Loveland Seniors Stage Original Comedy in Wheelchairs and Walkers

Minutes before curtain call, Moyne Johnson worried about wheeling herself up the ramp to the stage at Good Samaritan Society Loveland Village. The 14-year resident had never performed before, and nerves were setting in.

Then the lights dimmed, and 55 audience members were transported into "How the West Was Spun: A Fanciful Re-Imagining of Western Legends." Johnson wheeled onto that stage alongside 12 fellow residents, some with walkers, some with canes, and some with portable oxygen tanks.

Writer and director Jim Willard created the comedy specifically for the senior community's art month celebration. His seven-act play poked gentle fun at how old Western movies and TV shows shaped America's view of the frontier, often getting the facts hilariously wrong.

In one scene, a great-grandma corrected the famous Davy Crockett song lyrics from "Raised in the woods so's he knew every tree" to the more factual "Raised in the woods so he knew where to pee." The crowd erupted in laughter.

The cast had minimal preparation: just two script readings and one dress rehearsal. Willard uses a technique called readers theater, where performers read from scripts with limited movement, making it accessible for people of all abilities.

For Lois Ashcraft, finally making it to show day felt like a victory. She'd wanted to participate for two years but couldn't because of accidents. "What he gives to this community is enormous," she said about Willard's inclusive approach.

Barb Irelan, wearing a plaid dress to play a little girl despite her age, was thrilled to return to her high school and college drama days. "I love to act," she beamed.

Sunny's Take

Butch Borago had zero theater experience before joining the cast, but he discovered something more valuable than applause. After four years at Good Samaritan, the play introduced him to neighbors he'd never met and deepened his friendship with Ashcraft, who lives next door.

"People say Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, well I know that's wrong because this is the happiest place, where I am," Borago said.

Willard, who has 71 years of writing experience, called this his most difficult project ever. Writing comedy is tough when you don't know what will land until you're in front of an audience. He counted only three jokes that fell flat while the rest brought continuous laughter.

The show included classic Western songs like "Home on the Range" and "Ghost Riders in the Sky," which Willard knows engage seniors' brains differently. Music takes people back to places they haven't visited in years, sparking memories and joy.

Johnson conquered that ramp, walkers rolled across the stage, and oxygen tanks hummed quietly in the wings while 13 seniors proved that the show must go on at any age.