In rehearsal for Providence Players “Moon Over Buffalo,” Michael Donahue as George Hay and Maria Watson as Charlotte Hay. Photo by Chip Gertzog/Courtesy of Providence Players
Where and When
Providence Players present “Moon Over Buffalo” at James Lee Community Center Theater, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church. Performances: Oct. 6 to Oct. 21, 2017. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Matinees 2 p.m. on Oct. 8 & 15. Tickets: Adults $20 Seniors (62+)/Students $17. Seating reserved. Call 703-425-6782 or online: http://www.providen…">www.providenceplaye…
Opening its 20th anniversary season, the Providence Players will celebrate with Ken Ludwig’s madcap farce, “Moon Over Buffalo.”
“Moon Over Buffalo” has mistaken identities, mixed-up relationships, outrageous plot twists, physical slapstick, along with a slew of outrageous characters. In playwright Ludwig’s comedy, life for the characters is like “Murphy’s Law;” everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.
The production is set in a theatre in Buffalo in 1953. Two middle-aged actors, Charlotte and George Hay are on what may be their last tour. Then they receive word they may have one last shot at the big-time. A Hollywood director might be interested in them for his next picture. From that premise, everything takes off.
For production director Jayne L. Victor, the eight characters in “Moon” are “zany yet they are real. They also all evolve over the course of the play. In the end they are all likable.”
The cast includes Providence veterans and those making their Providence debuts. Veteran performer Michael Donahue portrays George Hay while newcomer Maria Watson is his wife Charlotte. Jenny Madorsky plays Rosalind the Hays’ daughter. Making their Providence debuts are Scott Stofko portraying a TV weatherman and Rosalind's fiancé as well as Chuck O’Toole who plays Rosalind's ex-fiancé. Robey Manno is Charlotte's hard-of-hearing mother while Providence newcomer Eric Trumbull is the love-sick lawyer courting Charlotte. Jaclyn Robertson makers her debut as an actress close to George, carrying a major secret.
Donahue described his character of George this way: “George used to be a star, and now he is a fading star, but still chasing the flash of the past. He wants to still be seen as he once was. Like his wife and soulmate Charlotte; they are both in a state of middle-aged flux.
For Maria Watson her role as Charlotte has personal connections. “Charlotte and I have a lot in common. We've been in theatre for a long time. Worked a lot, but never made star status. We ran theatres and acted with our spouses.” The reward in playing Charlotte is making the character come alive. Charlotte “had dreams that have been dashed.”
This is a rare second time the Providence Players has mounted “Moon Over Buffalo.”
“An audience favorite for our company’s 10th anniversary season. We wanted to bring it back because it is a celebration of having fun,” said Chip Gertzog, Providence Player Board Member.