Farts are funny. Want proof? Catch a live production of Escanaba in Da Moonlight

Ledges Playhouse Artistic Director Kevin Burnham directed a fast-paced, hilarious rendition of Jeff Daniels' famed play for his company's inaugural show. He kept energy high and incorporated vigorous physical comedy.

Escanaba spoofs Yoopers and Yooper culture. Action opens at the Soady deer camp north of Escanaba, Michigan. Escanaba is replete with Michigan humor--humor translated for foreigners by the camp patriarch, Albert Soady, played by John Minsky. He informs the audience that he's going to tell them a tale of the 1989 deer season--a strange season where such traditions as pasties (a beef and turnip sandwich of sorts), Euchre, UFOs and whiskey suddenly take strange turns.

The strangeness revolves around Rueben Soady (played by Doug Alchin) who at age 45 still hasn't shot his first buck. Getting to such a ripe old age without having killed a buck is a shameful thing in this family, one talked about in hushed tones.

Burnham created a rustic cabin set that immediately communicates the company's high production values and transports the audience to Michigan's upper peninsula.

This production was boosted by the marvelous performances turned in by the perfectly-cast actors who interacted as a flawless ensemble.

Joseph Dickson was impressive in his total commitment to the half-crazed Jimmer, spitting out at full speed difficult speech patterns with an accent. When he later switches roles, the transformation is total.

Alchin's facial expressions were incredible, especially when he entered a trance and maintained a frozen look despite the physical antics around him.

Rounding out the cast, Minsky brought a down-home chattiness while Ben Holzhausen moved with a taut, high energy. Jeff Boerger tossed in some contrast with the shaken Department of Natural Resources agent from Detroit.

The play's intimacy and constant breaking of the fourth wall is part of what makes the show such a success and it is easy to see why, by all accounts, it translated poorly to the silver screen. It's a show filled with physical humor incorporating male bonding with one major fart and a streak of Native American mysticism that draws richly on U.P. folklore.

Escanaba is a well-loved play in Michigan along the lines of How to Speak Minnesotan further to the west. The Ledges Playhouse, a new company taking over the space of Spotlight theater in the Grand Ledge barn, does it justice.

Thankfully, that the group's commitment to realistic production values did not include securing special effects for odors.


Recommended: Yes