Review: In THE GOLDEN GLAZER, Sy Rosen Shares Poignant Stories About Getting Older Gracefully

Those of us over the age of 60 are finding new meaning to being unemployed and living on Social Security, as well as trying to add more excitement to our relationships while coming to terms with our 50th high school reunion. And what about being offered your first senior discount without asking for it? In an age where youth is celebrated, it's often tough to deal with what it means to be a senior citizen.

In his autobiographical comedy, THE GOLDEN GLAZER, iconic TV writer-producer-turned-actor Sy Rosen uses his comedic talents to share a series of funny, at times poignant stories about the joys and horrors of getting older. Rosen covers everything from being out of work and lying about it, to rekindling his marriage, to cryogenics, to going to his 50th high school reunion, to getting his first senior discount. All of these stories are laugh out loud funny and relatable, but it's Rosen's affecting relationship with his mom and her gallant fight against Alzheimer's that ties the whole piece together, along with Rosen's story-enhancing slide show projected on a large onstage screen.

Rosen's show manages to shift gracefully through time so we get to know and love his mom before the very powerful ending. Throughout the entire production, two other talented actors, Deborah Geffner and Robert Romanus, portray about fifteen different roles each that bring the stories to life and take the play to a higher level. Whether playing the guitar, others seniors at the independent and assisted living facilities, to other writers looking to cash in on an imaginary project Rosen tells them he is writing, the play moves along at a fast-pace thanks Geffner's directing in the small Actors Forum Theatre, produced by Outta My Head Productions.

THE GOLDEN GLAZER refers to the first senior discount offered to him at a local doughnut shop where he often stopped in to satisfy his sweet tooth. And while almost every senior I know loves being offered a discount on anything, Rosen shares how surprised he was when one was first offered to him without asking. And fittingly, when intermission arrived, Rosen announced that doughnuts celebrating life's sweetness would be available at the lobby concession stand. Most in the audience were all too willing to enjoy the treats in his honor.

Told in an episodic format (Rekindle, Senior Discount, Breakfast with Mom at Norm's, The 50th Reunion, Matchmaker, Out of Work, Just Leave It, Almost a Saint, I'm Not Going to be Around Forever, Mom Passing), each segment is introduced with appropriate 60's songs sung by Geffner and Romanus, such as "Try to Remember," "When I'm 64," Glory Days," "Get a Job," "In My Life," "Slow Down," and "Yesterday." Knowing laughter greeted each of Rosen's stories, and as each episode plays out, I am sure you will see yourself, your loved ones, parents, and co-workers in the process.

Broadway and film star Deborah Geffner directs the piece with a sure and subtle comic hand. She also skillfully plays a variety of quirky characters including a Gypsy psychic, a strait-laced Barnes and Noble employee, a hardnosed TV executive, a tipsy housewife, a turkey in heat (yes, a turkey in heat,) and a young dental hygienist who is desperately in love with her boss. Notably and most movingly Deborah plays Sy's mom with dignity, grace, humor and quite a bit of feistiness including her habit of taking everything not nailed down on every Norm's table where he shares a meal with her son.

Actor Robert Romanus brilliantly portrays many memorable characters ranging from a nineteen-year-old fast food worker, a gruff foreman, a pompous dentist to God (yes, God), while often playing guitar during scene breaks. Without the use of make-up, Romanus manages to change his appearance and shape to embody each role, often using just a hat and different posture to convey the characters. His affectionate and humorous portrayal of a 101-year-old man living in Rosen's retirement community is a standout.

While performances ended at the Actors Forum Theatre on December 18, I so hope an extension will be added in 2017 so you can celebrate the New Year with Sy Rosen celebrating the joys and frustrations of growing older. When more performances are scheduled, tickets and reservations will be available at TheGoldenGlazerS@gmail.com with updates posted on Facebook.

Photos by Jesse Holcomb.

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