Review: Polished cast lifts 'Moon' heavenward

A first-rate cast and intelligent and sympathetic directing, as well as an accommodating and atmospheric set, make "A Moon to Dance By" shine.

Written by Washington County native and Carnegie Mellon University graduate Thom Thomas, "A Moon to Dance By" had its world premiere Friday as a production of The Rep, Point Park University's professional theater company.

Edwin Sherin, whose resume includes directing credits from 17 Broadway shows, led a trio of actors: Tony Award-winning stage and screen actress Jane Alexander, the always appealing Robert Cuccioli, who has starred in musicals on Broadway and at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Gareth Saxe, who had a leading role in last season's Broadway production of "The Homecoming."

Set in July 1939, "A Moon to Dance By" takes place over several days on a ranch near Taos, N.M., where Frieda Lawrence (Alexander), the widow of writer D.H. Lawrence, maintains a shrine to her author husband while living with her much-younger Italian lover, Angelo Ravagli (Cuccioli).

Set designer Stephanie Mayer-Staley solves the needs for multiple locations with an outdoor setting that suits Frieda and Angelo as people who have thrown away the rule book to live on their own terms.

The action swirls around the visit of Monty Weekley (Saxe), Frieda's 30-something son whom she abandoned decades before — along with her two young daughters — to run off with Lawrence, who was, at the time, a student of her husband's.

Weekley, a proper, very judgmental English gentleman, is brimming with unresolved anger and pain. Saxe is very good at telegraphing Monty's discomfort in a strange environment, as well as his alternating disapproval of and longing for his mother.

Frieda wants desperately to bond with her son. But her unrepentant and bohemian lifestyle, relaxed carnality and fondness for smoking and talking about sex does not make for an easy visit.

Her hips and bosom plumped up with padding, Alexander does an outstanding job making the now middle-aged and not a little frowsy Frieda interesting and sympathetic.

Interestingly, it's Angelo who helps create the bridge that allows the mother and son to come to an uneasy reconciliation. Cuccioli's Angelo is endearing both as he reveals his own regrets and bonds with Monty by making him co-conspirator in a deep secret.

Thomas, now based in Los Angeles, tells his story with a great deal of humor and a whole lot of high-voltage squabbling between the adults in this odd triangle.

But the resolution in the final moment — beautifully illuminated by lighting designer Andrew David Ostrowski — feels forced and unlikely to be sustainable.

Ultimately, Thomas' "Moon," like the one above our own planet, shines most and best as a reflection of the nearby starpower.