Page 52 - 2018AugSept

You Know You're Old When...

by Rose-Mary Rumbley
ou know you're old when you remember going to a
dinner theatre. What fun that was! You are probably
Ywondering why the dinner theatres faded from the scene.
Actually, there are some still in business, but they are few and far
between. The Dallas dinner theatres are gone!
Well, for one thing, the theatres closed because the owners got our grades began to slip, but we didn't care. We were acting!
greedy. So what's new? They began to cut back on the quality In the 1960s and 1970s I appeared in many of the shows at the
of the food. Who wanted to pay over $40 for a rotten dinner? dinner theatres. Whenever they needed a character actress, I
Secondly, the actors wanted more money. They got greedy like was fortunate to be chosen. I remember one play in particular.
the owners. And then, the audiences wanted stars, and the "has- I portrayed the mother of Kookie Edd Byrnes who starred in
beens" that were on the dinner theatre circuit were asking for the TV series, 77 Sunset Strip. Remember "Hey, Kookie, lend
way too much money. And then, as I always said, "They ran me your comb!" He had what were called "Duck Tails," a very
out of good funny plays." After all, even Neil Simon could only popular hair style for men in the 60s.
create a certain amount of humor. After a dinner, there must be My daughter, about 10 years old, wanted to go to the show. It
comedy. Who would want to have a fine feast followed by the was a stupid comedy, so I agreed. Well, at intermission, a man
miseries of Hamlet? The audience wanted to laugh! in the audience dropped dead. Yikes! What to do! Well, the
The Barksdale Dinner Theatre in Richmond, Virginia, in 1953, audience was in agreement, "Finish the show!" They were not
always claimed to be the first dinner theatre in the country. acquainted with this poor guy who unfortunately wasn't going to
Well, I beg to differ. In 1950, we in the drama department at see the second act. So the show went on!
the University of North Texas created what we called "Supper When the show was over, daughter Jill was waiting for me in
Theatre." We all wanted to act more than the classes at the the dining room. I came from back stage and found her standing
university were offering, so a bunch of us, headed by Tom by the table where the man had died. When I walked up, she
Hughes, who later became the producer of the Dallas Summer declared, "Mother, you are right. Look at this table--cigarettes
Musicals, asked a cafe owner in downtown Denton if we could and liquor! You smoke. You drink. You die!"
come in and give a play after he had served the dinner. The cafe I disciplined my children with fear! I had told them if they
owner said, "Yes!" and Supper Theatre was born. We had a smoked and drank, they would die. Now, there was living proof
great audience every Friday and Saturday night. The problem of that statement!
came when we were giving so much attention to Supper Theatre,

The Schola Book Club - Come Join Us!

by Dee Alford
id you know there is a wonderful book club in the North
Texas Metroplex? It is the Schola Club. This club was
Dfounded in 1966 by Sue Polson who invited some friends The club meets at RWC on the third Thursday of each month from
to her home to form a book club for those who lied to read good October through May, except for December. Fellowship with
books and had an appreciation for literature. Her aim was the refreshments occurs from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., after which
reading of good books, as well as listening to a good book review the group listens to a one-hour review of a book selected by the
in the company of friends. Of course, refreshments would be reviewer. Members of the club do not have to read the presented
served. The group chose the name “Schola,” which means a book but are encouraged to do so.
learned person having a keen interest in and a good knowledge of Why not ask your Senior Housing or Recreation Center to make
a particular subject. going to a Schola meeting one of your monthly activities?
By 1994, the group increased in membership, necessitating the The RWC parking lot can accommodate vans.
move to larger quarters at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church.
The club attracted well known reviewers such as Rosemary Do come and “check us out” for just a $5.00 admission fee for
Rumbly and Nella Phillips, who still entertain us today. a one-time visit. Hopefully, you will want to join our friendly
In 1999, because of it’s continued growth, the club made another group of book lovers for $55.00 for 7 months of fun and learning.
For further information, call Schola’s membership chair, Jennifer
move to it’s present location at the Richardson Women’s Club at Eaton at 972-907-0767 or on her cell phone at 214-686-7868.
2005 North Cliffe Drive next to Sherrill Park Golf Course. There Betty LeBlanc, Schola’s president can be reached at 214-803-
is plenty of parking for all. 6418.

Dolores M. Alford - Schola Sunshine Chair
page 50 | www.celebrationmagazine.com