Residents of the Oak Park Arms and members of the public were treated to a staged reading of “The Cemetery Club” by Scratch Ensemble of Oak Park this weekend in the Oak Park Arms historic ballroom. Oak Park Arms Senior Living is located at 408 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park.
“Everyone loved the performance, and we can’t wait to have the Scratch Ensemble return,” said Renee Steingard, Director of Leasing and Resident Engagement at the Oak Park Arms. “Having fun and interesting events for our seniors is always ongoing. When the Oak Park community can join us, it’s even better.”
Scratch Ensemble’s members study acting with Ted Sarantos of Sarantos Studio of Oak Park. The reading is directed by Denise Smolarek, and the play features four women and one man.
Three Jewish widows meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands’ graves. Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life; Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun; and Doris is priggish and judgmental, particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene.
The Broadway production starred Eileen Heckart as Lucille. It was made into a film starring Ellen Burstyn, Diane Ladd, and Olympia Dukakis.
About the Oak Park Arms
The Oak Park Arms Senior Living is a rental retirement community which provides senior independent living apartments and a full schedule of activities for seniors. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer. For more information call 708-386-4040.
