A touring play about love, imagination, and life with memory loss is coming to Winona on Saturday, June 28, at 1 p.m. at the East Rec Center. St. Anthony, Minn.,-based Sod House Theater will present “Five More Minutes,” a new play written by Joy Dolo and Luverne Seifert that follows the lives of Don and Myrna, an aging, interracial couple who use their imaginations to cope and adapt as Myrna begins to experience symptoms of dementia. Using their imagination, Don and Myrna take fantastical vacations to locations all over the world until the lines between reality and imagination begin to blur. This whimsical and compassionate hour-long piece thoughtfully provides insights on the impact of dementia. The play will also be performed at Lanesboro’s St. Mane Theater on Friday, June 27, at 7 p.m.
The production is sponsored by the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Minnesota State Arts Board, and after the performance, Social Worker Adenike Ademola will offer knowledge and resources about the aging population, caregiving and dementia with materials for awareness and screening resources after the production.
“During our first run, audiences loved the play — often commenting on how moving it was to have a glimpse into a relationship dealing with this disease,” Artistic Director Darcey Engen said. “Audiences also deeply responded to the talkback led by a social worker who has information about caregiving, symptoms and new drug information. It had the feel of holding space for those who have gone or who are going through this. Being witness to those talkbacks, and past audience responses, it’s clear this is a major issue for many of us but not many places for all of us to engage with the disease. We’re delighted to approach this through an artistic lens.”
Stacy Holt McIntosh directs the play and George Keller and Luverne Seifter star as Don and Myrna.
For more information and tickets, visit www.sodhousetheater.org.