If you know anything about Encores - they put on rarely produced musicals. This one, by Kander and Ebb, appeared in 1971 just after Cabaret and just before Chicago but just didn't make it big.
This show is literally a show within a show - it was an attempt to give "older" folks a place in the spotlight as well as a role in the play on stage. So clever. Despite this fact, unfortunately, it seems that Follies (another show about old people) just opened on Broadway before this one - and the word on the street is that this one just couldn't compete. Oh well - that's how things work out sometime. It only ran for 35 performances.
Olympia Dukakis (Moonstruck)
Charlotte Rae (Facts of Life)
Mary Jo Calett (Pearl, Different Strokes)
Carole Cook (Hello Dolly)
Bob Dishy (Broadway/TV/Film)
Tina Fabrique (Broadway Legend)
George S. Irving (Long Broadway Career)
Anita Gillette (Broadway/TV legend)
and a company of "not so old", old timers!
Everyone was supurb. Encores only runs for a week, so all the performances are staged with the actors using their libretos. It's informal, yet still effective. And with this cast of characters you barely even noticed.
From the very top of the show - it was "all out" fun on stage. I hope I get to do this show when I'm 70!
We'll just have to see who else makes it along with me!