Reviewer: Kristine Gotham
Venue: Bay City Players
A Jukebox for the Algonquin is an engaging production, a true representation of art imitating life. Four people of different backgrounds, brought together by life circumstance to the same retirement community, meeting daily in the Algonquin common room for conversation, reminiscence and thoughts of the future, their own Algonquin Round Table. Annie (Jessie Scott Wood) lives in the Assisted Living wing. She likes to vet new and prospective residents and is knowledgeable about the daily lives of the others living in the facility. Johnny (B. Wendell Parker) and Dennis (Paul Lutenske) have found a friend/brother in each other. They live in the last wing before life ends. They talk about their life before coming to Placid Pines. Johnny has a dream of purchasing a juke box for the Algonquin common room, bringing back the joy that he once found in music. Dennis supports Johnny’s dream even though it appears that it may be a very long time before they have the cash available in their donation jar, with a current total of $300 of the needed $3000. Peg (Judy Thomas) is the newest resident. She moved in after her husband passed away. The residents are supported by the maintenance crew, Chuck (Kent Miller), a man recently released from prison, and Tyler (Benjamin Hanson), a young man who enjoys the company of the older residents. The facility is managed by Josephina (Jeanne Cadena), a lifelong resident of New York, who grew up on the same street as Johnny. She understands the residents’ background while managing their current day-to-day lives. Paula Johnson-Radley has a minor role as Mrs. McDarren, a New York wife, looking for a new place for her mother-in-law.
Director, Kurt Miller, brought together an excellent cast to create a play that is moving, funny, and thoughtful. Sitting in the audience, you will laugh, recall times in your life that are exactly what the actors are portraying, and maybe even think about your life and where you will be when your life circumstances resemble those of the residents. Paul Lutenske’s Dennis has a scene so profoundly real that as it was happening on stage the audience was so quiet, almost holding their breath, that you could hear a pin drop. Wood’s Annie is squirrely and excitable, absolutely delightful. Peg (Judy Thomas) fits perfectly as the newest resident. She is cautious but curious about her fellow residents, and she seeks to fit into her new home. Parker’s Johnny is the driving force of the crew. He is both commanding and vulnerable. His daily routine reminds each of us that the familiarity in our routine, our environment, our memories, helps us to stay grounded in the here and now while also accepting what is to come.
The play progresses as you would expect. Life and death, laughter and sadness, all combine to create a realistic story that leaves audiences introspective with a smile on their face. Does Johnny ever get his Jukebox for the Algonquin? You will just have to go see the play and find out. Head to Bay City Players and get your ticket. Shows continue this weekend, November 13-16.