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By DONNA WHITEHEAD A troupe of thespian grandmothers from Norwalk, Wilton, Westport and Weston has been making the rounds at local schools por traying American historic figures such as George Washington and Benjamin Fran klin. Known as Nanny Aesop, the group of amateur actresses performs an original play by Weston resident Nancy Burkholder designed to educate children about the U.S. Constitution, American Revolution and Bill of Rights. Burkholder, a 53- year-old semi-re tired teacher, wrote the play then drew the cast to gether by advertis ing all over the county and holding readings of her play at local senior centers. Burk holder said she cre ated the script and Nanny Aesop in an effort to find the best use for her strengths and interests. “It is a good way to use my energies and talents,” she said. ‘‘It combines eve rything I love to do — working with chil dren, education and theater, writing plays and working with different groups of peo ple. What more could I have?~ Also recently becoming a grandmother for the first time inspired Burkholder to i t brought me back to when I was younger and in church plays.’ — Clara Ferguson work to bring senior citizens and youngsters together. My new granddaughter made me think of grandparents and their roles and how important they are,” she said. Burkholder’s play consists of three parts, ‘What is the Constitution Anyway?” “The Visitors” and ‘‘The Remedy, which trace the creation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Each part contains fig ures from history such as George Washing ton and Benjamin Franklin, as well as roles which are filled by the audience of students and teachers available at each performance. Burkholder said the play is also timely be cause of the recent celebration of the bicentennial of the Bill of Rights Sunday. Norwalk residents Clara Ferguson and Martha Eaton became involved in Nanny Aesop when Burk holder and her troupe read the play at the Carver Community Center. ‘After the reading I was just happy,” recalled Ferguson, a 81-year-old great grandmother. ‘‘It brought me back to when I was younger and in church plays.” Ferguson joined on the cast on spot, tak ing on the role of James Madison. When she discovered that Madison, at 5-feet, 5 inches was the shortest president in U.S. history, ” the petite Ferguson said she felt much more comfortable with her role. “When I discovered Madison was short, I really felt better,” she said. Eaton, 72, said she joined because, “‘It was something to do, other than play bingo. Once I joined, I enjoyed it very much.” Eaton took on the job of playing a multi tude of roles from farmers to revolu tionaries as a leader of the chorus. Some of the original members like Weston resident Dix Hecht, 70, joined in re sponse to Burkholder’s advertisement in local papers asking for ‘‘senior thespians.” “I thought it would be fun to do,” said Hecht. ‘‘I’m wild about kids.” Hecht in turn recruited Westport resi dent Filomena Papagno, 79, as “‘the best squeaky voice.” Papagno had the job of bringing the news of the new taxes from Eng land. She almost drowned once, she said with a laugh, when the blue paper Atlantic Ocean slipped under her feet during a scene. Weston residents Fran Hines, 65, and Bar bara Van Suetendael, 58, joined because they had enjoyed past stage experience in high school and community productions. “I liked to act and thought ‘Why not?’ ’ VanSuetendael said. At the first meeting VanSuetendael said she wanted to play Wi and she’s been playing the part ever since. Wilton resident Helen Murray, 70, and Weston resident Helen Burnell, 85, rounded out the cast. One of Hines’ favorite parts is when King George, played by a very gra cious Burnell, gives a raspberry to the col onists in response to their complaints about taxes. ‘“‘We’re teaching history with humor,” said Hines. Another favorite memory for the cast was when Mayor Frank Esposito joined the chorus loudly protesting the new taxes. ‘‘The whole house exploded ” said Hines. Nanny Aesop spent the summer re hearsing daily together at the Norwalk Sen ior Center. Some like Ferguson thrived on it. ‘Anytime there was a rehearsal, I was ready,” she said. Others became nervous about the fin ished product. “IT had no confidence in Nancy,” Hecht recalled, prompting a burst of laughter from the rest of the cast. ‘‘She’d say, ‘Trust me. It’s going to be wonderful. ‘ Hines, who portrayed Franklin, shared Hecht’s apprehension, ‘‘I didn’t see it at all when were in rehearsal. But when it came into play it was very rewarding.” After a debut performance at the Nor walk Senior Center, Nanny Aesop appeared at Columbus Magnet School, Fox Run Ele mentary School, as well as schools in Weston and Wilton. The members of the troupe feel they have all benefited from the experience in differ ent ways. “I learned about Ben Franklin and I hope I will remember what I learned,” Eaton said. “I got to know people I would not have met,” said Papagno. “I’ll never forget the faces of the chil dren,” Hines said. “Nancy made it such a success,” Hecht said. ‘‘Nancy’s words came true. I couldn’t get over how wonderful it was.” ‘“‘She’s as crazy as we are,” said Van Suetendael. “‘We’d follow her right off a cliff,” added Hecht. With the cast members’ donating their time, Nanny Aesop’s main expense has continued on next page Barbara Van Suetendael, left, as George Washington, confers with Fran Hines, right, as Ben Franklin in a scene from ‘‘What is the Constitution Anyway?” when the troupe appeared at the Norwalk Senior Center. Photo by Linda Bernhard Nanny Aesop cast members Martha Eaton, left, Clara Ferguson, center, and founder Nancy Burkholder. —Photo by Susan Warner
Newspaper Details
Norwalk News
Norwalk, Connecticut, US
Thu, Dec 19, 1991
Page 37
Full Page
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USA 20 Jan 2026
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