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Play Raises Much-Needed Money For Denver Seniors

DENVER (CBS4) - A little bit of Broadway is coming to Colorado for a great cause as a play is raising much-needed money for some Denver seniors.

Senior Housing Options is credited with producing the comedy, "Chasing Manet," staged in the lobby of the Barth Hotel. It stars former Broadway actor Billie McBride.

"It's unusual because the audience; we're not doing it under stage lights, so we can see them, as well as them being able to see us," McBride said.

What's also unusual is that the production is used as a fundraiser for the non-profit group, which is responsible for 14 affordable housing residences in the state, including seven assisted living residences.

"That's what the Barth is. And those are for people who are able to live on their own, but they just need some help," Jane Prancan with SHO Resource Development said.

Sixty-two residents live at the Barth Hotel with an average income of about $7,000 a year. They're lucky if they have an extra $50 a month.

"We usually have specialized things that we spend the money on. This year we're actually working on emergency preparedness. We're devising what we call "chaos kits" that has information about each resident and things that they would need if they had to be evacuated for any reason," Prancan said.

This is the fourth year that Senior Housing Options has staged a professional play at the Barth. The last three raised $160,000 to benefit 500 adults in Colorado.

"We are very grateful to them, because the play happens in their living room right here. You're on the set," Prancan said.

"It really doesn't bother me. As best as I know it's one of their biggest fundraisers, so that's great with me," resident Ernie Espinoza said.

The show runs through Aug. 13. For more information and to get tickets visit the Barth Hotel website.

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