Hunker Down • Encore Performance!
Written by Robert F. Benjamin
Performed by Duchess Dale and Don Converse
Teatro Paraguas presents a LIVE enhanced encore Zoom performance of Hunker Down, a whimsical tale of seniors coping with the COVID-19 crisis, written by Los Alamos playwright Robert F. Benjamin.
Hunker Down is a timely, heartwarming romantic comedy about older, single adults grappling with isolation during COVID times. During the spring 2020 shutdown, out of desperation, a lonely widow, Bari (played by Duchess Dale) pleads to visit with her curmudgeonly neighbor, Kevin (played by Don Converse). He refuses to meet in-person but offers a video call. Both are surprised by his response to her persistent appeals as she oversteps her intention. Inspired by his quirky “peace-within-solitude” to ward off loneliness, she plans her own solitary spiritual quest, contrary to his advice. Before she embarks on her quest, he makes an extraordinary proposal that confuses her but plants the seed for romance. She stumbles, he playfully challenges her core values, then they confront the destiny of their friendship during the pandemic.
Earlier performances of Scenes 1 and 2 were sponsored by AARP-New Mexico. This January production is the premiere of the full-length (3 scenes) play.
Hunker Down is an evocative, upbeat tale of single seniors struggling with the Great COVID Crisis of 2020.
A talk-back session with Robert F. Benjamin follows immediately after the play.
The performance is FREE, but a suggested donation of $10 is very much appreciated.
In order to register for the performance, please visit www.TeatroParaguas.org
A reply with the link will be sent to you. You may also request the link by email:
teatroparaguas@gmail.com.
Prior to stepping into becoming a “BabyZoomer” director for Almost Adults (Santa Fe) and The Adobe Theatre (Albuquerque), Duchess helmed the Santa Fe Playhouse productions of The Normal Heart and Marjorie Prime. Her extensive Southern California résumé credits run the gamut from her award-winning role as Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker to the beloved Truvy in Steel Magnolias. Last year she shared a golden opportunity to return to acting so she could share the stage with actor, Don Converse (who also doubles as her handsome husband in real life) onstage for Benchwarmers 2019 at the Playhouse.
Don has played theater roles, including musicals, in productions in Michigan and California, and now New Mexico, including Sid in The Pajama Game, George in Big, the Musical, and Amos in Big Fish, the Musical. He played Nevis in the 2016 Santa Fe Playhouse reading, Music Between Us. Don played the role as the voice of Big Brother in 1984, the part of Bernard in Flight Plan, and leading roles in Benchwarmers 2018 & 2019, both at the Playhouse. Most recently he was in the courtroom drama False Witness—The Trial of Humanity’s Conscience at the Swan Theater as Henry Ford. Don has also performed as a singer for audiences in many venues.
Teatro Paraguas has presented several plays by Robert F. Benjamin, including Parted Waters, Salt and Pepper, Not Quite Right, and Still in the Game.
Robert F. Benjamin is a late-blooming New Mexico playwright following a distinguished career as a research physicist and science educator. His plays are mostly about aging with grace, courage, and humor. His full-length plays produced in Santa Fe and elsewhere are Salt and Pepper, Not Quite Right (co-authored by Elaine Jarvik), Time Enough, plus readings of Galileo’s Footsteps. Also productions of twenty shorts plays, a short film, and an operetta. Robert is a proud member of the Albuquerque Theatre Guild. Robert was recently honored as a Living Treasure in Los Alamos County.
For further information, please visit www.TeatroParaguas.org or call 505-424-1601.
Contact:
Argos MacCallum • argos@TeatroParaguas.org • 505-577-2679
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Teatro Paraguas
3205 Calle Marie
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-424-1601
www.TeatroParaguas.org
*Duchess Dale is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association