarded grants through the Queens Council on the Arts as well as financial support for marketing expenses from AT&T Artsline. Theyve appeared on Queens Public Access Television and were the first community theater group chosen to participate in a cultural festival held at Queens Theatre in the Park.
When the seniors step onto the stage, you can literally see what they looked like when they were young, their facial expressions and body movements are so alive. For more information, contact STAR at (718) 347-2310.