Brandon Allentoff (l-r) of Howell, and Milt Keiles and Arnold Brown, both of Monroe Township, rehearse a scene from “Fade Out at Clo-Achers.” The play, written by Monroe Township residents Myra Danon and Meryl Berness, steps beyond the security gates of an active adult community to observe the interactions and chicanery among its mature and not-so-mature residents. ERIC SUCAR staff Berdanhand Productions is taking its audience on a revamped adventure into the lives of residents in adult communities in their play “Fade Out at Clo- Achers.”
Performances will be held July 8-10 and July 15-17, at 8 p.m. Fridays, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. Sundays, at the Grange Playhouse, 4860 Route 9 south, Howell.
The play was written and produced by two of Monroe Township’s own adult community residents, Myra Danon and Meryl Berness.
Having debuted in 2009, the play is “back by popular demand,” the producers said, and comes with some changes and even more entertaining material.
As for the title, Danon and Berness have pointed out that the word “clo-achers” is a take on the word “cloaca,” which is an intestinal orifice of a reptile, and “achers,” which refers to people who “ache” in an adult community.
The team of Danon and Berness joined forces at the Renaissance at Monroe adult community and had an instant connection.
“We found that we were laughing at the same things,” Danon said.
With one event after another, the two women would find themselves joking about the same day-to-day happenings in an adult community.
“We thought we ought to write all this down,” Berness said. “Before we knew it, we had 120 pages.”
From politics to community activities, the duo began writing about all types of topics that find their way into the lives of active adults.
“We like to see the humor in things,” Danon said.
The play takes place around the clubhouse, where residents can be found playing cards and having conversations ranging from daughters-in-law to curbing the residents’ dogs.
“That [dog curbing] is a big thing in these communities: Where is it? Where should it be?” Berness said.
Along with some mean-spirited retirees and gossiping gals, the play also has a science fiction aspect where audience members can witness the ongoing social experiments by the dedicated scientists who are trying to prevent the onset of mind decay known as disorientia, “a disorder that is just not good for anybody,” the producers said.
People who cannot be cured of the disorder in the play are sent to a place called Last Stop, N.J., which could be a hint at a sequel for the writers.
“Those people are warped beyond repair (WBR),” Berness said.
When the play opened two years ago, people would come from all over and swear that the play was depicting their community, because it was so relatable, the producers said .
The producers describe the show as a combination ofMel Brooks and BillMaher with a touch of Seinfeld humor.
“It was a labor of love. We had the best time,” Danon said.
The two producers grew up with a love for writing, but little did they know that it would turn them into playwrights.
Danon was a teacher who wrote short stories and even skits that were put on by her sixth grade pupils. She later began a career in the world of publication.
“I just love writing,” she said.
Berness has been teaching for several years and is a school guidance counselor, who has also written children’s books.
She recalled that as a second-grader, she waswriting skits thatwere put on by her classmates. Little did she know that years later that interestwould help her to co-create a play like “Fade Out at Clo-Achers.”
Cast members of the play come from all over the area. Actors from Ocean, Brick Township, Millstone Township, Monroe Township, Edison, Howell, Roosevelt and other central New Jersey towns have met and become instant friends.
“The chemistry of this cast is fantastic,” Danon said. “It’s become a family.”
“You would think they knew each other [prior to the show] the way they interact,” Berness said.
The women believe that the dynamic of the actors will help with the success of the play and also convey their message.
“If you look at life and look at things in a certain way, where the humor is bent, it’s not hard to make humor out of things,” Danon said. As people get older and certain events happen, people will go through life choosing to laugh or to cry about it, she said.
“We choose to laugh,” Danon said.
This time around, things are a little different, the women said of the revamped play .
Dialogue has been added and some things have been removed so that the experience can be new for audience members who are returning to see the show. Along with added material, the interpretation is a little changed, as a result of a new director.
Albert Hepner of Roosevelt, Monmouth County, was asked to direct the show through a mutual acquaintance of his and the two Monroe Township women.
Knowing Hepner’s background and experience in theater, he was a good fit, the producers said.
Although he has not directed in 30 years, Hepner is no stranger to the stage and has an extensive background in the arts. He currently teaches writing at Kean University in Union and at Mercer County Community College inWestWindsor.
“When you act and direct, you always think about going back to it,” Hepner said.
After reading the script to “Fade Out at Clo-Achers,” Hepner knew that it would be an exciting opportunity to return to directing.
“It made me feel I can do it again,” he said.
Hepner complimented the technical complexities of the script and he said that it was well produced.
“I loved how well it was written,” he said. “It’s a great spoof on us poor old guys living in these confined spaces.”
Danon and Berness were extremely excited at the feedback they received from Hepner and said they were humbled by his compliments.
“We felt honored,” Danon said.
The two producers are thrilled about the show’s comeback and invite audiences of all ages to enjoy the interactions and chicanery among the mature and not-somature residents of the Clo-Achers community.
“It’s a spoof of spoofs,” Danon said.
Tickets to the play are $15. For reservations, call 732-768-2709.