"The Nanas and The Papas...ain't what they used to be."
On the weekend of January 8th, 2010, the Foundation for Grandparenting, and Grandparent Productions staged a musical revue in Ojai, California to sellout crowds and sparkling media reviews. Featuring local talent, the musical challenges stereotypes about aging, and shows that modern Grandparenting is a far cry from the old days.
Producer, and Vice President of our Grandparent Foundation, Carol Kornhaber, who conceived the idea for the show said, "Our purpose is to demonstrate the diversity of Grandparenting in an exciting and entertaining way. Our message is that modern Grandparenting ‘ain't what it used to be.’
This musical revue highlights grandparent’s exclusive roles as "living ancestor" and "family historian." The show was be taped and will disseminated for grandparents all over the country to use as a model for creating a show in their own communities.
More to come.
Adapting the Show for Local Use
Producer Carol Kornhaber's original idea for the show was to create a theatrical blueprint for grandparents to replicate the show in their own home towns, using local talent and schools, religious and governmental institutions, senior centers and more. Here's a brief "How-to" of how this works.
The "Executive Producer," (EP) in charge of the show, creates a budget, raises funds, coordinates the talent, finds the performance site, and coordinates publicity. The EP appoints others ( Assistant or Associate Producers) who perform some of the specific tasks mentioned above.
The EP identifies a Music Director, for the songs and music. The MD hires the musical ensemble. The EP also identifies a Stage Director, who coordinates the staging of the show. The SD may also write the show, in addition to overseeing the lighting, sound and support personnel.
The MD and SD (as well as support personnel) are recruited from local community theater, school drama departments, etc.
Local talent is recruited by word of mouth, announcements in the local paper, local theater groups, senior centers, etc.
Once the Producing Team is established. and the MD and SD have created their local version of the show by adapting the basic Nanas and Papas blueprint (that can be accessed via the internet at www.grandparenting.org)* a call for auditions is announced within the community.
Everyone goes to work. When the show is completed, rehearsals take place to fine-tune the performance.
Publicity should be started at least two months before the performance.
Then the big night arrives.
Break a leg!
*The Foundation video of the Nanas and the Papas is in production. We will let you know when it is released.
Here is the song list (and performers) of the recent Nanas and the Papas show for you to use as a blueprint to adapt to your own desires, region, culture etc.
Song List
Chorus
Performed by Carol Kornhaber
Performed by Marlene Reinhart & Jimmy Calire
Perfomed by Maggie Phelps and Chorus
Performed by Candace Delbo
Performed by Joan Rush
Performed by Maggie Phelps
Performed by Marlene Reinhart
Performed by Candace Delbo
Performed
by Alan G Thornhill
Chorus
Performed by Jimmy Calire
Performed by Maggie Phelps
Performed by Candace Delbo
Not While
I'm Around
Steven Sondheim
Performed by Joan Rush
Chorus
Performed by Candace Delbo
Performed by Marlene Reinhart
Chorus