Cheri Freeman has done a marvelous job bringing entertainment to Chewelah's stage; however, I don't think any of them will have been as rowdy, hilarious, boisterous and fun as Park Avenue Player's next production. Escanaba in da Moonlight was written by actor Jeff Daniels (Yes, the Dumb and Dumber guy) and is a booming piece with out-going characters and a tale that includes hunting, UFO's, visions of bucks, self igniting Chevy's and moonshine with maple syrup! As one character would say; 'it's Christmas with guns'. Long time stage actor George Eberth considers it the best good ol' boy play he's ever been part of.
Rehearsing at the actor's homes, the six member cast consists of George, Sean Taboloff, Bill Barnes, Ed Bryan, Kevin Christensen, and Sophia Aldous. Beginning life as a stage play and then a film; it tells the story of when the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family's Upper Peninsula camp, thirty-five-year-old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. Reuben will go to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book.
About his experience with this play, Sean said; "being in the show has been very humbling-really illustrates how far people will go for community theater." Watching the few minutes of a rehearsal made me jealous that I was not in the play. The actors looked like they were having fun and I am sure that will translate over into the performances. Park Avenue Player's has the habit of providing a wide range of stage entertainment and they will not disappoint with this zany hunter's delight full of hunter's stories-just watch where you step. With the exception of Kevin Christensen, the cast are all veterans of Park Avenue Players and have appeared in numerous plays to include; Let's Murder Marsha, It Runs in The Family, An Adventure in a Small Town, Down to Earth, and Laffing Room Only.
The fun begins May 24 at 7 p.m. and will continue for 2 weekends of side splitting, fast moving adult fair. Bill Barnes says the play is incredibly interesting and I challenge anybody who watches, not to break out into laughter. Tickets are $10 at the door or can be purchased in advance at Akers United Drug, Valley Store Drugs, The Independent and R. E. Shoe Company in Colville. Performance days are May 24, 25, 31 and June 1 at 7 p.m. and May 26 and June 2 at 2 p.m. at the Chewelah's Community Center, next to the library. Join Park Avenue Players for deer camp without whiskey and a roaring good time. Boomity, Boomity, Boomity!

Submitted by Joseph D. Wulczynski