The Playbill Theatre Club is just the ticket for theater-lovers at Highland Springs

By Sunny McKinnon
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

In summer 2006, Erickson Retirement Communities was well on its way to bringing a new definition of retirement to Dallas. The buildings of Highland Springs were entering their final stages, and planning for the September opening was well under way.

However, while many individuals were anticipating the Erickson lifestyle—others brought together by a love of the theater—were already enjoying the camaraderie.

Act I
Jennette and Bascom Lynn have a long-standing appreciation of the performing arts. Originally from San Angelo, the Lynns first became interested in theatre in Midland, where they enjoyed the Midland Community Theatre’s productions. With a move to Dallas, the couple were among the first supporters of the then fledgling Alley Theatre.

So it was only natural that at a pre-opening event at the Highland Springs welcome center, the couple proposed the idea of forming a group to attend performances together.

“We started the club in June, before Highland Springs was even open and before anyone had moved in,” remembers Bascom Lynn, president of the group. “We had 20 at the first meeting, so it was obvious that there was interest. We said we needed to start a theater club, and everyone said, ‘Okay, you’re the president.’”

Thus began the Playbill Theatre Club of Highland Springs, which now has a membership of more than 60 residents, several of whom will be moving into Springdale Vista, the community’s newest building, scheduled to open this summer.

The script
One of the most active groups in the community, the Playbill Theatre Club holds monthly meetings, the fourth Friday of every month. The Selection Committee is responsible for proposing performances for the group to attend.

Each month, the committee researches and selects three possibilities for a drama, comedy, or mystery and three possibilities for a musical, musical groups, or classical productions.