A Pajarito Players rehearsal, from left, Dianna Duerre, Trish Ebbert, Thomas Farish and Pat Beck. Courtesy photo
Members of the Pajarito Players troupe watching the rehearsal, from left, playwright Robert Benjamin, understudy Tami Martinson and Director John Gustafson. Courtesy photo
The Pajarito Players present free staged readings of the play STILL IN THE GAME by local playwright Robert F. Benjamin, an upbeat family drama about aging with grace, courage and humor.
The readings are 1:30 p.m., Feb. 3 and Feb. 11 at the Los Alamos County Libraries. Following the performances, audiences can participate in a talkback with director, cast and playwright. Also, the library will provide a display of library books related to the play’s themes.
In the play, David, recently widowed, strives to restart his life. His adult daughter Dawn lashes out at him for romancing. After his fling ends, he tries speed-dating, where he meets Ruby (60s), garbed in her new emotional care-wear. Sparks fly when David’s eccentricity undermines Ruby’s insistence on protocol. Years later, David’s relationships with Dawn and Ruby take unexpected turns as he grapples with end-of-life issues. En route to tour a residential hospice, a wacky encounter with a policewoman complicates his plan. Where can he best find peace and spirituality while staying closely connected with loved ones?
The performance features local actors Pat Beck, Dianna Duerre, Trish Ebbert, Tom Farish, Namrata Menon and Kate Ramsey.
Before coming to Los Alamos, STILL IN THE GAME had workshop productions in Santa Fe (August 2017), Denver (October 2017) and Loveland, Colo. (2016). It’s the third of a trilogy of Benjamin’s plays related to aging.
Location and Dates:
- Mesa Public Library (upstairs), 2400 Central Ave., Los Alamos, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3; and
- White Rock Public Library (multipurpose room), 10 Sherwood Blvd., White Rock, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.
Pajarito Players is a touring theater troupe dedicated to performing plays based on the needs of the community. The troupe focuses on staged readings, but topics affecting the local community drive the organization. Anyone interested in directing, writing, acting or any other aspect of theatre or performance is welcome to join Pajarito Players. For more information, email pajaritoplayers@gmail.com.
