Review: Lazy Susan Theatre Co's Moonwatchers Now Playing Through May 17, 2026

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

LAZY SUSAN THEATRE CO. PRESENTS THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF

MOONWATCHERS

APRIL 30 - MAY 17

AT THE GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER

A Puppet Filled Tale of a Moon Heist, a Lovelorn Cow, and The Night Everything Changes

Written by Corey Farrell & Nigel Berkeley. 

Directed by Co-Artistic Director Nealie Tinlin

The total running time is one hour, no intermission

 Please note, this production contains some mature language, humor, and the use of fog and strobe effects.

All Production Photography by Mollie Menuck

REVIEW

By Dugan Kenaz-Mara

Everyone knows what it's like to work a minimum wage job. You show up, give a short greeting to your coworker, then have to deal with the monotony of the same routine night after night. And it's no different watching the moon. It's especially harrowing when you and your only coworker don't quite get along. But, when the focal point of your job suddenly goes missing? Everything might just get a lot more exciting. 

I am not exaggerating when I say that Moonwatchers is an absolute masterpiece when it comes to whimsy. It packs all of the joy, silliness, action, and simple puns of a TYA show into a story that any adult can relate to. The performance prominently features a kazoo battle, sock puppet murder, and character sound effect gags that had the audience laughing the whole way through. 

Elijah J. Jones (Allen) and Renzo Vicente (Rocko) share incredible chemistry on stage, pulling off the "opposite personality coworker duo" dynamic with ease. They each also play over-the-top side characters, like Johnny Rumble - the Meanest Moon Rustler in the solar system, and Bessie - the Cow who jumps over the moon each night. Two characters who have a shared past that we get to witness reconnect on stage as well. Both actors are funny, charming, and good musicians, singing multiple hilarious songs throughout the 55 minute performance. 

As a theater designer myself I couldn't help notice a neat aesthetic that scenic designer Jon Yawn and props designer Pierce Julian Howard pulled together. The Supergraphic '70's stripes' across the set and the 50s 'Atomic star' designs presented a space age vibe, that reinforced the feeling of a repetative workday in need of some variety. The costumes by Ephraim Page, lighting by Emma Berry and sound by Matthew Masino did the opposite, infusing the fun back into the show, and leaving opportunity for the space to transform into a western-inspired space desert or a crazy comet-fishing area. And despite the limited playing space of the intimate theater, the designers were able to transport us on a grand space adventure. 

If you're in the mood for an adult show that makes you feel like a kid again, I would definitely recommend this one! 

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar. Four out of Four Stars. Highly Recommended ★★★★

Dugan Kenaz-Mara is a Chicago based designer, photographer, educator, and graduate of Northwestern University's theatre program.

It is Rocko and Allen’s job to watch the moon, and it is really quite boring. Night after night, they time the sequences exactly - the cow jumps, the comet soars, but NEVER the alien spaceship. This is until the dastardly space criminal Johnny Rumble steals the moon, taking it to the far-off space desert of the Midnight Sun. This course of events sends the moonwatchers on an intergalactic space odyssey filled with music, love, new friendships, and epic showdowns to win back the one, the only, the Moon.

For tickets click here: https://lazysusantheatreco.org/moonwatchers

Cast and Crew:

Elijah J. Jones

“Allen”

Renzo Vicente

“Rocko”

Nicholas Ford Kinney

“Allen” u/s

Jack Humphrey

“Rocko” u/s

Nigel Berkeley

Playwright

Corey Farrell

Playwright

Nealie Tinlin*

Director

Dominic Rincker*

Music Director

Jon Yawn*

Scenic Designer

Emma Berry

Lighting Designer

Ephraim Page

Costume Designer

Matthew Masino*

Sound Designer

Pierce Julian Howard*

Prop Designer

Jacob Sousley

Stage Manager

Maeve Carroll

Asst. Stage Manager

At Lazy Susan Theatre Co., we embrace the importance of the artistic process by creating a space that is celebratory of the art. From the early stages to the final performance, we work to cultivate an environment where both audience and artist feel a sense of home and humanness.  We believe the need to create is a reason to create.  We work to grow our theatrical community and foster a safe and inclusive place for artists to learn and explore.

We believe the need to create is a reason to create. As a theatre company rooted in the vibrant city of Chicago, we are dedicated to creating bold, inclusive, and thought-provoking productions. Your generosity keeps the light shining and the stories unfolding. Lazy Susan Theatre Co is a 501(c)(3) non-profit; your donation is fully tax deductible.