There's much laughter in the room as the actors gather at the front of the room for a photo to help spread the word about New Vista Care Home's new production of Oklahoma!
There's a little fussing about where to stand, who to look at, and whether or not the butter churn stage prop - which photographer Larry Wright is attempting to incorporate into the shot - really needs to be in the photo.
"When you're dressed like this, you don't churn butter," explains Grace Jensen, who's turned out in a flowered hat and a buttercup yellow dress with a full skirt for her star turn as Laurey. "That's not my work clothes, that's my going partying clothes."
She wins, of course. Wright doesn't stand a chance against the combined forces of Jensen and her co-star Grace Magnus, who's appearing as Ado Annie and is similarly decked out in a full flowered skirt and straw hat.
But the good-natured fussing stops almost instantly when music therapist Kristine Theurer takes a seat at the piano and breaks into the strains of Oh What A Beautiful Morning. Then, seemingly lit by an invisible switch, Jensen, Magnus and their handsome cowboy, Don McLean as Curly, are alight with the joy of the music. In that instant, it's easy to see why Theurer is such a big booster of New Vista's annual musical production.
"It's a magical process," Theurer says.
T he musical is one of many programs Theurer and the other staff members work on with the seniors, and it's a big one. It's been in the planning stages over the past six months, as the seniors - both residents and those attending the home's adult day program - chose the musical and worked on every aspect it, from props and sets and costumes, to singing in the choir and learning the lead roles, to making invitations to send into the community.
The production is an abridged version of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, and the seniors also chose which songs to leave in the production and which to cut.
At every step, the focus is on having the seniors take the lead; where needed, staff and volunteers help, but everything is focused on the seniors first.
Theurer points out it would be easy to be skeptical about such an undertaking, especially given that many of the seniors involved face physical or cognitive challenges.
But history shows that it works. Past years have seen the group stage such musicals as Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music.
Every time, the care home's large activity room is packed with people.
"They always get a standing ovation," Theurer says with a smile.
She's quick to note, though, that the end result isn't the point.
"Our focus is not on the show but how much fun we have getting there," she says. "We always focus on the process and not the outcome."
Her stars are quick to agree.
Magnus says nobody ever gets mad if you make a mistake.
"We don't care if people forget their lines," Theurer says.
"Which happens quite a lot," Jensen interjects with a laugh.
Theurer says a key part of the musical's success lies in the fact that it's open to everyone.
"Anybody who wants to be part of this production can be part of it," she says.
The show includes a choir, about 30 voices strong - a group that's affectionately dubbed "the no-talent-required choir."
"We're a very interesting assortment of people who come together," Theurer says with a smile.
I n her leads, Theurer says she's found some natural performing ability.
In Jensen's case, it's dance.
"I've always loved to dance," she says, with a smile that lights up her eyes.
"You're lovely on stage," Theurer tells her. "You're just such a natural."
For Magnus - who jokes that she got a role in the musical because "I happened to be in the way" - it was an acting ability and stage presence that Theurer discovered when the group staged A Christmas Carol a few years ago. Magnus played Ebenezer Scrooge.
"She was something else," Theurer says. "We discovered that she had this hidden talent."
That has proven to be true for many of the seniors involved, Theurer says. "You put the spotlight on them, and they just shine." F or McLean, being part of the musical has been about more than just being on stage.
"I enjoy it thoroughly," he says with a broad smile. "It's companionship, and you meet new people each time too, so you know them for the next performance."
Jensen, a newcomer to the centre's day program, says she too has enjoyed the chance to become part of a group.
"I've had a marvellous time. Everybody's made me feel so welcome," she says. "I can't wait to come back."
And she believes the whole process of staging the musical has been good for all of them.
"When you've been doing it for a wee while, you get your confidence a bit. You don't care if people are laughing at you," she says with a smile.
Magnus, too, offers up a grin. "We can do anything," she says.
Their united pleasure makes Theurer smile.
"It just shows you," she says. "Anything's possible."
Oklahoma was on stage Tuesday, after press deadlines. For more about New Vista, see www.newvista.bc.ca.
