Spend the night being entertained by The Community Players’ ‘Moon Over Buffalo’

By EMMA BARTLETT
Posted 9/20/22

The unique and over-the-top personalities of George (Mark Gallagher) and Charlotte Hay (Camille Terilli) will keep audience members laughing throughout The Community Players’ rendition of …

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Spend the night being entertained by The Community Players’ ‘Moon Over Buffalo’

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The unique and over-the-top personalities of George (Mark Gallagher) and Charlotte Hay (Camille Terilli) will keep audience members laughing throughout The Community Players’ rendition of “Moon Over Buffalo.”

Set in 1953 Buffalo, New York, George and Charlotte are fading stars currently playing “Private Lives” and “Cyrano De Bergerac” in repertory theatre. The two are on the brink of a disastrous split-up because of something George did and are also facing tough financial times. However, amidst all these problems, the two receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee of “Private Lives,” and if he likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” With the characters dubbing theatre as the “lifeline to humanity,” George, Charlotte and their five actors prepare for Capra’s arrival.

Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does go wrong, abetted by a visit from their daughter’s clueless fiancé and hilarious uncertainty about which play they’re actually performing, caused by Charlotte’s deaf, old stage-manager mother Ethel (Susan Staniunas) who hates every bone in George’s body.

Gallagher’s talent was evident through his portrayal of George. Whether George was drunk, in distress or passionately expressing his love for theatre, Gallagher made for a convincing lead and kept the audience laughing. Terilli also had an excellent performance, executing witty lines accompanied by on-point expressions. The Hays’ daughter, Rosalind (Sarah Quintiliani), made an appearance with her new finance, Howard (Jonathan Hart), who was so star struck by George and Charlotte that he forgot his own name. Howard, though he does not have many appearances, has some unexpected knee-slapper lines and plays an important role in the second act’s confusion.

“Moon Over Buffalo” certainly comes to a satisfying close, leaving audience members with a lasting impression of George, Charlotte and the entire crew. The comedy features Julia Curtin, Mark Gallagher, Jonathan Hart, Paul Oliver, Sarah Quintiliani, Susan Staniunas, Camille Terilli and Daniel Thompson.

Directed by Kevin Thibault, “Moon Over Buffalo” will keep you entertained throughout the roughly 1 hour and 45 minute show! You can see the play Sept. 23 through Sept. 25 at Jenks Auditorium (350 Division St., Pawtucket) on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students (up to college with an ID). Guests can purchase e-tickets online and print at home at www.thecommunityplayers.org or reserve at (401) 726-6860. Visa and MasterCard accepted.

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