The Northeast Theatre Celebrates Family with “Over the River and Through the Woods”

Back again by popular demand, The Northeast Theatre opens its Fifteenth Season on July 26 with Joe DiPietro’s Over the River and Through the Woods, the Italian-American hit comedy about the modern dilemma of family versus mobility, a sweetly hilarious play appropriate for ages 10 to 100.

Joe DiPietro, who is also known for his long-running musical comedy hit, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, lovingly explores the dynamics of family in his sweetly hilarious play, Over the River and Through the Woods. The Northeast Theatre will present its acclaimed production of this hit comedy for the third time July 26 through August 13, 2006, featuring the same talented cast.

Over the River and Through the Woods is set in Hoboken, NJ at the home of Frank and Aida Gianelli. Their neighbors are also their in-laws, Nunzio and Emma Cristano, and all four share a grandson, Nick. Nick is single, lives in Manhattan and visits every weekend. They love each other, squabble about petty things, and try to figure out how to operate the VCR; a very familiar American scene.

The play opens as Nick is poised to make an important announcement. As the only remaining family member within an easy visiting distance, he has to tell his grandparents that he is taking a job in Seattle. They respond to this ultimate catastrophe with the ultimate solution: find him a girlfriend, and the story unfolds from there.

There is something so familiar and so true about this play, that laughter and happy tears compete throughout. Although the family of the play is Italian, they could be of any ethnic origin. It is life as we know it. A generation that grew up with horses in the streets, now looks at the computer in their spare bedroom and wonders how they had managed to lived so long. They stare across the table at their grandchildren for whom a cross country jet ride has been normal for all of their lives. They love each other, but at the same time they are worlds apart. And when these two worlds need to communicate, the results, although almost painful, are also hilarious. Mr. DiPietro captures the sweet irony of this disconnect so perfectly that you almost feel you have been invited to step up on stage and join them for dinner. This extraordinarily truthful depiction grew from the playwright’s loving observations of his own grandparents, and his affection for them infuses the play.

TNT regular Mary Ethel Schmidt directs (she appeared as Lettice in Lettice and Lovage and as Margaret in Waiting for the Parade) and the revival cast is the same as the original; the only difference being that the part of Kaitlin will be played by Amber Irvin (last seen as Marta in Waiting for the Parade). Returning to play their roles again are New York actors: Jeff Wills (last seen in Operation Opera), Bob Ader (who also played the Groucho role in Legal Snarls) and his wife Marilyn Spanier, and Nancy Ward. They will be joined by Joe Newbury of Towanda, who was last seen as Kringle in Kringle’s Window. His wife, Julie Larnard-Newbury designed costumes with Colleen Close (together they are known as Stitch in Time Costumes), lighting is by Scranton designer, Jim Langan, and sets are by award-winning San Francisco designer, Alan Curreri.

Over the River and Through the Woods runs July 26 through August 13 at The Northeast Theatre, Performance Space at the Jermyn, 326 Spruce Street, 2nd Floor, Downtown Scranton.

Wednesday, July 26 is Pay-What-You-Can Night when there are no set prices and admission is granted for any donation of $1 or more. Thursday, July 27 is Cheaper Than a Movie Night for which all tickets are $5. Friday, and July 28 is Big Bargain Night with tickets priced at $10 (except for students under 25 who always get in for $5). Saturday, July 29 is Opening Night at regular prices, and a reception with the actors follows the performance.

Regular ticket prices are $20 general, $15 seniors over 60, and $5 students under 25. Tickets may be purchased at the box office Wednesday through Saturday 3:00 p.m. until curtain, by phone at 570-558-1515, or online at www.thenortheasttheatre.us.