Connecticut & The Berkshires - "Moon Over Buffalo"

Regional Reviews: Connecticut and the Berkshires

Moon Over Buffalo
Music Theatre of Connecticut
Review by Zander Opper

Also see Fred's review of King James

Anna Holbrook and Rod Brogan
Photo by Alex Mongillo

Music Theatre of Connecticut is currently presenting a delightful production of Ken Ludwig's play, Moon Over Buffalo. Under the exceptional direction by Clint Hromsco, this show is a pleasure from beginning to end. The cast is wonderful and the play suits the small stage at Music Theatre of Connecticut extremely well. What's more, the attractive set features several doors, as befits a madcap comedy like this. Rod Brogan and Anna Holbrook stand out in the leading roles, but just about every performer in the play gets their moments to shine. Moon Over Buffalo is a hilarious and lively show that provides a great deal of enjoyment during its two-hour running time.

The play takes place in Buffalo, New York in 1953, and it bears more than a resemblance to such plays as The Royal Family in that the show focuses on a theatrical family. The jokes come fast and furious, but there are also reflective moments in which one can truly savor this production. The focus is chiefly on the acting couple, George and Charlotte Hay, portrayed splendidly by Rod Brogan and Anna Holbrook, respectively. Both actors are superb comedians and they chew the scenery deliciously. These parts call for comedy geniuses and Brogan and Holbrook definitely fit the bill.

The other characters are just as funny and animated. There is the daughter of George and Charlotte, Rosalind, expertly enacted by Allie Seibold. Despite claims that she wants to live a quiet life with her fiancé Howard (the terrific Ted Gibson), show business and the stage are definitely in her blood. Jo Anne Parady is a riot as Charlotte's mother Ethel, who, more often than not, does not have her hearing aids in. The script makes the most out of this comic situation and Parady is fabulous.

Olivia Fenton is very amusing as fellow actress Eileen, and Matt Mancuso is a true asset in the play as Paul, who is constantly trying to bring order to the chaotic backstage action. Jim Schilling is just great as Charlotte's beau Richard. The company of performers work as an excellent ensemble. A big part of what makes this show so good is that director Hromsco does a magnificent job of keeping the action continuous, truly mining Ken Ludwig's script for all it's worth.

April M. Bartlett's scenic design is perfect for this kind of slapstick comedy and there are many instances of mistaken identity and characters exiting and entering through the numerous doors in the set. The costumes by Diane Vanderkroef help shape each character; there is one particularly glorious scene in which the characters are dressed for both Private Lives and Cyrano de Bergerac, with wild results. The fantastic lighting and projection design are courtesy of RJ Romeo and even the wig design by Peggy De La Cruz is topnotch.

Moon Over Buffalo is just the kind of mirthful comedy one needs right now. The actors are all expert comic farceurs who bring out all the big laughs in Ken Ludwig's script. Moon Over Buffalo Music Theatre of Connecticut is scintillating entertainment and highly recommended.

Moon Over Buffalo runs through February 23, 2025, at Music Theatre of Connecticut, 509 Westport Ave., Norwalk CT. For tickets and information, please visit www.musictheatreofct.com.