WALLACE — Take a trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the world-famous Soady hunting cabin in the Sixth Street Theater’s fall production of "Escanaba in Da Moonlight." 

Written by Emmy Award-winning actor Jeff Daniels, who also directed and starred in the original 2001 film, the story centers on the Soady family, a group of hunters living near Escanaba. Rueben Soady is on track to become the oldest family member never to bag a buck, leading some to believe he’s cursed. In an effort to change his luck, Rueben abandons family traditions and embraces some unusual new ones. 

The hilarity ensues as other friends and family find themselves directly in the path of Rueben’s desire to finally get his buck. 

The show is directed by Sixth Street veteran Casey Duncan, who also directed the production during a previous run in 2017. 

“I directed the play in 2017, but I ended up having to be in it also,” Duncan said. “I played Rueben after my lead dropped out. It’s a different experience being out here in the audience to direct the show instead of being in it. I’d probably say this is my real directorial debut.” 

Duncan is a self-proclaimed "Escanaba in Da Moonlight" superfan. He owns one of 42 signed original movie posters from the film’s limited theater run in 2001. 

“This is what got me started in the melodrama,” Duncan said. “I loved the movie, found out it was a play, and I went to Spokane to see the play, which was 10 times better than the movie. I came to Paul (Roberts) and said, ‘You guys gotta do this show.’ And he said, ‘Well, if you got involved in the melodrama, you could eventually do this play.’” 

After acting in a few shows at Sixth Street, Duncan got his wish. 

The show encapsulates the complexity of family dynamics and history, while also leaning into the regional weirdness that feels exclusive to the Upper Peninsula, but can be found just about everywhere. Like the movie, which was rated PG-13, the play may not be suitable for all audiences. 

The cast features a mix of Sixth Street and other theater veterans, including Jeff Campo, Ken Bartle, Tina Trecker, Mark Owsley, David Pierce, Tina Fletcher and Drago Duncan. Audiences can expect plenty of laughs, especially during scenes featuring Pierce and Owsley as Jimmer and DNR Officer Treado, respectively. 

Sixth Street will host a fundraiser throughout the show’s three-weekend run. Audience members can purchase raffle tickets to win a Savage Axis 7mm-08 Remington rifle, donated by Wallace Ace Hardware Building Maintenance. Tickets will be sold during intermission, one for $1 or six for $5. The drawing will be Sunday, Nov. 23, with proceeds going toward stage microphones. 

"Escanaba in Da Moonlight" runs weekends through Nov. 23, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets, visit www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com or call 208-752-8871 to request a callback.