Davidson Community Players’ Connie Co. will present “The Connie Company: Food for Thought, Recipes for Life” this Friday through Sunday, July 29-31, at three different Lake Norman locations. The Connie Company is known for its kid-friendly, fast-paced and funny children’s theatre performances and this summer’s celebration of food is an original production full of songs, stories and poems sure to fill the hearts of the very young, and the very young at heart.

The touring production will be performed:

• Friday, July 29, 7pm at Cornelius Town Hall – 21445 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius – Free performance in partnership with Cornelius PARC to benefit Ada Jenkins Red Cross Food Pantry. Donations of canned food items or cash will be accepted in lieu of admission.
• Saturday, July 30, 11am at Sherrills Ford Library – 8456 Sherrills Ford Road – Free performance sponsored by Friends of the Sherrills Ford Library
• Sunday, July 31, 2pm Armour Street Theatre – 307 Armour Street, Davidson – Donations accepted to benefit future Connie Company programming

All performances are free. Friday’s performance though will benefit the Ada Jenkins Red Cross Food Pantry. In lieu of purchasing a ticket, audience members are asked to bring canned food items.

For more information, visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org.

FINAL WEEKEND FOR ‘MOON OVER BUFFALO’

Davidson Community Players this week opens “Moon Over Buffalo,” Ken Ludwig’s play about two aging actors with one last shot at stardom, is directed by local theater veteran Anne Lambert and filled with side-splitting humor. The play continues through Sunday, July 31, at Davidson College’s Duke Family Performance Hall.

The Boston Herald called “Moon Over Buffalo” “nothing less than a love letter to live theater.” We meet aging thespians George and Charlotte Hay (played by James Dracy and Elyse Williams), who have taken their fading touring company on the road in an attempt to revive floundering careers. In 1953, the era of classical theatre performed from town to town is coming to an end; now the “grand musical” on Broadway is where success is found. But the aging Hays know the show must go on. On stage, they are young lovers determined to impress, yet behind the curtain – they are exhausted by life and their own failed relationship.

While playing Buffalo (rather than Broadway), their dreams of success and stardom are re-ignited when they learn that renowned film director, Frank Capra, is coming to the town to screen for his next film. The news prompts the adrenalin needed to catapult them back to hope; they will redeem themselves and realize the company’s genuine affection for one another and their craft.

Ken Ludwig’s farce captures the rich pandemonium in a small theatre company’s attempt to stage a show and has added merciless complications for heightened comedic effect. The characters, despite their numerous foibles become genuine and admirably human to us in the portrait of a bygone era.

Mr. Ludwig’s many hits on Broadway, London’s West End, and around the world have made his name synonymous with modern comedy. His work has been commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Col and has been performed in at least 30 countries in over 20 languages. Davidson Community Players’ 2008 production of this Ludwig comedy received seven Metrolina Theatre Association Nominations, including Outstanding Production by a Regional Theatre.

Director Anne Lambert previously directed Davidson Community Players favorites “Talley’s Folly,” “The Nerd,” “Rumours,” and most recently, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” An accomplished actress herself, she was seen most recently in Davidson Community Players’ “Working” (2008).

In addition to area favorites Dracy and Williams, the cast also includes Davidson Community Players’ veterans Gloria King (Beau Jest and Benedictions), Jim Esposito (My Fair Lady, Blithe Spirit), Aby Pagan (Noises Off, Working, The Bully Show and West Side Story), Philip Robertson (It’s a Wonderful Life, Barefoot in the Park, Noises Off), Bill Mazzella (It’s a Wonderful Life), and new to the Davidson Community Players’ stage Olivia Dalzell.

WANT TO GO?

“Moon Over Buffalo
” by Ken Ludwig
, Directed by Anne Lambert
WHERE: Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College
WHEN: July 29 & 30 at 8pm, July 31 at 2pm
WHO: For ages 12+
TICKETS: Adult $22, Senior (65+) $20, Student (-21) $12
BOX OFFICE: 704-892-7953, www.DavidsonCommunityPlayers.org