‘Homeless’ actors raise funds for families through farce

WASILLA — The Homeless Actors of Mat-Su hope to spread the love next weekend by performing two productions to raise money for Alaska Attachment and Bonding Associates.

The plays — “The Boor” and “The Marriage Proposal,” both written by Anton Chekhov — are classic representations of “Russian views on love,” according to HAMS actor and “artistic director” Mathew Firman. As such, the dinner theater event will appeal most to people with, perhaps, less sentimental feelings toward Valentine’s Day.

The Boor features a small cast: a widow and a landowner — neither of whom seem to know what they want — and the widow’s servant.

Christine Lloyd, who plays the widow — and acts as HAMS CEO — said her character “doesn’t want to be bothered with anyone” or leave the house after the death of her husband several months earlier. Then Firman’s character shows up at her door asking for the repayment of the deceased’s debt to him, at which point a raucous argument ensues. The argument turns into a debate regarding what love is, resulting in the man challenging the woman to a duel, during which they discover the seemingly strange truth about their feelings for one another.

“It’s almost like (Shakespeare’s) ‘Taming of the Shrew,’” Lloyd said, of The Boor.

The Marriage Proposal is similar, she said. A landowner in his 30s wants to marry a young woman 10 years his junior. Her father offers his blessing at first, but after an argument between the man and the woman regarding a piece of land each thinks belongs to them, the father decides it’s a bad match. Despite the argument, however, the woman wants to marry the man. The parties in favor of the marriage keep changing as the subject of the argument gets more and more petty, until finally, a decision is reached.

“It’s a very dry show,” Firman said.

As “untraditional” as the humor and love stories may seem to some, by American standards, perhaps they are fitting for the benefiting organization — one that understands “untraditional” love.

Alaska Attachment and Bonding is a nonprofit organization that address children’s emotional disorders, such as Reactive Attachment Disorder, or RAD, with training, support and advocacy for adoptive parents and foster families.

According to Administrative Assistant Laura Wagner, oftentimes adopted or foster children have a hard time adapting to a new family environment.

“Kids can’t attach to the new family because they don’t trust adults,” Wagner said.

When that is the case, some parents get so frustrated they wonder if they made the right decision to take in a child born to someone else, she said.

“It’s a different type of parenting,” Wagner said.

To prevent these “new” parents from giving up and to support healthy family bonds, Alaska Attachment offers specific education on foster and adoptive care by phone or email, and through referral, self-advocacy, newsletters, brochures, workshops, conferences, support groups and an onsite library.

Rather than sending the child elsewhere, Wagner said, the focus should be on creating a positive home atmosphere that can be maintained through adulthood.

“They can be helped, they just gotta be parented in the right way,” she said.

The collaboration with HAMS for a performance fundraiser is a first for Alaska Attachment, Wagner said, one she hopes will prove fruitful.

The HAMS hope so, too.

“The cheaper we can do shows, the better, that way we can give more money,” Firman said.

HAMS are also looking for thespians to add to their troupe on a rolling basis, and interested actors and actresses are encouraged to contact Christine Lloyd at 376-4252.

Performances are at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 13 to Feb. 15 in the back of Mat-Su Family Restaurant off the Parks Highway in Wasilla.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for children, seniors and military, and can be purchased online via PayPal at akhams.org. Laura Wagner also is selling tickets at the Alaska Attachment office, 619 S. Knik-Goose Bay Rd., Suite J, Wasilla.

For more information on Alaska Attachment and Bonding Associates, visit akattachment.org.

Contact Caitlin Skvorc at 352-2266 or caitlin.skvorc@frontiersman.com.