Timescape Arts Group presents the premiere of the workshop production of “Old People Play,” running Friday, March 13, to Sunday, March 15, at The Rosenthal Theater at Inner City Arts, 720 Kohler St. in Los Angeles.
Written by Jason Fong with music composed by Shin Kawasaki, “Old People Play” is an innovative play written for (as the title might suggest) old people — in this case, much-loved veteran actors — to perform.
The play follows Ben as he struggles to reconcile his life when he abruptly finds himself (literally) sitting in Death’s waiting room — along with a quirky and surprisingly vivacious group of old-timers. Themes of love, letting go, and living life to the fullest permeate the play, all aggregating into a story that’s in equal measures raucously funny, gut-punchingly sad and quietly charming.
Fong is a playwright whose most recent projects include “The Emily Project,” “The Snow Show,” “A Show of Hands,” “Fentor” and “A Nickel’s Worth.”
Kawasaki is a musician and composer who regularly performs with the Midtones and Flying Platforms. His catchily offbeat tunes combine perfectly with Fong’s similarly charming lyrics for quite the winning combination.
The core team of artists has collaborated on past projects, including “The Emily Project,” “A Show of Hands,” and “The Snow Show.” The cast includes (in alphabetical order) Steve Brady, David Cheung, Takayo Fischer, Susan Haruye Ioka, Alberto Isaac, Traci Kato-Kiriyama, Rodney Kageyama, Kurt Kuniyoshi, Emily Kuroda, Sharon Omi, Ken Takemoto, Ping Wu, and Marlene Mitsuko Yamane. Musicians include Kawasaki and Dan Taguchi.
Kageyama returns to the stage after a decade. “This is a fun romp about old age and what happens while we wait to be called to the great beyond,” he said. “It’s a musical comedy and we run and dance and sing and have a great time. The moral is: Honey, you gotta enjoy this life while you can, and let me tell you, we are embracing every moment.”
Performances are March 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $18 for purchase before Feb. 28; discounts are available for seniors, students and groups. Tickets can be purchased at oldpeopleplay.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006.
Free secured parking is available.