PAT ADDISS, BROADWAY PRODUCER, AND JACK LEVINE, STANDUP COMEDIAN, SHARE THEIR 2ND ACTS
Would you like to be inspired and entertained? Do you need a little nudge to explore a new direction? Are you on the verge of retirement and petrified that you will no longer have anything to do if you don’t go to work five days a week? Might you be over the age of 50 or 60, 70 or 80, and want a jump start in life? If you answered yes to even one of these queries, Waterbury’s Palace Theater has just the solution for you.
Two years ago as the theater was preparing for a production of “Phantom of the Opera,” it held a costume exhibit. The Palace’s Marketing and Public Relations officer Sheree Marcucci met a couple admiring the clothes and in a conversation with the wife Nancy Shuler learned her unique story. Ever ready for a special opportunity, Sheree invited the woman to tell her tale on her radio show. After spending thirty years as a fitness trainer, this lady decided to start writing memoirs and monologues about her grandmother. She found herself after the age of 65, taking acting classes and performing. Sheree called the talk “2nd Act” which started her thinking about the Palace offering a series of story telling events in the intimate setting of the Poli Club upstairs.
After discussing the inspiring idea with the CEO of the Palace, Frank Tavera, Sheree found herself securing original funding from the CT Community Foundation. The current funding is from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UCONN Waterbury, Peak Physical Therapy and The Village of East Farms .She has recently lined up fascinating people of a certain age to tell their story of change. Last year was so successful, ending with a sold out crowd, that a second season has been created that will start on Tuesday, September 17 at 6 p.m. with Pat Addiss, now a successful Broadway producer speaking on how “Necessity Is the Mother of Reinvention.” Come learn how one competes in this expensive and cut throat world and how Pat Addiss came to produce such epic offerings as “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” “Little Women.” “Promises, Promises,” and “The 39 Steps.”
On Tuesday, October 29 at 6 p.m., one of the Palace’s own, Jillian Clentano, will reveal “The Stranger in the Mirror,” her personal story of transitioning from male to female three years ago. Being authentic, overcoming obstacles, meeting hardships head on, and claiming victories, Jillian at 58 will discuss her new paths to understanding.
The Main Stage of the Palace will be the proving ground on Saturday, November 16 at 8 p.m. when the former Queen of Mean, Lisa Lampanelli, steps into the spotlight with her new show “Losin’ It.” Lisa has turned in her sharp tongued wit for a softer, still comic version of herself as a life coach. With a few friends, she will share personal after-50 life stories to inspire people to become better versions of themselves.
Back in the Poli Club, on Tuesday, December 10 at 6 p.m., Tanya Detrik will present how her life managed to “Change in the Blink of an Eye.” Trauma waits for no one to be prepared: it’s a ready or not event. Tanya knows personally how it can strike and, even more, how to overcome the devastation, by a shift in perspective from trouble to triumph. That discovery has transformed her life and may do the same for you.
On Saturday, January 11 at noon, to start your New Year, come hear Karenna Alexander tell you how to “Listen to Your Heart” as she explores the dating game and the puzzles of finding love. She may just share the secrets you have been needing to learn.
Has anyone ever told you that what you want to do is impossible and unachievable? Don’t let Kate Katcher hear that. At 57, when one door closed, she proceeded to reinvent herself and create a multi-faceted building of opportunity. In the next eleven years, she started a blog, opened a theatre company, held down two university teaching positions, served elite clients at Madison Square Garden and earned a Master’s Degree.
This talented lady will even act out her story in play form, on Saturday, February 1 at noon.
Afraid to leave his comfortable world of finance, Jack Levine postponed retirement for fear he would be bored. Then one day he said, “What the heck? I’m going to have fun.” He became a stand up comic, only no one laughed. But since he was doing it just for him, he didn’t care. Come hear this author, actor, standup comedian and improv performer in “Laughing Out Loud” on Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m.
Come hear how the gift of her uncle’s 100 year old viola
impacted the life of Sharon Ruchman on Tuesday, April 21 at 6 p.m. Her love of music was rekindled after being lost in life stress and anxiety. Now she can’t stop composing chamber music and tangos and everything in between. Her topic will be “The Gift of Rudy: A Second Chance.”
For a dramatic tale of fighting the system, of taking on the cause of sexual assault, come learn how Donna Paloma stood up for what she believed. In her talk “BE the Change,” on Tuesday, May 19 at 6 p.m., she will empower her audience to fight against injustice and become an agent for good, to make the world a better place.
Born with cerebral palsy, RICH Cyr was given last rites three times and told he would never walk or talk. These many obstacles never stopped him and now, in his early 50’s, he has become a financial advisor, actor, podcaster, author, voice actor, motivational speaker and stand up comedian. Come on Tuesday, June 23 at 6 p.m. and be inspired by a man who clearly doesn’t believe in being told never as he dreams on to higher heights.
Tickets to the nine intimate series are $25, or a package of 5 are $20 each. They include a light dinner first. AARP and members of OLLI can purchase tickets for $20. Call 203-346-2000 or go online to www.palacetheaterct.org. The Palace is at 100 East Main Street, Waterbury. Tickets for Lisa Lampanelli are $75, $65, $55 and $45 with a 10% discount if purchased with the 2nd Act series.
The Palace Theater is clearly vested in your well being and your desire to stay vital. Encouraging you to do something you’ve never done before, like tap dancing or water color painting or running for public office might be just the incentive you need. Have a bucket list
with items not yet crossed off? Now might be the perfect time to get your pencil busy.
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