Home Care A Love Story is a romantic comedy drawn from the very personal experience of one 52-year-old Coast man and his home care worker.
When Robert MacDonald moved to the Sunshine Coast 12 years ago, he was an active publisher, writer and editor of a newspaper for the Native Brotherhood. But when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, the activity ground to a halt.
"Depression is imbedded in Parkinson's," said MacDonald. "I was living in the woods on my own trying holistic ways of healing, but being very depressed."
When he finally acknowledged that he needed help, he was in awe of the angels that began showing up at his door: the home care workers. They helped him with meals, dressing, medications; mostly they brought him back to life and out of the depths of Parkinson's fatigue. He became particularly attracted to one, Allithia Reid, the co-author of the play that will be performed for three shows only on Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons.
"She inspired me to do this," said MacDonald of Reid. "She is the co-writer and co-director. What brought me back from depression is that I have talent. My passion is to write. I developed the concept and she jumped in to help."
The play is set in Gibsons and many of the lines that the actors will speak in the play are drawn directly from MacDonald's own experience.The play speaks to universal themes of aging, caring and love. Using tender and humorous vignettes, a central storyline develops showing a home care worker, Sara, who encounters complications as romantic feelings develop between herself and a client. She finds herself challenged to step beyond her fears, to take some personal and professional risks in order to follow her heart.
In Home Care, Driftwood Players' actor Bill Forst plays the part of the real life MacDonald while other actors, some experienced and some beginner, play a variety of parts. Janet Hodgkinson plays Sara. Dianna Barton, also of Driftwood (last seen in Never Swim Alone), plays the cowardly lion, and Driftwood's Karen Careless is Lucille. Other characters include Leif Mjanes as a bouncer/angel, Russell Pape, Wendy Crumpler, Adrienne Ucciferri, Peter Morgan and Geri Bodmer. Robert Grimsdick, a 93-year-old competitor in Sunshine Coast Idol, will sing (he nearly steals the show, said MacDonald), and Brittany Robertson dances. Elvis Pacheco, a care home staff member, takes care of the props and stage sets.
Since writing this play, MacDonald has moved out of the woods to an assisted living suite at Christenson Village and he's thrilled at how the residents and staff have backed him up in this production. The Saturday matinée will likely be packed with a busload of audience from the residence.
Proceeds from the $15 ticket price (or two for $25) will go towards the Parkinson's Society, Christenson Village and the Food Bank. Tickets are available at Coast Books or phone 604-886-3888. If available, tickets will also be at the door for $20. Curtain time is 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 and 21 with a 2 p.m. matinée on Feb 21.
