Buffaloed

It's the chance of a lifetime: Frank Capra needs to recast his new feature, and he calls the repertory theater in Buffalo to let George and Charlotte Hay know he's coming to see the two stage vets perform — they may be his new leads if all goes well. But all is definitely not well in Buffalo. George had a fling with another actress, and Charlotte knows it. So she leaves him for their lawyer. George goes on an epic bender — theater people are so dramatic — but everybody knows the show must go on, so all parties are brought together under duress and against their better judgment. But which show is going on? Noel Coward's Private Lives and Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac are the plays in repertory; George believes a heroically soused Cyrano is just what Capra wants, but the rest of the cast seems costumed for a light comedy. And who is bound and gagged in the backstage closet? Ken Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo is a fast-paced and physical comedy that proves there's no business like show business. Creative Differences presents Moon Over Buffalo at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday (September 3 through 6) at the Black Cat Theatre (2810 Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood; 314-352-5565 or www.blackcattheatre.org). Tickets are $10 to $15.
Sept. 3-6, 2009