Hilarity ensues with Imagination Theaters’ “Moon Over Buffalo”
By Kevin Christensen Mountain Democrat
If laughter truly is the best medicine El Dorado County will be cured with Imagination Theaters’ upcoming performance of “Moon Over Buffalo.“
The dramatic comedy farce premieres on Friday, Feb. 7. and runs through Sunday, March 1.
The play (which marked the historic return of Carol Burnett after a 30-year theater absence) was published in 1995 by Ken Ludwig and is set in Buffalo, N.Y. circa 1953.
“Moon Over Buffalo” is a side-splitting type of comedy that uses highly exaggerated, funny situations primarily aimed at entertaining the audience. Imagination Theater’s production is directed by Jeff Lathrop, who took over for the late legendary IT co-founder Lanny Langston who died in December.
“My acting style is comedic and physical,” said Lathrop. “Directing this particular performance really fits me perfectly. I simply love comedy and this play is whacky.”
A confusing comedic farce
Centered around George and Charlotte Hay in the 1950s, the two aspiring actors are playing small productions of “Private Lives” and “Cyrano De Bergerac” in Buffalo with five other actors.
Charlotte has grandiose dreams of becoming a national film star, while George loves stage acting. The eccentric actors almost go their separate ways when they discover they might have one last chance to make it big.
“The show is a chaotic, entertaining presentation of a situation many of us find ourselves in our lives,” Barba explained. “We start to realize that we’re getting older and our dreams and our reality are not the same.”
In the play George receives word from renowned film director Frank Capra that he needs replacements for Ronald Colman and Greer Garson, two stars of his current film “The Twilight of the Scarlet Pimpernel.” Capra plans to see one of George’s shows to consider George and Charlotte for the parts.
“The role of George is physically demanding with a variety of humor,” said actor Ryan Pullen, a first-time performer at Imagination Theater and theater teacher at Union Mine High School. “It requires me to throw myself on the floor pretty much throughout the entire show.”
Charlotte doesn’t believe George when he gives the news of Capra’s interest and simultaneously learns of a secret George has been keeping. It results in her telling him she plans to leave with Richard, a successful and charismatic lawyer. George becomes devastated and turns to alcohol to drown his misery.
“Part of the humor of the play is George becoming increasingly drunk throughout,” Pullen added. “That part is a challenge for me.”
As the comedy progresses Charlotte finds out the news is true about Capra losing his actors and returns to the theater.
Charlotte and Rosalind (the troubled couple’s adult daughter who has recently come to visit) unsuccessfully scour local bars for George. A distraught Charlotte meets Howard, Rosalind’s new fiancé, whom Charlotte’s hard-of-hearing mother mistakenly introduces as Capra.
“Charlotte is an exciting character because she is unapologetically dramatic,” Barba shared. “She does not back down from a fight and always gives her strong opinion.”
More hilarious confusion and hijinks befall as the “Moon Over Buffalo” characters continue to their final scene.
Lanny Langston – A curtain call
Langston and Peter Wolfe, founded Imagination Theater in 1999. Langston died surrounded by his loving family. A pillar in the community, he began as director of “Moon Over Buffalo” with Lathrop as the assistant director.
“Lanny was an amazing friend and mentor,” said Lathrop. “We are going to try to move Imagination Theater forward like he would want.”
Richard Gaylord, who is coincidently portraying a character named Richard in “Moon Over Buffalo,” knew Langston since he moved to El Dorado County from the Bay Area in 1990, where he performed in theater.
“Lanny was one of the most influential people who benefited this community I have known,” Gaylord shared. “He set out to make art a fun and memorable experience.”
Imagination Theater is dedicating the stage to Langston on Sunday, Feb. 16, after the performance of “Moon Over Buffalo” to commemorate the El Dorado County theater icon. Family, friends and the community are welcome.
”The stage will now be known as ‘Langston Stage’ for the exorbitant amount of life and soul he put into Imagination Theater,” Lathrop shared.
Imagination Theater is located at 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. For tickets and more information about Imagination Theater’s production of “Moon Over Buffalo” visit ImaginationTheater.net or call(530) 642-0404.