CARING COMMUNITIES

Bridgewater Roxies appear in new film

Jasmine Wang
Editorial Intern
  • "Second Chance" is a new film by Pittstown resident and actor Tom Wardach
  • It's a real warmhearted, funny film, really inspired by my desire to show seniors and senior facilities in a different light," Wardach said
  • Among its cast are members of the Bridgewater Roxies, an all-female senior performance group made up of members of the Bridgewater Senior Center
  • The dancers reflect the spirit of the film

BRIDGEWATER – Rob Prescott is a depressed and unemployed middle-aged man who ventures out reluctantly in search of a job at a local nursing home. There, Prescott meets several quirky and wise senior citizens who rejuvenate him and brighten his perspective on life.

That's the straightforward plot of the 33-minute film, "Second Chance," which had its preview screening Tuesday at the Bridgewater Senior Center.

Why there? Because in a way, art imitates life in this film produced and directed by Pittstown resident and actor Tom Wardach. He found a perfect example of the spirit of the film in the Bridgewater Roxies, an all-female senior performance group made up of center members. As a result, the Roxies are part of the film, and the dancers, as well as center members, got an early glimpse of the finished product.

Wardach said that he conceived of the idea of writing a film about senior citizens after meeting friends of his late father, who lived his last years in a nursing home.

Several members of the Bridgewater Roxies surround Tom Wardach, producer of the film, "Second Chance" at the exclusive preview screening at the Bridgewater Senior Center.

"You look at people in a nursing home, and you don't realize the life that preceded this time. You don't realize how interesting some of these people can be. It's a real warmhearted, funny film, really inspired by my desire to show seniors and senior facilities in a different light," said Wardach.

The film also gave Wardach an opportunity to write and cast himself in an  interesting role. "I was going to a lot of auditions and kept getting cast as the doctor or the lawyer or the professional guy," said Wardach.

Although Wardach began writing more than a year ago, the  film was shot in just four days. Casting was one of the most difficult parts, according to Wardach.

Wardach discovered the Roxies when his daughter mentioned that her friend's grandmother, Barbara Hart, was a dancer. Hart, who has been a member of the Roxies since March 2009, said that dancing in the film was an exciting experience for the group.

"We shot our scenes at Heath Village (nearHackettstown), where most of the film takes place. Tom and his whole staff were just so wonderful to us and so accommodating. And we got to see how a film is made," Hart said.

According to Dottie Turse, a Bridgewater senior citizen who has been a member of the Roxies for nine years, filming and dancing were not as hard for the group as others might think.

"We filmed our dance five times total, but after we had performed it twice, the young people came up to us and said, 'We hate to ask this of you, but do you think you could do it a third time?' And well, of course, we practice three times a week. This is nothing! But I guess it was because of our great age," Turse said with a laugh.

A member of the Bridgewater Senior Citizens watches a screening of the new film "Second Chance" at the center Tuesday. The film includes members of the Roxies, a dance troupe based at the center,

"Second Chance" is the fourth film that Wardach has written, produced and directed. So far, it has been screened at Heath Village and at Tribeca Film Festival for his cast and crew.

"When the residents saw themselves in the movie, they would start screaming and carrying on. It was like being in a room full of high school students. And the average age was 90," said Wardach with a smile.

Although the film has been submitted to various film festivals and competitions, Wardach said he will not start hearing back until December. Until then, his fingers are crossed.

For more information or to hire the Bridgewater Roxies, contact Donna Langel at 908-575-8021. For more information on Tom Wardach, visit tomwardach.com