Sex, Drugs and Rocking Chairs

A Jukebox For the Algonquin

Many individuals have wisely commented upon aging. Mark Twain quipped, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.” George Bernard Shaw stated that “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Satchel Paige asked, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?” But author C.S. Lewis reminded us that “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” All of these quotations, particularly the last one, could be the theme of Paul Stroili’s delightful comic drama, A JUKEBOX FOR THE ALGONQUIN, now playing at Citadel Theatre.

We’re currently living in a world that feels like it’s been turned upside down. Most US citizens, if not the entire world, feel anxious about the present, as well as the future. For older Americans, our Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, among other things, are all being threatened. You just have to laugh to keep from crying. So this seems like the perfect time for enjoying Paul Stroili’s sweet and spicy new comedy. For a couple hours, Citadel’s smart, luminous production can provide the perfect diversion for audiences, especially older theatergoers. 

At Placid Pines, a senior care center located in upstate New York, four of the residents have banded together to fulfill their wild, collective dream. Meeting daily in the center’s seldom-used Algonquin Room the quartet of elders join forces to raise enough money to buy something that will provide them with joy and allow them to play again. A shiny, second-hand Wurlitzer jukebox has been found online and the group is determined replace a large aquarium with the vintage music machine. The only problem is that the jukebox costs several thousand dollars. So the problem becomes how to raise the necessary cash?

Nicely Directed by Scott Westerman (THE MOUSETRAP, SEX WITH STRANGERS) with appropriate sensitivity and a definite flair for comedy, this production is quite simply a breath of fresh air. Congratulations, also, to Scenic Designer Catalina Nino, for creating a detailed Algonquin Room setting; and to Danielle Reinhardt for her array of attractive Costumes that provide all the characters with daily wardrobe changes. 

The talented, seven-member cast is so likable. They’re led by an almost unrecognizable and hilarious Ellen Phelps. In addition to serving as co-Production Manager of Citadel Theatre, the many roles played by this gifted actress includes THE CHRISTIANS, SOMETHING’S AFOOT and THE ROOMMATE. But this part may provide Ellen an opportunity to create her finest work to date. As Annie, a feisty and fervent go-getter, Ms. Phelps has some of the play’s best lines and a great character arc to travel. She delivers her dialogue with both sharply polished comic timing and heartfelt feeling.

Johnny, as portrayed by Kenneth Johnson, is the heart of this play. Making his Citadel debut, Mr. Johnson has been seen in TROUBLE IN MIND at TimeLine Theatre and BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Redtwist. Spearheading the drive to raise enough money to buy the jukebox, Johnny is the life force of the Algonquin Room. The African-American’s passion is to instill some life to Placid Pines and enjoy the old records from his youth. His buddy is Dennis, nicely played by veteran actor Bob Sanders. Seen at Citadel in THE EXPLORERS CLUB and more recently as Arvide Abernathy in GUYS AND DOLLS with Music Theater Works, Sanders portrays a smart gay man who’s confined to his wheelchair. He’s witty and wise and an authority on past culture, especially the literary giants of NYC’s famed Algonquin Round Table at the Roosevelt Hotel. He works tirelessly with his three friends to purchase the jukebox.

Elizabeth Rude, the youngest and newest member of the Algonquin group, plays Peg. The talented actress may be remembered for many fine performances at Citadel, especially in DEATHTRAP, and in Hell in a Handbag’s THE DRAG SEED. Peg brings humor, youthful energy and optimism to the quartet and, as a talented baker, often shares goodies with the group. Her culinary talents eventually become instrumental in an illicit scheme to raise the necessary cash. Seen in several productions at Artistic Home, including the hilarious MALAPERT LOVE, Karla Corona plays Josefina, the young Latina woman who runs Placid Pines. She brings authority to the senior center, as well as lots of buoyancy and heart.

The cast is completed by Patrick Thornton, another fine veteran actor. He plays Chuck, a recently-hired daytime custodian, who’s employed under a program that gives purpose to formerly incarcerated inmates. As the play progresses, we learn a great deal about this smart, soft-spoken man. And he doesn’t simply clean and perform odd jobs around the facility; Chuck becomes a friend and empathetic ally of the four friends. And lastly, handsome and talented Joshua Thomas, a recent ISU college graduate, makes his Citadel debut as Tyler. He plays the affable young handyman at Placid Pines who helps keep the place neat and clean while continually interacting amiably with the residents.

For two hours, Citadel takes theatergoers away from the angst and annoyance of today’s world and presents a cheerful, very funny new comedy. Playwright Paul Stroili, who is a resident artist at Jeff Daniels’ the Purple Rose, wrote A JUKEBOX FOR THE ALGONQUIN especially to premiere at the Michigan Theatre. If this comedy is any indication of Stroili’s talent, hopefully Citadel, and perhaps other Chicagoland theaters, will be presenting some of his other plays in the future. Scott Westerman’s production reminds us that it’s never too late to dream a new dream, and that we grow old when we stop playing. His funny, often thought-provoking play ends in a festive multigenerational dance party that brings the audience to their feet. The show’s simply a delightful story about sex, drugs and rocking chairs.                     

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 18-May 18 by Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-735-8554, x1, or by going to www.citadeltheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.