‘Escanaba in Da Moonlight’ @ Allen Contemporary Theatre
Art/photos courtesy of ACT
—Carol M. Rice
Male-bonding hunting trips are as important as girls’ weekends to wine country, and I’m pretty sure neither sex wants to know what goes on at the other. Jeff Daniels (yes, THAT Jeff Daniels) gives us a glimpse of what goes on with the guys in Escanaba in da Moonlight. Allen Contemporary Theatre’s excellent production, as hilariously directed by Beau Dameron, confirms I’m right in my assumption that this probably isn’t something the girls would enjoy.
But it’s awfully fun to watch!
Albert Soady, his sons Reuben and Remnar, and a weird friend named Jimmer meet at the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula (aka the top part of Michigan) hunting cabin. Reuben is 35 and is the oldest family member in the history of the Soady clan never to bag a buck, and this year, Reuben’s must go to any and all lengths to remove himself from this one-man “naughty list” in the family record book.
Traditions and superstitions play a big part in the hunting season for this group. Remnar, for instance, still wears the shirt he wore on his first hunting trip—when he was nine. Now it’s more of a mini vest and there’s a distinct possibility it’s never been washed, but it’s an important part of his hunting ritual. Kind of like ballplayers who refuse to wash their socks when the team’s on a winning streak; you get the idea.
Almost as soon as they arrive, strange things start happening: Jimmer’s new Chevy Impala randomly and spontaneously bursts into flames; the sap whisky tastes like maple syrup; and Reuben has decided not to bring the pasties (a sort of samoza or hand-held meat/cheese pie). It’s been the family’s traditional food for the trip—on the advice of Reuben’s Native American wife, Wolf Moon Dance. Yep, things are definitely getting weird.
Jeff York plays Albert Soady, the patriarch of the family, who also acts as narrator. York is a captivating storyteller, and he jumps easily in and out of the scenes to fill the audience in on what’s happening—not always an easy task based on the craziness going on around him. He gives an outstanding performance.
Tyler Baker provides Reuben Soady with a hyper-focused, multi-layered character that you, quite frankly, need to see to believe. He seems like a regular guy at first, but then when all the inexplicable, supernatural things start happening that lead him to his buck, he simply allows it all to happen to him, and builds a credible performance out of the chaos.
As Remnar Soady (what kind of a name is Remnar?), Blake Rice plays Reuben’s annoying little brother with glee. Remnar is confident except when he’s not, and B. Rice has him covering a lot of emotions believably.
Daniel Rice portrays the extremely odd Jimmer Negamanee, a friend of the family who was once abducted by aliens. Perhaps this explains his bizarre speech patterns; only the Soadys can understand him. (One has to assume he’s written this way). While he is mostly unintelligible (my companion and I caught a few words here and there), D. Rice has amazing physical control, facial expressions, and stage presence, especially when he channels Grandpappy Soady in Reuben’s vision...and then he is easily understood.
A side note: Blake Rice and Daniel Rice are not related, nor am I related to either of them. Just coincidence. [Plus, an editor’s note: The “Upper Peninsula” lingo of the play is attached to similar speech quirks around the Great Lakes, and in the city of Chicago—you know, home of “da Bears” at the south end of the same Lake Michigan.]
Tim Demsky contributes to the insanity as Ranger Tom Treado, who shows up at the cabin claiming to have seen God in the forest…and then passes out on the couch. While not playing as showy a role as the others, Demsky gives a solidly side-splitting performance as an outsider who manages to fit right into the mix.
Lidia Leon makes a brief yet important appearance in Reuben’s dream/vision as his wife Wolf Moon Dance Soady. She is mysterious and kind of creepy, yet supportive of her husband and his goal of shooting a large deer, and Leon is captivating in the role.
Heather York’s costume design is spot-on, especially the long underwear worn by each of the men. That’s good, since they spend so much time in them.
Britanya Elios provides the many props for the show (so many different liquids!), and kudos must be given to stage manager Laura Jennings, as cleaning up that mess after every performance cannot be easy.
In addition to his solid directing, Beau Dameron is the set designer, and he’s created the perfect rustic hunting cabin. In fact, he’s created the perfect hunting show. He’s put together a great cast that works well together to tell a strange, funny story with many laugh-out-loud moments.
I knew nothing about Escanaba in da Moonlight going in, other than it was about a guy who hadn’t yet shot a deer. And while there is some typical macho behavior (drinking, burping, farting, etc.), the play gives us more than that. At its core, Escanaba in da Moonlight is about family, tradition, and the almost mythological mystery involved in making your dreams happen.
Escanaba in da Moonlight may be a play title that’s unknown to you, but live a little and go see something out of the ordinary. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
WHEN: March 13-29, 2026
WHERE: ACT, 1210 E. Main Street #300, Allen TX
WEB: allencontemporarytheatre.net
