There’s no stopping Speeding Theatre

The adult theater program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, was eliminated in June 2011 due to budget cuts. Within months, the students had organized themselves as The Speeding Theatre-Over 55 and hit the road, searching for a new place to call home.

The Speeding Theatre ---- so named because, much like breaking the speed limit, all participants are over 55 ---- put the brakes on when it found a home this June at Las Ventanas, a senior housing facility at 10401 W. Charleston Blvd. The performance group now holds its auditions and Saturday rehearsals there.

Patty Allsbrook, lifestyle facilitator at Las Ventanas, said the group performed there a number of times through UNLV, so she was already familiar with them, as were the residents. The Speeding Theatre is one of only a few groups she has allowed to use the facility.

"It sounded like they were desperate," she said. "They needed a room. I was more than happy to provide it to them. They're very talented. If we can keep a group like that alive, then why not?"

The sense of ownership was racheted up once students took matters into their own hands.

"I feel this is my baby," said group president Sandy Runkle, who was a professional dancer. "We built it."

Runkle said the group approached community centers and the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District about using a conference room but could not afford the rates. She said Las Ventanas was perfect, and best of all, it was free.

On a Saturday in July, newbies got up to audition in the retirement facility's large banquet room, and more seasoned performers presented new material. Gail Romano, who has been performing with the senior group for months, sang an upbeat version of "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die" from Broadway's Frank Sinatra tribute "Come Fly Away." She said she wanted to have a lively song to start things off.

Al and Louise Rauckhorst auditioned in bathrobes. The premise of their comedy skit was a husband and wife who reveal information to each other on the eve of their 54th anniversary. One of the exchanges:

"Your mother hated me when we first met?" he asked.

"No, that was later," she said, "after she got to know you better."

Many of The Speeding Theatre's members have backgrounds in theater, and performances consist of short acts. Some are considered entr'acte, or between the acts, and would be done before the curtain if in a theater setting.

Leaving the UNLV faction meant that adviser Doug Hill was no longer available. Phil Randall, production manager for "Menopause The Musical" at the Luxor, came on board in April, donating his time and expertise. He said his goal was to keep the crew active and busy so it maintains its presence in the community.

"We're seeing fun, good talent," Randall said. "Like any kind of group, it's all levels of talent. One thing they don't lack is enthusiasm ... When I start telling them things, I watch them take notes, which is kind of cute."

The Speeding Theatre goes to assisted living facilities and community centers to perform once or twice a month. The lineup is always changing, depending on who is available. Most shows consist of 10 to 15 acts and last as long as an hour.

After the performances, the actors said residents will often come up to speak to them. Runkle joked that before any show, the assisted living patients head straight for the cake table. Once the show begins, the cake is forgotten, and people gather to enjoy the show.

"By the time we're done, they are laughing and having fun," she said. "They want to know when we'll be back."

What's in it for them?

"We love it," Runkle said. "Anyone who's ever been in theater always loves theater."

Former actress Harriet Stitch is a member best-known for a comic monologue about a retired prostitute. Stitch's life wasn't much to laugh about lately. She had medical issues, financial burdens and a death in her family. Despite her personal challenges, she showed up for the group's spring show at the Cora Coleman Senior Center, 2100 Bonnie Lane, and had folks laughing at her monologue.

"Her husband died, her sister died, all while she was in the hospital," said Rayleta Newman, Stitch's friend and fellow Speeding Theatre member. "It was tough ... When I saw Harriet do that part, I thought, 'This is amazing, after all she's been through.' "

Newman suggested that those in rehabilitation could benefit from seeing Stitch perform, as it would give them hope that "they could do things, too."

Upcoming events have the entertainers scheduled at the Life Style Expo planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water St., and at a holiday show set for 1 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Cora Coleman Senior Center. Both are open to the public.

The Speeding Theatre plans its first dramatic production for the last three weekends in October at the Las Vegas Little Theatre, 3920 Schiff Drive. Details are still pending. For more information, visit lvlt.org.

For more information, visit speedingtheatre.org or call 435-3366.

Contact Summerlin/Summerlin South View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.