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‘Moon Over Buffalo’ rises in Paris
By Sally Boswell
Published October 8, 2009
This Friday, Paris Community Theatre continues its 2009-2010 season, a season devoted to comedy, with the Ken Ludwig’s “Moon Over Buffalo.”
George and Charlotte Hay, traveling actors, are performing “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “Private Lives” in a repertory theatre in Buffalo. Charlotte dreams of becoming a Hollywood film star; George sees live theatre as being superior to film. When Charlotte learns that George has had an affair with a young actress in the company and that she is with child, she announces that she is leaving the troupe to make a new life with a new love of her own. Charlotte’s plans are diverted, however, when the company receives word that famous Hollywood film director Frank Capra is coming to the Hays performance with an eye toward casting them in a film.
George, despondent over the mess he has made of his life, turns to alcohol.
In short order, things go hilariously awry. Charlotte’s near-deaf mother, a former grande dame of the theater reduced to working costumes backstage, mistakes her granddaughter’s fiance for the famed director. George, in a drunken stupor, thinking that the same fiance is his young paramour’s brother, seeking revenge for his sister’s dishonor, ties the young man up and locks him in a closet. Charlotte and her daughter work desperately to get the drink-sodden George ready to perform, but George ruins the all-important performance by showing up late in the wrong costume.
Afterwards, the fiance discovers that George’s pregnant girlfriend is the long-lost love of his life, and the couple set out to make life together. Charlotte’s daughter is consoled by a handsome young actor in the troupe and George and Charlotte decide that they will work to keep their partnership — and their marriage — together. And Frank Capra — who missed the disastrous afternoon performance — calls to say he will be in the audience that evening, reviving the actors’ hopes of stardom.
Directed by John Presley Wright, the show is a fast-paced, hysterical look at the crazy and hectic life that goes on backstage of a theatrical production.
“This play is probably the funniest, most enjoyable and easiest to direct I have ever had the joy to work,” Wright said. “The laughter began at the first reading months ago, and will not stop until the last gag is pulled.”
Members of the cast include Dalen Hobbs as George Hay; Lisa Avila as Charlotte Hay; Amy Burrows as Ethel, Charlotte’s mother; and Michelle Jewett as Rosalind, Charlottes daughter. Others are Juan J. Espinosa as Howard, the fiance; Jessie Helton as the pregnant Eileen; William Mattoon as Paul, a member of the troup; and David J. Fielding as Richard, Charlotte’s suitor.
Members of the crew for “Moon Over Buffalo: include technical director, Tim Wood; director’s assistants, Erin Barbee and Lindsey Espinosa; set design, John Presley Wright; stage manager, Randy Johnson; sound, Tim Wood; lights, J. Richard Fields; and, sound and light operators, Jan and Jeff Hilton. Involved in set construction and painting were Tim Wood, Michael Pickering, Dalen Hobbs, Michelle Jewett, David Fielding, Lindsey Espinosa, Terence Trammel, Randi Johnson and Macy Inmon. Props were assembled by Amy Burrows. Katherine Burns and Ray Karrer handle makeup and Rebecca Robinson, Tim Wood and Alan Jones are in charge of costumes.
Wright gives special thanks to Brady Fisher, Tim Wood, Macy Inmon, Ray Karrer, Bill Kennedy, Janis Givens and Jan, Jessie and Jeff Helton.
“Moon Over Buffalo” opens Friday with additional performances on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, Oct. 10 and 11, as well as Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 15-18. All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and matinee performances begin at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets for all performances ar $10.
For more information, or to make reservations, call the PCT office at 903-784-0259, 1 to 5 p.m. weekdays.
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