Review: “Escanaba in Da Moonlight”
Editor’s note: The Aurora Fox is remounting its hit comedy from last year, “Escanaba in Da Moonlight, through Dec. 17. This is a reposting of Denver Post theater critic John Moore’s original review of that production (original publish date March 17, 2005. Copyright Denver Post.) Also, on Thursday, Nov. 30, look for John’s “Running Lines podcast with three of the “Escanaba” characters (interviewed in character are John Arp, Michael Morgan and Bill Hahn):
Finally, with Jeff Daniels’ quirky “Escanaba in da Moonlight” comes that long-overdue comedy catering to the most underserved sector of the theater community – hunters. Specifically, coonskin-capped, sweet-sap whiskey-swilling, NRA card- carrying hunters from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You know: Yoopers.
“Escanaba” continues the most compelling season in years at the Aurora Fox, which is making significant strides in content and capability. It is guest-directed by the Avenue’s John Ashton; his exceptional ensemble reunites William Hahn and John Arp from “Metamorphoses” and incorporates Jack Casperson (arguably Denver’s best older actor) and Michael Morgan of the late HorseChart Theatre Company.
Nevertheless, “Escanaba” is a tough buck to bag. Think “Dumb & Dumber” meets “Fargo”: abundant flatulence humor within an intelligent Midwestern homage.
Daniels, not coincidentally, is a fine actor best known for sitting on a toilet in “Dumb & Dumber.” But he is also a respected playwright who founded the Purple Rose Theatre Company in his native Michigan.
“Escanaba” is a love letter to his home state. Whenever the play is performed there, it runs for months without an empty seat. Daniels made a film version by himself, and it made $2.3 million in self-distribution.
But this is a regional comedy. It is so specific to its place that it does not translate seamlessly to East Colfax. Though the physical comedy is universal, the Yooper humor in places requires local knowledge.
What makes “Escanaba” so meaningful to upper Michiganites also makes it a bit dense for the rest of us, especially at an odd climax that leaps fully into heartfelt mysticism.
This is an esoteric tall tale set the night before the first day of hunting season (“opening day is like Christmas … with guns!”). Our narrator is patriarch Albert Soady (Casperson), a campfire windjammer of the highest order. The Soadys have been coming to this cabin for 75 years, but Albert is taking us back to 1989, “dat year when camp was as tense as a moose’s butt durin’ fly season.”
Son Reuben (Arp, who’s on a major roll that includes Curious’ just-ended “The Goat”) is a hapless hunter facing an ignominious challenge: If he fails to kill a deer this season, he becomes the oldest member of his clan (35) never to have killed a deer. He is determined to alter previous routines to reverse the curse, which puts him at odds with superstitious, rosary-wielding brother Remnar (Morgan) and hilarious simpleton Jimmer Negamanee (an unrecognizable Hahn), who has spoken in gibberish ever since being
abducted by aliens.
Reuben will try anything, including outrageous Indian rituals and potions devised by his wife, Wolf Moon Dance. (Porcupine, moose, urine, testicles – you put them together.)
As dawn approaches, a series of unexplainable events takes place: Jimmer’s Impala mysteriously catches fire. A Department of Natural Resources ranger (a mismatched Dan Mundell) sees God above the Soadys’ ridge and undresses. Playing cards change numbers in people’s hands. Most disturbing, Albert’s homemade sweet-sap whiskey turns to syrup.
As a writer, Daniels has an innate skill for drawing laughs at every level of the comedy spectrum, from irresistibly profane “Dumb & Dumber”-like sight (and sound) gags, to some brilliantly constructed verbal chaos. One wonders, however, whether having all mystical hell break loose at the end is only an attempt to give this simple, funny story of a man facing his deepest fear more dramatic credibility.
Daniels’ parallel purposes ultimately collide in a cacophony of light and sound effects. The result is provocative, scatological and weird. After laughing throughout the night, what are we to make of a late surprise appearance? What are we to make of this confluence of Indian mysticism, Christianity and aliens? Are we supposed to feel intellectually aroused? Or just applaud a great campfire tale grown taller than the tallest pine?
No matter how you take it, this much all should agree on: “Escanaba” is a little gross, and a lot strange. It is also uniquely warm and humane. And it offers a venison feast of great individual performances.
Theater critic John Moore can be reached at 303-954-1056 or jmoore@denverpost.com.
“Escanaba in da Moonlight” | *** RATING
Comedy | Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave. |Written by Jeff Daniels |Directed by John Ashton | Starring Jack Casperson, John Arp, William Hahn, Michael Morgan and Dan Mudell | Through Dec. 17 | 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays | Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
| Tickets: $18-$20 | Call 303-739-1970
