The University of Mary Washington Department of Theatre & Dance continues its 2011-12 season with a production of Ken Ludwig’s “Moon Over Buffalo.” Performances will be Feb. 16-18 and Feb. 23-25 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. in Klein Theatre, duPont Hall. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and senior citizens and $4 for faculty, staff and students with a UMW ID.
“Moon Over Buffalo” takes place in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1953. Stage actors George and Charlotte Hay are performing “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “Private Lives” in repertory at Buffalo’s Erlanger Theatre when they receive word that Hollywood film director Frank Capra plans to attend a matinee performance. Chaos ensues as the Hays prepare for Capra’s arrival in hopes of starring in his new movie.
“Moon Over Buffalo” premiered on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on Oct. 1, 1995, and ran for 309 performances. Philip Bosco and Carol Burnett were nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play and Best Actress in a Play in 1996 for their roles as George and Charlotte Hay. Ken Ludwig’s work has been performed on Broadway and in London’s West End. He is a recipient of the Laurence Olivier Award and has been nominated for three Tony Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards.
“Moon Over Buffalo” is directed by Gregg Stull, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance. Scenic design is by David Hunt, professor of theatre, costume design is by Kevin McCluskey, associate professor of theatre and lighting design is by Julie Hodge, associate professor of theatre. Wig design and fight choreography are by guest artists Kelly Calloway and Casey Kaleba. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Klein Theatre Box Office at (540) 654-1111.