Fabulous farce at Claire vg
by Christopher Key
Any time Teri Grimes directs a show, you know it’s going to
be a treat. When she combines her
talents with those of playwright Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, Leading Ladies) you’d better bring Depends® if you
want to avoid any accidents. Moon Over Buffalo is Ludwig at the top
of his game and Grimes knows just where to take it: over the top.
Ludwig loves poking fun at theatre people and God knows
there’s a lot of material to work with.
There’s two aging actors whose talents are best described by a line from
the play: “…stick cloves in them and cover them with pineapple slices.” Their daughter desperately longs to have a
normal (as opposed to theatrical) life and plans to marry a TV weatherman. Grandma is as deaf as a rock ‘n roll sound
tech and can’t tell first aid from lemonade.
Throw in daughter’s ex-fiancé, a showbiz lawyer and a pregnant ingénue,
and let the good times roll.
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| Photo credit - Christopher Key |
David Bolden delivers the best performance of his career as
George Hay, the boozy old hack who can’t remember whether he’s playing Cyrano
or Elyot from Private Lives. Bolden’s amazing physicality makes the role
sing and he may well be one large bruise by the end of the run.
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| Photo credit - Christopher Key |
His long-suffering wife Charlotte is played by Holly Pierce,
who can out-ham her hubby without breaking a sweat. Pierce returns to the Claire vg Thomas stage
after a 14-year hiatus and let’s hope she’s back to stay.
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| Photo credit - Christopher Key |
Ethel (aka Grandma) is given an uproarious ride by the
always amazing Joan Prinz. She can do
more with her face than most actors can do with their entire bodies.
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| Photo credit - Christopher Key |
Robin Becar plays daughter Rosalind. You may remember her as The Aviatrix from The Drowsy Chaperone. The WWU senior gets a lot more stage time in
this production and makes the most of it.
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| Photo credit - Christopher Key |
The estimable Alan Peet is a past master at quirky
characters and has a field day as showbiz lawyer Richard who wants nothing more
than to run away with Charlotte.
Rosalind’s ex is played by Evan Ricci with a goofy geekiness
that makes you understand why she dumped him.
Her current flame, the TV meteorologist Howard who thinks a low-pressure
system signals good weather, is portrayed by Kyle Pennington. Eileen, the ingénue impregnated by George, is
played by Gillian Dodson whose theatrical genes are as blue as they come.
In theatre, this kind of show is known as a five-door
farce. David Cohn’s brilliant set only
has four doors, but they get a thorough workout as the actors run in and out
with Marxist fury. That’s Groucho and
company, not Karl.
Moon Over Buffalo
is set in 1953 when movies and TV were overwhelming live theatre and that lends
a poignant touch to stage actors struggling to cope with the new abnormal. Costume Goddess Genny Cohn captures that more
elegant era with her usual genius.
Dee Dee O’Connor steps out of the tech booth to assistant
direct and there seems to be no limit to her talents. The same can be said for Stage Manager Susan
Duncan.
Moon Over Buffalo
plays September 17 through October 4 at the Claire vg Thomas Theatre, 755 Front
Street in Lynden. This riotous romp is a
sure sellout, so reserve your tickets now by calling (360) 354-4425. Box office hours are Tuesday – Friday 1:00 –
3:00 p.m.
Laughter is the best medicine and this show will cure
whatever ails you.
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