TAMARA LILLY and Wayne Otto as Roxanne (Charlotte) and Cyrano in Studio Theater of Bath’s production of “Moon Over Buffalo.”
Thom Watson had to wait 20 or so years for the chance, but at last, Studio Theater of Bath will perform “Moon over Buffalo,” by Ken Ludwig, opening tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Chocolate Church Arts Center.
“I first saw ‘Moon Over Buffalo’ on Broadway, starring Carol Burnette, years ago. I recall leaving the theater that night promising myself that someday we would bring the show to the Chocolate Church. I finally got my chance,” Watson said.
The show marked Carol Burnett’s return to Broadway after 30 years (for which she received a Tony Award nomination). It also starred Philip Bosco and Randy Graff. Subsequent Broadway casts included Lynn Redgrave and Robert Goulet.
“Moon Over Buffalo” centers on George (Wayne Otto) and Charlotte Hay (Tamara Lilly), fading stars of the 1950s. In the play, they’re acting in “Private Lives” and “Cyrano De Bergerac” in repertory in Buffalo, N.Y., with five actors.
On the brink of a disastrous splitup caused by George’s dalliance with a young ingénue, Eileen (Amanda Bobbe), they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if he likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”
Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does go wrong, abetted by a visit from their daughter, Roz’s (April Joy Purinton) clueless fiancé, Howard (Colin Kelly) and hilarious uncertainty about which play they’re actually performing, caused by Charlotte’s deaf old stage-manager mother, Ethel (Ann Scarponi) who hates every bone in George’s body.
Musician Max Ater plays the stressed out stage manager, Paul, who is in love with the Hays’ daughter, Roz. Clay Hawks plays the role of Richard, George’s attorney, who is in love with Charlotte.
“While set in the 1950s, the play is built around universal comedic themes of mistaken identity, unrequited love, outrageous events on stage, the egos of professional actors, and fast-moving plans run amock. We can promise audiences an evening of fun,” Watson said.
A former president of Studio Theater, Watson’s last show with the group was “Almost Maine,” by John Cariani, in 2011. Returning to the director’s chair for a show he’s long waited to produce is exciting.
“It has been a real pleasure working with this talented and dedicated cast, and working from a brilliant script by Ken Ludwig,” Watson said.
“The essence of comedy on stage is timing — often it is hard work for actors and directors alike to get just right. Probably the most fun we’ve had in rehearsal is getting the timing right on the jokes, and importantly, on the numerous slamming doors as characters come and go in their search for the intoxicated lead actor (George),” he added.
For Tamara Lilly (Charlotte) working with Watson has been something she’s looked forward to for years. “The first Studio Theatre show I remember seeing was on the main stage in 1985, ‘To Gillian on her 37th Birthday,’ and the male lead was Thom Watson. It’s wonderful to be directed by someone with such a long history with STB,” she said.
“Thom’s great in that he has considered the motivation of the characters and has helped me to embody Charlotte by reminding me from time to time of what the character’s experience is at that moment,” she said.
“Moon Over Buffalo” will be presented at the Chocolate Church Arts Center (main stage), May 17-26. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students and are available through the CCAC box office, 804 Washington St., online at www.chocolatechurcharts.org or by calling 442-8455.
rshelly@timesrecord.com
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
