Stages of Life

VIVA Theater spotlights senior thespians

By Kalene McCort

Since the early 2000s, VIVA Theater has been enriching the local arts scene with award-winning plays that feature predominately senior casts. Founded by Sandy Hale, now 98 years of age, the Boulder-based, nonprofit theater group is still going strong with innovative productions that attract a wide-range of theater-goers eager to be entertained and inspired. While some VIVA participants have a background in showmanship, others are finding their voice for the first time—proving it’s never too late to embrace the dramatics and take a well-deserved bow.

“Live theater is a powerful medium,” says Abigail Wright, VIVA’s artistic director. “If it’s done right, it holds a mirror up to an audience member’s inner life. And that simple act of reflection is somehow fulfilling.”

From plays performed at Dairy Arts Center and Nomad Playhouse to shows at Boulder JCC, retirement community Frasier Meadows and Boulder Library, VIVA has brought a number of productions to various venues throughout its over-20-year run. 

With “Dude, It’s Boulder,” VIVA brought to life the quirky production of playwright Jane Shepard that took audiences on a freewheeling ride through Boulder over 10 decades. Highlighting Boulder’s prominent citizens of yesteryear and poking fun at the city’s reputation as a hippie town, this offering has been a long-running crowd-favorite. 

Most recently, in March and April 2024, VIVA delivered 1982’s highly-praised “Talking With…,” written by Jane Martin, to the Dairy’s stage. With an all-female cast, the production featured stirring monologues by 11 women characters from different walks of life. 

“I added the live music to the production to help tie it together,” Wright says. “The material was a little more challenging for VIVA audiences than usual, but to our great pleasure the audiences responded very favorably, and we had standing ovations for nearly every performance. I was a little amazed at the response, frankly, but it showed that VIVA can stretch itself.”

In “Talking With…,” Judy Richtel—president of VIVA’s board of directors—played a bag lady. Following her performance, a donation was made in her name to Boulder Shelter for The Homeless anonymously, likely by a moved audience member. For Richtel, who worked for years in human services, the role hit home. 

“At this point in my life, I just feel so lucky that I can learn a new creative skill,” Richtel says. “I’d love to see VIVA do what it’s done for me for more people. I’m hoping we are also changing the way people view seniors.” 

Included in the cast of “Talking With…” was VIVA veteran JoAn Segal, who at age 93 memorized a 10-minute monologue and gave a heartfelt performance. 

“If we as older people have disappeared from our culture’s stories, or exist only as stereotypes, we lose a dimension of our being that simply cannot be replaced,” Wright says. “We become invisible—not only to others, but to ourselves.”

With each well-crafted and thoughtful production, VIVA is altering perceptions about those over age 60. 

“Audiences are astonished to learn that older actors can memorize substantial texts,” Wright says. “They can remember blocking, they can get a laugh, they can hold an audience spellbound. Actors have such deep levels of commitment to their roles that they make them completely their own.”

Eventually, VIVA would love to facilitate a multi-week theater lab that would allow a variety of folks to explore a myriad of activities such as costume making, set design, acting, improv and more.

This fall, folks can look forward to a witty production of 1939’s “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” 

“The main character of Sheridan Whiteside is a charismatic, vainglorious bombast who causes chaos wherever he goes,” Abigail explains of the play’s protagonist. “The show has fun skewering him, his sycophantic followers and the cult of celebrity that makes monsters and fools out of people.”

“The Man Who Came to Dinner” will be done in a format VIVA has labeled a “radio show,” allowing an intergenerational cast to read from the script while on stage. Throughout the humorous production, cheeky “commercials” from sponsors are peppered in. 

“Once a year, we choose a play that has a very large cast with lots of little parts,” Wright says. “This is to give novice performers the chance to be on stage, participate and grow their skills. Also, VIVA is a community theater, not a company. The objective is to create community via the medium of theater, but we also want to set a high bar for the quality of our productions.”

Throughout the decades of sold-out shows, the organization has been a lifeline for those looking to find connection in later years and uncover a new hobby. Providing a much-needed tribe and an ongoing outlet for self-expression, VIVA continues to welcome newbies wanting to embrace the art of acting. 

“Socialization is huge,” Richtel says. “We’d love to have more people work with us.” 

The expansive group is made up of former scientists, artists, musicians, realtors, librarians and others. 

“The most rewarding part of VIVA—aside from the accolades—is the community connection,” Wright explains. “With each show, we form a group of friends that works very hard, shares a common goal and gets to hang out with each other. And together we participate in the ancient fellowship of the theater—impossible to describe, but a tangible presence.”

Those interested in learning more about VIVA, including how to try out for upcoming auditions or volunteer, can visit vivatheater.org or email Wright at director@vivatheater.org. 

“Let’s brush away the stereotypes of old age,” Wright says. “Those stereotypes are as substantial as shadows. The more VIVA throws light on them, they will disappear. Imagine that.”