Home Haven Hits ​“Hamilton”

Twenty New Haven seniors headed for the Big Apple to see the hottest show on Broadway. Thanks to Frances ​“Bitsie” Clark, they already knew the songs.

Which, for the Greatest Generation, is smart preparation when the libretto comprises hardcore political rap battles, British breakup ballads, and several references to Destiny’s Child.

Clark organized the outing to Hamilton in her role as executive director of Home Haven, a not-for-profit that enables more than 200 seniors to remain in their homes. They get help with plumbing or rides or health care through Home Haven. They also get together a lot for fun events and trips — like the March 9 visit Clark led to Broadway.

Clark described that trip — and the history and philosophy of Home Haven — on an episode of WNHH radio’s ​“Dateline New Haven” program.

Clark has made New Haven a vibrant place since 1956, when she moved here and took over and expanded the local Girl Scouts regional organization. As longtime head of the Arts Council, she charted the development of New Haven’s Audubon Arts District. She then served with distinction as a city alder (then known as an ​“alderwoman”).

Since 2010, she has built Home Haven into a network with over 200 (and counting) seniors, part of a national movement to help people to maintain independence and enjoy rich lives into old age.

When she scored 20 group tickets to the hot Hamilton musical, Clark knew that the libretto might sound unfamiliar to some of her seniors’ ears. So she obtained a soundtrack and had members pass it around, many of them getting to know the songs. In keeping with the communal Home Haven ethos, people shared without hogging the soundtrack beyond the allotted three days, so everyone would get a turn.

When the day arrived, the plan was for everyone to meet at Union Station to take a train into New York. Seventeen seniors showed up. Someone fretted about the three missing people.

Clark didn’t fret. She remembered that on other outings, some members drove to West Haven to park for free at the train station there. She figured that was the case again. Indeed, the three unaccounted-for members did board the train at West haven en route to Hamilton.

Upon arrival, the group headed for lunch at the French restaurant Un, Deux Trois. Then they filed in for the play. Which they loved.

“It is a play that people absolutely must see,” raved Clark, who for decades could be counted on to steer New Haveners to must-attend arts events.

“These men [in the story] were scrappy. They were traders. They were fighting the king. The were risking their lives. They fought each other. They’re not founding fathers cast into stone. They’re real people.”

After the three-hour matinee performance— ​“That’s the one place where we show our age: We don’t run around New York at night” —the Home Haveners left the theater to head home. It was every senior for himself or herself at that point. Some took cabs, others walked to Grand Central.

Clark and a Home Havener named Josie Broude wanted to catch a cab. But they couldn’t find one.

Then they noticed a rickshaw.

Broude suggested catching that ride. Clark was dubious.

“C’mon Bitsie,” Broude urged.

That’s about all it takes to entice Clark to try something new.

Besides, a sign on the rickshaw read “$4.” They figured that meant $4 per mile. Didn’t sound expensive.

So they took the ride, bumping through mid-Manhattan mid-day traffic int he rickshaw.

Which turned out to cost $4 a block.

The final tab: $35.

Clark has no regrets. It was a fun ride, she said. Plus, they loved the Turkish-American driver, who agreed to pose for a photo for posterity. It’s a memento from one more afternoon Clark and her seniors will always remember.

Click on or download the above sound file to hear the full episode of ​“Dateline New Haven.”