Greenbrier Valley Theatre (GVT), the State Professional Theatre of West Virginia, is set to present Ken Ludwig’s hilarious farce “Moon Over Buffalo.”
This comedy gem runs June 30 and July 1, July 6-8, July 12-14 and July 19-22 at 7:30 p.m., with a pay-what-you-can preview performance June 29 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee performance July 22 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for general admission, $27 for seniors and $20 for children/students. For tickets or more information, call GVT’s Box Office at 304-645-3838 or visit www.gvtheatre.org.
Ludwig’s whacky comedy is filled with madcap humor. For over-the-hill actors George and Charlotte Hay, there’s one last chance at stardom, and they’ll do whatever it takes to get there. With hysterical misunderstandings and missteps at every turn, will the Hays be able to deliver the perfect performance?
Ludwig’s career has spanned over two decades, his comedic genius has been displayed on stage in over 30 different countries, and his work has won several awards, including two Tony Awards for “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Crazy for You.” The original 1995 Broadway production of “Moon Over Buffalo’ starred the iconic Carol Burnett and Greenbrier Valley Theatre will be joining that legacy of fun with their upcoming production.
GVT’s Kim Morgan Dean will be starring as the young and level-headed Rosalind, whose futile attempts to stay above the insanity only adds to the humor and chaos. Dean is returning to this role 11 years after playing it as an intern at Florida Repertory Theatre. Dean admits that while “Lend Me a Tenor” is probably more well-known, this farce delivers the bolder humor and sillier sequences that create such over-the-top entertainment.
“’Moon Over Buffalo,’ out of any comedy I’ve ever done, has probably gotten the biggest laughs and most enthusiastic audience response. I remember feeling like a rock star every night we performed because people were going so nuts over it,” Dean said.
As a huge Ludwig fan, she truly appreciates his talent for comedy, saying that even though the situations are outrageous, the characters are sincere. The audience can’t help but relate to their desires no matter how absurd their antics. Dean did have to hold in her giggles the last time she did this show, but she can’t wait to get on stage and experience all the joy and humor once again.
“It’s like hopping aboard a speeding train every night,” she said.