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Video: Seniors Take Center Stage in GOLDEN YEARS Documentary
Jul 23, 2024
The Golden Years documentary captures the bravery, fun, vulnerability, and personal relationships that blossom from being bold enough to say yes to adventure in this late season of life.
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0:00
How many kids did I direct altogether
0:05
Oh, God. I would average 70, 80 kids, sometimes over 100. Probably 5,000
0:12
I'd say that's a pretty close estimate. I said, but only 28 seniors
0:18
So I got a long way to go. When he called me up and said
0:24
I want to do theater with senior citizens, only the musicals. We're doing Peter Pan now
0:32
And they could come and see grandma or grandpa flying on the stage
0:37
You could come and see him like he's seen you in everything you've ever done in your life
0:44
Now it's your turn. Get it. I didn't know whether or not I wanted to audition
1:00
And one of my kids talked me into it. Good. Sort of
1:05
So is there a song you want to sing? Or you want to sing Happy Birthday? I'll sing Happy Birthday because I haven't thought about it
1:11
Hey, if I had half of a chance, I'd blow it now. That's all right
1:15
This is me. Ever since I was in high school, I wanted to be a member of the thespians group
1:20
But my mom and dad could not transport me. And the bus didn't run as late as they were going to be through
1:26
So I couldn't do it. I love teaching. I love helping other people, cheerleading people on
1:32
And I just thought I'd give myself a little chance. And I'm part of something
1:38
I'm new to Waterbury. So yes, I'm learning Waterbury, you know, with everything that's going on
1:46
And I'm making friends. I've never had these many friends in New York
1:52
And then I found out I had a tumor. But I was like, I don't care, I'm still going
2:00
Because that brings up your spirit, you know. And all the people that were there
2:05
they were just fantastic, instant friends. So I made up an old person's bingo last night
2:12
No numbers, just different sayings to do with getting old. Like AARP
2:19
Oh, here's the bathroom, my mind will stop while I'm here. And the list went on and on
2:25
Listen, yeah, I'm falling, I can't get up. There was another one
2:29
Oh, my teeth and I no longer sleep in the same bed at night
2:35
This is fun. We hope so. Make sure I don't miss out on the fun. Exactly
2:42
That's what this is. I'll give you a clue, I'm between 50 and 80
2:49
I'll even narrow it more, 60 to 80. I'll narrow it more, 70 to 80
2:57
And I'll even narrow it more to 74, no, 75 to 77
3:04
I never thought I'd ever reach this age, to be honest with you
3:08
I've had some cancer issues and I've had some, I have a bad neck and everything
3:13
It's just, I'm really lucky to be here. I feel lucky to be here
3:18
My husband passed. And it's, you know, partly because of COVID in New York, he's gone
3:26
And I think you love when so many people pass on. I'm not afraid because when I almost died from COVID and I didn't, I woke up
3:39
I try to tell people we are put on this earth for some reason
3:44
Sometimes we don't know why. But if we just go ahead and just have the attitude of gratitude
3:54
but also knowing that you can do something to help other people, then that's good
4:01
That's God calling. That's God calling. Remember this. The show is the show
4:09
No matter what you do, the people are going to love you. We'll try to do the best we can
4:14
What's the most important thing? The journey and the people you meet
4:19
Because here you are, at our age, creating something together from nothing
Performing Arts
Aging & Geriatrics
Seniors & Retirement
Vocals & Show Tunes
Broadway & Musical Theater