By Kaydon Webber
Omaha Community Playhouse Examines Alzheimer’s Through the Lens of Dot
March 3rd, 2025
The Omaha Community Playhouse’s (OCP) production of Dot is a story about a family learning to deal with the development of Alzheimer’s in the family matriarch, Dotty. Dotty is played by Karen Fox and the show itself is set in a West Philadelphia African American home. When Dotty and her children reunite for the holidays, moods change as the family finds on Dotty isn’t acting as her usual self. The family is then forced to confront their identities, remember their past, and hold on to the present.
Though the subject material is heavy, director TammyRa aims to strike a balance between comedy and tragedy. TammyRa says, “I’m the type of director to make everything to look as natural as possible.” This production yearns to present an honest depiction of a family dealing with Alzheimer’s bring the humor out of a tragedy. TammyRa states, “…humor is healing… [and]…sometimes we have to laugh at life right.”
This script resonates with TammyRa on a personal level because she had lost her grandmother to Alzheimer’s in 2013. For many, Alzheimer’s is a topic that transcends personal background TammyRa says, “I feel like anybody can relate to this story…” Dot strives to show the challenges of Alzheimer’s from the hard times, to the humor and even the love that brings a family together. TammyRa says, “…no matter what you go through, if you do it together you can get through it.”
The OCP’s production of Dot will run until March 23rd. More information at omahaplayhouse.com
