Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
February 8, 2007 issue
Run Continues through February 18
Story by Kathleen McFadden
Director Joel Williams has a simple, but compelling reason for why people should come see Moon Over Buffalo: “Because it’s going to be funny,” he chuckled.
Williams described the show as a farce with a lot of running and slapstick comedy, along with just enough romance to make it a fun date for Valentine’s Day. “There’s even a swordfight,” he added.
Set in 1953, Moon Over Buffalo tells the story of a famous couple of the stage, George and Charlotte Hay, who have been married for 35 years, have performed all the great plays over the years, but see their careers threatened by a new medium. “TV is killing their careers,” Williams said, “and they are trying to figure out what to do.” The age of the great American touring theatre is coming to an end, and the Hays want to make the transition into films.
The couple is staging Cyrano de Bergerac and Privates Lives on a shoestring in Buffalo, New York, when word comes that famous movie director Frank Capra wants to see their performances to evaluate their suitability for his new movie.
Predictably, madcap chaos is the result, but as everything that can possibly unravel unravels, the leading man and leading woman rediscover their love for each other, and other cast members discover their own romantic attachments.
Moon Over Buffalo premiered on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre and featured Carol Burnett and Phillip Bosco as Charlotte and George Hay. The Boston Herald wrote: "The play is nothing less than a love letter to live theater."
The Moon Over Buffalo cast includes senior theatre major Raymond Dillard and junior theatre performance major Anna Gettles as George and Charlotte Hay, newcomer Nate Hawkins as Richard, sophomore theatre major Amanda McNiece as Eileen, senior theatre major Whitney Thore as Ethel, junior theatre major Shawn Stoner as Howard, senior theatre major Hilary Edwards as Rosalind and theatre minor Tom Valentine as Paul.
In addition to Williams as director, the faculty production staff includes John Marty as lighting designer and Sue Williams designing costumes. Theatre design and technology major Angie Lingerfelt is scenic designer, and theatre design and technology major Derek Nord is designing sound for the production.
Moon Over Buffalo debuts at the Valborg Theatre on Wednesday, February 14, and continues through Sunday, February 18. Shows Wednesday through Saturday are at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday’s performance is at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students and can be purchased at the Valborg Theatre Box Office or online at www.theatre.appstate.edu. Call 828-262-3063 for more information. Joe’s Italian Kitchen is sponsoring the performance.
Want To Go?
Dates: Wednesday, February 14, through Sunday, February 18
Times: 8:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday/2:00 p.m. Sunday
Location: Valborg Theatre, ASU
Cost: $10 adults/$6 students