The Prime Time Players (PTP), a group of seniors who produce three shows a year at elder centers in the Long Beach community, recently concluded its production of Jawbone Jim’s Trail Ride, a one-hour performance that incorporates western tunes and dancing.
The volunteer troupe performs at 11 local senior centers for each production— including the Long Beach City Senior Center, located at 1150 E. 4th St. That center allows the group to use the facilities through the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine.
In a group interview with some of the cast Tuesday, Jayme Mekis, with the PTP, explained that the crew spends hours rehearsing the material.
“It’s a lot of fun to watch,” said Mekis, who wrote the production. “They really give a lot to do this, and they’re doing this for other people. And I think it’s a great testimony to these folks that are in the show… It’d be nice if people could come out and watch these shows. These shows happen all over the city, and it’s easy for them to get to, and it means a lot to these folks. It’s a win for everybody. These folks get a little bit of entertainment; these folks get a little bit of appreciation. You teach seniors that they don’t have to be shut-ins, that they still can participate, that they still can create joy, that they still can have fun.”
Mekis wrote the production in honor of her husband, Jim Meyer, after receiving “not really welcome news” a couple of years ago about his health.
She penned the role with the intent of Meyer playing the part of “Jawbone Jim,” but his health and persistent cough prevented him from performing, although he did serve as co-director, alongside Barbara Klein.
“I was flattered, and I appreciated it,” Meyer said, adding that the production has set a new standard with the PTP due to its creativity and crowd engagement.
The shows are free, but donations are accepted. The performers put together their own costumes and props, and other members, such as Meyer, Mekis and Klein, provide equipment or funds “out of pocket.”
Every show, seniors were able to donate and sing along to the western tunes of Jawbone Jim. Corny one-liners— “What does the cowboy say to the pencil? ‘Draw, partner!'” — are part of the show’s upbeat gimmick.
There are people in the production, such as Jody White, 97, who spend as much time singing and dancing as the rest of the group. White, much like the other senior performers, goes through special arrangements just to gain access to a vehicle and transport them to venues for each performance.
For Tyra “T-Lily” McNair, who played Wagon Wheel Wanda, seeing people in their 90s was an inspirational moment for her.
“They would never miss rehearsal, and they would know their lines,” McNair, who is in her early 50s, said. “It inspired me to be the best Wagon Wheel Wanda. They are in their 90s, but their mentality is awesome. It had me saying, ‘God, let me live to be 90. Let me give love because you’re not dead.’ And I think a lot of old people stay at home and wait to die. These women that I worked with, their minds were just so great. I couldn’t believe it… Even when you’re in your 90s, you still have your heart.”
David Rousseue, who played Hang ‘Em High Hank, was described by the others on the crew as the level-headed one. Rousseue said he has been part of more than 50 productions in his lifetime, and he has an appreciation for performing.
[aesop_quote type=”pull” background=”#fefdff” text=”#000000″ width=”500px” height=”100px” align=”left” size=”1″ quote=”As a spectator, you get to see the people on stage— all the different people and the age range— and be excited at the fact that, ‘Hey, look at these people. They’re doing it. Maybe I can too.’ ” cite=”David Rousseue” parallax=”on” direction=”left”] “Well, I love to sing, I love to be on stage, I love to act, so I was very comfortable the whole time,” Rousseue said. “When I first started acting, and I was 38, I threw up before every show for two weeks. And then I realized that the people are in the audience because they want to see us. Once I finally realized they were on our side, I get very few nerves now. Most people say I’m the most relaxed person they have come across before shows. I just love doing it, and I know the people appreciate it, and I just like giving up myself, and so I do— all that I have.”
Claudia Ellis, who played Cactus Flower Claudia, recalls seeing people in the audience— elderly folk— getting engaged and muttering the words to some of the songs. Despite being French, Ellis said that she felt comfortable singing and dancing along to local tunes, adding that some of them have even been translated from her native tongue.
“To us, this is our paycheck— to be appreciated,” she said. “We do the best we can. Don’t fall asleep watching us. Of course, people get very old, and they have trouble paying attention, but get with it! The show was really easy to get with it. I could see the audience singing. One of the last shows in Lakewood, I could see people muttering the songs… So, I was feeling good about the team and the subject of it. I would just like to see more appreciation for what we do, because we deserve it. We are deserving.”
She echoed Meyer’s words that the bar has been set high coming off the heels of the Jawbone Jim production.
Tom Slack, who played Texas Tom, said he would get butterflies before every show. Slack said his perspective on the production was more about the way it influences the people around him— the seniors in the audience who need the performances to feel alive again.
“I’ve thought about it a bit, and I think it makes a statement on how different groups of people can come together and interact and get along and organize and do something positive for others for free,” Slack said. “Not out of a selfish motive. Just to give something back because you know that your life has been blessed. It makes a statement about that… It’s an experience to get up and stand outside yourself. It’s not about me. What these people are experiencing— they might be going through hell, and I wouldn’t want to walk 10 feet in these people’s shoes. You can see all these disabilities— maybe physically, maybe emotionally, maybe spiritually, maybe morally— who knows? What you say, what you do and how you present your part of the show might make a huge difference in how they view the rest of their lives.”
The PTP has been recognized by other media outlets, such as KCAL9 and CBS, in their programming. Mekis said getting appreciation from others is encouraging, but she still wishes to see more people present at the shows.
Mekis added that she is attempting to get grant money for the PTP.
“The only money they get that I can see are these small amounts of donations that they get at each show,” she said. “Very, very nominal… It’s pretty pathetic.”
Meyer said each performance costs $1,000 and agreed with Mekis that the group needs more finances, jokingly adding that he needs to start “working the corner.”
Meyer did mention that the Jawbone Jim crew is one of the best casts he has worked with.
“There wasn’t negativity with the group,” he said. “Nobody walked away thinking that they were in competition with anyone. That they got the limelight. There wasn’t any single song out there that someone walked out and said, ‘OK, spotlight, come out— it’s my turn!’ There were no egos out there, and I was impressed.”
The PTP’s next production, which will showcase what seniors can do, will be entitled Seniors Got Talent, a parody of America’s Got Talent.
McNair, who is preparing for her own independent production called Granny, said being a part of the PTP was one of the best things she has ever done in her life. She found fulfillment in working with the crew and especially in performing for the elderly.
“I was so touched because I saw seniors in wheelchairs— they were [mentally challenged], and they were rolling them in,” McNair said. “And my heart dropped. I mean, I take so much for granted… They’re seniors, they’re drooling on themselves, but they’re clapping. It made me cry. We don’t think about people that are disabled. I know I don’t. And we’re able to come and bring them joy, and that’s what it’s about— laughter and joy. That’s what love is.”
