(Augusta, MI) The Barn Theatre is proud to present Jeff Daniels’ ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT.  Back by popular demand, is last season’s Yooper blockbuser. When the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp, thirty-five-year-old Reuben Soady played by Scott Burkell brings with him the shameful reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of Soadys never to bag a buck.  Reuben is buckless and the laughing stock of the folks in Escanaba, who even hide their children from his sight lest they too catch the disease. In a hunting story to beat all hunting stories, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Rueben goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book.  His understanding father, Albert Soady, (played again by local favorite Michael Ray Helms) brother Remnar (Eric Parker reprising last year’s role) and alien abductee Jimmer (Roy Brown, also reprising his role from last season) make up the hunting party.  As the fateful dawn approaches, Reuben attempts to change his luck by altering several of the time tested rituals and traditions of the Soady deer camp, but only succeeds in fueling a series of strange and unexplainable events causing Remar, Reuben’s overly superstitious brother to remark, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say the camp was cursed!” This year joining the cast of characters is Joe Aiello as Ranger Tom T. Tread.  This hilarious comedy will have you laughing for weeks to come.

The set is designed by Richard Haptonstall, the scenic artist is Doug Blickle, the lighting is designed by Neal M. Kerr and the costume design is by Nettie Fisher.  Sound is being designed by James Stephenson.

The Barn Theatre is located on M-96 West of Augusta.  Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM , Saturday at 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm , and Sunday at 5:00 pm .  Tickets are $25.00 Tuesday through Thursday, and $27.50 Friday through Sunday.  Visa and MasterCard are accepted.  For tickets call (269) 731-4121.  The box office is open daily from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm.

Enjoy refreshments in The Rehearsal Shed Lounge with friends before, during intermission and after the show.  There is a free cabaret-style show in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge after mainstage performance.

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ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT  

Cast List

Albert Soady...................................................MICHAEL RAY HELMS

Reuben Soady.................................................SCOTT BURKELL

Remnar Soady.................................................ERIC PARKER

Jimmer Negamanee..........................................ROY BROWN

Ranger Tom T. Tread.......................................JOE AIELLO

Wolf Moon Dance Soady................................RACHEL SIMPSON

Director – BRENDAN RAGOTZY

Stage Manager – BILL WALTERS

Scenic Designer – RICHARD HAPTONSTALL

Scenic Artist – DOUG BLICKLE

Lighting Designer – NEAL M. KERR

Costume Designer – NETTIE FISCHER

Sound Designer – JAMES STEPHENSON

Technical Director – FRED GILLETTE

Prop master – JAMES B. KNOX

Wig / Hair master – GARRYLEE McCORMICK

Producer –BRENDAN RAGOTZY

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MICHAEL RAY HELMS

Is returning to play Albert Soady in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT!  He is reprising his role which won him critical acclaim at The Barn Theatre last season, and at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre the previous season.  Michael is no stranger to the stage, some of his favorite roles include Alfred P. Doolittle in  MY FAIR LADY, Lord Fancourt in CHARLEY’S  AUNT, Dr. Zubritsky in FOOLS, both fathers in the FANTASTICS,  Pseudolus in FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and Senator Wingwoah in  THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS.  He has also directed productions of THE APPLE TREE and PLAZA SUITE.  Michael’s professional experience began with Millbrook Playhouse and he is a graduate of Central Michigan University. He is currently employed by Van Buren ISD as a migrant /bilingual teacher.

SCOTT BURKELL

Scott comes back to the Barn for a 22^nd summer season after another eventful year in New York spent workshopping and refining his various projects: six of one (his musical with a score by Barnie Paul Loesel), and his play OUT OF IT.  His Burkell/Loesel songs are being performed by several prominent Broadway names, like Barnie Marin Mazzie, her husband and Main Stem actor Jason Daniely, Susan Egan, and Rebecca Luker, to name but a few.  He was also on Broadway and in the First National Tour of TITANIC.  In Augusta , his career has been unforgettable.  Some favorites include Molina in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, George (opposite Marin Mazzie) in SHE LOVES ME, Felix in THE ODD COUPLE, Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Claude in HAIR, and perhaps his all-time gem, Riff-Raff in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.  Last season Scott played in ROCKY HORROR again, as well as Reuben in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, Gus in CATS, Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Mother Superior in NUNSENSE A-MEN, and an acclaimed turn as the Emcee in CABARET.

ERIC PARKER

Eric couldn’t be more pleased to return for a 12^th go-‘round in Augusta .  Last year he was featured throughout the summer, with Judas (opposite one of his favorite ‘90s rockers, Gary Cherone) in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR topping his list, followed by his turns in THE FOREIGNER, and ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT as well as his cameo as Bustopher Jones in CATS.  Other favorite Barn credits include major roles in JOSEPH…, six productions of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, CHESS, BIG RIVER, TOMMY, CITY OF ANGELS , SOUTH PACIFIC, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, PIPPIN, and Che in EVITA, a role that introduced Eric to Chicago audiences in an award-winning production at Drury Lane Oakbrook.  Eric has continued his career at the Drury Lane , with featured performances in their JOSEPH…, ANYTHING GOES, ANNIE, CAMELOT, and their TYA ALADDIN and CHARLOTTE ’S WEB.  Favorites elsewhere include the title roles in AMADEUS, THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and Claude in HAIR (European Tour).  TV: GUIDING LIGHT.  Eric lives in Chicago and is a proud Adrian native.

ROY BROWN

Roy is returning for a fourth summer season at the Barn with his full Equity membership awaiting him in September.  Roy’s credits here in Augusta include SOUTH PACIFIC, CAMELOT, CHESS, Renfield in DRACULA, and hilarious turns last summer as Sr. Mary Amnesia in NUNSENSE A-MEN, and the Jimmer in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, a role he’s become a sort of local celebrity for playing. Originally from Hastings , Roy now calls New York City home.

JOE AIELLO

Joe is pleased to return to the Barn for his 24^th season.  Year after year he has proven his talent and versatility in such roles as Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Lee in TRUE WEST, Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Gallimard in M. BUTTERFLY, Merrick in THE ELEPHANT MAN, Mozart in AMADEUS, Albin/ZaZa in LA CAGE AUX FOLLIES, Arthur in CAMELOT, and half the town in both GREATER TUNA, and A TUNA CHRISTMAS.  A gifted director as well, Joe has won accolades for his Barn productions of CHESS, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, SHE LOVES ME, CRIMES OF THE HEART, THE MOST HAPP FELLA, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, SWEENY TODD (co-directed with Scott Burkell), and last season’s CABARET.  He lives in New York City and is currently Director of Sales for Match-Tix Group Sales and Promotions and co-owner of Allied/Hit-Tix Inc.

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