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Alison Boggs, right, gives direction to members during a rehearsal.
Photo by Brian Wells
STERLING HEIGHTS — In the basement of the First United Methodist Church in Troy, a group of about 20 seniors — some in their 90s — sang to a digital recording of works from the musical “9 to 5.”
As the music played, they practiced choreography and used their hands and voices to show emotion.
The group of seniors come together several times a year to put on performances and sing at senior centers. They are the Heart of the Hills Players, and there’s only one requirement to join.
“The only requirement is that you’re age 50,” said Alison Boggs, who is currently directing the play.
Boggs has been with the group for several years, but like many others, she’s been acting most of her life. She was asked to direct “9 to 5” because she had been in it before with a different theater group.
Boggs said being part of the Heart of the Hills Players gives the seniors an opportunity to be cast in roles that would generally go to younger actors.
“Some people in this group have never done theater before. Some people have worked with other groups, but you get to a certain age, and it’s kind of hard to get cast in some shows,” Boggs said. “So this gives people an opportunity at an older age to play some roles that they never thought they’d be able to play, because they’ve aged out of the roles.”
One of the members of the group is playing a 16-year-old who just got their driver’s license.
Dan Lambrix, who is playing the lead male character, said he decided to join the group because it gets him out of the house.
Lambrix is in his first year with the group, but said he did his first show in 1978.
Diana Schreiber, who is also one of the leads in the show, said she decided to join the group when she retired.
“I was just retired, and I wanted to get into the theater arts — singing, acting, and this was perfect for me,” she said.
Schreiber has also participated in a number of local groups before joining the Heart of the Hills Players 17 years ago.
“I get so much satisfaction, and it keeps me young and keeps me active,” she said.
Because of the age of the players, they sometimes face challenges that those in other theater groups wouldn’t, such as physical limitations or illness, Boggs said. Schreiber added that memory problems can also pose a challenge to the group.
“As you get older, it’s your memory,” she said. “I have to work harder on lines and lyrics, but I love it because it keeps my mind sharp.”
But despite the challenges, Boggs said the group always gives it their best.
“They’re wonderful people with hearts of gold,” Boggs said. “They try really hard.”
All three of the performers said the group has also helped them find community.
“It’s almost like a little family, like a second family, because they’re a tight-knit group,” Lambrix said. “And they’re really nice people.”
The Heart of the Hills Players will perform the musical “9 to 5” at 7 p.m. April 25 and April 26 and 2 p.m. April 27 at Anita’s Elite Dance Studio, 37360 Van Dyke Ave., in Sterling Heights. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased online at hohplayers.org/tickets.
