Christmas dramas
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on December 19, 2014 1:46 PM
There is nothing fun about standing in line at a department store to return Christmas presents.
But when La Verne Rouse tried to return the Christmas feeling in the short play, "Sale or Return," the audience had a chuckle.
The play pointed out how fleeting the spirit of good will and peace among men can be.
Ms. Rouse's shining moment was emptying her giant purse while searching for a receipt. She dumped lotion, mints, a pocket book, papers, a book and an assortment of other things onto the table as the audience laughed.
La Verne Rouse has a good time with her fellow actors.
"I really become the character," she laughed.
She did ad-lib some of her lines on stage with her friend, Linda Fisher.
The play was part of a medley of short plays and monologues at Wednesday's showing of the Drama Club's Winter Production at Peggy M. Seegars Senior Center. The production was directed by Gertie Edmundson.
"We hope you find some humor in the Christmas returns on Dec. 27," Ms. Edmundson said to the audience.
The performances tackled issues such as loss, the changing focus of Christmas and senioritis.
Jewel Frazier kicked off the show with her monologue, "Return to the Stable." In it, Ms. Frazier took the role of Mary, questioning "what to do with Jesus." From this rendition of the Christmas story, Ms. Frazier asked the audience members to reevaluate their own faith.
Angela Garner followed with her monologue "Happy Holidays." She portrayed the young Grace McDowell, a perky saleswoman. "Believe it or not, I'm 20 years old," she said to the amusement of the audience.
Ms. Garner has always been around theater.
"I've been in a lot of plays, right up from school until now," she said. She has been with the Drama Club of Wayne County Services on Aging from the group's inception this fall.
The group meets every Wednesday at the Senior Center to rehearse and to practice their skills.
Ms. Garner's main role, however, is playing the optimistic wife to Edsel Raynor's grumpy old man.
Raynor is currently the only man in the drama club. He recently celebrated his 82nd birthday.
The duo first made an appearance at the premiere October production. Because of popular demand, the couple once again graced the stage.
In "Promises, Promises," Garner and Raynor acted out a "lovable, grumpy couple," Ms. Edmundson said.
Ms. Garner's character made lofty resolutions while Raynor countered with goals of "football, naps and hot fudge Sundays."
"We want to generate the feeling of the holiday," Ms. Edmundson said.