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Home , Ken Ludwig, Moon Over Buffalo

Village Playhouse presents

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Directed by Inspiration Studios Michael Pocaro 1500 S. 73rd Street

West Allis,-3474 WI 53214 7:30pm 414 587 -April 18 April 17-April 24 April 23 -May 2 May 1 VPW Cast & Crew—Break legs! Jaime and Patrina Hurtado, Owners 2:00pm May 3 Matinee

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. From the director... Opportunity Knocks! A Nun, a Lawyer and a Gorilla walk into a bar. The bartender Join us for the says, “Hey, what is this? Some kind of joke?”. Yeah, this is some remaining shows of our kind of joke! And I like a good joke, don’t you? You know Director’s Notes are usually intended to be somehow 2014-2015 Season socially relevant, whetting the appetite for provocation, insight and thoughtful entertainment. That’s a pretty high order for “”.

Now that’s not to say that good can’t be provoca- tive. There are at least as many types of comedy as there are Shades of Grey. Consider the socially relevant comedy of April 17-May 3 “MASH”, or the stigma-busting, in your face comedy of “All in the Family” and all its spin-offs. But this is …vaudeville. This is slapstick. This production has been brazenly plagiarized from all my personal favorites; Laurel and Hardy, Abbot and Costello, The Three Stooges and The Marx Brothers.

The beauty of like “Moon Over Buffalo” is they’re built June 5-21 upon the human weakness we all know and celebrate in our own lives. They’re the shifty cousin, the overbearing uncle, the feisty nephew, the bumbling suitor, and most of all – the Self and all its adorable shortcomings!

It has been my intention to bring this comedy of mistaken iden- tity, drunkenness, infidelity, and slamming doors to its knees August 7-23 with deftly performed double takes, slow burns, and pratfalls. I personally enjoy self-effacing, physical comedy over nearly all others. The beauty of self-effacing comedy is, even if you get it wrong you just laugh and say, “See?”

I hope you get a belly laugh or two from tonight’s produc- tion. Laughing is, after all, a sign of social healing and holistic Traveling Children’s Show wellness. It’s known to be common to all races, all ages, and all June 28—Summerfest genders. How’s that for social relevancy!!??

Michael (Paco) Pocaro Village Playhouse  Inspiration Studios 1500 S. 73rd Street, West Allis Production Crew About the playwright….

KEN LUDWIG has had 6 shows on Producer Rosie Peterson Broadway and 7 in London’s West Director Michael “Paco” Pocaro End, and his plays and musicals Assistant Director Jamee Stefanski have been performed in more than Stage Manager Michelle Miller 30 countries in over 20 languages. Technical Director Larry Beckley His first play on Broadway, Lend Set Design Sandra Wyss Me A Tenor, which the Washington Set Construction Larry Beckley Post called "one of the classic Art Carter comedies of the 20th century,” won Manny Cotto two and was nomi- Erico Ortiz nated for seven. He has also won Casey Paszciewicz two Laurence Olivier Awards Rosie Peterson (England’s highest theater honor), the Charles MacArthur Award, two Sandra Wyss Awards, the Edgar Light Design Casey Pasciewicz Award for Best Mystery from The Lights Victoria Diaz Mystery Writers of America, the SETC Distinguished Career Sound Casey Pasciewicz Award, and the Edwin Forrest Award for Services to the Ameri- Set Crew Morgan Cotto can . His plays have been commissioned by the Royal Jarid Cotto Shakespeare Company and the Bristol Old Vic. He has written 22 Christine Altenbach plays and musicals, including (5 years on Broad- Props Marilou Davido way and the West End, Tony and Olivier Award Winner for Best Fight Choreography Gene Schuldt Musical), Moon Over Buffalo (Broadway and West End), The Ad- Costumes Michelle Miller ventures of Tom Sawyer (Broadway), Treasure Island(West Rosie Peterson End), (Broadway), Leading Ladies, Shake- speare in Hollywood, The Game’s Afoot, The Fox on the Fair- Hair Victoria Diaz way, The Three Musketeers and The Beaux’ Stratagem. His most House Manager Rita Bates recent plays includeBaskerville, A Comedy of Tenors, and Tiny Publicity Erico Ortiz Tim’s Christmas Carol (2015 Helen Hayes Award nominee for Rosie Peterson Outstanding Play). His newest book, How To Teach Your Chil- Photography Audwin Short dren Shakespeare, (winner of the Falstaff Award for Best Shake- Graphics/Flyer Design Derek Jacobs speare Book of 2014) is published by Random House. Over the Banner/Program Design Erico Ortiz years, his plays and musicals have starred , , , Mickey Rooney, John Astin, Hal Hol- Please pardon any omissions due to printing deadlines brook, , Otto Schenck,, , , and Kristin Bell. His work is published by the Yale

Review, and he is a Sallie B. Goodman Fellow of the McCarter Special Thanks Theatre, Princeton. He holds degrees from Harvard, where he Sunset Playhouse studied music with Leonard Bernstein, and Tom Zuehlke Cambridge University. For more information, please visit www.kenludwig.com. Inspiration Studios www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com Jamee Stefanski (Assistant Director) This is Jamee’s first show as an assistant director. Her directorial debut was Time Doesn’t Calendar of Events Heal All Wounds in VPW’s One Act Festival last June. Prior to that she could be found on stage having done shows at Sunset

Mar 7-Apr 28 “Angst” Playhouse, Lake Country Playhouse, Waukesha Civic and Kevin Batcher art exhibit here at VPW. Her favorite roles are in the Ensemble in Miss Sai- gon at Waukesha Civic and Roz in Moon Over Buffalo at LCP. Apr 17-18 Moon Over Buffalo She is currently a Domestic Engineer and lives in West Allis with —a Village Playhouse production her husband Tracy and her 3 beautiful girls, Samantha, Paige and

Apr 20-21 Auditions: VPW 30th Annual One Act Festival Lexi. 7pm @ Inspiration Studios —an Inspiration Studios production Sandra Wyss (Set Design) enjoys being involved in all aspects of theater, backstage and acting onstage. She was the set designer Apr 22 Sound Check Studio Recital and artistic director for All in the Timing, The Mouse That 7pm @ Inspiration Studios Roared, Return of the Pink Panther, School House Rock Live.

Apr 24-25 Moon Over Buffalo Sandy has enjoyed scenic painting for many main stage and chil- —Village Playhouse production dren’s shows for Village Playhouse and Brookfield Players. She has been Props Designer, Assistant Stage Manager and actress Apr 26-27-28 A Play About Parker with Over Our Head Players, Racine. When not involved in the —Off Book Players production theater, Sandy displays paintings in art fairs and galleries in the

April 30-May 30 “Through the Mirrors of Time” Milwaukee area. She has had opportunities in indie films, movies Maria Dolores Parks (Ecuador) art exhibit and tv shows in Chicago and Milwaukee area. Opening Reception—April 30, 5-9pm Robert A. Zimmerman (George Hay) is making his Village Play- May 1-2-3 Moon Over Buffalo house debut, and is very grateful to be here. His love for local —Village Playhouse production theatre extends over 40* years, including writing, directing, set design, performing and sweeping the stage. Some favorite acting May 8-9 The Recovering Pessimist —Inspiration Studios production roles include Max Bialystock in The Producers, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Peron in Evita, May 15-16-17 The Recovering Pessimist Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Noah in Two by Two, —Inspiration Studios production Fagin in Oliver!, Applegate in Damn Yankees, Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Selsdon in Noises Off, Albert June 1-30 “WA-a-la-Art” exhibit from WAWM school staff Opening Reception—June 7 Soady, Jr. in Escanaba In Da Moonlight, Michael in I Do, I Do, during West Allis a la Carte and Harold Hill in “The Music Man.” Bob is not only couched in mortified disbelief of that number, but in unabashed, vehement denial. Visit our website for more information regarding upcoming events www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com

by Ken Ludwig

Moon Over Buffalo centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950's. At the moment, they’re playing Private Lives and De Bergerac in rep in Buf- falo, New York with 5 actors. On the brink of a disastrous split -up caused by George’s dalliance with a young ingénue, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does go wrong, abetted by a Meet The Players (continued) visit from their daughter’s clueless fiancé and hilarious uncer- tainty about which play they’re actually performing, caused by Charlotte’s deaf old stage-manager mother who hates every began performing in 1979. He has since appeared in or directed bone in George’s body. hundreds of productions, workshops, videos and (gasp) commer- cials. Directed by Michael Pocaro

Melissa Pol (Eileen) is delighted to be in her first production at Cast of Characters the Village Playhouse. An expert at running on and off stage, she thought that this would be the perfect character for her! Other George Hay Bob Zimmerman credits include Abby in Stuck (Theatre Unchained), Meg in Lit- Charlotte Hay Donna Daniels tle Women (Old World Wisconsin), Mrs. Bedwin in Oliver! Rosalind Angela Bolmes (UW-Waukesha), and Andrea in Once On This Island Ethel Lucy Hilgendorf (Waukesha Civic Theatre). When not acting or singing, Melissa enjoys marketing, graphic design, planning events, photography, Paul Jim Donaldson and yoga. Phew! Melissa would like to thank her husband, her Howard Rolando Kahn “theatre family”, and her actual family for their support. Eileen Melissa Pol Richard Bill Hitt Gene Schuldt (Fight Director) A Chicago native, Gene is a 1976 graduate of the Goodman School of Drama. Gene has staged fight scenes all over the Midwest, and while in Chicago, taught stage combat at the Theatre School of DePaul as well as the Vic- Moon Over Buffalo tory Gardens Theatre Training Center. is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Meet The Players... Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Between Cat and Moon Over Buffalo, her Larry Beckley (Technical Director) wants everyone to sit back, only on-stage experience was in Inherit The Wind at the Sunset relax, and enjoy the product of a lot of very talented people. He Playhouse. would like to thank all the hands that helped to create this elabo- rate, yet simple set, especially Casey. Bill Hitt (Richard Maynard) is making his VPW debut with this production. He is a veteran of the stage, however, appearing Angela Bolmes (Rosalind Hay) is proud to hold a theatre degree most recently as Old Timer in Soapy’s Christmas Wish at Muk- from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and happy to be per- wonago Village Players. His other recent credits include Jacob forming with VPW once again. She was last seen as Maggie in in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Charlie Tennessee Williams' Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. She would like to in On Golden Pond at the Sunset Playhouse. Other favorite roles thank Paco for this opportunity and her family, pugs and partner include Lazar Wolf in Fiddler On The Roof, Bob Cratchet in A in crime for their endless support and cuddles. Christmas Carol and Prosecutor Gilmore in To Kill A Mocking-

Art Carter (Set Construction) has performed in many theatre pro- bird. He will also be seen in Legal Threat, a film to be released in 2015. Bill makes his home in Richfield with his beautiful wife, ductions throughout the Milwaukee area. He has produced sev- eral VPW shows and has helped with set construction on many as Michele. well. Art is proud of the work done to create this set. Rolando Kahn (Howard) is thrilled to be back for a second show Donna Daniels (Charlotte Hay) is very excited to make her VPW with the Village Playhouse. His previous projects include All In debut in Moon Over Buffalo! Donna was last seen as Clelia in The Timing, After Breakfast Before Bed, and MULTICO. He The Nerd, Miss Casewell in The Mousetrap and Chelsey in On would like to thank friends and family for their support. Golden Pond, all at Sunset Playhouse. Donna has performed with many area including Waukesha Civic Theatre, Rosie Peterson (Producer) is proud to have worked with such an Racine Theatre Guild, Boulevard Ensemble, Milwaukee experienced cast and a very ingenious director. Rosie has been

Chamber Theatre and The Milwaukee Rep. Donna would like with The Village Playhouse since 1977. She has volunteered to do a wide variety of jobs including acting and singing, which is to thank her husband, Tom, and daughters, Grace and Sophie, for all of their love and support. Special thanks to Michael Pocaro for why she and all of us volunteer for community theatre. She this opportunity. hopes you truly enjoy this production. She would like to dedicate this work to her sister Caroline, who passed away in October Jim Donaldson (Paul) is excited to once again be working with 2013. the Village Playhouse. Likewise, he is even more excited to once again be working with the highly insightful and brilliant Michael Michael [Paco] Pocaro (Director) is happy to undertake this de- Pocaro. A huge thanks to his supportive parents and to his Stage lightful and raucous script as his fourth directorial for Village Manager. Thanks for being so patient, Jamee. Playhouse. He last directed and appeared as Big Daddy in the VPW production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. His theater activities Lucy Hilgendorf (Ethel) is thrilled to be back at VPW and per- span more than twenty years in countless Milwaukee theaters. A forming in their new theatre space after getting her start on the Navy Veteran, Paco grew up in Southern California where he stage with VPW in Best Christmas Pageant Ever followed by

Meet The Players... Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Between Cat and Moon Over Buffalo, her Larry Beckley (Technical Director) wants everyone to sit back, only on-stage experience was in Inherit The Wind at the Sunset relax, and enjoy the product of a lot of very talented people. He Playhouse. would like to thank all the hands that helped to create this elabo- rate, yet simple set, especially Casey. Bill Hitt (Richard Maynard) is making his VPW debut with this production. He is a veteran of the stage, however, appearing Angela Bolmes (Rosalind Hay) is proud to hold a theatre degree most recently as Old Timer in Soapy’s Christmas Wish at Muk- from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and happy to be per- wonago Village Players. His other recent credits include Jacob forming with VPW once again. She was last seen as Maggie in in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Charlie Tennessee Williams' Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. She would like to in On Golden Pond at the Sunset Playhouse. Other favorite roles thank Paco for this opportunity and her family, pugs and partner include Lazar Wolf in Fiddler On The Roof, Bob Cratchet in A in crime for their endless support and cuddles. Christmas Carol and Prosecutor Gilmore in To Kill A Mocking-

Art Carter (Set Construction) has performed in many theatre pro- bird. He will also be seen in Legal Threat, a film to be released in 2015. Bill makes his home in Richfield with his beautiful wife, ductions throughout the Milwaukee area. He has produced sev- eral VPW shows and has helped with set construction on many as Michele. well. Art is proud of the work done to create this set. Rolando Kahn (Howard) is thrilled to be back for a second show Donna Daniels (Charlotte Hay) is very excited to make her VPW with the Village Playhouse. His previous projects include All In debut in Moon Over Buffalo! Donna was last seen as Clelia in The Timing, After Breakfast Before Bed, and MULTICO. He The Nerd, Miss Casewell in The Mousetrap and Chelsey in On would like to thank friends and family for their support. Golden Pond, all at Sunset Playhouse. Donna has performed with many area theatres including Waukesha Civic Theatre, Rosie Peterson (Producer) is proud to have worked with such an Racine Theatre Guild, Boulevard Ensemble, Milwaukee experienced cast and a very ingenious director. Rosie has been

Chamber Theatre and The Milwaukee Rep. Donna would like with The Village Playhouse since 1977. She has volunteered to do a wide variety of jobs including acting and singing, which is to thank her husband, Tom, and daughters, Grace and Sophie, for all of their love and support. Special thanks to Michael Pocaro for why she and all of us volunteer for community theatre. She this opportunity. hopes you truly enjoy this production. She would like to dedicate this work to her sister Caroline, who passed away in October Jim Donaldson (Paul) is excited to once again be working with 2013. the Village Playhouse. Likewise, he is even more excited to once again be working with the highly insightful and brilliant Michael Michael [Paco] Pocaro (Director) is happy to undertake this de- Pocaro. A huge thanks to his supportive parents and to his Stage lightful and raucous script as his fourth directorial for Village Manager. Thanks for being so patient, Jamee. Playhouse. He last directed and appeared as Big Daddy in the VPW production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. His theater activities Lucy Hilgendorf (Ethel) is thrilled to be back at VPW and per- span more than twenty years in countless Milwaukee theaters. A forming in their new theatre space after getting her start on the Navy Veteran, Paco grew up in Southern California where he stage with VPW in Best Christmas Pageant Ever followed by

by Ken Ludwig

Moon Over Buffalo centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950's. At the moment, they’re playing Private Lives and in rep in Buf- falo, New York with 5 actors. On the brink of a disastrous split -up caused by George’s dalliance with a young ingénue, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does go wrong, abetted by a Meet The Players (continued) visit from their daughter’s clueless fiancé and hilarious uncer- tainty about which play they’re actually performing, caused by Charlotte’s deaf old stage-manager mother who hates every began performing in 1979. He has since appeared in or directed bone in George’s body. hundreds of productions, workshops, videos and (gasp) commer- cials. Directed by Michael Pocaro

Melissa Pol (Eileen) is delighted to be in her first production at Cast of Characters the Village Playhouse. An expert at running on and off stage, she thought that this would be the perfect character for her! Other George Hay Bob Zimmerman credits include Abby in Stuck (Theatre Unchained), Meg in Lit- Charlotte Hay Donna Daniels tle Women (Old World Wisconsin), Mrs. Bedwin in Oliver! Rosalind Angela Bolmes (UW-Waukesha), and Andrea in Once On This Island Ethel Lucy Hilgendorf (Waukesha Civic Theatre). When not acting or singing, Melissa enjoys marketing, graphic design, planning events, photography, Paul Jim Donaldson and yoga. Phew! Melissa would like to thank her husband, her Howard Rolando Kahn “theatre family”, and her actual family for their support. Eileen Melissa Pol Richard Bill Hitt Gene Schuldt (Fight Director) A Chicago native, Gene is a 1976 graduate of the Goodman School of Drama. Gene has staged fight scenes all over the Midwest, and while in Chicago, taught stage combat at the Theatre School of DePaul as well as the Vic- Moon Over Buffalo tory Gardens Theatre Training Center. is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Inspiration Studios www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com Jamee Stefanski (Assistant Director) This is Jamee’s first show as an assistant director. Her directorial debut was Time Doesn’t Calendar of Events Heal All Wounds in VPW’s One Act Festival last June. Prior to that she could be found on stage having done shows at Sunset

Mar 7-Apr 28 “Angst” Playhouse, Lake Country Playhouse, Waukesha Civic and Kevin Batcher art exhibit here at VPW. Her favorite roles are in the Ensemble in Miss Sai- gon at Waukesha Civic and Roz in Moon Over Buffalo at LCP. Apr 17-18 Moon Over Buffalo She is currently a Domestic Engineer and lives in West Allis with —a Village Playhouse production her husband Tracy and her 3 beautiful girls, Samantha, Paige and

Apr 20-21 Auditions: VPW 30th Annual One Act Festival Lexi. 7pm @ Inspiration Studios —an Inspiration Studios production Sandra Wyss (Set Design) enjoys being involved in all aspects of theater, backstage and acting onstage. She was the set designer Apr 22 Sound Check Studio Recital and artistic director for All in the Timing, The Mouse That 7pm @ Inspiration Studios Roared, Return of the Pink Panther, School House Rock Live.

Apr 24-25 Moon Over Buffalo Sandy has enjoyed scenic painting for many main stage and chil- —Village Playhouse production dren’s shows for Village Playhouse and Brookfield Players. She has been Props Designer, Assistant Stage Manager and actress Apr 26-27-28 A Play About Parker with Over Our Head Players, Racine. When not involved in the —Off Book Players production theater, Sandy displays paintings in art fairs and galleries in the

April 30-May 30 “Through the Mirrors of Time” Milwaukee area. She has had opportunities in indie films, movies Maria Dolores Parks (Ecuador) art exhibit and tv shows in Chicago and Milwaukee area. Opening Reception—April 30, 5-9pm Robert A. Zimmerman (George Hay) is making his Village Play- May 1-2-3 Moon Over Buffalo house debut, and is very grateful to be here. His love for local —Village Playhouse production theatre extends over 40* years, including writing, directing, set design, performing and sweeping the stage. Some favorite acting May 8-9 The Recovering Pessimist —Inspiration Studios production roles include Max Bialystock in The Producers, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Peron in Evita, May 15-16-17 The Recovering Pessimist Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Noah in Two by Two, —Inspiration Studios production Fagin in Oliver!, Applegate in Damn Yankees, Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Selsdon in Noises Off, Albert June 1-30 “WA-a-la-Art” exhibit from WAWM school staff Opening Reception—June 7 Soady, Jr. in Escanaba In Da Moonlight, Michael in I Do, I Do, during West Allis a la Carte and Harold Hill in “The Music Man.” Bob is not only couched in mortified disbelief of that number, but in unabashed, vehement denial. Visit our website for more information regarding upcoming events www.inspirationstudiosgallery.com Production Crew About the playwright….

KEN LUDWIG has had 6 shows on Producer Rosie Peterson Broadway and 7 in London’s West Director Michael “Paco” Pocaro End, and his plays and musicals Assistant Director Jamee Stefanski have been performed in more than Stage Manager Michelle Miller 30 countries in over 20 languages. Technical Director Larry Beckley His first play on Broadway, Lend Set Design Sandra Wyss Me A Tenor, which the Washington Set Construction Larry Beckley Post called "one of the classic Art Carter comedies of the 20th century,” won Manny Cotto two Tony Awards and was nomi- Erico Ortiz nated for seven. He has also won Casey Paszciewicz two Laurence Olivier Awards Rosie Peterson (England’s highest theater honor), the Charles MacArthur Award, two Sandra Wyss Helen Hayes Awards, the Edgar Light Design Casey Pasciewicz Award for Best Mystery from The Lights Victoria Diaz Mystery Writers of America, the SETC Distinguished Career Sound Casey Pasciewicz Award, and the Edwin Forrest Award for Services to the Ameri- Set Crew Morgan Cotto can Theatre. His plays have been commissioned by the Royal Jarid Cotto Shakespeare Company and the Bristol Old Vic. He has written 22 Christine Altenbach plays and musicals, including Crazy For You (5 years on Broad- Props Marilou Davido way and the West End, Tony and Olivier Award Winner for Best Fight Choreography Gene Schuldt Musical), Moon Over Buffalo (Broadway and West End), The Ad- Costumes Michelle Miller ventures of Tom Sawyer (Broadway), Treasure Island(West Rosie Peterson End), Twentieth Century (Broadway), Leading Ladies, Shake- speare in Hollywood, The Game’s Afoot, The Fox on the Fair- Hair Victoria Diaz way, The Three Musketeers and The Beaux’ Stratagem. His most House Manager Rita Bates recent plays includeBaskerville, A Comedy of Tenors, and Tiny Publicity Erico Ortiz Tim’s Christmas Carol (2015 Helen Hayes Award nominee for Rosie Peterson Outstanding Play). His newest book, How To Teach Your Chil- Photography Audwin Short dren Shakespeare, (winner of the Falstaff Award for Best Shake- Graphics/Flyer Design Derek Jacobs speare Book of 2014) is published by Random House. Over the Banner/Program Design Erico Ortiz years, his plays and musicals have starred Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Lynn Redgrave, Mickey Rooney, John Astin, Hal Hol- Please pardon any omissions due to printing deadlines brook, Dixie Carter, Otto Schenck,Tony Shalhoub, Anne Heche, Joan Collins, and Kristin Bell. His work is published by the Yale

Review, and he is a Sallie B. Goodman Fellow of the McCarter Special Thanks Theatre, Princeton. He holds degrees from Harvard, where he Sunset Playhouse studied music with Leonard Bernstein, Haverford College and Tom Zuehlke Cambridge University. For more information, please visit www.kenludwig.com. From the director... Opportunity Knocks! A Nun, a Lawyer and a Gorilla walk into a bar. The bartender Join us for the says, “Hey, what is this? Some kind of joke?”. Yeah, this is some remaining shows of our kind of joke! And I like a good joke, don’t you? You know Director’s Notes are usually intended to be somehow 2014-2015 Season socially relevant, whetting the appetite for provocation, insight and thoughtful entertainment. That’s a pretty high order for “Moon Over Buffalo”.

Now that’s not to say that good comedy can’t be provoca- tive. There are at least as many types of comedy as there are Shades of Grey. Consider the socially relevant comedy of April 17-May 3 “MASH”, or the stigma-busting, in your face comedy of “All in the Family” and all its spin-offs. But this is …vaudeville. This is slapstick. This production has been brazenly plagiarized from all my personal favorites; Laurel and Hardy, Abbot and Costello, The Three Stooges and The Marx Brothers.

The beauty of comedies like “Moon Over Buffalo” is they’re built June 5-21 upon the human weakness we all know and celebrate in our own lives. They’re the shifty cousin, the overbearing uncle, the feisty nephew, the bumbling suitor, and most of all – the Self and all its adorable shortcomings!

It has been my intention to bring this comedy of mistaken iden- tity, drunkenness, infidelity, and slamming doors to its knees August 7-23 with deftly performed double takes, slow burns, and pratfalls. I personally enjoy self-effacing, physical comedy over nearly all others. The beauty of self-effacing comedy is, even if you get it wrong you just laugh and say, “See?”

I hope you get a belly laugh or two from tonight’s produc- tion. Laughing is, after all, a sign of social healing and holistic Traveling Children’s Show wellness. It’s known to be common to all races, all ages, and all June 28—Summerfest genders. How’s that for social relevancy!!??

Michael (Paco) Pocaro Village Playhouse  Inspiration Studios 1500 S. 73rd Street, West Allis

Village Playhouse presents

By Ken Ludwig

Directed by Inspiration Studios Michael Pocaro 1500 S. 73rd Street

West Allis,-3474 WI 53214 7:30pm 414 587 -April 18 April 17-April 24 April 23 -May 2 May 1 VPW Cast & Crew—Break legs! Jaime and Patrina Hurtado, Owners 2:00pm May 3 Matinee

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.