12
August 2016
The News of Sun City Center
News of Freedom Plaza
John Adams (Mal Parrish) delivers a fiery speech in the Freedom Plaza Players production “Let Freedom Ring” in the Freedom Plaza Auditorium.
By Peggy Burgess There is a big gap between a fourthgrade girl’s first attempt to write a story, which she called “The Little Red Barn”, and the script for a recent stage production of the Plaza Players: Diane Turcotte, resident of Freedom Plaza, was the author of both. That “big gap” in Diane’s life was filled by education, marriage, family, a career position with Social Security and, eventually, retirement to Sun City Center. Then, four years ago, came a move to Freedom Plaza and her second venture into creative writing with stage plays and musicals for the Plaza Players. In capacities other than script writing, Diane Turcotte has been engaged, over the years in community theatre. Her involvement began in Natchez, Mississippi when she and husband, Bill, lived there and participated in that city’s annual Natchez Pilgrimage and its theatrical activities.
For Bill Turcotte, this Natchez experience was a return to the familiar, for his grandfather had been in Minstrel shows and his father active in community theatre. Bill, himself, was on stage frequently during high school and college. Then his further education (Masters Degree in Education) and his vocation as teacher, school principal and school superintendent, plus family responsibilities, took precedence over performance Upon retirement to Sun City Center the Turcottes pursued their mutual interest in theatre and became active-both onstage and offstage--in Pelican Players, Bill serving as president of that organization. It was only natural that their move to Freedom Plaza heralded the formation of a drama club, the Plaza Players, with Diane and Bill Turcotte leading the way. Plaza Players presently has a membership of 78 and offers several stage productions each year.
BetsyRoss (Helen Halm) and George Washington (Chip Churchill), members of Freedom Plaza Players, display early flag in Freedom Plaza’s “Let Freedom Ring” stage show.
Abigail Adams (Dorothy Cadmus) in Freedom Plaza Players production "Let Freedom Ring".
The latest, “Let Freedom Ring”, retold the history of America through “visitors” from the past: Patrick Henry, George Washington, John and Abigail Adams and Betsy Ross and others. All characters— to include those of Bob Hope and the Andrew Sisters representing the WWII era--were portrayed by members of the Plaza
Players. A chorus if 15 resident singers, lead by Carole Austin, furnished appropriate music throughout the program. The three students in this stage classroom were none other than the Turcotte’s own grandchildren, Katie and Meagan Daum and Cole Padini, grandson of residents Joe and Pearl Birnbaum. As well as providing an entertaining and informative head-start on the Fourth of July Holiday, “Let Freedom Ring”, reminded us that all Americans, of all ages, should remember and revere the past of our great country, and that We The People, make its history. P.S. An invitation to try our new, in-house dining facility, the American Grille, was issued in July’s News of Freedom Plaza article. In order to provide superior service to our residents and their invited guests, the Grille, with its limited space, is now closed to the general public.
Erick Safsten 813-634-7100
The Andrew Sisters, members of Freedom Plaza Players, are portrayed by (L to R) Ruth Kay Overhue, Carole Austin and Sue Stephens in “Let Freedom Ring” in the Freedom Plaza Auditorium
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