Sonya Ellingboe
“Escanaba in Love” takes the audience back to the Yoopers’ log
cabin in the Soady family’s Upper Michigan deer camp.
It looks the same in World War II days as it did when the Aurora
Fox produced the very funny “Escanaba in Da Moonlight” (timed 50
years later) three years ago for laughing audiences: rustic,
woodsy, a guy’s sanctuary, with trophy head of a big buck (the
Soady Ridge Buck) on the back wall. “I shot him because I loved
him” Alphonse Soady remembers.
That cabin and set, designed by Michael Duran, fills the stage
at the Aurora Fox Theatre, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., which is host to
the Soady saga through Oct. 12.
Actor/playwright/director Jeff Daniels said he never intended to
write more about the wacky family he created, but the first show
sold out wherever it played and after thinking it over, he decided
to write a prequel.
“Escanaba in Love” is set during World War II and begins as the
Soady clan waits for Albert Jr. (Jake Williamson) to show up for a
last hunt before he leaves for Army service.
He arrives with a surprise: he won Big Betty Balou in a kissing
contest at a local bar and married her on the spot. He brings her
to the deer camp for his honeymoon.
“All I want to do is be in love. I may get killed.” Williamson
is a young actor, majoring in theater at Metropolitan State and
perfect for this part.
Jack Casperson is the senior family member, Alphonse Soady, fond
of sweet sap whiskey served in glass jars and clueless about the
brash young woman who takes over the scene.
“If God didn’t want women to hunt and fish, why did he make
them?” he wonders.
Misha Johnson is a petite person, but one soon forgets that as
her Big Betty carries a rifle, drinks like a man and catches a big
fish with her bare hands, fulfilling tasks the men set for her —
like someone in a fairy tale who seeks to win the prince.
As Albert Soady Sr., David Ambroson steps out of his usual
musical leading man role into flannel shirt, fur hat and hunting
boots, taking on the Yooper accent and manners as he tries to make
his son rethink his marriage. He is reminded that the only other
woman ever to set foot in the deer camp was his late wife on their
honeymoon. Flashback time.
Salty Jim Negamenee (Eric Mather) arrives with jerky made from
northern pike, a limp from a past accident and a fantasy that he’s
a man of the sea.
His nonsensical chatter requires an experienced comedian and
Mather brings real skill and perfect timing to the part.
It’s tough to be truly goofy.
It helps to have a director, Bob Wells, who brings a comedy
background. The material is a cut below its predecessor, but an
evening with the Soadys sends one out smiling and remembering the
rhythm of the Yooper’s speech, coached by Lisa Mumpton.
Wah!
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