ORADELL—Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America’s longest-running little theater companies, say it’s excited to present the knockout, mile-a-minute, show-within-a-show-stopping “Moon Over Buffalo,” opening on Feb. 12.
Under the direction of Rachel Alt, this slapstick farcical romp, written by America’s preeminent comic playwright Ken Ludwig (“Lend Me a Tenor”), “packs more comic genius onto the stage than anything in recent memory,” says USA Today.
Performances are at the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, Feb. 12–March 5 (Friday and Saturday evenings at 8, and Sunday afternoons at 2).
Tickets to “Moon Over Buffalo,” priced at $22 for Fridays/Saturdays and $18 for Sundays, may be purchased at bcplayers.org or by leaving a message with the box office at (201) 261-4200.
According to the press release, Ludwig has had six shows on Broadway, seven in London’s West End, and many of his works have become a standard part of the American repertoire. His 28 plays and musicals have been performed in over 30 countries in more than 20 languages, and are produced throughout the United States every night of the year.
Set in a theater green room in 1953 Buffalo, N.Y., “Moon Over Buffalo” is a “comedy [that] has audiences rolling in the aisles,” says the New York Post.
With over-the-top comic antics, running gags, and hilarious misunderstandings, the trials and tribulations of fading stars George and Charlotte Hay are on full display as they try to keep things together before a famed director arrives to see them perform. From pregnant trysts, unexpected love triangles, and a drunk leading man, anything and everything can and does go wrong.
Two-time Tony-nominated “Moon Over Buffalo” wowed Broadway audiences and was by far the year’s “…funniest, most enjoyable lighthearted play,” says Entertainment Weekly.
“Moon Over Buffalo” will be directed by Rachel Alt of Ridgefield. Alt’s directing credits include “Circle Mirror Transformation,” “Cymbeline,” “Winter’s Tale,” and “Twelfth Night.”
“My objective was to bring this comedy of mistaken identity, drunkenness, infidelity, and slamming doors to its knees with deftly performed double takes, slow burns, and pratfalls,” says Alt. “I personally enjoy self-effacing, physical comedy over nearly all others. When I read the script I couldn’t stop laughing, and I still laugh when I’m watching rehearsals.”
The talented cast includes veteran performers Jody Laufer of Hawthorne, Janet Gaynor-Matonti of River Edge, Emily Gardner of Mahwah, Dan Loverro of Paterson, Mara Karg of Nanuet, N.Y., Eric Holzer of Bloomfield, Patrick Little of Hackensack, and Paige Marian of Woodland Park.
Acting on its desire to keep its members and patrons safe, new and upgraded MERV filters have been installed on all HVAC units, as well as UV lights on all HVAC units to help eradicate airborne pathogens. BCP will continue to follow CDC and State of New Jersey guidelines.
All cast, theater volunteers and audience members must be fully vaccinated. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination will be required of everyone upon entry. Face coverings will be required in all public areas of the theater including lobby areas, restrooms and when seated during the performance.
A new program is now available for qualified non-profit organizations to use one performance of each production as a fundraising event. The group will book all 200 seats at a deeply discounted price and then resell the tickets at a price of their choosing, with the difference in price kept by the group.
The available date is the Thursday of each show’s final weekend. For more information, interested groups can email fundraising@bcplayers.org.
The Bergen County Players, Inc. is a non-Equity, non-profit community theater company dedicated to presenting quality productions for the enrichment of the community. For more information visit bcplayers.org.