Gloucester Stage's "Moon Man Walk": A Moving Production

Let’s go for an adventure on the moon.

As Gloucester Stage’s final show of the season, the theater presents “Moon Man Walk,” written by James Ijames. After his mother passes, Spencer returns home to clean out his mother’s house. Along the way, Spencer meets Petrushka, recounts memories, and discovers a surprising secret.

I always walk into shows totally blind, and my initial idea for “Moon Man Walk” is a story set in space. While space is a prominent theme, “Moon Man Walk” is a moving and genuine play about family, new connections, and letting go. This is a play that we need right now. Nobody battles grief alone.

A talented quartet of actors leads the show. They create authentic characters and relationships. They’re each comedy naturals and deliver remarkable dramatic scenes. 

Dom Carter plays Spencer, a man struggling to cope with loss and his parents' complicated history. Carter brings an awkward charm and vulnerability to his performance. He does a remarkable job playing a childlike persona of young Spencer in flashbacks. Spencer takes the biggest leap there is, and let’s go. 

Lorraine Victoria Kanyike brings so much spirit, energy, and heart to the stage as Petrushka. Kanyike is so funny in all her deliveries. Petrushka is playful and outgoing, but she is also supportive and understanding. Spencer and Petrushka’s connection is so important. They’re two different people, but we meet for a reason. 

Kalala Kiwanuka-Woernle brings warmth to Esther, Spencer’s single mother. She is a loving mother who made a difficult decision to protect Spencer from a hurtful truth. Kiwanuka-Woernie brings warmth, strength, and loving devotion to the role. 

Dereks Thomas takes on multiple roles, including the astronaut, funeral home owner, flower store owner, and Kesi. Thomas gives each character a distinct personality. The audience's favorite moment was the very jolly flower store owner placing flowers everywhere. 

Lyndsay Allyn Cox's direction of the story’s tone is effective. She allows the story’s shifts between reality and memory to feel natural. Cox magnificently balances emotional themes with moments of humor and imagination. 

The stage is relatively bare, with minimal set props. Scenic designer Dahlia Al-Habieli creates a space where characters’ interactions feel deeper and more connected. The numerous lights help establish the mood, emphasizing important moments.

Although a sad subject matter, you’ll find yourself laughing more than ever. Gloucester Stage’s production examines relatable themes through a humorous lens. It’s a comical play, thanks to the actors' humorous deliveries. But it’s serious when it needs to be. 

Audience members cackled and snorted. Hearing laughter is always music to the ears. Something I will never forget is the applause. It was something different. It felt like pure gratitude. Grief is a hard subject for people to talk about, and seeing it presented onstage makes it easier to express feelings. It’s okay to be sad, and it’s okay to be happy. 

“Moon Man Walk’s” main theme surrounds loss. After recently experiencing a loss myself, I felt so much warmth sitting in the audience, and it made me feel lighter. I felt connected to everyone in the audience. We’re all total strangers, but we have one thing in common: loss. The grief cycle isn’t easy, but we find new connections. 

Rebecca Bradshaw, the producing artistic director, said it best.

“An experience, or even the experience of a memory, can drive you to open a completely different door,” Bradshaw said. 

“Moon Man Walk” is not to be missed. This is one of my favorite shows of this year, and I would love to see it again. It has heart and made powerful connections with audiences. Catch a showing at Gloucester Stage, playing until Saturday, Sept. 26.