Yes, we just said that.
A penny for your fart, not exactly what you would expect to see on a Spokane Civic Theatre Blog. What the heck are we talking about? Escanaba in Love…what else? Had to be another Jeff Daniels extravaganza at Spokane Civic Theatre, otherwise, we would never mention the “f” word. Opening next Friday on the Civic Main Stage, Escanaba in Love is a prequel to Escanaba in da Moonlight. You saw that one, right? The infamous seven minute fart joke? Anyhoo, we spent a little time with Chris Taylor who plays “Salty” Jim Negamanee in the play (and is Spokane Civic Theatre Academy Director of Education) and he tells us Spokane Civic Theatre’s Escanaba in Love
centers on young Albert Soady Jr (who is the eldest character in “Moonlight”) about to go off to war when he meets and falls head-over-heels with Big Betty Balou (the woman who is Reuben and Remnar’s mother in “Moonlight”). We also meet Salty Jim (who is the father of Jimmer from “Moonlight”). So to those familiar with “Moonlight”, it’s an intriguing look into the inception of those beloved characters. But to those who have never seen “Moonlight”, you don’t have to worry: the story is still very easy to follow.
This IS a guy play, but don’t let that sway you
When it comes to Jeff Daniels’ plays, you gotta wonder who his audience is. In this case, Taylor says the play definitely has guy moments and “there are fart jokes and lots of talk about hunting and fishing and drinking. But there are also some tender, honest moments…” Escanaba in Love, directed by Scott Doughty (think Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and BINGO), is really a peek in to a boys night out and Chris Taylor thinks that is exactly why women will find it so appealing. There’s something so forbidden there. And he suggests that you not totally “check your brains at the door but you shouldn’t take it that seriously either”.
And back to the fart
You know we couldn’t stray far from it, right? When we asked Chris to share some of his favorite lines so we could tempt Spokane Civic Theatre patrons, he wasn’t willing to part with much. But he tells us “a guaranteed laugh is when Big Betty enters camp for the second time, having recently returned from the outhouse to do her business, when she says ‘that just might have been the finest two-holer I ever had the pleasure of droppin’ a duker in.” Yea, we just said duker. This is just plain silliness. But it gets even sillier. Apparently, the play makes us of a gas dollar jar that collects pennies for every fart. We’re thinking that when you attend this play it would be best enjoyed if you would channel your inner adolescent boy as you enter Civic’s lobby.
So there it is, at its most basic
Spokane Civic Theatre’s Escanaba in Love is, at it’s core, a funny, high speed, entertaining Yooper comedy. The Civic audience will love odd speech patterns, strange talkin’, man rules, and lot’s of laughs. So come on out and see a little Escanaba – opening on the Civic Main Stage 1/11/13, directed by Scott Doughty, produced by Janice Abramson (Duck Hunter Shoots Angel, BINGO), and featuring Ron Ford, Dave Rideout (Catfish Moon), Jon Hudson, Chris Taylor and Linsday Teter. Escanaba in Love runs through February 2, 2013 and is sponsored in part by TicketsWest.
Upcoming shows at Spokane Civic Theatre
- Next to Normal – Contemporary Rock Musical – Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre
- The Drowsy Chaperone – Dazzling Musical Comedy – Main Stage
- On Golden Pond – Uplifting Classic Play – Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre
- Treasure Island – Family Adventure Story – Main Stage
- The Dixie Swim Club – Warmhearted New Comedy – Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre
- Grease – Spirit of the ’50s Musical – Main Stage