LEWISTON — “Fly Me to the Moon” is a crowd-pleasing comic hit on The Public Theatre stage. It’s packed with laughs with upcoming performances Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 1-4.
Two Irish home-care nurses land in hilarious circumstances when they believe the death of their elderly patient will lead to an unexpected windfall.
Amy Griffin and Annie Edgerton deliver delightful performances as Loretta and Frances. They are Broadway veterans who keep the audience laughing with the play’s fast-paced action and dialogue.
It’s an afternoon shift-change when Loretta (Griffin) arrives a bit late to take over the care of their 84-year-old patient. Frances (Edgerton) tells Loretta the old man is in the bathroom … no sound, no response when she knocks and calls.
Is he all right? Is he dead?
It’s near panic for the two as the shock of their situation sets in. But before long, it dawns on the pair that their patient’s pension has arrived. This presents the possibility of splitting the funds. Furthermore, the gentleman was accustomed to placing bets on the horses, and on this day, his small one-hundred-to-one wager on a horse named “Fly Me to the Moon” has won.
Director Christopher Schario keeps the rollicking action going, even though the play takes place entirely in the patient’s bedroom. There’s a busybody who lives across the street and keeps a constant eye on things. That leads to a moment that calls for some quick and hilarious gymnastics to avoid being seen through the window.
With feelings of panic mounting, Loretta and Frances dig themselves deeper and deeper into the questionable consequences of their incredible situation. It even reaches the point where they begin to think that burning the house down might be a good idea.
Griffin is making her debut at The Public Theatre. She has appeared on Broadway in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (original cast and cast recording), as well in numerous other popular productions. That includes playing the title role in “Peter Pan” seven times. She also has appeared off-Broadway in “Newsical,” “Forbidden Broadway,” and in the recent revival of “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Edgerton’s credits include Broadway and national tour appearances in “Mamma Mia,” “Kinky Boots,” and in productions of “Outside Mullingar,” “Adriana,” “Comedy of Errors,” “Les Miserables,” “Legally Blonde,” among others. She is the creator and host of “Broadway Buzzed” on YouTube.
Marie Jones, author of “Fly Me to the Moon,” has written extensively for stage and television. Her play, “Stone On His Pockets,” was an international success.
Others contributing to the production are stage manager Lisa Bragdon, costume designer Anna Grywalski, set designer Jennifer B. Madigan and lighting designer Heather M. Crocker.
Remaining performances of “Fly Me to the Moon” are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 1-3, with afternoon shows at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4.
There is a pre-show wine-tasting in the lobby provided by Rails Restaurant before the Thursday, Feb. 1, performance.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for groups, and $5 ages 18 and under. For information and tickets call 207-782-3200 or go to www.thepublictheatre.org.
The Public Theatre is located at 31 Maple St.
Amy Griffin, left, and Annie Edgerton perform in “Fly Me to the Moon” playing at The Public Theatre.
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