Feature: MOON OVER BUFFALO at ALBAN ARTS CENTER

The Alban Arts Center is proud to present their rendition of the two-time Tony nominated farce, Moon Over Buffalo, directed by George Snider. First appearing on Broadway in 1995 starring Carol Burnett, this highly comical play was written by Ken Ludwig.

Performance Dates: February 16th, 17th, 23rd, & 24th, 2018 at 8:00 PM and February 18th & 25th, 2018 at 2:00 PM

Ticket Prices: $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for seniors or students. You can purchase tickets online here

Address: Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans, WV 25177

Website: http://www.albanartscenter.com/

Contact Info: E-mail: albanarts@gmail.com Phone: (304) 721-8896

Moon Over Buffalo, set in 1953, follows George Hay (Thomas Goodman) and his wife Charlotte Hay (Jennifer Scott), both traveling actors, as they work in a repertory theater in Buffalo performing renditions of Cyrano de Bergerac and Private Lives. While Charlotte dreams of becoming a Hollywood star, George is quite complacent with where he is as a stage actor. The couple's lives are turned upside down after receiving a call from Frank Capra, a famous director, who needs two replacement actors for his new film, The Scarlet Pimpernel. Capra informs the couple that he is heading to Buffalo to catch one of George's shows in hopes of judging the two actor's talents and thus their ability to star in his film. The anxiety of Capra's impending visit sends the couple into an ever-increasing spiral of self-destruction in which everything that could go wrong, does. What follows is a hilarious series of events and mistaken identities which may end any chance of George or Charlotte reaching stardom.

Additional cast members include Lauren Meyer as Rosalind, George and Charlotte's daughter who has decided to leave the stage to lead a more normal life, Stephen Hayward as Paul, a stage manager for George's company as well as Rosalind's ex-fiancé, Susi Cantley as Ethel, Charlotte's nearly deaf mother, Lee Dean A. Howard, a TV weatherman and Rosalind's current fiancé, Laura Michele Diener as Eileen, an actress in George's company as well as a topic of controversy between George and Charlotte, and Anthony W. Vickers as Richard, a lawyer in love with and attempting to court Charlotte.

George R. Snider III (Director) spoke of his love for the show, recalling his reaction to seeing a past production, "I had the pleasure of seeing Ken Ludwig's production of Moon Over Buffalo nearly twenty years ago at the Cleveland Playhouse and practically had a coronary laughing so hard. To date, I have yet to see a funnier comedy on stage." He continues by praising Ludwig's knack for comedy and impressive history in theatre, "of course, Ludwig is one of the most distinguished comedic writers in the last forty years, having presented six plays on Broadway and seven in London."

Snider, upon realizing that it had been well over fifteen years since Moon Over Buffalo had been presented in the Charleston/Huntington area of West Virginia, immediately leapt at the chance to perform the show when given the opportunity to direct at the Alban Performing Arts Center. He recommended the show to The Alban committee and was thankful when they agreed with his suggestion.

When asked what makes this show special, Snider replied, "Moon Over Buffalo is madcap histrionic chaos at times which surpasses the craziness of Noises Off!" Snider goes on to reveal that his favorite scene, "involves a very drunk George Hay in Act Two who proceeds to get drunker with every cup of spiked coffee he drinks. The nod to Frank Capra and the element of Waiting for Guffman makes this show a real treat."

Snider had nothing but praise for his cast and crew, "having directed over 30 productions in my theatrical career I was anxious to see who would come to auditions for this show. I have worked with the vast majority of actors in some capacity in this area but was pleasantly surprised to be introduced to three brand new actors I had never seen perform before...there is not a weak link in the cast of eight. The Alban has provided me with a more than capable crew to work the show, and I couldn't be more thrilled."

For those on the fence about coming to the show, Snider wants you to know, "in its own farcical way, Moon Over Buffalo, never stops trying to please the audience. It's a Valentine to those who love to laugh. It's the perfect date night."

George R. Snider has over forty-five years experience with the Alban. He has directed over thirty shows, including productions of West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy, The Seven Year Itch, Oliver!, Christmas Carol and Carousel. Snider is also the owner and creator of West Virginia's large theatre company, Murder and Merriment.

Production staff includes Assistant Director Tasha Harris, Technical Director Adam Bryan, and Costume Designer Marlette Carter.

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