Two Women in their 80’s Have a Dream Come True
40 Years Later:
Their Original Musical About the Great French Actress Sarah Bernhardt is Being Produced!
Hello and welcome back to the 68th episode of Loving Later Life, and I have to say that you are in for such a very special treat. You’re about to hear a story proving the fact that it is never, ever too late to see your dreams come true.
This is a story of two incredible women in their 80’s…one of whom is my mother. It is a story of friendship, of courage, tenacity, resilience, love, and passion. It is a story that comes full circle spotlighting relationships, perseverance, and timing.
I am so excited to say that due to a change in their schedule while my mom was in town for a presentation they were doing about Sarah at Dominican University, I was able to grab them for 30 minutes for an impromptu recording at a small park sitting at a picnic table.
You all met my mom Elaine Lang Ockner in episode 35 of LLL and if you haven’t listened to it yet, you must check it out after you listen to this episode.
She is is a pianist/composer, and Musical Director. She has composed the music for many musical stage productions and created original music for Bravo’s TV documentaries on the lives of Sarah Brightman, Jackie Chan and Nathan Lane. She was also pianist and Musical Director for Princess Cruises, Royal Viking, and Sitmar Cruise Lines.
My mom met June Richards in 1979. June is a professional actress, theatre director and emeritus professor. June created theatre programs for Dominican University, Contra Costa College, and served as Chair of Visual and Performing Arts at San Diego City College, and has directed more than 100 productions.
Since they met, they’ve been dear friends and artistic partners. Over the years their collaboration created many theatrical projects and wacky adventures behind the scenes.
As single mothers they persisted even as they experienced heartache and sadness with relationships and loss of loved ones; choosing not to be taken down but instead to focus on their creative passion.
One constant thread in the quilt of their creations was a musical they wrote in the 1980’s of the story of Sarah Bernhardt, the renowned French actress who also defied the odds and never gave up.
Fast forward 40+ years later to right now, their musical “The Divine Sarah” has been selected out of over 40 submissions of new works by the Ross Valley Players in Marin County, California to be produced this month, March 2024.
Ironically, 100 years after Sarah’s death, Paris recently had a Sarah Bernhardt exhibition. Vogue magazine had a spread, and Barbra Streisand is a super fan, talking about Sarah in her new book. (And if you’re listening Ms. Barbra, there is a ticket waiting for you at the theatre!)
Loving Later Life listeners, if you want to be moved and inspired, you must listen to these women tell their story. Annnd, be sure to listen all the way through because I got special permission to share with you a one-minute sneak preview of one of the songs played by my mom, the composer, Elaine Lang Ockner.
So now, picture if you will, I’m sitting at a picnic table with these two beautiful and talented women in the warm sun, birds chirping, (the occasional car driving by), and my phone resting on the table to record their incredible story….
Not be missed take-ways:
- It’s not too late to pursue your dreams, whether you’re 60, 70, or 80+!
- Trust how things work out. Sometimes it’s just not the right time.
- Ask for and accept support from others.
- Exciting things happen in later life when you are a willing participant!
And your mission, that I hope you’ll choose to accept…
Come see the show if at all possible, and at the very least, go after your dreams! It’s not too late!
Thank you so much for listening! And until the next time, live passionately, vulnerably, and keep loving later life!
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