hilarious play moon over buffalo brings ludwig comedy back to the mtc stage
By Kiersten Bjork (February 23, 2025)
Moon Over Buffalo, which played at Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) February 7-23, is a hilarious comedy that has the audience in stitches from start to finish. Following on the tails of their 2022 production of Lend Me A Tenor, MTC brings Ken Ludwig back to their stage with great success. The performance that I attended was sold out, and it was clear that the audience thoroughly enjoyed the production. The production features a cast of new and familiar faces to the MTC stage, and is directed by Clint Hromsco, with fight and intimacy direction by Dan O’Driscoll.
Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo opened on Broadway in 1995 starring Philip Bosco and Carol Burnett as the husband-and-wife team of actors, George and Charlotte Hay, both of whom were nominated for Tony awards that season. George and Charlotte are performing Cyrano de Bergerac and Private Lives in repertory in Buffalo, New York, touring the country in the later years of their performing careers and fighting hard to stay at the top of the everchanging entertainment industry. The big stars are all off doing film and TV, but George and Charlotte Hay find themselves in Buffalo, with a quickly diminishing cash flow, and rapidly rising family drama. Rosalind, their daughter who had left the theatre and her former fiancé, the stage manager Paul, for a “normal” life, finds herself back in the middle of things with her new fiancé, Harold the weatherman, in tow. Hilarity ensues as affairs are revealed, doors slam, and alcohol is added to the mix, resulting in a madcap comedy that does what a Ludwig comedy does best – allows you to laugh out loud, and forget your troubles for a few hours.
Moon Over Buffalo, which played at Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) February 7-23, is a hilarious comedy that has the audience in stitches from start to finish. Following on the tails of their 2022 production of Lend Me A Tenor, MTC brings Ken Ludwig back to their stage with great success. The performance that I attended was sold out, and it was clear that the audience thoroughly enjoyed the production. The production features a cast of new and familiar faces to the MTC stage, and is directed by Clint Hromsco, with fight and intimacy direction by Dan O’Driscoll.
Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo opened on Broadway in 1995 starring Philip Bosco and Carol Burnett as the husband-and-wife team of actors, George and Charlotte Hay, both of whom were nominated for Tony awards that season. George and Charlotte are performing Cyrano de Bergerac and Private Lives in repertory in Buffalo, New York, touring the country in the later years of their performing careers and fighting hard to stay at the top of the everchanging entertainment industry. The big stars are all off doing film and TV, but George and Charlotte Hay find themselves in Buffalo, with a quickly diminishing cash flow, and rapidly rising family drama. Rosalind, their daughter who had left the theatre and her former fiancé, the stage manager Paul, for a “normal” life, finds herself back in the middle of things with her new fiancé, Harold the weatherman, in tow. Hilarity ensues as affairs are revealed, doors slam, and alcohol is added to the mix, resulting in a madcap comedy that does what a Ludwig comedy does best – allows you to laugh out loud, and forget your troubles for a few hours.
Rod Brogan and the company of Moon Over Buffalo at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Matt Mancuso and Rod Brogan in Moon Over Buffalo at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Rod Brogan and Anna Holbrook star as George and Charlotte Hay. Both Brogan and Holbrook are very well cast in their roles, and I thoroughly enjoyed their performances. Brogan is boisterous and lively, his movement and dialogue infused with vigor and energy that is fitting to George’s persona. He leans into the humor, earning more than a few laughs from the captive audience, and plays up the physicality of the character, particularly in the scenes in which George is drunk. Brogan and Holbrook play off of each nicely, their banter and verbal sparring well matched in one another. Holbrook is a fiery Charlotte, her performance grounded yet vibrant. She too masterfully handles the comedy of the piece, wielding her dialogue and actions with deliberate energy and precision that has the humor landing well throughout the show.
As their daughter Rosalind, Allie Seibold is both fierce and charming. Rosalind has left the theatre world for a normal life, but deep down, it’s all still there. Seibold plays up the dichotomy of the two sides of Roz’s life, particularly in the early moments with Howard versus the wild moments later on with Paul. The scene in which Roz is kicking off the opening to Private Lives and her co-star doesn’t show is comedy gold, and Seibold hits every moment perfectly.
Rosalind’s ex-fiancé, the stage manager Paul, is played by Matt Mancuso. Like Brogan, Mancuso leans into the over-the-top energy and physicality of the play, giving a wonderful performance that is packed with plenty of hysterical moments. Even just the comedic way in which Mancuso answers the phone repeatedly elicits laughs. The initial meeting between Roz and Paul upon her return is well-played by Seibold and Mancuso, and their back-and-forths throughout the show are fun to watch.
As their daughter Rosalind, Allie Seibold is both fierce and charming. Rosalind has left the theatre world for a normal life, but deep down, it’s all still there. Seibold plays up the dichotomy of the two sides of Roz’s life, particularly in the early moments with Howard versus the wild moments later on with Paul. The scene in which Roz is kicking off the opening to Private Lives and her co-star doesn’t show is comedy gold, and Seibold hits every moment perfectly.
Rosalind’s ex-fiancé, the stage manager Paul, is played by Matt Mancuso. Like Brogan, Mancuso leans into the over-the-top energy and physicality of the play, giving a wonderful performance that is packed with plenty of hysterical moments. Even just the comedic way in which Mancuso answers the phone repeatedly elicits laughs. The initial meeting between Roz and Paul upon her return is well-played by Seibold and Mancuso, and their back-and-forths throughout the show are fun to watch.
Jim Schilling, Allie Seibold, Matt Mancuso, Anna Holbrook, and Jo Anne Parady in Moon Over Buffalo at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Anna Holbrook and Rod Brogan in Moon Over Buffalo at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Jo Anne Parady portrays Charlotte’s mother, Ethel, whose perhaps most notable character trait is her hearing, and her lack thereof. Parody is entertaining to watch, many of her lines packed with spunk and sass. Her interactions with Brogan are quite funny, particularly the expressions she lets loose as the pants she has been mending are ripped again, and again, and again.
MTC managing director and director of the school of performing arts, Jim Schilling, plays Richard, the Hays’ lawyer who also happens to be trying to court Charlotte, much to her husband’s dismay. Schilling’s portrayal is notably less over-the-top than the surrounding characters, but it works for the more reserved, lovesick lawyer. He is endearing in the moments in which he expresses his affection for Charlotte.
Opposite Seibold as Harold is Ted Gibson, who is absolutely delightful in the role. Harold desperately wants Roz’s family to like him and is incredibly nervous to meet them. When everything goes topsy-turvy, Gibson holds down the situational comedy like a pro.
Olivia Fenton plays Eileen, an actress in the Hays’ company who finds herself at the center of a whole lot of drama thanks to a one-night stand with George. Fenton’s Eileen is effectively distraught, playing up the humor with an exaggeration that rounds out the whacky troupe of characters beautifully.
MTC managing director and director of the school of performing arts, Jim Schilling, plays Richard, the Hays’ lawyer who also happens to be trying to court Charlotte, much to her husband’s dismay. Schilling’s portrayal is notably less over-the-top than the surrounding characters, but it works for the more reserved, lovesick lawyer. He is endearing in the moments in which he expresses his affection for Charlotte.
Opposite Seibold as Harold is Ted Gibson, who is absolutely delightful in the role. Harold desperately wants Roz’s family to like him and is incredibly nervous to meet them. When everything goes topsy-turvy, Gibson holds down the situational comedy like a pro.
Olivia Fenton plays Eileen, an actress in the Hays’ company who finds herself at the center of a whole lot of drama thanks to a one-night stand with George. Fenton’s Eileen is effectively distraught, playing up the humor with an exaggeration that rounds out the whacky troupe of characters beautifully.
Rod Brogan, Matt Mancuso, and Ted Gibson in Moon Over Buffalo at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Allie Seibold in Moon Over Buffalo at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Scenic and prop design by April M. Bartlett is well-suited to the world of the show. Bartlett is supported by assistant scenic designer and prop supervisor, Arielle Silbert. The show is set within the green room of the theatre that the Hays’ company is currently performing at, full of furniture, theatre memorabilia, costume pieces, and props. One of the keys to the physical humor of the production are the numerous doors that slam, characters entering just as others are leaving. Bartlett and team have created a perfect playground for that physical humor, from the doors, to the pillows that Paul constantly rearranges, to the green room furniture that George tumbles over while drunk.
Lighting and projection designer RJ Romeo fills out the world of the show with light and shadow. I liked the choice to use a strategically placed blackout in the madness following George’s fall, the dialogue overlapping and building in the dark in a wonderfully chaotic way.
Costumes by designer Diane Vanderkroef support the styles and personalities of each character nicely, building upon the visual world of the production. Wig design by Peggi de la Cruz, is also well done. Sound design by Holly Rybnick is solid throughout.
Lighting and projection designer RJ Romeo fills out the world of the show with light and shadow. I liked the choice to use a strategically placed blackout in the madness following George’s fall, the dialogue overlapping and building in the dark in a wonderfully chaotic way.
Costumes by designer Diane Vanderkroef support the styles and personalities of each character nicely, building upon the visual world of the production. Wig design by Peggi de la Cruz, is also well done. Sound design by Holly Rybnick is solid throughout.
Olivia Fenton and Rod Brogan in Moon Over Buffalo at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Anna Holbrook and Rod Brogan in Moon Over Buffalo at MTC (Alex Mongillo)
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Moon Over Buffalo at MTC is a side-splitting romp that was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. As MTC’s executive artistic director Kevin Connors said in his pre-show speech, it is a show that allows you to toss aside anything that is weighing you down in the moment, and to just sit back and enjoy a genuinely funny piece of theatre.
Moon Over Buffalo played February 7-23, 2025, at Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk, CT. Learn more about upcoming productions and purchase tickets online at musictheatreofct.com or by calling the Box Office at (203) 454-3883.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
Moon Over Buffalo played February 7-23, 2025, at Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk, CT. Learn more about upcoming productions and purchase tickets online at musictheatreofct.com or by calling the Box Office at (203) 454-3883.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.