AMESBURY — For seniors at the Amesbury Council on Aging, good times never seemed so good during Monday’s Comedy Masque Revue at the center.
“Those of you familiar with the seventh inning stretch at Red Sox games will know what to do here,” David Rosenberg of The Comedy Masque Revue said, moments before performing Neil Diamond’s signature song “Sweet Caroline.”
The dozens-strong crowd played their part enthusiastically, jumping in when the time came with cries of “So good! So good!”
“It’s fun. It’s just good energy, everybody’s smiling and singing along,” Amesbury Council on Aging Director Doreen Arnfield said.
The revue, from 1 to 2 p.m., featured renditions of other hits from way back when including Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” “My Bonnie” by The Beatles and Tony Sheridan, and Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”
COA Program Director Andrew Suggs explained that the Haverhill-based group was formed by teachers in 1959.
“They practice every Wednesday apparently, at the Haverhill Senior Center,” Suggs said.
The theme of the festivities was St. Patrick’s Day, with Comedy Masque Revue members dressed in green with everything from shamrock necklaces to kilts.
In addition to covering a variety of well-known artists, the group brought instruments such as violins, concertinas, tambourines and guitars to perform traditional Irish songs such as “Mountain Dew” by The Pogues and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” by Bing Crosby.
The COA did its part to make the day a celebration by offering baked treats and festive green lemonade. Folks showed their appreciation by making sure every seat was filled.
“It’s a great crowd, tons of people signed up, nice packed full room for them. I’m doing a little extra Irish stuff, you know, since yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day, just why not celebrate,” Suggs said.
Suggs said the group had actually first reached out to them.
“They told us about their performance and we couldn’t be happier to invite them. We have a lot of different acts that come through, but to have their contemporaries performing here, it’s fantastic,” Program Director Andrew Suggs said.
The group offered their services to the COA for free, according to Arnfeld.
“We get a lot of goodwill and people that just want to give.” Arnfield said.
Arnfield said it was great to see so many folks come out to enjoy the festivities.
“March is… I don’t want to speak for everybody, but sometimes it’s a slower month or there’s not a whole lot going on. It’s something for people to do on a Monday afternoon, just another reason to celebrate bringing people together,” Arnfield said.