The farce, Moon Over Buffalo centers on George and Charlotte Hay, a fading film and Broadway headlining duo.  It is spring, 1953, and they’re playing Private Lives and Cyrano De Bergerac in repertory in Buffalo, New York with five actors. The company operates on a shoe-string budget, members haven’t been paid in weeks. All the action takes place in Buffalo’s Earlinger Theater – either in the green room or onstage as they rehearse or perform Private Lives and Cyrano De Bergerac.

 

On the brink of a disastrous split caused by George’s dalliance with a young ingénue, they receive news that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if he likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of The Scarlet Pimpernel, rejuvenating their careers.

 

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 who hates every bone in George’s body.

 

Moon Over Buffalo is a fast-paced, hilarious screwball comedy in the old tradition, a throwback farce, a valentine to the stage, and the larger-than-life personalities that inhabit the world of the theatre.

Character Descriptions:

 

George Hay - (Male, 50s) very dramatic, a slapstick type, over-the-top actor Must be able to do strong physical comedy, including pratfalls, running, stage combat (fencing), etc.

 

Charlotte Hay - (Female, 50s) She helps to run the acting troupe and plays all the leads even those for which she is a bit too old. Must be able to do an upper-class British accent.

 

Ethel - (Female, 70s) Charlotte's mother. Grumpy, troublemaker, hard of hearing, leading to comic misunderstandings.  Should have huge stage presence and strong comedic skills.

 

Rosalind “Roz” Hay - (Female, 20-30s) George and Charlotte's daughter, used to be an actress and a member of their acting troupe, but she decided that she wanted a real career, so she left - determined never to act again - or be like her parents. Must be able to do an upper-class British accent. 

 

Eileen - (Female, early 20s) is an aspiring actress, eager to please. She has a crush on George and has been having a fling with him.

 

Howard - (Male, late 20-30s) – a weatherman and Rosalind's fiancé.  He comes across as a wimp, a little annoying, nervous, and very excitable. Must be able to do strong physical comedy.

 

Paul – (Male, 20- 30s) is a member of the acting troupe, who used to be with Rosalind and still loves her and wants her back; but he is an actor first and foremost, so he wouldn't leave the troupe to be with her. Must be able to do strong physical comedy

 

Richard - (Male, 50s) He is George and Charlotte's attorney, but he is in love with Charlotte - always trying to get her to leave George. He is wealthy and used to getting what he wants, and he is both amused and perplexed by the Hay family.