“Punk Grandpa” tells the story of a nearly 6-year-old girl who loves spending time with her somewhat eccentric grandfather, then learns when she graduates from college that he has developed Alzheimer’s disease.
But although the contemporary, autobiographical play, written by Laura Force Scruggs, has some poignant moments in it, it’s not mean to be sad, said director Mariana Green.
“It’s about embracing the silly fun person inside of you — and to think about who that person was for you who helped you do that, to remember you don’t need to be any certain particular way, you don’t need to adhere to society’s standards of what it means to be a successful person,” said Green, who lives in Chicago and grew up in California. Ten percent of the proceeds are being donated to the Alzheimer’s Association, Green said.
To prepare to direct the play, Green met with Scruggs, who had written it to be performed by one actress. Green suggested adding characters — and together they crafted seven characters, including a hamster with one line, to be part of the production.
“Laura was so excited about the idea of having so many characters on stage that she wanted me to go for it,” Green said. “She wanted me to run with whatever I saw.” So now there are two Lauras in the show, the 5 3/4 year old grand-daughter, and then Laura when she is in her early 30s, Green said.
Green directed the play last summer at a Waukegan theater festival, and it’s being reprised to include the original “Punk Grandpa” as well as some new actors.
“The story is about young Laura finding pride and love for and finding that encouragement from her grandpa,” Green said.
“He’s not punk because he loves music. He’s very much a swing man. She calls him a punk because he just doesn’t really go with the flow. He doesn’t follow all the rules. He’s kind of inappropriate at times.”
For example, in one part of the play Laura goes to the bank with her grandfather and on the way home, he starts pounding on the horn and driving on the sidewalk for no apparent reason.
“It contrasts with the very strict religious upbringing that she has. Every time Grandpa does something going against the rules, she’s the one to say, ‘Wait a minute, you’re not allowed to do that.’ But then Grandpa rationalizes it to her,” Green said.
Throughout the play, Green said, Laura shows how her grandfather “was this wonderful, wonderful, wonderful man and how she had to watch him deteriorate. But she shows how he never loses his humor.”
“Punk Grandpa” has been performed at the Chicago, Elgin and Orlando Fringe Festivals, Three Cat Productions, Chicago Solo Theatre, Hammond Academy for the Performing Arts, The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity in New York and the 2016 New York Frigid Festival.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
‘Punk Grandpa’
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 4-26
Where: Three Brothers Theatre, 115 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
Tickets: $15-$20
More Top Picks Best Gifts For Men
Information: 224-419-4325; www.3brostheatre.com