MOON OVER BUFFALO opens 2010 season at Towne Centre Theatre

Patrick Kramer directs a cast of eight actors in the Towne Centre Theatre production of Ken Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo, set to open the Brentwood theatre company's fourth season with a February 5-27 run.

Ludwig's play focuses on the lives of George and Charlotte Hay, itinerant actors performing Cyrano de Bergerac and Private Lives in repertory during the heyday of the 1953 theatre season in Buffalo, New York. Charlotte dreams of becoming a Hollywood star, while George is happy on the stage, considering live theatre far superior to film. But when word comes that famous Hollywood director Frank Capra is coming to give George one last shot at film stardom, all manner of hilarity ensues as miscommunication runs rampant backstage - and onstage.

Written by Ludwig as his follow-up effort to his wildly successful Lend Me A Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo starred Carol Burnett and Philip Bosco during its Broadway run.

"Lend Me a Tenor was such a great success kicking off the season at Towne Centre two years ago, and we couldn't wait to bring another Ludwig play to the stage," said producer Johnny Peppers, who'll do double-duty as George Hay in the show, explaining the play's choice to open the company's fourth season.

"Audiences enjoyed Tenor so much tickets were hard to come by. Moon Over Buffalo has that same energy, laughs and a peek into the world of live performing. We believe the audience will clamor to the theatre and be ready to laugh!"

The production reunites some Towne Centre veterans, along with bringing to the stage some new faces for the fourth season opener. In addition to Peppers, the cast includes Kathy Crisp as Charlotte Hay; Molly Quinn as their daughter Roz; Flynt Foster as Roz's former boyfriend Paul; Matt Grimes, Robby Coles and Britt Byrd as the triangular love interests; and Layne Sasser as Ethel, Charlotte's mother.

Kramer makes his directorial debut at Towne Centre, after more than a decade spent acting and directing in the Nashville area. He previously performed in Towne Centre productions of The Foreigner, Little Shop of Horrors and Funny Money. Most recently, he directed the farce Noises Off for Circle Players.

About Kramer, Peppers says: "I had the opportunity to work with Patrick when I produced Noises Off for Circle Players last fall. After experiencing what a focused and communicative director he was, I knew he would be a great match for Towne Centre Theatre and this show specifically. His sense of comic timing and creating opportunities for the characters outside of the script but within the context of the show is brilliant. We are lucky to add Patrick to our list of competent directors."

Towne Centre Theatre, 135 Frierson Street in Brentwood, raises the curtain on Friday, February 5, with performances running through February 27. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors 60+, $16 for students. The house opens at 7:30 p.m., with curtain at 8 p.m. For Sunday matinees, the house opens at 2 p.m., with the show at 2:30 p.m.

Reservations are strongly recommended; call 615-221-1174 or visit www.townecentretheatre.com.

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