Penobscot Theatre Company will warm hearts this winter with an uproariously tall tale by award-winning actor Jeff Daniels. Directed by the theatre's producing artistic director Bari Newport, the comedy Escanaba in da Moonlight will run February 1-18, 2018, with 14 performances at the historic Bangor Opera House.
The story introduces the Soady clan, gathered at their camp for the opening day of deer season, where 35-year-old Reuben bears the dubious distinction of being the oldest Soady in The Family's history never to have bagged a buck. In a hunting tale to beat all hunting tales, he goes to extraordinary lengths to remove himself from the record book. "This play makes me giggle," said Newport. "Jeff Daniels has drawn these ridiculous yet recognizable characters (think 'Dumb and Dumber Go Hunting'), there's a shimmer of magic that's delightfully surprising at the end, and the most outrageous fart sequence I've ever encountered for the stage."
Escanaba in da Moonlight is set in Escanaba, Michigan - located in the spectacular upper peninsula of the state. A film of the same title and starring Jeff Daniels premiered in 2001. The film was based on the play that premiered in 1997 at Jeff Daniels's Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, Michigan.
Making his Penobscot Theatre Company debut as patriarch Albert Soady is New York's Craig Bockhorn. Craig's Broadway credits include On Golden Pond, The Lonesome Westand Prelude to a Kiss. Sons Reuben and Remnar are played by Matt Madore(Lumberjacks in Love) and Cory Osborne (Disney's Beauty and the Beast). Rounding out the cast are Allen Adams (The Full Monty); Brad LaBree (Lumberjacks in Love); and Maulian Dana Smith, who makes a guest appearance as the heroine of the play. Scenic and lighting designer Jonathan Spencer of New York City is returning to Bangor to help bring the Soady camp to life, joining properties designer Meredith Perry, costume designer Kevin Koski and sound designer Katie Guzzi.
Show tickets are available online at www.penobscottheatre.org or through the box office, located at 131 Main Street, Bangor; (207) 942-3333. Prices range from $27-38 for adults; student tickets are all $15.
Escanaba in da Moonlight is produced in partnership with Groth & Associates with generous support from Advertising Specialists of Maine; and season sponsors Bangor Daily News, Blueberry Broadcasting, Canyon Networks, The Maine Edge, The Maine Arts Commission, Darling's, Downtown with Rich Kimball, The Tarratine, Wave Radio, WLBZ Channel 2, and ZONE Radio.
Videos