Escanaba in da Moonlight

By Jeff Daniels

Directed by John Faust

Escanaba in Da Moonlight is Jeff Daniel's hilariously twisted comedy about five Yoopers - residents of Michigan's Upper Peninsula - and their escapades at a ramshackle deer camp on the eve of the Opening Day of the 1989 hunting season.

For nearly three quarters of a century, Soady men have trekked to their little "home away from home" north of Escanaba - the heart and soul of the U.P. - to drink, cause a little bit of trouble, and bag bucks. But in the words of Patriarch Albert, "Dat year camp was as tense as a moose's butt durin' fly season."

At 43, Reuben Soady is in danger of becoming the oldest member in the history of the family never to bag a buck. Known around town as the "Buckless Yooper," even Reuben's wife is a better shot. As the fateful dawn approaches, Reuben attempts to change his luck by altering several of the time tested rituals and traditions of Soady deer camp, but only succeeds in fueling a series of strange and unexplainable events causing Remnar, Reuben's overly superstitious brother, to remark, "If I didn't know better, I'd say this camp was cursed."

Following a blinding whoosh of light, Jimmer Negamanee, who once was abducted and then returned by aliens over the course of a long weekend, arrives at camp after his Impala mysteriously catches fire and drives off without him. Department of Natural Resources Ranger Tom T. Treado shows up unannounced to inform the Soadys he's just seen God up on their ridge. When their playing cards change their numbers right in their hands, Albert's homemade Sweet Sap Whiskey turns to syrup and Reuben is blasted by the same blinding whoosh of light from up high up on Soady Ridge, all hell breaks loose. Armed with only the undying love of his wife and his family, Reuben runs up the ridge to face his deepest fear.

Produced by Lakeland Players at Sprague Theater 15 W. Walworth St. Elkhorn,WI

Performances: October 13 - 22, 2006

Performance Times: evening performances at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m

Ticket Prices:

Call 262-723-3123 for reservations or more information.