Grumbles and chuckles in new Marco Players production

Photo by QUENTIN ROUX, Staff
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Len Becker, Chuck Daye and Beverly Dahlstrom star in the Marco Players' production of A Bench in the Sun, a poignant, but gag-filled comedy about growing older. Quentin Roux/Staff

Photo by QUENTIN ROUX, Staff
Buy this photo »

Actor Len Becker checks his apprearance backstage on opening night of the comedy, A Bench in the Sun, now playing at the Marco Players theater in the Marco Town Center. Behind is fellow actor Chuck Daye. Quentin Roux/Staff

Billed as a sweet senior comedy filled with gags and one-liners, “A Bench in the Sun” is the latest production now playing at the Marco Players theater in the Town Center.

The Ron Clark play stars Chuck Daye, Len Becker and Beverly Dahlstrom, and revolves around the two men who live in a retirement home.

When a new female resident with a glamorous past sashays onto the scene, sparks begin to fly.

A twist is that when the home faces closure, the threesome form a common bond.

Becker plays Harold, an upbeat, well dressed senior in love with life. Daye’s Burt is crabby, and he never changes from his PJs.

Until Dahlstrom’s Adrienne arrives, the two codgers spend their days on the bench in the sun, bickering and philosophizing about life, their past and the boredom of retirement living.

Becker has appeared in many Players shows, and describes the play as poignant and something that should resonate with many theatergoers who accept the onset of old age as a passage of life.

Daye, a former federal government engineer, is a seasoned actor and artist, and has appeared in nine Players productions over the past 12 years.

Dahlstrom, who also directs, is a singer, actress, producer and director, and is the Players’ president.

The theater, which underwent a complete revamp two years ago, has an intimate, “mini-Broadway” atmosphere that is complemented by plush stadium seats.

Shows are 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with 3 p.m. matinees on Sundays during the run.

Tickets, at $20 are available the box office on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 4 to 7 p.m., or by calling 642-7270.