Escanaba 2024

Jamie Evans, Jim Jenkins and Devon Conley in the 2019 production Photo from the LionHeart fb page

Comedy makes its LionHeart return

Story and photo by Megan Wirts

I can look you right in the hairy eyeball and tell you that Escanaba in Da Moonlight is a must see show. LionHeart Productions is reprising this uproariously funny comedy written by Michigan native, Jeff Daniels. Under the direction of Mike Gesler, this hilarious show about a deer camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will leave any “fudge-sucking flatlander” cracking up. 

The cast is full of familiar faces from LionHeart’s 2019 production of Escanaba along with a couple of new faces. 

Reprising their roles are Jamie Evans, as Reuben Soady, who is about to become the oldest Soady to never bag a buck at the age of 35.  Devon Conley as Remnar Soady, Reuben’s younger brother and much better shot. Jim Jenkins as absolutely hilarious Jimmer Negamanee, the wackadoodle local that was abducted by aliens and hasn’t been quite right ever since. Along with Caitlin Sjaarda-Voyt as Wolf Moon Dance. I  cannot wait to see them all back as these fantastically funny folks.

Joining the cast we have Ron Jenkins, a LionHeart staple, as the patriarch, Albert Soady and Joe Bowman, taking over the role his father played in 2019, as ranger Tom T. Treado. Both are sure to have the crowd cracking up! 

This show is full of Michigan references and yooper culture that many of us here in Newaygo County can relate to. The characters are our uncles, neighbors and cousins and is an ode to life in the north or near north. Go see this show and laugh until your stomach hurts! It’s worth it!
 
Opening this week at the Grant Fine Arts Center with five chances to see the show! Tickets are available at: https://grantfac.booktix.net

Thursday: March 21 at 7pm
Friday: March 22 at 7pm
Saturday: March 23 at 2pm and 7pm
Sunday: March 24 at 2pm

Adults – $15
Students and Seniors – $10