Moon Fever 
The Cast
Evie Jeffries . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth Nieckoski
Trish Jeffries . . . . . . . . . . Elise Cannon Truttling
Lorraine Jeffries . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth Sumner
Martin Freeberg . . . . . . . . . . Mark Armstrong
Dennis Schafley . . . . . . . . . . Paul Gimma, Jr.
The Band
Steve Bourque . . . . . . . . . . Drums and percussion
Michael Cohen . . . . . . . . . . Book, music, lyrics, guitar
Dewees Johnson . . . . . . . . . . Bass
Heather Morrison . . . . . . . . . . Flute
ACT ONE
Scene 1
Calling All Bars . . . . . . . . . . Trish with Lorraine
Everything‘s A Conspiracy . . . . . . . . . . Lorraine with Trish
I Wish I Knew . . . . . . . . . . Evie with Trish and Lorraine
Love and Romance Game . . . . . . . . . . Lorraine with Trish and Evie
Scene 2
Like Magic . . . . . . . . . . Evie, Lorraine and Trish
Scene 3
My Name is Martin . . . . . . . . . . Martin
Brand New Pick-up Truck . . . . . . . . . . Dennis
Does He Love Me? . . . . . . . . . . Trish
Scene 4
Vampire . . . . . . . . . . Lorraine
ACT TWO
Scene 1
Carnival . . . . . . . . . . Trish with Lorraine and Evie
Moon Fever . . . . . . . . . . Evie
That's How Love Feels. . . . . . . . . . Lorraine
Scene 2
Sleep Little Gypsy. . . . . . . . . . Evie with Trish and Lorraine
Scene 3
Doing the Best I Can. . . . . . . . . . Evie, Lorraine and Trish
Moon Fever Synopsis
Moon Fever is a 2 act musical composed by Marlborough resident Michael Cohen. Michael’s group Fuzzy Logic has performed many times at the Branch River Theatre, and this musical features some songs from Fuzzy Logic’s repertoire as well as tunes written specifically for this production.
Moon Fever is a comedy about Lorraine and Trish, a couple of eccentric sisters, and what happens when Evie, their very normal, conservative younger sister unexpectedly comes to visit. Something has happened to utterly change Evie; she has terminated her long time relationship, quit her steady job in the big city, and seems to be en route to Brazil, determined to go wild. Trish and Lorraine’s efforts to get to the bottom of Evie’s life change lead them deeper into the mystery of what happened to their once stable, boring sister, who now seems on the verge of losing her mind. The plot is complicated when an old high school friend of Evie’s stops by, and soon some of the sister’s old resentments start to resurface.
The songs touch on such topics as conspiracy theories, unfaithful lovers, flaky boyfriends, new age religion, and escape fantasies.
Frank Behrens, reviewing Fuzzy Logic’s first CD in the Keene Sentinel has this to say about two of the song’s that will appear in Moon Fever:
“Fuzzy Logic has created and performed some of the most unusual lyrics since Sondheim and even perhaps W.S. (Topsy Turvy) Gilbert. What I like especially about this act is the occasional new spin on an old expression. For example, take “I’m a saint with the patience of a sinner” in “Calling All Bars” and you might recall such inversions in the lyrics of Larry Hart back in the 1920’s. By far the funniest of the lot is “Everything’s a Conspiracy” in which every modern paranoia-inducing group is mentioned from the Illuminati to those who want to fluoridate our reservoirs. This is Gilbert’s “I’ve got a little list” gone mad. It is also, I must add, an indication that Fuzzy Logic assumes its audience is a literate one.”
A Note About the Director
The idea for this musical came to life last year, I have always admired Michael's ability to write music, and love the variety of styles he uses to great effect. I have always felt that his music is perfect for musical theater. I told him one day to write a musical, and he did! The role of Lorraine was originally written with me in mind, but when I read the first draft I knew that I had to direct it. I am so delighted to be working with the cast and band as they are all so very talented! Sit back and enjoy the show, and thank you for coming and supporting live theater.
Moon Fever Characters
Evie Jeffries: the youngest of the three sisters. A very successful, proper, conservative type, who, due to a recent breakup, has decided to throw away everything she has accomplished and totally change her life. Or is she just going crazy?
Trish Jeffries: The eldest of the sisters, she lives at the family home with Lorraine. She is a Yoga teacher, a devotee of New Age Philosophy, and unfortunately in love with the very non-New Agey Dennis, who takes advantage of her generous spirit.
Lorraine Jeffries: Lorraine, due to a possibly made up back injury, she lives at home, supported by her sister Trish. She devotes her time to compiling her masterpiece of paranoia, something called the Final Unified Conspiracy Theory.
Martin Freeberg: A nerdy friend from Evie's old high school days, he is trying to reestablish their relationship, based upon a chance encounter they had at a party a few months ago, when Evie was definitely not her usual self.
Dennis Schafley: Trish's "good old boy" boyfriend, who she puts up with because she thinks they were great lovers in a previous life.
Moon Fever CD
TAKE NOTE!
Branch River Theatre has obtained tax exempt status recognized b the IRS. That means our donations to BRT are now tax deductible! If you would like to make a financial contribution to the well-being of BRT, please take a moment to speak with our Treasurer, Sherman Morrison by call 603-357-9613. THANKS!
