Michael Woodson knows his character well.
The actor plays, well, an actor, in Live Theatre Workshop's production of "Moon Over Buffalo," which opens next week.
"It's always fun to do a show that's based on the business you're in," said Woodson, who has been acting since 1966. "Being an actor playing an actor, you know it's going to be crazy."
"Moon" is set in 1953. Charlotte and George Hay are the last of the traveling theatrical families, said Woodson, who plays George, the family patriarch.
George manages to keep the theater company together but makes bad choices along the way.
Director Stephen Frankenfield also has a good insight into the play; he's an actor who is directing this production.
He came to directing at the urging of friends.
People are also reading…
"When you get the (acting) bug, you can't stop. I think it's the same with directing," said Frankenfield, who's directing his third play. "The more I do it, the more I appreciate the craft. I can see myself doing both, but I could never stop acting."
Reading scripts, he often visualized how a scene should look.
As a director, that visualization is even more intense.
As an actor, he understands what his cast needs.
"Ultimately, it's an ensemble piece and not just about the director," he said. "We work together."
This production is a reunion for Carlisle Ellis, Roberta Streicher and Woodson, who all starred in 2004's "Tale of the Allergist's Wife," a play about a visiting friend disturbing the peace in the family.
"In the 'Allergist's Wife,' I played the beloved son-in-law," Woodson said. "In this one, I am the hated son-in-law. It's fun working with people you have worked with before."
Audience members will get the chance to view the backstage shenanigans and personal side of actors, said Kristi Loera, Live Theatre executive director.
"The husband gets roaring drunk," Loera said. "They try to sober him up, but the grandmother pours Irish whiskey in the coffee. She's almost deaf, so she hears 'pour that in the coffee.' "
After first reading the script, Loera said, she fell in love with "Buffalo" and its characters.
"We needed a big hit. Theaters are in trouble right now," Loera said. "We need something that's going to make people laugh."
If You Go
"Moon Over Buffalo"
• Presented by: Live Theatre Workshop.
• Playwright: Ken Ludwig.
• Director: Stephen Frankenfield.
• When: Preview performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and next Friday; regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, through June 15.
• Where: Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway.
• Tickets: Previews $11; $14-$17 regular performances.
• Reservations: 327-4242.
• Cast: Carlisle Ellis, Michael Woodson, Dwayne Palmer, Roberta Streicher, Eric Schumacher, Eric Anson, Michele Loera.
• Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes with intermission.
