Theater Review: 'Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun'

“Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun” is a heartwarming story about a slow-witted 35-year-old man and his effect on the life of an unmarried, pregnant young woman.

Written by Canadian playwright Norm Foster, the play is about that commodity most notably on the decline in modern society: compassion.

Foster is the author of nearly 50 plays, including “The Melville Boy,” which received an off-Broadway run.
The audience at the Banyan Theater Company premiere laughed heartily and shed a few tears over this excellent production, which was amusing and poignant in its defense of the old-fashioned notion of our responsibilities to one another as human beings.

Robert David May is sympathetic and believable as Robert Castle, the mentally challenged man, who’s convinced that the weight of the iron and zinc in his cereal makes him late for the bus. May played Max Bialystock in “The Producers” and Jud in “Oklahoma!” at The Players Theatre this season.

Robert Castle lives with his mother, Claire, lovably played by Karel K. Wright. Claire talks to God when Robert’s out of the room, declaring, “This may be the last time we ever speak,” if God fails to help her provide for her son after she’s gone.

Wright has performed in numerous productions with the Mad Cow, Gorilla Theater and TheatreZone companies locally and with the Minnesota Repertory Theatre and the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Katherine Michelle Tanner is charming and realistic as Holly Fitch, the college graduate who wants to be a teacher but so far has only been able to land a job at a sporting-goods store. Her situation becomes dire when she learns she’s pregnant. Tanner most recently played Margaret in “Charm” at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.

The boyfriend-in-question is Holly’s self-centered former college professor. Wayne LeGette does a great job of portraying the egotistical male who is too caught up in his own world to comprehend the problems of others. LeGette co-starred on A&E’s “The Glades” and has appeared in numerous regional theater productions.

IF You Go
“Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun” runs through Aug. 28, at the Cook Theatre, located at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail.

For ticket information, visit www.banyantheatercompany.com or call 351-2808.