Edson directs community theater production of 'Moon Over Buffalo'

Submitted by Sheila Dill

Carson Valley Community Theatre

For Margaret Edson, choosing the comedy she would direct, "Moon Over Buffalo," was a natural.

"It's such a great play," she said. "First of all, the lead female character Charlotte Hay was the best role I ever played in community theater. And then, how can you go wrong doing a play where both co-stars (Carol Burnett and Philip Bosco) were nominated for Tonys on Broadway?"

Edson is well-known in the Valley for appearing both on stage and behind the curtain with Carson Valley Community Theatre. Roles in "Steel Magnolias," "The Odd Couple" and "Hollywood Arms" are some she's portrayed. Now she directs the Ken Ludwig madcap comedy of fading married stars doing repertory theater in Buffalo, NY. Then they learn that Frank Capra is on the way to see them perform and might put them in his remake of "The Scarlett Pimpernel." And that's when everything that could go wrong does in this comic farce. In fact, Entertainment Weekly said "Moon Over Buffalo" was by far Broadway's funniest, most enjoyable lighthearted play.

For the director, the auditions are where the foundation for a successful run begins. Edson had already seen everyone selected perform on stage except one cast member. She knew their capabilities. But the director's job has just begun, she said.

"My job is to lay out a plan, lead them by the hand, and be their guide. Then you surround yourself with extremely capable people to do the other essentials - props, stage management, tickets, publicity, etc. This is difficult for a control freak like me to completely let them do their jobs and not micromanage," she said. "As a result, almost anything can keep me awake at night. I'm never really 'full on' until the play begins."

And that day will not come until opening night Oct. 9 at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

Carson Valley Community Theatre presents "Moon Over Buffalo" beginning Oct. 9 at the CVIC Hall in Minden. The Ken Ludwig comedy is about aging husband and wife actors who have the chance to become big screen stars in the 1950s.

Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9, 10 and 16, 17. Sunday matinees are 2 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18. Tickets are $15 general, $12 for students and seniors. Opening night champagne and dessert gala, $20 and $17.

Tickets and dinner and show packages at (775) 720-7186. Show tickets available at Carson Valley Arts Council/Copeland Building, 1572 Highway 395, Minden, and Barone & Reed Food Co., 1599 Esmeralda, Minden. Information, carsonvalleycommunitytheatre.org