Let's face it, Kathi Osborne has enough
stage presence to become her own ensemble. She often uses that
power to carry shows in which she is featured. With so much "star
quality," blending has often been a problem for her. Her
comically expressive face, her booming voice, and her broad physicality
sometimes ironically work against her and her cast when she's
trying to "play down." In Tempe
Little Theatre's current production of Ken Ludwig's
Carol Burnett star vehicle, Moon
Over Buffalo, and under the precise direction of Joy
Bingham Strimple, Ms. Osborne has finally achieved modulation.
While she is the center of the show, much of her performance is
spent supporting and complimenting those around her. This is a
breakthrough for the local diva, but it's only a part of the reason
that this Moon rises as strongly as it does.
Mr. Ludwig's script is a poor man's Noises Off!, highlighting the backstage and onstage antics of the last of America's repertory sweethearts, George and Charlotte Hay. Stumbling through Buffalo, New York in 1953, the Hays are the stars of a rep tour of Private Lives and a Cyrano cut down for expense purposes to a cast of two leads and five in the ensemble. While their fate seems decidedly dark, an accident on the set of Frank Capra's Scarlet Pimpernel sequel has given George and Charlotte one last shot at Hollywood stardom. All they need to do is keep it together long enough for Capra to see them in their matinee performance to have their dreams fulfilled. However, their daughter Rosalind, who has fled the theatre for a '50s American dream, has brought her deceptively normal fiancé, Howard, for introduction. Her former flame, Paul, now the production manager, is trying to bring together the cast, despite an announced pregnancy by ensemble member Eileen. Smarmy entertainment lawyer Richard has flown from NYC to sweep Charlotte away from this decaying life, while her mother, the nearly deaf Ethel, is trying to keep George's pants on, literally. The resulting complications and miscommunications make this a traditional farce.
Ms. Strimple has blocked the show like a whirlwind, with the running and door slamming paced perfectly. T.J. Weltzien's ambitious dual-revolve set, which incorporates multiple staircases and many entrances, is utilized for full effect. Though two actors are miscast, Ms. Strimple and the remainder of her cast have found ways to work around any potential problems. This is truly an ensemble effort.
Ms. Osborne never underplays, though her presence never overwhelms those around her. This is especially evident in her work with one of those miscast, Don Crosby, who should not have been asked to portray an aging matinee idol-type in George. Mr. Crosby is not at fault, and he does everything he can to overcome this mistake. He bumbles and tumbles about the stage, turning George into a broad clown, and his choice helps minimize any problems that might rise from the miscasting. As the younger couple, Amanda Victor and Brian Ronalds have little romantic chemistry, but are still quite funny. Ms. Victor is very cute in a 50s ingénue way, and has enough stage presence to be believable as the daughter of Ms. Osborne's character. Mr. Ronalds has his slapstick down, and draws big laughs while he attempts to keep the theatre together.
The supporting ensemble is led by the hilarious comedic turn of Beveryn Lemons-Swaim as Ethel. Her barbed comments and deadpan presentation are a hoot. Melody Thomas and Eric W. Lloyd are solid as Eileen and Richard, while Mark Burkett struggles and way overplays in his miscasting as milquetoast weatherman and nominally normal nutcase Howard.
Despite some difficulties in changing between scenes, Mr. Weltzien's set is a wonder of small-budget wizardry. Crystal Boyd's costumes work in period, and Bob Nelson's lighting and sound design are effective.
Yay! TLT got it right! When I was a kid, my parents immersed themselves in summer stock and community theatre, and because of many similarities and coincidences, I always associate the company with which they were chiefly involved, Eastchester Town Hall Community Theatre, to TLT. I'm glad when this company equals or bests the memories I have of growing up a theatre brat.
Production Details:
Moon Over
Buffalo by Ken Ludwig
Tempe Little
Theatre
The Tempe Performing Arts Center (For a
map to location, click this
link)
(480) 350-8388
June 7th - 23rd, 2002