Q&A with Director David Stenstrom

Tehachapi Community Theatre is excited to announce our next main stage production, Ken Ludwig's "Moon Over Buffalo!" This fast-paced comedy set in 1950s Buffalo is about George and Charlotte Hay, two washed up Broadway actors who get the chance to revive their careers as well as their marriage. A farcical sequence of absurd events leads us through this rapid-fire, door slamming comedy filled with humor, innuendo and case after case of mistaken identity. It will have you on the edge of your seat, laughing!

We sat down with the director of "Moon Over Buffalo," David Stenstrom, to chat about this project:

Q: This is your directorial debut in Tehachapi. What was it about this script that made you want to direct "Moon Over Buffalo?"

A: It is one of the funniest plays I have ever seen, heard or read. It is Neil Simon on steroids.

Q: What has been the most challenging part of the production so far?

A: Choreographing the sword fight! The other challenge has been the fast-paced entrances and exits on stage. Which door do I exit, which door do I enter?!

Q: Without any spoilers, what is your favorite part of this production thus far?

A: It is the actors! And the joy/laughter we experience putting this show together. This is a play you can see over and over and each time you see it you will see something new.

Q: What is the most challenging part of directing?

A: The most challenging part is timing. Each beat of a joke is important and finding the timing is the difference between a good production and an average production. Let the actors find the timing to tell the joke, to tell the story.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of directing?

A: When the actors hit their marks and the audience gets it. Nothing better than a big belly laugh!

Q: What is it about this play that you think the people of Tehachapi will like the most?

A: This play can help them forget about the drama of real life and just enjoy the evening.

Q: What kind of plays do you hope to see on our stage in the future?

A: Plays that bring people together with the common experience of being human. To laugh, to cry together. Plays that show how similar we are. That our differences are small, and our similarities are great.

Tehachapi Community Theatre presents Ken Ludwig's "Moon Over Buffalo." Presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, New York.

Directed by David Stenstrom.

Assistant Directed by Lisa Meredith.

Cast: Alex Zann, Jamie Uthof, Andi Hicks, Sierra Christian, Adam Dyer, Thomas Ingram, Jayden Trigo and James Emery.

Please visit http://www.tctonstage.com to purchase your tickets and check showtimes.