Fun Fare For Fudge-Sucking Flatlanders- A Review

Escanaba in Da Moonlight is hilarious
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By Megan Wirts
​Photos by Catalpa Photography

I can look you right in the hairy eyeball and tell you that Escanaba in Da Moonlight is a must see show. LionHeart Productions has done it again with 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.

I brought my 11 year old son with me to this show since he is an avid hunter and outdoorsman, plus he has seen the movie, so I knew he’d love it. While he hasn’t been to deer camp yet (and neither have I), he has been to fish camp and he tells me that fish camp is pretty much just like Escanaba in Da Moonlight, especially the snoring and the farting, except with fish. This show does have some adult language, but with me as a mother and his time at fish camp, he’s probably heard worse. Even with our lack of deer camp experience, we both were rolling with laughter the entire time. I imagine those that have been to deer camp will relate to this on an even more personal level. I’m more of a bargain hunter than a deer hunter, or any other animal for that matter, and I thoroughly enjoyed this show.

The cast is comprised of familiar faces from past LionHeart productions along with a couple of new faces. The patriarch, Albert Soady, is played by Mark Walters, a Grant High School teacher who recently played George Banks in LionHeart’s Mary Poppins. With his excellent delivery and timing, Walters set the scene and had us in the palm of his hand as he spun the tale of the eve of November 15, 1989, or as they like to call it, “Christmas with guns”.

His son Reuben, played by Jamie M. Evans, is about to become the oldest Soady to never bag a buck at the age of 35. Evans, has also been on the stage with LionHeart in the past and is fantastic as the somewhat doltish Reuben. Armed with not just a gun, but with a few potions and incantations from his wife Wolf Moon Dance, played by newcomer Caitlin Phillips. Reuben hopes that with her help, this is the year he breaks his curse. As the night before opening day goes on, strange things start to happen as the other deer camp attendees arrive.

First we have Remnar Soady, Reuben’s younger brother and much better shot. Remnar is brought to life by Devon Conley, another Grant High School teacher and first timer with LionHeart. Conley seems right at home up there on the stage. His portrayal of the superstitious and hilariously dim-witted Remnar was spot on and so funny. Add to the mix LionHeart veteran Jim Bowman, as Ranger Tom T. Treado the DNR ranger that believes he saw God in the woods, and the laughter continues.

Then there is Jim Jenkins. Jenkins is absolutely hilarious as Jimmer Negamanee, the wackadoodle local that was abducted by aliens and hasn’t been quite right ever since. Jenkins, who has been part of LionHeart since 2004, had me snorting with laughter. His onstage shenanigans as the loveable loon had the audience laughing out loud almost the entire time he was on stage.

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!

You can see the show March 16 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm  at the Grant Public Schools Fine Arts Center and March 23 at 2:00 pm 7:30 pm and March 24 at 2:00 pm at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available online at the Grant Fine Arts Center and the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts or at their box offices. Don’t miss your chance for a night of fun!