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Retirees put on a show from the good old days

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By Clare Marie Celano
Correspondent

JACKSON – Retirement does not have to mean sitting around without productive, creative things to do to make life meaningful. Just ask Rose Ciaburri, who has offered active retirees a way to use their talents right in their own community.

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Ciaburri, who is a resident of the Four Seasons at South Knolls adult community in Jackson, formed a theater guild in the community.

She and Marie Esposito Besignano recently co-directed a show that was presented in the community ballroom. “The Good Old Days” saw more than 50 residents participate in the production.

The show was comprised of skits and vignettes from the world of television, theater and film as it was in the 1950s and early 1960s. Cast members wore leather jackets and poodle skirts to perform comedy and musical memories.

“We also included some memorable TV advertisements which still play in everyone’s childhood minds,” Ciaburri said. “Most of all, the residents and their family members and friends had a chance to experience once more the fun they had growing up in the 1950s and 1960s.”

Ciaburri said the memories that played out on stage included scenes from “The Honeymooners” and “The Mickey Mouse Club,” songs from “My Fair Lady,” “Hello Dolly” and “Oklahoma,” and commercials for Barbasol shaving cream, Oscar Mayer hot dogs, Slinky toys and Old Spice cologne. Doo Wop music recalled the era and according to Ciaburri, “the audience ate it up.”

Ciaburri moved to the Four Seasons two-and-a-half years ago with her husband, Charlie, after residing in Middletown for 30 years.

During her working career, Ciaburri was the director of marketing for the Navesink House, Red Bank, a continuing community care retirement community, and the director of communications with the Chelsea at Manalapan, an assisted living facility. She has performed in and directed community theater for many years.

Ciaburri said she knew that when it came time for her and her husband to retire, the community of their choice would have to fit their lifestyle; a lifestyle that included being active in the arts.

“Even as a child, I was comfortable in front of an audience,” she said.

Ciaburri said she formed a five-person theater guild a little more than a year ago to shine a light on the many talents of her fellow residents in the Four Seasons.

Speaking about the recent performances, she said, “We had auditions and anyone who wanted to participate was given the opportunity to do so. No one was turned away.”

Ciaburri said most residents of the Four Seasons prefer not to have a nine to five job anymore, but keep themselves very busy.

“With over 40 clubs and committees to join, this 55-plus community has many talented residents from all walks of life. With that in mind, a new theater guild was formed this past year. It consists of five residents, all with a flair for the theater,” she said.

Ciaburri said that after a meeting among the members of the guild, “The wheels began turning” and a residents’ talent show was created.

“The theme, of course, would be something near and dear to everyone’s heart, ‘The Good Old Days.’ Word went out and the writing began, auditions were held and a vibrant choreographer, also a resident, volunteered her services. The technical side of the show was established with lights, camera, action and of course, the music,” she said.

In addition to Ciaburri, the following residents are also members of the guild: Frank Ricucci, a retired mechanical engineer, served as technical producer for the show. Ben Leibowitz, a licensed marriage and family therapist and adjunct professor at William Paterson University, provided narration for the show. Maria Esposito Besignano, co-director, added her musical talents to the show. She previously worked as a licensed clinical social worker. Frank Perricone, a violinist, has performed many one-man shows in the community ballroom. He is a member of the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra.

Dance moves were choreographed by resident Amy Castro and resident Steve Rankin was the sound technician.

“We ended the show by singing ‘God Bless the USA’ by Lee Greenwood. What I wanted to do was bring people together and I was happy to be a part of that. Once we were all strangers, now we are friends,” Ciaburri said.

Guests had a great time, according to Ciaburri, who said several audience members asked if they could perform in next year’s production.

When asked if another show is in the works, Ciaburri said, “We all had so much fun and right now we are still just basking in the afterglow. But if they want another show, sure, we’ll do it.”

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