August 13, 2002

Ageless Wisdom of Beechwood Continuing Care

Residents Translates Into Innovative

Musical Theatre

AMHERST, NY - For the past year, MusicalFare Theatre has collaborated with Beechwood Continuing Care of Amherst, NY, in an innovative effort to take the seemingly "ordinary" stories of its residents and turn them into extraordinary theater.

The production is NYAHSA's 2002 recipient of the Innovative Program of the Year, given in recognition of Beechwood's effort to bring the community and residents together in a way that enhanced everyone's appreciation for the unique gifts of older individuals.

Based on vignettes drawn from conversation with Beechwood residents, STORIES OF LIFE will premiere on Western New York's professional stage in 2003. The endeavor is also the subject of a study by staff and students of Daemen College's psychology department, to determine the therapeutic benefits of the production for residents who participated in the process.

Funded by grants from the John R. Oishei Foundation, The Niagara Savings Bank Foundation, and Key Bank, the concept for STORIES evolved from a community outreach project started by MusicalFare's artistic director Randall Kramer. One idea led to another, and eventually Kramer and his theatrical group began talking with Beechwood residents in three one-hour conversations for two months in the fall of 2001. The conversations were held with another group of residents the following spring, and now Kramer has more than enough material for a full-fledged production.

The conversations resulted in more intrinsic benefits than anyone could have imagined at the outset. The wealth of life experiences articulated by 44 residents ranging in age to surprised the actors and actresses, and possibly even the residents themselves.

"As we interviewed the seniors, the incredible history of their lives and of our nation in the last century unfolded as we sat there and listened," Kramer explains. "Their stories weren't ordinary at all -- they were rich with the joy and elation of life, as well as the heartbreak and trepidation." The seeds of residents' stories germinated into two hour-long previews of "Stories" held in Beechwood's auditorium last fall and this spring. There, memories sprang to life as three actresses and one actor performed before an awestruck audience at Beechwood, composed of the residents, friends, family and staff.

In song and verse, colorful stories were told, of hand-cranked ice cream and "sugar parties," that turned snow and boiling maple syrup into candy. The elements of a successful marriage spanning 55 years -- "you have to sort out the passion from the common sense" -- were recalled, as well as the humorous side of living on a shoestring budget during the Depression. And sadness was part of the storytelling, too. The memory of a wedding party in in 1945 in Washington, D.C., was marred by the news of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima; another story described the desolation a parent experienced when observing the personal struggles of a son returning from the Vietnam War.

Sprinkled within each vignette was advice on life, such as living for today instead of worrying about tomorrow, given from the perspective of an octogenarian who has seen it all. "Tomorrow is a promissory note; today is cash!," exclaimed one actress in the words of the sage resident.

In the meantime, Beechwood President Robert R. Meiss and his staff are pleased to report the positive effect STORIES has had on the residents as word spreads about the production. Residents involved in the project experienced improved self-image, feelings of independence and enthusiasm for being part of a creative effort. The nursing staff observed reduced depression in one resident and subtle reduction in others' cognitive decline. More definitive evaluations from the psychological study are still being analyzed, and should be finalized by the end of this year.

Beyond next year's debut of the completed production, MusicalFare is also exploring ways to replicate the program -- and its therapeutic benefits -- in other senior care facilities. So far, a facility in New York City and one in Saratoga Springs are discussing ways that they can share their "stories of life" with MusicalFare.

"The value delivered by STORIES is almost incalculable," notes Meiss. "Internally, the Beechwood facility was abuzz with excitement, creating more interaction among residents, staff and families. We couldn't wait to see how the residents' stories would be told through music. Externally, it generated a lot of publicity for us -- we took the opportunity not only to generate interest in the project itself, but also to talk about how the richness of life truly increases exponentially with the perspective of age.

"Because of STORIES, I believe everyone in our community has a new appreciation for the infinite wisdom that comes with aging."

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(pcitured above: top photo: (l to r) Sheila McCarthy, Saul Elkin, Robert Petrarca, Debbie Pappas, Kathy Weese & George L. Brown; bottom photo: (l to r) Robert Petrarca, Sheila McCarthy, Kathy Weese, Debbie Pappas & George L. Brown in STORIES OF LIFE (2002-2003 Season).  Photos by Sally Buck.)