 |
"Moon Over Buffalo" is easily one of the funniest plays I have ever seen. The Orangeburg Part-Time Players, under the direction of Tony DeAloia and Daryl Cate, certainly delivers when it brings the slapstick comedy of Ken Ludwig's show to life at the BlueBird Theatre.
"Moon Over Buffalo," produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., tells the story of fading '50s stars George and Charlotte Hay, who are on tour with their repertory theater in Buffalo, N.Y., and nearing a split due to George's infidelity when they find out they may have one more chance at stardom: The famous director Frank Capra plans to stop in on their show and, if all goes well, cast the pair in his movie remake of "The Scarlet Pimpernel."
But everything that can go wrong does go wrong -- especially when you mix in a colorful, eclectic cast of characters and mix up the theater's repertory.
In a play that relies heavily on timing, the cast hits the mark every time. From searching for a drunken George to staging a show within a show, which turns out to be a complete disaster, the cast manages to keep the audience in stitches and the action clipping along. Their timing in delivering Ludwig's hilarious dialogue is also commendable.
Casting Matt Quay as the aging actor George was a phenomenal choice. He is hilarious as the repertory theater's over-the-top leader.
Quay, who last appeared on the BlueBird stage as Jesus in "Jesus Christ Superstar," has proven himself a remarkable actor time and again. This role requires so much from him physically, and in every scene and with every line, Quay delivers. I was most impressed with his drunken monologue that ends with quite an impressive fall. I kept trying to wrap my head around the fact that yes, he is only acting sloppily drunk and isn't really wasted. Quay's George is the epitome of a "drama king."
George's wife, Charlotte, is portrayed by the talented Tammy Lank. Lank is wonderful as the former Broadway star-turned-repertory actress who longs for just one more shot at Hollywood stardom. Lank and Quay are a perfect pair and display great chemistry on the stage. I enjoyed watching their seething exchanges and sizzling love-hate relationship. Even as their marriage begins to fall apart when George cheats with a younger actress, and Charlotte makes plans to leave with their rich, lovesick lawyer, Richard, you hope the pair make it through because it's easy to see they belong together. Lank as Charlotte is too funny in her juvenile pouting at the end of the acting troupe's disastrous matinee.
OPTP veteran Tony Drawdy's debonair portrayal of Richard, with his smooth voice and promises of a better, richer life, is perfect, making audiences see fully how Charlotte could be swept off her feet.
I just loved Ann Hutto as Charlotte's mother Ethel, who happens to be a bit hard of hearing. She is a trip as the sassy, overbearing mother/grandmother, and her exchanges with Quay's character -- and Ethel's obvious contempt for her son-in-law -- are hilarious. She reminds me of Thelma Harper, aka Mama, from the hit '80s show "Mama's Family." Who doesn't love Mama?
Kim Whitesides does a fabulous job as sensible Rosalind, George and Charlotte's daughter who left the stage to lead a more "normal" life -- which doesn't last long. Returning to introduce her new fiancé, Roz quickly finds herself rallying behind and helping her parents as they try their luck at stardom one last time -- and rekindles a romance in the process.
I especially enjoyed the scene in which Whitesides' character finds herself alone on stage as the repertory theater performs for Capra. She delivers some pretty funny "ad-lib" lines as she waits for George's entrance. Whitesides, who has proven her range in musical theater on the OPTP stage, proves she has a funny bone, too.
David Hutto is awesome as Roz's uptight, goofy weatherman fiancé, Howard. He played the role incomparably, right down to the plaid suit, dark-rimmed glasses and overall Urkel-esque demeanor. I love the scene where he tries to surprise George but ... well, I don't want to ruin it for you. Let's just say cases of mistaken identity follow Howard throughout the show. He was probably my favorite character of all the great characters in "Moon Over Buffalo."
I adored Joey King's character, Paul. Paul obviously loves his gig with the repertory theater -- and his ex-fiancée, Roz. After several exchanges between the pair of ex-lovers, it is clear that they still have eyes for one another. All-in-all, King's portrayal of the seemingly aloof Paul is brilliant. One of my absolute favorite scenes in the show is when Paul is trying to help George get in costume for the matinee -- wow, at the risk of sounding cliché, I laughed so hard, I really did cry!
Last, but certainly not least, Carmen Keigans, lead singer of the band I Nine and a veteran OPTP member, does a great job in her portrayal of George's pregnant one-night-stand, Eileen -- innocent, manipulative Eileen. Although she appears to have fallen off the turnip truck, don't fall for her act. She wasn't born yesterday and manages, in the end, to get what she wants and needs. While she doesn't have many lines in the show, Keigans delivers those she does have with precision.
The behind-the-scenes crew is to be commended for the costumes, props, set, lighting and sound. They put forth a marvelous effort in pulling off a fun, laughter-filled evening. Thanks for the show!
Tickets to "Moon Over Buffalo" are $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens 55 years of age and older and children 16 years of age and younger. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22-24. For tickets, call 803-536-5454.
T&D Features Editor Wendy Jeffcoat Crider can be reached by e-mail at wjeffcoat@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5546. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.