Review: 'Moon Over Buffalo' by Phoenix Stage Company

Pictured: The cast of 'Moon Over Buffalo' on the set (left to right standing) Rosemary Howard, Daniel R, Willey, Payton Turpin, Brian Elser and Tim Phillips; (front row) Becky Venable, Laura Sturges-Cortez, Kristin Moresi Photo courtesy of PSC

Oakville, CT - ‘Moon Over Buffalo’ is a farce written by Ken Ludwig (‘Lend Me a Tenor.’) It tells the backstage story of the Hays, a couple of fading stars in 1953 that have one last shot at stardom involving Frank Capra. The cast also includes the couple’s grown daughter Rosalind, her clueless current fiancé Howard as well as her former fiancé Brian, their lawyer Richard, an ingénue named Eileen, and the wife's deaf mother Ethel. There is mayhem, zaniness, and pratfalls. Throw in some running gags, a little raunchiness and a fabulously professional level cast with timing that never misses a beat of the rapid fire dialogue and you have this fun farce.

Equity actor Rosemary Howard made her PSC debut in the role of the seventy year old Ethel and had the audience laughing at her dislike of her son-in-law and her selective hearing.

Carol Burnett returned to Broadway to play Charlotte Hay and I could certainly see how she would be wonderful in the role. Laura Sturges-Cortez returned to Phoenix Stage Company to take on this role of the fading leading lady and was a natural. Kristin Moresi (‘Cliffhanger’ at PSC) was lovely ss the young Rosalind and Brian Elser, frequently seen on both of the PSC stages, had wonderful comic timing as her weatherman fiancé. It has been a pleasure to see this young actor hone his acting skills during the seven years that Phoenix Stage Company has been in existence.

Daniel R. Willey, who has appeared in many a PSC production, convincingly played the stage manager/former fiancé Paul. Becky Venable, a PSC veteran from Stamford, played the young actress Eileen. Tim Phillips (Prof. Henry Lowenthal in ‘Cliffhanger’) was at his comic best as the lawyer Richard.

"Do you see what I mean?! About the theater?! I'm back here for three hours and I'm acting like a lunatic. I'll be in analysis till I'm a hundred." (spoken by Rosalind) - Ken Ludwig, Moon Over Buffalo.

As the fading actor George Hay, Payton Turpin (General Mackenzie in ‘And Then There Were None’ at the Warner) made his debut at the PSC a great one. He had to open the play as Cyrano de Bergerac, appear injured in the first act, and under the influence for the better part of the second act and he made it look easy.

Lori Poulin has directed the troupe with a keen eye to detail and Rob Richnavsky once again served as Fight Choreographer. Ed Bassett provided the flattering costumes. Almost all of the action takes place in Buffalo, NY, specifically in the Erlanger Theatre's green room that was designed by Mr. Bassett. The director and Stage Manager Deb Cryan put together the props. The set featured four doors to slam and the actors used them to perfection. Al Hathway designed the lighting and Mr. Bassett was in charge of the sound design.

‘Moon Over Buffalo’ runs at Phoenix Stage Company, 133 Main Street in Oakville through May 5 Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Do not park on the street in front of the theatre.

Coming to the PSC is the musical ‘The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee’ opening on June 9. The cast is in rehearsal with Maurice Steinberg as director/music director and Beth Steinberg as stage manager. The cast for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee includes Jaclyn Epstein (Marcy), Katie Robidoux (Olive), Jessica Rahrig (Scwartzy), Leland Schick (Barfee), Nicholas Bourne (Leaf), Jack Douglas (Mitch), Dante Cyr (Chip), Brian Elser (Ponch) and Cheyenne Walent (Rona.)

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417