Paul Stroili’s A Jukebox for the Algonquin, currently onstage at Citadel Theatre, does not take place anywhere near the famous literary watering hole. Instead, everything happens in a recreation room at Placid Pines Senior Care Center in upstate New York. There, a group of elderly residents work hard to enliven their circumscribed days.
Like so many senior residences, people bring their very specific selves to a place designed to serve very general needs. The contrast between the public address system’s daily announcements and the quirky folks who hear them is stark. They speak of “indies” in independent housing, “asses” in assisted living and “longhorns” in the long-term unit—anything to add a dash of seasoning to their environment.
Confusing at first, it quickly becomes clear why Annie (Ellen Phelps) outrages a visitor by posing as a bigoted tour guide when she knows that she’ll easily be caught by Placid Pines staffer Josefina (Karla Corona). How else can Annie hang on to her spirit except by making a little mischief?
Then there’s Johnny (Kenneth Johnson) who collects money to buy an old Wurlitzer jukebox for the Algonquin Room. Insisting that he’s not an African American but “just an old Black (expletive),” Johnny has a strong bond with Dennis (Bob Sanders), a gay man who circulates a book on the historic Algonquin Round Table from the confines of his wheelchair. Dennis may not be able to cut a rug if they get a jukebox but he, like Annie, joins Johnny in his quest.
Unfortunately, the donation jar is not doing well. When a new resident, Peg (Elizabeth Rude), moves into a recently deceased resident’s apartment, she discovers marijuana growing among the plants. With the speed of The Producers’ Max and Leo realizing they can make more money with a Broadway flop than a hit, the four Placid Pines renegades decide to raise money for the jukebox by selling pot.
Director Scott Westerman and his cast push hard on the script’s one-liners. There are plenty of snappy ones, many off color and a few scatological. The show, which had a 2023 world premiere at Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre in Michigan, mixes complex issues of aging and mortality with broad humor and formulaic plot developments. Citadel’s production doesn’t do much to smooth these dueling elements. The sitcom tone of Act I makes the turn to sentiment in Act II somewhat heavy-handed.
That said, it’s hard to resist the interplay between Sanders as Dennis and Johnson as Johnny, two old men from two marginalized groups who share a desire for fellowship. The new custodian Chuck (Patrick Thornton), assigned on probation to the retirement community after his release from prison for a tragic crime, also tugs the heartstrings. Judging from the highly responsive audience, playwright Stoili’s message of finding purpose on the last leg of life’s journey resonates deeply.
A Jukebox for the Algonquin features a set by Catalina Niño, costumes by Danielle Reinhardt, lighting by Michael Trudeau and sound by Hannah Kwak. The production plays through May 18 at Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest. Running time is 2 hours and 15 minutes. Tickets are $45.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
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