'Moon Over Buffalo' opens Sept. 8 at Bemidji Community Theater

Sep. 3—BEMIDJI — Steven Mayer gets to fall in love all over again with Anna, his real-life wife, in the Bemidji Community Theater's next play, "Moon Over Buffalo."

The last time Steven acted in the comedy, he was a last-minute stand-in. He played the part of Richard, a lovesick lawyer who falls for the leading lady, Charlotte. Anna Mayer played the part of Roz, the leading lady's daughter. That was five years ago when the play ran at Long Lake Theater in Hubbard.

The Mayers will be back on stage as two of the eight cast members when "Moon Over Buffalo" opens an eight-day run next week at the Bemidji Community Theater's Performing Arts Center, 316 Beltrami Ave. NW.

But this time Steven takes on the larger role of Paul, who falls for Anna's character, Roz. Steven and Anna live in Bagley with their 2-year-old daughter.

"Steven went from being the attorney who falls in love with the lead character to being the stagehand who falls in love with the daughter," said Vicki Stenerson, who is directing the play for the third time. The BCT first featured "Moon Over Buffalo" in 2009.

"This time the chemistry is kind of natural," Steven said. "Anna was excited to do it again. When we were re-reading the script, she just kept laughing, because she remembered all the stage directions and all the moments just started coming back. It's like muscle memory."

Speaking of muscle memory, that's what leading man Derrick Houle needs as he reprises his role as George, a traveling actor.

"He falls a lot," Stenerson said. "It is a very physical role. He's got it down pat."

"Moon Over Buffalo" relies heavily on situation comedy and slapstick. George engages in a mock fencing match with his wife Charlotte, a wrestling match and a stunt fall into the orchestra pit.

"It's one of the funniest plays out there," Steven Mayer said. "It's witty, it's fast-paced, just go-go-go. There are a lot of doors, a lot of entrances, exits, conflicts, but it all comes together at the end. It's hilarious."

Julie Kaiser portrays Charlotte, the leading lady. She was in that role at Long Lake Theater as well. The cast also features Michael Maixner, Kristine Cannon, LaDon Howes and Katie Carpenter.

"Julie and Derrick talked me into doing it again," Stenerson said. "They've been bugging me to do it for about four years. It's a crowd favorite. A lot of people have been asking us to do it again. So here we are."

Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8-10 and 15-16; at 2 p.m. on Sept. 11 and 18; and at 6 p.m. on Sept. 17. Tickets for all shows are on sale at Iverson's Corner Drug and Ken K. Thompson Jewelers and at the door. The cost is $6 for children, $12 for seniors and $15 for adults.

What: "Moon Over Buffalo"

Who: Bemidji Community Theater

Where: BCT Performing Arts Center, 316 Beltrami Ave. NW

When: 7 p.m. Sept. 8-10 and 15-16; 2 p.m. Sept. 11 and 18; and 6 p.m. Sept. 17

Tickets: $6 for children, $12 for seniors and $15 for adults, available at Iverson's Corner Drug, Ken K. Thompson Jewelers and at the door.