Disappointed, yet eager

It would be hard to say anything about Moon Over Buffalo last night without getting past the difficult part: the play was very disappointing.

I feel very conflicted about posting negative comments because the Bellevue Civic Theater has been generous to TAG and Tacoma by helping it to reduce their debt and keep the doors open during an incredibly difficult two years. I am also conflicted because even though BCT was the producer (Moon Over Buffalo ran already in Bellevue) TAG's name is still indelibly associated (the show does, after all, kick off TAG's season).

But the truth is the shows I saw at TAG before their closure, No Exit, Forbidden Xmas (twice), and As You Like It, were superior. This was the first work I've seen of the Bellevue Civic Theater, and I was unprepared for the difference from TAG.

I think the biggest problem was that simply that Moon Over Buffalo was just a poor choice for a script. Light farces are fine, but the writer has got to be better than Ken Ludwig (Simon or Frayn are much better choices).

So I am eager. Eager for Proof in Februrary which is the first show since the doors closed in 2004 that will be put on by TAG and just TAG. And after that Charlotte Tiencken will direct Romeo & Juliet. I'm looking forward to seeing TAG stand on its own again.