Now technically, a jitney is either a small bus that carries passengers over a regular route on a flexible schedule, or an unlicensed taxicab. In this case, the jitney, as we refer to it, is the Peninsula Players’ “chair lift” to enable physically challenged patrons of the arts to attend theater performances at The 2nd Story Playhouse in Ilwaco.
Our current production is a fun-filled holiday play called “FrUiTCaKes,” (See link to Peninsula Players in sidebar) Members of the Board take turns volunteering for the jobs “at the front of the house,” like ticket-taking and selling refreshments at intermission. Last Saturday I had my first experience running the jitney. That evening I was to assist anyone needing the use of the lift. For a half-hour before the show, I dutifully camped at the bottom of the stairs, wearing my sparkly “I’ve Been Good” Santa hat, and welcomed our guests.
One look at the chair mounted on the rail along the wall and every single person coming to the theater that night decided to take the 28 stairs “for exercise.”
I suppose that’s just as well. When someone takes the jitney up the stairs, the person running the machinery has to climb the stairs next to them to ride the chair back down. There’s no “ball return,” so to speak.
But never fear! I get another opportunity to display my mechanical know-how next Saturday, when I take another turn at jitney-running. I invite you all to come on down and see the play, whether or not you want to ride the chair lift. Come support our local community theater!