Spreading holiday cheer

COEUR d'ALENE - It was delightful escapism quickly served.

The production was perfect in its economy; a handful of eager actors huddled around the table, well-timed sound effects from rumpled bags and champagne corks, and snarky one-liners that jogged from beginning to end, teasing along the audience with gems of wit.

"It's just fun, that's all," said Bill Alderson, one of the actors in the radio-show-style play "Merry Christmas Show" put on at Bestland Independent Senior Living on Tuesday.

The play was a glimpse of both the past and future, with songs and routines about the jolly holiday yet a month away, but unfolding in a reenactment of early 20th century radio shows that fashioned story lines from minimal equipment.

Starring Bestland residents, dubbing themselves The Bestland Players, the play was directed by Margaret Rau, a volunteer wielding 35 years experience as a voice-over actor in Chicago.

"I love the idea of old radio. I always wanted to get something like this going in Chicago," Rau said after the performance. "It's like a dream come true, with no pressure. We can make mistakes, and it's no big deal."

Performed before a smiling collection of roughly 30 other residents, the variety show included Alice Williams and Alderson reading a scene of dry exchanges between the aptly named Bickerson couple. Alderson garnered waves of laughter as he faked snoring sounds when his character fell asleep hanging holiday decorations.

"How does a man fall asleep on a ladder?" Williams' character asked.

That followed with a comedy routine by Rene Lariviere and Alderson. One read quips about excessive holiday drinking, which the other punctuated with taps on a drum and cymbal.

You know you've over-consumed, Lariviere warned, if "you complain about the bathroom after emerging from the closet."

Ba bum ching.

Residents and staff joined in for performances of Christmas carols.

"I thought it was wonderful," said resident Carmen Halley, who approached her co-residents after with glowing reviews.

A performance like this helps her and her husband, Pat, feel welcome, she added, after moving into Bestland a month ago.

"It was very uplifting, very happy," she said.

Rau, sister of fellow performers Ellen and John Travolta, said she had volunteered at Bestland on an impulse, after moving to Coeur d'Alene from Los Angeles two and a half years ago.

After being the bingo announcer for a couple months, she was ready to test her volunteering potential.

"I thought, maybe I can lend my experience in doing radio shows," she said.

Working with volunteer residents, she has read scripts with them, and developed sound effect techniques. The players have performed a couple other productions before the Christmas show, and Rau is convinced more are in store.

"They're up for anything. They've got so much energy," she said.

Laura Boro, Bestland community relations director, joined other staff in Tuesday's show, singing along with reindeer hats.

The productions receive warm reactions from the other residents, Boro said.

"They love it," she said. "It includes the whole community, and helps residents develop close relationships."

Alderson said memories of his favorite mystery and comedy shows, all floating out of radio speakers, come flooding back when he performs.

"When we were young, growing up, that was our entertainment," he said.

Rau said she expects her cast to expand.

And with it, ideas for other productions.

"I just think they love being entertained," she said.