USA: Musical Show About Elderly Heading to New York

COLUMBUS, Ohio(The Columbus Dispatch), August 2, 2006: A musical created in Columbus is going to New York. Ha! Ha! Club, which Senior Repertory of Ohio Theatre Company first staged in 2004, will make its off-Broadway debut this month as part of the New York International Fringe Festival. More than 200 companies from throughout the world will present shows August 11-27 at the Fringe Festival, billed as the largest arts festival in North America. "We’ve been told by the Fringe that we’re the only show dealing with issues of senior citizens," said director Frank Barnhart. The lighthearted two-act show, a modern fable of seniorcitizen empowerment, focuses on seven disgruntled residents of a home for the aged whose lives are transformed by a mysterious visitor. "We have a wonderful cast and crew," said the producer of the New York run. "We didn’t really expect the show to be selected for the festival. "Just to spend all this time in New York is exciting." Five performances of Ha! Ha! Club will be presented August 12-26. By Michael Grossberg ©2006, The Columbus Dispatch