Philip Mastrelli was smitten with theater ever since he saw “the last remnants of vaudeville” as a 7-year-old boy in New York City.

“I remember being impatient until the show would start, and as soon as the lights came up, I brightened,” Mastrelli, 67, said.

He moved to California in 1979 and worked in the travel industry in Los Angeles while pursuing acting as a hobby.

After retiring five years ago, Mastrelli has expanded his hobby to full-time as an actor and director for performances at Sun City Shadow Hills. He also founded the Sun City Shadow Hills Performing Arts Club.

During a table reading for the group's upcoming performance of “The Twelve Angry Jurors,” The Indio Sun talked to Mastrelli about his experiences.

QUESTION: How did you start the Sun City Shadow Hills Performing Arts Club?

ANSWER: When I moved to Indio four years ago, I still wanted to be involved in theater. Friends of mine who live in Sun City Palm Desert were a part of their performing arts club. Since there was no group here, I thought I could start one up, having had my years of experience.

Our group is now 3 years old and has 45 members. It has come a long way. We have done large-scale musicals and comedies, and we even did a version of “The Vagina Monologues” a year and a half ago.

What is “Twelve Angry Jurors” about?

Based on Reginald Rose's teleplay “Twelve Angry Men,” a young defendant is accused of murdering his father, and the play focuses on the conversation in the jury room as they reach their decision.

What is it like being a director?

I find it very satisfying. I get emotional when the actors come through and do a good job.

With senior theater, you are dealing with a lot of people who have never experienced this before. You have people from all walks of life and who may be for the first time performing for an audience.

It is very challenging, but it is very rewarding once you see the final results.

What are your long-term goals?

I will never stop acting. In fact, I am scheduled to be in a show in February at the Joslyn Senior Center.

I would direct again. Each job in the theater, like all jobs, has (its) stress, but I am willing to put up with it because I realize that I do love theater.