Paula, a young motorcyle cop (Alix Hudson), offers David, (Jim McGiffin) a rose. Photo by Cameron Gay

Sweethearts Ruby (Marguerite Scott) and David (Jim McGiffin) share a moment, while David’s daughter Dawn (Juliet Salazar) looks on in disapproval. Photo by Cameron Gay

By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos playwright Robert Benjamin’s latest full-length play, Still in the Game, opens Aug. 10 at Teatro Pajaguas in Santa Fe.

Benjamin is a late-blooming playwright. Following a distinguished career as a research physicist and science educator, Benjamin started his life as a playwright after retirement.

His plays include Parted Waters (produced nationally and at Teatro Paraguas in 2010), Time Enough, and Galileo’s Footsteps.  He has also authored 20 produced short plays, a short film and an operetta.

Still in the Game is the latest play in Benjamin’s ongoing inquiry into the subject of “aging with grace, courage and humor,” he said. Two previous “aging” plays were produced at Teatro Paraguas, Not Quite Right (2015) and Salt and Pepper (2013).

Still in the Game was written as a series of independent one-act plays.

“A lot of people have seen some of the scenes, but no one has seen it all together,” Benjamin said. “I realized these scenes were all part of one man’s story.”

Still in the Game deals with problems and challenges faced by those 60 and above. David (Jim McGiffin), is a recently widowed retiree in his 70s who is grappling with what is next in his life after the death of his wife.

David’s daughter, Dawn (Juliet Salazar), is concerned for him, is well-meaning, but she is stuck in grief and guilt over her mother’s death.

At an evening of speed-dating, David meets Ruby (Marguerite Scott). Their subsequent mutual happiness is thrown off-balance by David’s cancer, as is everyone’s hopes and plans. As David’s choices narrow, he uses humor and the wisdom he’s gained during his life to help him deal with his illness and looming death.

The cast rounds out with Michelle (Roxanne Tapia), who works at a clothing boutique and Alix Hudson as Paula, a young motorcycle cop.

The issues of aging are “almost taboo in our culture,” Benjamin said. He strives to present seniors as real people, with ongoing desires and interests, rather than as a collection of problems. Life definitely doesn’t end at 60 for Benjamin’s characters.  

“If you keep it light and comedic, it’s easier to talk about these issues after the play,” he said.

“My Grandfather’s Blessings” a book by Rachel Naomi Remen, had an impact on the play’s themes, Benjamin said. The caregiver’s support group of which he is a member has also had an impact on the play. The scene in the classic Corvair was inspired by friend Mike Wheeler’s restoration project.

Benjamin said he “can’t explain the magic” that allows him to come up with the scenarios he uses to capture his themes. They are generally places where the poignant collides with the wacky and the every day.

Still in the Game is directed by Sheryl Bailey. She has worked as staff producer at the Mark Taper Forum (MTF), associate managing artistic director at the Western Stage Theater Company (CA), directing/writing for Santa Fe Stages (NM) and many independent artistic projects, including Clouds of Joy by Chris Calloway/Sheryl Bailey, and Time Enough by Robert Benjamin.

Teatro Paraguas is in the Siler-Rufina area, Santa Fe’s newest emerging arts district. The production is made possible in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Santa Fe Arts Commission, Santa Fe Community Foundation, and the McCune Foundation.

This production is part of the Teatro Paraguas mission to produce plays by New Mexico playwrights.

Still in the Game will be performed Aug. 10-20, 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Aug. 12 matinee will be followed by a reception and talkback, hosted by Conscious Aging Network of NM. Teatro Paraguas is at 3205 Calle Marie, Santa Fe.

Tickets are $20 general admission, and $12 limited income, and may be purchased online at still17brownpapertickets.com, or reserved by calling 505.424.1601.