Magic Time by Debby Myers
- Liz Flaherty
- May 17
- 4 min read
Jack Lemmon would say, "It's magic time," before each take, and then he'd step out there and create magic every time. It's what my friend Debby Myers and other community theater devotees do every time they step into the venue where they work. Welcome back, Deb, and thanks for coming. - Liz
Hello all – so pleased to be back with Liz today!
I’d like to share a new story with you about the theater I love, Ole Olsen Memorial Theater. I’ve written a couple of times about directing shows there, but I realized I haven’t filled you in about my own acting experience in their shows.
I just finished performing a show that has a special place in my heart, because I was in it the last time Ole put it on stage in 1998. I was 34 years old. I was blessed to be onstage then with Anne Loy. Anne played the part of the grandmother, Ethel. I played her granddaughter, Roz. I knew I wanted to do the show again this season, but this time, 27 years later, it was time for me to be grandmother Ethel.
After my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 2016, I made up my mind that I was no longer able to act on the stage because of my lack of mobility and the inconsistency in my health. I would continue to work behind the scenes directing and serving on the Board of Directors. After 30 years with the group, I’d been fortunate to have had good roles in 17 plays, including lead parts in Night of January 16th, Moon Over Buffalo, Steel Magnolias, See How They Run, Three Murders and It’s Only Monday, and Dixie Swim Club. I thought I had accepted that I was retired from acting. I was wrong.
In 2024, after five solid years of my disease remaining stable, I felt strong enough to try again. Ole Olsen was putting on a new comedy. The Crimson Cap Ladies Bare It All a play about four older women. I could play an old woman who walked with a cane. I auditioned. I was very fortunate that director Shanna Stoll took a chance on me. After eight years, I conjured up the courage to take the stage again. No matter how many times you’ve done it, there’s a fear factor every time.
I was humbled by the amount of care and attention I received from my castmates throughout the production. I did use my cane, and I was instructed to sit down on stage whenever I needed to. The other three ladies helped me with costume changes too. They were all unbelievable. And once I’d done it, I had been bitten again by the bug and had a renewed sense of confidence in myself that I’d lost.
This year I decided I wanted to do it again. And I found out that playing older ladies fit me – I’d become one! In Frankenstein- A Monster Story, I played the mother of Dr. Frankenstein. Again, I was able to use my cane and was watched over by the cast and crew. Those of you who haven’t been involved in theater should know that when you’re in a play, the people you work with to bring it to life become like family. Throughout the run we agree, and we disagree, and we ultimately come together to entertain our audiences and be the best we can be individually and as an ensemble.
This time being in Moon Over Buffalo reminded me why I’ve been doing this for 30 years. Along with seasoned veterans I worked with in Frankenstein, there were two women in the show who hadn’t been on our stage for a long time. Being able to act with them and connect with them was priceless. I think it reminded both of them why once theater gets in your veins, it is hard to shake. Knowing that if I’d stayed in retirement, I would have missed doing this show gives me more energy than ever knowing no matter what your limitations are, you have this family to help and welcome you in.
And you have your audience. The ones you do it for who remind you how much it also means to them. In closing I’ll say this. While in the receiving line after the show, I heard comments like these below that are the reason I do it.
“You were my favorite! You made me laugh and laugh.”
“I want to be Ethel’s friend. You made her fun!”
“I couldn’t stop watching all the faces you made!”
“You should have done this for a living, you’re THAT good.”
And from the original Ethel, Anne Loy, “I don’t think my Ethel was brave enough to have attempted a striptease!”
Season tickets go on sale July 1st for the coming season. Shows on the slate are The 39 Steps, Heck the Dolls with Chardonnay, Beverly Hillbillies- The Musical, and Murder on the Orient Express that I will be directing. I’m not sure if I’ll make it on stage again, but I am glad I gave myself another chance to play!
Congrats on some fun shows. Moving into the older roles can be humbling, but if you embrace it as you have, it's fun. I remember the first time I picked up a script for a show I was doing and realized I needed reading glasses. And that was 20 years ago!