Theatre

Hilarity Reigns Supreme Under "Buffalo" Moon

BUSY, DIZZY DOORS ADD SLAPSTICK TO CAPE PLAYHOUSE
Hysteria Runs Rampant on Dennis Stage

By Libby Hughes, drama critic for Cape Cod Today

Time is running out for the 83^rd season at the Cape Playhouse. "Moon Over Buffalo" (set in 1953) is the next to last show on deck, and already August is singing the "September Song."  But this comedy/farce strikes it rich for subscribers and visitors. The waves of laughter roll and roll, crashing on stage with each line and grimace. Hysteria runs rampant on opening night when doors open or close at a dizzying pace.

Playwright, a former lawyer

Playwright Ken Ludwig is best known for his play "Lend Me a Tenor," which has a whirling devish plot of mistaken identity and produces the same, aching belly-laughs. The show went to the Martin Beck Theatre on Broadway in 1995, starring the ever-funny Carol Burnett and ran for a little over 300 performances. Believe it or not, Ludwig is a graduate of Harvard University and Cambridge University, studying law. In fact, he practiced for several years before turning his pen to comedy. Perhaps the boredom and tedium of the law forced the cobwebs of legalese to be swept out of his mind. Surely, theatre was much more fun.  Ludwig and his family live in Washington D.C., which abounds with tragedy and comedy!

Buffalo plot

Forget the economy and splurge on this riotous show starring from left: John Scherer, Jennifer Cody, Ruth Williamson and Gary Beach.

Above, from left; AliceCannon, Hunter Foster, Ruth Williamson, GaryBeach, Jennifer Cody and JohnScherer.

To most of us, the city of Buffalo conjures up images of great snow-banks or the Buffalo Bills football team. In "Moon Over Buffalo," a mediocre repertory company is performing "Cyrano De Bergerac" and "Private Lives" on alternate nights and matinees. A husband/ wife team has been playing the lead roles for decades. Their daughter, who has grown up around crazy parents and theatre people, is looking for normalcy in her life. She has come to introduce her fiancé to her parents, although her ex-boyfriend is there, too. Even the grandmother is part of the farce and helps backstage. Filmmaker, Frank Capra, is coming to see a performance and possibly to hire the husband to replace film star, Ronald Coleman, who has just broken both of his legs. It is uproariously funny thereafter and similar to a British comedy of many doors, "Noises Off."

One criticism

Sometimes a comedy/farce can get out of hand and reach too-high-a-pitch in the beginning and it has no place to go for variety. A couple of actors reached that vocal pitch too soon. Others had to pull them back down to normal tones, so that the comedy could rebuild.
They finally did.
A few more performances will put them in the right comfort zone. Despite all that, the audience caught the flavor of the farce and licked it with laughter.

The actresses

Ruth Williamson portrayed a splendid Charlotte, an over-dramatic Shakespearian actress. Every gesture and every line were bigger than life whether professionally or personally. However, we would love to have seen more shading in her character. Incidentally, she looked like a cross between Ethel Merman and Meryl Streep. Jennifer Cody, on the other hand, as Rosalind, was understated in her dialogue and was devastatingly funny by the second act, when she is doing a balcony scene from "Private Lives" in the South of France. It was she that brought the high pitch back to a normal level. Jessica Datino's created a naïve actress, searching for fame, in her small role as Eileen. Her brief liaison with the seasoned lead actor fractured his marriage. But who did the audience like best at curtain call? The deaf grandmother. She, too, was understated and reaped plenty of laughter throughout.

The actors

Gary Beach's acting was brilliantly overstated as the egocentric George Hay, portraying Cyrano in the repertory company. He had some hysterical moments and locked in a hilarious drunk scene. Yet, he peaked too soon and didn't tone down until near the end of the second act. Surely that will smooth out. Danny Benardy's Howard had a touch of Tim Conway comedy in his character of Rosalind's fiancé. He was a riot as General Patton and the mistaken Frank Capra. John Scherer has been a favorite on the Playhouse stage over the years in singing/dancing roles. Scherer handled the part of Paul, Rosalind's ex-beau, with a deft sense of comedic timing. Hunter Foster gave a suave and roguish rendition as Richard, Charlotte's prospective lover. His white suit reminded us of author Tom Wolfe.

Direction, set design, and costumes

Director Richard Sabellico crafted perfect pace and timing for this piece. Some of the antics were broad and off-color, but he pulled it off. It is always a pleasure to see the set designs of Richard W. Chambers. We've missed them. This one has a yummy coral lounge, peach chair and screen, and luscious teal walls with Irish green trim. The South of France backdrop is a soothing Mediterranean blue. Gail Baldoni made some great period costumes for the women and Cyrano  plus some unique dresses for the ladies in the 1950s style.

Forget the economy and splurge on this riotous show, "Moon Over Buffalo." You won't regret it.

Performances are August 17-29 Monday through Saturday at 8:00pm; matinees on Wednesdays at 2:00pm; 1^st Saturday at 4:00pm; 2^nd Thursday at 2:00pm. Call 508-385-3911 at the Cape Cod Center for the Arts in Dennis Village off Route 6 A.

Libby Hughes studied Dramatic Criticism with Elliot Norton, the doyen of Boston Drama Critics. She also was an equity actress and is a playwright/author.
Her new novel, WHITE HOUSE SECRETS, will be published in the fall under the pen name of Parker Lloyd.