moonwatchers, now being staged by Lazy Susan Theatre, might be just what you need if you are feeling depressed and angry about the state of the nation and the world. It’s one hour of pure silliness, a delightful mix of two guys trying to keep Earth and its moon in orbit with the help of a few other characters. The script by Corey Farrell and Nigel Berkeley seems like something dreamed up for a fringe festival and that’s indeed what it is—an award winner at the 2022 Minnesota Fringe Festival. Nealie Tinlin, co-artistic director, directs with aplomb and a giggle.
The plot is slim. Allen (Elijah J. Jones) and Rocko (Renzo Vicente) have just one job. Watch the moon. Each morning, they arrive at their Earth office and go through the same time-controlled drill, with a Cow, a Comet and a Sheep. They guide the Cow as she jumps over the moon, the Comet as it wends its way across the moon, and they count sheep. Very. Slowly. Until they fall sound asleep. (I wish that counting-sheep trick worked as well for me.)
One morning, they discover disaster has struck. The moon has disappeared. The moon-rustler has stolen the moon as well as one of the rings of Saturn. The space criminal is Johnny Rumble, who has taken his loot off to the Land of the Midnight Sun, “to a dude ranch on the far side of Uranus.” (Cue Uranus jokes.) Rocko takes on the challenge of retrieving the moon and departs for the desert. At home, Allen makes a hilarious effort to find a moon substitute.
This search provides opportunities for other characters to appear, all played by our leading duo. Rocko meets Ivan, a space fisherman (Jones) and finally the criminal himself, Johnny Rumble (Jones), who performs with his band, the Midnight Boys, and admits he stole the moon. Rocko and Johnny agree on a battle of kazoos to see who will win the moon and depart for the Milky Way Bar and Grill.
Our favorite moonwatchers character now appears for a reunion. Johnny and Bessie, the Cow who jumped over the moon, were childhood friends. (They read Space Jane Austen together.) Bessie (an adorable Vicente) is flirtatious in a pink and white striped pinafore, wavy white hair, and a pink bonnet. Johnny is thrilled to find his childhood friend.
It’s a fanciful bit of synchronicity that two of the plays I have seen recently feature, not only the Cow that jumps over the moon, but a splash of music from Richard Strauss’ “Thus Spoke Zarathustra.” (moonwatchers is really an intergalactic space odyssey!) That happens at the end of Goodnight, Moon and punctuates the end of moonwatchers as well. In Goodnight Moon, Clarabelle Cow, costumed like a charming cow, does jump over the moon after several attempts. And so does Bessie, sort of.
Director Tinlin keeps the action brisk and her cast follows through. Scenic design of the moon office and environs is by Jon Yawn, with lighting by Emma Berry and sound design by Matthew Masino. Dominic Rincker is music director. Costumes are by Ephraim Page. Jacob Sousley is stage manager.
moonwatchers by Lazy Susan Theatre Co. continues through May 17 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Running time is one hour, no intermission. Tickets ($27) and more information are available here.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
Did you enjoy this post? Please consider supporting Third Coast Review’s arts and culture coverage by making a donation. Choose the amount that works best for you, and know how much we appreciate your support!
