Edson directs Valley theater production

Submitted by Sheila Dill, Carson Valley Community Theatre

For Margaret Edson, choosing a comedy to direct was a natural. She is director of the Carson Valley Community Theatre production of "Moon Over Buffalo," beginning Oct. 9 and running through Oct. 18 at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

"It's such a great play," she said. "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 known for her roles onstage in "Steel Magnolias," "The Odd Couple" and "Hollywood Arms," and her work behind the curtain in the Carson Valley Community Theatre productions.

Now Edson directs Ken Ludwig's comedy about aging husband and wife repertory theater actors who have the chance to become big screen stars in the 1950s.

Auditions are the foundation of a successful run, and are just the beginning of the director's job.

"My job is to lay out a plan, lead them by the hand, and be their guide," said Edson. "Then you surround yourself with extremely capable people to do the other essentials - props, stage management, tickets, publicity.

"This is difficult for a control freak like me to completely let them do their jobs and not micromanage. As a result, almost anything can keep me awake at night. I'm never really 'full on' until the play begins."

Carson Valley Community Theatre presents "Moon Over Buffalo" opening Oct. 9 at the CVIC Hall in Minden. 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. 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