What do Willie Nelson, Paul Lynde and Pinkfong have in common? They’ll all get their due at Rise Church from May 6-9.
Nelson’s “Mama, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” Lynde’s “Kids!” and Pinkfong’s ever-popular “Baby Shark” are all on the playlist for the Northwest Senior Theatre’s next production. Performed during the week leading up to Mother’s Day, the show, Mothers & Fathers & Kids … Oh, My! takes a musical look at families and what makes them tick.
The Northwest Senior Theatre is a Portland-area theatrical mainstay, having entertained audiences since 1991. It features inspired, amateur performers aged 55+ who stay young by staying onstage. In addition to spring and fall shows at Rise Church each year, the troupe also performs at area senior communities and retirement homes. In fact, they’re currently soliciting such opportunities for the future. (Contact nwseniortheatre@gmail.org for details.)
But as for the May 6-9 show, it breaks their mold.
“This is not our usual Northwest Senior Theatre show,” said director Lennon Smith. “We’re combining songs from across the spectrum with personal family stories from several cast members.” The pairing should inspire the audience to think of their own families and recall long-ago memories. “I won’t deny it,” said Smith, “we think the show will generate laughter and tears.”
The musical revue, featuring a live combo, includes tunes written from 1915 through the 1950s, and right up through a song so new it hasn’t been published yet. Folk, Rock ’n’ Roll, Country, Doo-Wop, Broadway, Motown, sing-alongs, and (with “Baby Shark”) K-Pop are all in the mix. Moms, dads, siblings, uncles, grandparents, gay kids, children of divorce, and blended and chosen families all get their moment.
“There truly is something for everyone, in fact, somethings,” said show choreographer and NST President Rachel Zierdt. “Every audience member will see themselves and their family in this show!”
Tickets are available at the door each day ($10, cash or check only). Tickets are also available online at nwseniortheatre.org and on the group’s Facebook page, “NST … and Friends.” Also to be found there, podcasts featuring members of the cast talking about the upcoming show and their performing histories.
As always, NST performs at the family-friendly time of 2:00pm, May 6-9 at Rise Church, 10445 SW Canterbury Lane in Tigard.
Everyone is always welcome at NST performances. But for this show in particular, the cast encourages families across generations to come, enjoy the production, and reflect upon their own family, whether that leads to laughs or tears. To paraphrase the ending of “OK,” that yet-to-be-published song, “just be yourself, and you’ll be fine.”
