"Over The River And Through The Woods"--A Love Letter To Grandparents Everywhere

"Over the River and Through the Wood" was originally a poem published way back in 1844, but whenever you see or hear the words, you can't help but sing it because the words were later set to music. More recently, that well known opening phrase has become a title of a play written by Joe Dipietro, which is now showing at the James F. Dean Theatre in Summerville.

Truth be told, the play and its premise was unfamiliar to me until this week, so on opening night of the Flowertown Players presentation, going in, I had no real expectations. After seeing it, Director Sue J. Vinick and her capable cast set the bar pretty high with their performance of Over the River and Through the Woods, so next time I see the play, I will have expectations to meet.

Joe DiPietro was born in New Jersey. He is best known for writing the book and lyrics to the musical comedy hit I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. His most recent works include the musical comedy All Shook Up; the 2010 Tony Award-winning musical Memphis; and the 2012 Tony-nominated "Nice Work If You Can Get It." He wrote Over the River and Through the Woods in 1998 in tribute to his Italian grandparents. It played Off-Broadway at the John Houseman Theatre for 800 performances over two years.

Nick is a young marketing professional living in New York City. His two sets of loving grandparents live where they have for many years, in Hoboken, New Jersey. For the grandparents, he is the only remaining son and grandchild of the family that has not moved away. Nick judiciously goes "over the river" to his grandparent's house every week for Sunday dinner. Frank laments about his Sunday visits, "You're here, but you are not."

Nick is a very anxious young man. His grandparents say it was the reason why he chewed on his rattle when he was a baby. This one particular Sunday, he had an important announcement to make, which makes him even more anxious compounded further by the fact he can't get the four of them to focus on what he has to say. His one grandfather is having driving issues, his one grandmother is fixated on preparing him food, and his other two grandparents are sidetracked by the revelation he is seeing a head doctor.

When he finally gets them settled down, he makes the announcement. He has been offered a promotion in Seattle, Washington and is considering the move. Frank, Aida, Emma, and Nunzio are heartbroken by that prospect. So, they cook up a matchmaking scheme to invite a lovely nurse by the name of Caitlin O'Hare over for the next Sunday dinner. Whoops. Generations apart in their thinking, he wonders how he could have come from "you people." They don't understand answering machines, VCRs, or the right way to play Trivia Pursuit.

"As the play unfolds, it does so as a memory, a recollection, a remembrance not only of Nick Cristano's grandparents, but of yours and mine, too. It does not matter what we called them, what their nationalities were, or even where they lived. This is a love letter to grandparents everywhere," stated Susan J. Vinick.

Nick is conflicted with a imprudent temperament and Chase Graham passionately portrayed that shortfall through the play with comedic flare, sometimes a bit over the top--he scared the girl away. Visiting his grandparents every Sunday for dinner was thoughtful, but as Caitlin pointed out, played by Ashley-Ann Woods, he lacked appreciation for what he had in his grandparents. The cure just might be a panic attack and guess what, a few days at his grandparent's house.

Susie Hallat and Mary Anne Dyne were superbly entertaining as the food peddling Aida and the Mass card pushing Emma. Susie's mannerisms were delightfully expressive and Mary Anne's endearing accent reminded me of Anne Meara and her bluntness reminiscent of Joan Rivers. Both were flawless in their script delivery.

Fred Hutter as Frank, who was put on a boat destined for America at age fourteen by his father, was the only one of the cast that delivered his lines with an attempted heavy Italian accent. Frank's life story was an emotionally touching moment and Fred conveyed it well.

Larry Wineland as Nunzio, an Italian who faked being an Irishman to get a job, rounded out the grandparent foursome as Emma's lifetime mate. Larry was paired well with Mary Anne, but I have to say, if it wasn't for the Perillo Tours and "Tenga familia," the couple did seem more Irish than Italian, or maybe, is it Americanized, sort a speak.

Congratulations Director Sue and cast for a performance well done. There were no discernible miscues. A couple interludes were a little slow in developing, possibly due to wardrobe changes. Set was decorated and furnished simple appropriate--the automatic revolving front door was genius. Got to give a shout out to those behind the scenes--prop management and lighting well done.

Over the River and Through the Woods is a play with two different temperaments like its main character, Nick, only in a different way. The first act is lighthearted and the laughs came as fast as Aida's food, the dinner scene with Caitlin was priceless. The second act pulls a switch and takes on a more dramatic tone that tugs at the heartstrings. I would cross over the river and through the woods to see it again.

Purchase your tickets for Over the River and through the Woods.

January 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, and February 1, 2020 at 8pm, January 19, 26, and February 2, 2020 at 3pm